Ms. Cleo was practically all over television sets in the late '90s, urging people to "call me now" so she could deliver psychic readings. Now, the self-proclaimed ( and out ) shaman is more low-key, offering private psychic consultations and other services through a Florida-based company, Wahgwaan Entertainment—and she was kind enough to let Windy City Times know what she thinks will happen in 2008. ( Last year, she predicted, among other things, that Jennifer Lopez would be pregnant, British prime minister Tony Blair would step down and the archaeological discovery in Egypt of a pharaoh Ms. Cleo believes was a lesbian. )
Be prepared, kiddies. In general, the future is not looking too pretty.
—Ms. Cleo sees some disturbances happening on home soil. "There will be some civil unrest in the U.S. There are a number of cities—Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami—where we may see the unrest," she said. "It's fueled largely in part by the fact that people are struggling. As Bob Marley used to say, 'A hungry man is an angry man.'"
—"I think we will also encounter a few more union strikes," she said. "Again, I think it's fueled by struggle."
—She also thinks that Valerie Plame, the CIA agent whose cover was blown wide open, "will win her civil suit against the current administration. I'm feeling rather strong about that one."
—On a different note, Ms. Cleo sees yet another panel shift on TV's The View, "but it's not one people will be expecting," she said. "I think Elizabeth [ Hasselbeck ] will be leaving. She may just feel, 'Who needs it?'" She added that people will wait for panelist Whoopi Goldberg to say something wrong "but it won't happen."
—Also, Ms. Cleo sees "new plastic surgery technology. They're going to introduce a new implant and it's going to feel more real to the touch—not that I've felt any fake ones."
—Then, there's O.J. Simpson. "Unfortunately for a lot of folks, he will not get the jail time they feel he should get, but he will get jail time, coupled with a lengthy probation," she said.
—Also, she sees something developing regarding Chicago adventurer Steve Fossett, who disappeared earlier this year. "In late January or early February, information will come to the surface about his disappearance that will surprise everyone," she said.
—Regarding the Bushes, Ms. Cleo said that Jenna Bush's wedding "will be postponed. I don't believe that there will be a White House wedding."
—And what of tabloid princess Britney Spears? "Oh, I feel so bad for that young lady," Ms. Cleo said. "She's not going to navigate [ 2008 ] very well. She still will be in and out of rehab. My concern is that she not hurt herself—something like Anna Nicole Smith."
—Ms. Cleo does see England's Prince William getting engaged in 2008. "I don't think that the wedding will be until 2009. I never bought the break-up between him and Kate Middleton. ... She just couldn't deal with the media." Also, she sees Queen Elizabeth II being hospitalized for "routine surgery."
—What about talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres? "She's going to start talking very openly on her show about wanting to become a parent," Ms. Cleo said. "I think her mom wants to be a grandmother, and I'm looking at that, and I'm excited for her."
—Also, don't look for a slew of people coming out in '08. "People are going to be a little bit quieter [ next year ] ," she said. "I'm not sure why," adding that although "things are getting real scary," she wants people to feel empowered and not afraid.
—Don't think about putting away those thick coats and gloves anytime soon. "It's going to be a tough winter for the Midwest and the Northwest, and it's going to screw with our summer fruits," she said.
—As if there's not enough drama on some reality shows, Ms. Cleo sees that a reality-show cast member will attempt suicide next year. "I don't think it will be successful, however," she added.
—And what about the big event of 2008—the presidential race? "I don't like to call things like that," she said. "It's important for people to realize that nothing is an absolute, but we should not be surprised if we run into the same dynamic that we ran into in 2000," adding that "whatever happens, it's almost the fulfillment of prophecy, because it has to happen for change to be cultivated."
It will be interesting to see what will happen—and how many of Ms. Cleo's predictions will come true. Whatever occurs, it promises to be an intriguing year.
Listen to WindyCityQueercast.com next week for an audio interview with Ms. Cleo.
See wahgwaanentertainment.com .