Year of the Snake – A Look Back

The Year of the Water Snake in Chinese astrology is drawing to a close.  Later this week I will post some predictions for the upcoming Year of the Wood Horse, but first let us review how well last year’s predictions (posted here) worked out.

Most of the good things that were predicted did come to pass.  Stock markets reached record highs and the U. S. unemployment rate fell to 7%.  I thought there would be a significant step toward modernization in a major religion; and Pope Francis I was elected and is leading the Roman Catholic Church in that direction.  A major product announcement from Apple was predicted, and we now have the new iPhone 5 and 5s and 5c.  Initially, it appeared that this was not a huge innovation, but it has proved to be Apple’s most successful new product ever.

I said there would be some volatility in precious metals prices after gold’s huge rise, and that was the case, with the metals giving back some of their earlier gains.  Another prediction was for a volcanic eruption in Central America.  Popocatepetl in Mexico was threatening throughout the year, but did not have a full-blown eruption.  The Chapparristique Volcano did erupt in El Salvador, causing the evacuation of thousands of people.

Major floods were predicted, and we certainly had those here in Colorado – the worst in hundreds of years.  It was also indicated that there could be increased attention to solar flares; and there were some major flares making the Northern lights visible even in the lower 48 states.

Health problems were seen for former President Bush and a member of the British Royal family.  Those problems were experienced, but did not seem to be as serious as they might have been. Another prediction was for the Mongolian economy to grow.  Buoyed by mining operations, Mongolia did, in fact, have the second fasting growing economy in the world, with more than a 15% increase over 2012.

Some, but not all of the more dire predictions came to pass.  I was afraid that a major terrorist or military operation would cause serious problems and a short-term stock market mini-crash.  While there were unfortunate terrorist attacks and civil conflicts, we were fortunate that none was as devastating as I had feared (unless, of course, you happen to be somewhere like Syria).  I did think that major companies would be subject to cyber-terrorism – and the terrorist organization turned out to be our National Security Agency.  Retailers like Target and Macy’s had their own cyber-security problems, too.

It was predicted that some watered down and ineffective gun control legislation would pass, but mass shootings would continue.  Unfortunately, that did occur.

The prediction was for the year of the Snake to be a productive one for the arts and media, and it does appear to have been.

Finally, because many had been concerned that December 21, 2012 may have ushered in the end of an age or of the world, I predicted that the world would not come to an end during the year of the Snake.  Happily, it did not.