She told you so: Cambridge astrologer makes predictions for 2008

By Erin Smith/Chronicle Staff
Thu Jan 17, 2008, 06:48 AM EST

Cambridge - If someone had told you a year ago that Hilary Clinton’s front-runner presidential status would be in jeopardy, or condo sales would increase in Cambridge as the housing market slump unfolded in the rest of the country, would you have believed it?

Joyce Levine predicted both for 2007. When the Chronicle interviewed Levine last January, Clinton was riding high in Democratic voter polls and the housing slump was sending shock waves through the real estate industry.

If history is any indication, Cambridge residents would be wise to listen to her 2008 predictions for the city.

Levine is not a psychic or fortuneteller. She’s a professional astrologer who has been mapping the planetary charts for expecting mothers, small business owners and high-powered CEOs from her North Cambridge home for more than three decades.

For those who don’t check their daily horoscope, an astrological chart is like a picture of a person’s life potential. Levine compares the current position of the planets with the planet’s locations during birth and uses the information to dole out planetary advice.

In keeping with modern times, she no longer draws astrological charts by hand on large scrolls of paper. With a few clicks of the mouse, Levine can pull up the astrological map for Cambridge on her computer screen. (Cambridge is a Capricorn, in case you were wondering.)

Overall, Levine thinks this year is going to be a good one for the city.

Jupiter’s movement into Cambridge’s astrological sign could mean prosperity, opportunity and more prominence for the city in 2008. (Jupiter is the “cosmic Santa Claus” of astrology, Levine explains.)

But that doesn’t mean city officials shouldn’t take care to watch over the city’s coffers.

“The negative side of it could be overspending,” said Levine.

In other economic news, The Warren Group reported Cambridge condo sales increased in 2007 — just as Levine predicted last year. Levine expects the national downward housing trend to continue this year.

“I think Cambridge will be less effected and if you go out to the suburbs, it’s going to be worse,” said Levine.

On the crime front, Levine expects the first few months to be an unusually busy time for cops with crime declining during the second half of the year. The forecasted decrease in crime could be a result from the “favorable changes” Levine predicts for the Cambridge Police Department.

The School Committee should also expect a successful year and Levine said School Committee members will finally get to expand the types of education programs they’ve been eyeing for a long time. It’s unclear how the debate over whether to rehire the Superintendent figures will factor into their predicted success.

Meanwhile, Levine expects the start of a national movement as citizens begin rebelling against rising taxes after Pluto moves into Capricorn. (Although scientists no longer recognize Pluto as a planet, astrologers still do.)

Said Levine, “The last time Pluto was in Capricorn we had the Boston Tea Party.”

To learn more, visit www.joycelevine.com.

BREAKOUT BOX

Then and now: Joyce Levine’s predictions

Crime
2007: Don’t expect an end to shootings anytime soon.

2008: Crime could be worse in the beginning of the year, but should decrease after the first several months.

Economy

2007: The cost of oil will continue to go up. The price and value of gold will rise, but the value of the dollar will decline.

2008: Expect business and job growth in Cambridge. The best stock market bets are with commodities: food, energy and gold. Big corporations and multinational corporations are expected to thrive in 2008, but there could also be more scandals involving CEOs by the end of this year.

City politics

2007: Don’t expect much of a shakeup in the City Council elections.

2008: It should be a good year for elected officials, who are expected to share in the city’s good fortune and prosperity.

National politics

2007: National politicians and government officials find themselves embroiled in a large number of scandals. By the end of the year, John Edwards will rise in popularity and Sen. Hilary Clinton’s front-runner status is challenged. Sen. John McCain has a good chance of winning the Republican Party nomination. President George W. Bush’s sliding popularity will never recover.

2008: Clinton could be in for more political disappointments and McCain’s political aspiration may fade. A third party candidate could have a major impact on the presidential elections and has the best chance of winning in years.