[This is the long version of the Associated Press release. robin]
NEW ORLEANS -- Will President Barack Obama win re-election? Will the
world end Dec. 21, as some say the Mayan calendar predicts? Will the
economy ever improve?
If you ask the 1,500 astrologers contemplating planetary alignments this week in New Orleans, the answers are yes, no and yes.
The
astrologers, representing 30 countries, are in the city's famed French
Quarter for the United Astrology conference held every four years. They
say their work goes beyond the entertainment of horoscopes, tarot cards
and palm readings, instead relying on in-depth study of the solar
system.
This year, there is no shortage of predictions.
"If
you thought that the election of 2000 race was crazy, that's nothing
compared to what's going to happen in November of 2012," said astrologer
Michael Lutin, an astrology columnist for Vanity Fair magazine for 25
years. "Don't count on anything being smooth."
That's because
Mercury -- the planet of communication, tabulation and transportation --
goes into what's known as retrograde on Nov. 6, Election Day.
Retrograde in astrology refers to the optical illusion of a planet
moving backward, causing changes or disturbances in areas of life
represented by that planet.
In 2000, Mercury was in retrograde
when controversy swirled in Florida over the recount that took center
stage in the race between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Florida was a
swing state, and the outcome of the election wasn't known for more than a
month after balloting.
"There could be tabulation problems,
problems with the polling machines. Vote absentee to make sure your vote
is counted," said New York City astrologer Shelley Ackerman.
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