If you've been following the headlines lately, you probably already know that, as usual, all that stuff was predicted in my monthly forecasts long before they gave you the scoop over at CNN Interactive or MSNBC. For example, the Moon reaching its cyclic peak declination just as Hurricane Katrina, one of the most powerful storms on record, tore into the US Gulf States in 2005 is a combination that came as no surprise to anyone who read my August forecast for that year. Before that there were the killer storms and terror attacks of July, falling right in line with my July forecast as usual. And no one will forgete the monster Richter 9.0 quake off the coast of Sumatra (December 26, 2004), which set killer tsunamis radiating out across the Indian Ocean - snuffing out 300,000 or more lives all around coastal South Asia to as far away as East Africa. My December forecast that year warned a month in advance that a major geocosmic stress window (with a heightened "risk of storms, flooding and seismic upheaval") would be in effect "from the 23rd through the 29th, associated with the full moon at 5 Cancer on the 26th (the same day the Moon reaches its maximum north declination)." That was not just a freak coincidence, as illustrated by the onset of the 2003 Gulf War II "a few days either way of the March 3 new moon or March 23 Pluto station," as predicted. Or how 'bout calling the US Presidential election outcome the year before, and giving you a timely reminder in my November 2004 forecast (published in October): "All things considered, including Senator Kerry's timed birth data, I can't think of a defensible alternative to my 2003 forecast of the 2004 US Presidential election: 'a toss-up . . . with the edge to Bush because the GOP chart presages the Republicans getting out their vote better.'" What's next? For starters, get an overview of 2008 as a whole with a look at the 2008 World Forecast Highlights. If a more immediate time horizon is what you want, see my current monthly forecast. Closer to home, the Website Of the Week this time around zeroes in on the human heart, the center of the Universe.

For lots more websites devoted to the real cosmic craft, check out the Astrology Section of the recently revised (last week) Astropro NetSelect Directory - a sun sign-free zone, like Astropro itself. (Well, I do make allowances for sites that treat sun signs in humorous fashion - but that's appropriate.)

Please don't forget to consult the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) if any of Astropro's interactive features are giving your browser fits. Hundreds of people go deep into this website every day. (The daily file transfer now averages over 50 Mb.) Most pages at Astropro - virtually all the hundreds I've checked, at any rate - were graded excellent in HTML design and good to excellent overall by the old (now defunct) Web Site Garage utility. By comparison, CNN Interactive consistently rated lower at good in HTML design and fair overall, while MSNBC ranked lower still at just fair in both categories. So any glitches a visitor experiences visiting this website are most likely due to improper browser settings (which are easy to correct following the instructions in the FAQ) - or to obsolete equipment. (Sorry, you're on your own there.)

The most common glitch is caused by not letting Astropro's interactive audio files download. (This gives JavaScript the fits!) You can check your system for audio right now, by clicking here. (Just BE SURE to let the audio file open if you're prompted about this, and click the option that says something like "Don't ask again for this type of file" if you see one.) If a little audio player window opens and you hear the "ta-da!", then your browser is properly audio-enabled. (Once the audio file finishes playing, you may as well close the audio player window.) Just about any other problem or error message most likely indicates that your browser isn't properly receiving audio files, in which case you should most definitely consult the FAQ for solutions.

Want the latest on astrological conferences and conventions, plus astrology newsgroups, mailing lists and email newsletters on the Net? There's no better source than Astropro's Cosmic Connections, the Tees Reitsma compendium. Although she was a bit of a tease in her day, her name is pronounced "Tace" - rhymes with grace, the state she had to be in to keep on top of all this information. Tees generously agreed to let Astropro host her own website, which after Tees' death was maintained for years by Janneke Maat, and is now in the capable hands of Sandra Van Loveren. It's a resource I'm delighted to make available with the assistance of this succession of wonderful women because . . . well, because it's current, complete and comprehensive.

You'll find lots of additonal free astrology features too, including Signs and Constellations and Precession, the Movie as well as other articles on selected astrological topics and a fair number of astrological reference tables: 20th Century SuperMoons and Blue Moons (all eight types), 3000 year major planetary cycles, a guide to astrological symbols, etc.

If finding what you want or need on the Net is driving you nuts, and nothing else at Astropro will do the trick, then check out the Search Center: scads of search engines and site selectors; "directory assistance" (find email or snail mail addresses, phone numbers and the like); plus news, weather and sports, and general reference too. It's my own personal home page on the Web, so I like it to be as handy as possible.

Collect notable charts and/or data? Then please do see the May Horoscopes of the Famous & Infamous, with dozens of historic and celebrity natal charts free for the downloading. (But don't tarry, because the complimentary chart links there expire June 1st.) Want more? Don't forget to consult the FEATURES menu for a listing of all these monthly celebrity data pages: no chart freebies for the other months, but hundreds of celebrity data you can use to calculate your own.

If I've forgotten anything here, or if you haven't visited in a while, be sure to scan the updated contents page for a complete outline of everything on-site, or try the even more detailed site map. And if you're completely lost, check in at the Help Center!

  
MAY 12 UPDATE The latest Website Of the Week is good for the soul, every week. And don't forget to check in on Cosmic Connections, for the latest on astrology all over the world and across the World Wide Web.

Richard Nolle, Certified Professional Astrologer consultations/orders (MasterCard/Visa only) 1-800-527-8761 phone/fax 480-753-6261 - email rnolle@astropro.com Box 26599 - Tempe, AZ 85285-6599 - USA on the World Wide Web at www.astropro.com