Friday December 13th 2002 - edited by Bernard Fitzwalter ~ AstroDiary ~ Caution: Heavy Planets Reversing Ever noticed how road traffic seems to double in the lead-up to Christmas? The planets must be feeling the same way, because there's a lot of heavy traffic in the next few days, with two pairs of outer planets making tricky manoeuvres. When a pair of outer planets get together they start a new initiative, often reflected in world affairs; but when things take a wrong turn a few months later, they have to U-turn to get back on track. This generates aggravation, even though it's for everybody's benefit in the long run – just as you fume in your car when a truck makes a reverse-turn in front of you. Both Jupiter and Saturn are reversing now, in careful alignment with Uranus and Pluto. Expect some political reversing, too, more revision of financial estimates or making short-term settlements; anything to get a result by Christmas. As with trucks, allow extra room for reversing planets – and make use of the time to fine-tune your own plans for 2003. The next seven days are the so-called 'Halcyon days', from an ancient legend that the halcyon, or kingfisher, made a floating nest on the Mediterranean which was strangely calm at this time: could anyone reading this in Spain or Italy write in and tell us if it's true this year? AstroDiary Tuesday December 17: Suffolk Astrological Society, Perfect Gifts for Each Sign, 7.45pm, Black Boy, Guildhall St., Bury St.Edmunds. Info: 01284 768756 or www.suffolk-astrological-society.org.uk Please double-check with the organisation before attending any events listed here - we cannot accept any responsibility for events changed/cancelled. Are you holding an astrological event - especially one outside London!! - that you would like others to know about? Write to jon@cainer.com with subject heading: Astro Events with website links. Please note - we cannot promise to include ALL submissions but will do our best. New Service is Top for the Charts The Astrological Association of Great Britain is proud to announce that you can now speak LIVE to an expert astrologer. For an instant in-depth telephone consultation about your full horoscope call 0845 120 1416 or +44 207 436 9101 (a confidential 30-minute reading costs £29.50, payable by credit card. Or cheque/postal order from UK.) Lines are open 9am-9pm GMT, Monday to Friday. A few weeks ago, the Astrological Association of Great Britain launched this new, live fixed-fee, telephone chart reading service. It has since proved big hit with callers from all over the world. AA President Roy Gillett told Astro News: "I am delighted with the warm response that we have had. Once, if you wanted a reading of your full birth chart, you would have to struggle to find a genuine, reputable astrologer. Then, you would have had to make an appointment and travel miles. Now, at last, there's a quick and easy way to get your questions answered by a real expert - from the comfort of your own home." Mirror reader Julie Roberts from Rochester was equally enthusiastic. "I rang last Tuesday and spoke to an astrologer called Maria. Within moments, she was telling me details about my childhood that she could not possibly have known... then she said some fascinating things about my future. If you missed any of Friday's Astronews articles, click here for Astronews Archives