Earthquakes, terrorism, weddings, babies and a state championship for the Malibu Sharks predicted for 2005 …
By David Wallace/Special to The Malibu Times
It seems part of human nature to always want to know what lies over the horizon, on the other side of the mountain (or the moon) and, always more compelling, what tomorrow holds for us.
Considering the current turmoil in the world, the falling dollar, the raw emotions over “family values,” the role of religion, the Iraq war and especially terrorism-all of which played significant roles in the outcome of the November elections-concern is certainly more intense this year. Added to all this, Malibuites face near-daily confrontations over the environment, development, traffic and the ongoing saga with the California Coastal Commission.
So again this year, we have asked several local people best positioned to prophecy (or at least wish) what 2005 may have in store.
so here it is from Averi Torres, Malibu’s self-proclaimed “resident psychic.” Last year, Torres accurately predicted both a 7.0 (Richter scale) earthquake in Japan (there were, in fact, three major quakes there), and George W. Bush’s reelection.
“Several terrorist attacks on America will be prevented, but I see that one will be successful,” she predicted for 2005. “I feel ports and airplanes are most vulnerable.
The war in Iraq will “gradually improve,” she added, but “it’s still going to take longer than expected.”
“I feel North Korea is in danger of a nuclear accident, and believe England and Australia should be on high alert for terrorist activity in April,” she also predicted. “I also see health problems for President Clinton and Tony Blair as well as an unsuccessful attempt on the life of President Bush.”
Torres also sees more major earthquakes for Japan, and the possibility of several for Los Angeles, but “I don’t see the ‘big one’ hitting Malibu next year.”
Although, “I do see fire,” she said.
“This is going to be a difficult year for natural disasters everywhere,” Torres explained, “including hurricanes in the southeast.”
Torres did have some positive news for Malibuites.
“This will be a powerful year for all of us,” she said. “2005 is a Tarot number 7, which represents receptivity to the will of God. Through control of our senses and desires, especially by the use of our free will, we can achieve complete dominion while in our physical bodies.
“Remember,” she added, “We, each of us, is a soul within a body and not just a body. 2005 is a completion of cycles and it is important to listen to dreams and intuition.”
More marriages and more engagements are seen in Torres’ metaphorical crystal ball, and “more diamonds,” she said laughing, “and more babies.”
“I feel the 2005 color is green,” Torres added, “which represents growth, prosperity, and abundance” (last year’s color was purple representing spirituality). And, as in 2004, “although it can be a bumpy ride,” she likes the stock market over many other investment opportunities. Last year, she recommended eBay and Starbucks to her many clients; this year, she continues to recommend them and adds Google and Martha Stewart Omnimedia. Nevertheless, Torres cautions people not to be impulsive in business affairs and “do not push financial affairs. There will be highly visible consequences to decisions you made in the past. It is a very important time for self reflection and the exercise of caution is signing any legal documents.”
Pamela Conley Ulich, Malibu’s newest City Council member, is, appropriately enough, more locally focused in her predictions for the New Year. “I see lots of sun, big waves and residential permits,” she said laughing. On a more serious note, she predicted “that we’ll get better library services … either a new library or the old one will be renovated.”
And, for a far-out prediction, which hopefully will be a “self-fulfilling prophecy,” she forecasted that “the Malibu [High School] Sharks will become the state football champs!”
Mayor Sharon Barovsky, clearly with the current development controversies in mind, added her two cents: “Good things will happen in Malibu in 2005. My Christmas wish is for more ball fields, more parks and a kinder, gentler Coastal Commission.”