Long-Range

Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002 | 8:49 a.m.

You knew it was coming.

It's time for the Las Vegas Sun's second annual survey of local psychics who have predictions for the new year.

Lori Schaefer, of For Mystic Minds in Henderson, sees a war with Iraq that will last from 16 to 22 months.

Tarek Hage Mouras, aka The Psychic, says if there is a war with Iraq it will be short.

And Cattel, co-pastor of The Beacon of Light Spiritualist Church, says our political leaders have already decided to go to war, it is simply a matter of making the declaration.

"It is still possible through prayer, and diplomatic channels, and certain consciousness-raising factors to prevent it," Cattel says.

The predictions are varied, but all the psychics say they are certain of their rare skills.

The 37-year-old Schaefer has known since she was a child she was different.

"I would have dreams that would occur," said the native of Pittsburgh, who moved with her family to Las Vegas in 1974. "But I never knew 'til into my teenage years that I had psychic ability, when a close friend brought to my attention that I needed to educate myself in the area of metaphysics.

"That's when I started to realize my gift wasn't anything to be afraid of."

However, Schaefer didn't use her psychic abilities professionally until after working in the mortgage industry for 16 years.

"About six years ago I got out of the mortgage industry and into spiritualism," Schaefer said. "My title is psychic counselor. I forecast predictions, as well as counsel people in work, love and specific areas of their life to enhance the quality of their life."

Schaefer says her forte is dealing with customers' health issues.

"I use tarot cards," she said. "The cards are to keep the customer focused, and to help me in my clairvoyance."

Schaefer says the information she channels to her clients "are only a guide, a tool, a frame of reference -- nothing to live their life by."

While her forte is health, Schaefer also sees the broader aspects of life -- politics, and world and local events.

The following are some of Schaefer's visions:

After the announcement of the war, the nation's economy will plunge, but there will be recovery.

Osama bin Laden is alive, and may be hiding in Iraq. Schaefer doesn't see him being captured soon.

Bill Clinton is going to be in the public eye more, possibly becoming affiliated with a talk show.

Pope John Paul II's health problems will continue to worsen, and may even result in death.

A significant health issue for a political figure in the U.S., "someone affiliated with the White House -- but not the president. It is a health problem to be exposed, a person close to the president, or affiliated with him, and who is pertinent to his emotional state."

Aliens in outer space. "Not this year, but we will have valid proof in the near future. The timeline could be 2005 to 2008. They want to give us an opportunity to accept it. They are not going to show themselves till enough things happen to make us aware they are not harmful to us. There is already proof of their existence, but it has not been revealed yet."

Pregnancy foretold

Cattel (one name only) has been performing psychic readings in Las Vegas for 20 years.

The 51-year-old minister of The Beacon of Light Spiritualist Church shared some of her recent visions with the Sun. Among the things to watch out for in the coming year are:

Actress Jennifer Aniston, wife of actor Brad Pitt, will announce she is pregnant.

There will be a problem with the local water supply, affecting the drinking water.

Mount St. Helens will erupt again, but this time there will be warning from seismic activity that helps make it less devastating. It seems timed to occur with Mount Etna, possibly some seismic coincidence, leading scientists to link the two.

A big cat that gets loose on the street locally causes a commotion. It may be a lion. There could be two or more. They are subdued.

A set of cojoined twins will be born in the valley.

At least three Rebel athletes will ascend to professional sports. There is No. 19 on one of the shirts. One later goes into teaching.

A unique speckled undersea animal will be found in gray-green water. "Hot water, in the South Pacific. It has not been seen in a long time and a glass-bottom boat is involved. It is a very unusual animal (possibly a mammal) that reminds me of a porpoise, maybe in the same family. About 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches long."

By fall of 2003 we will serious flooding in the Vegas Valley.

Snow is possible in Las Vegas this coming year.

The headline: "Economic collapse." "It is very scary, but not nationwide."

It is possible that National Airlines may rise out of bankruptcy, "like a phoenix."

The Las Vegas economy will be a bit shaky in February and March. "We will recover, however. April looks like a good month for Vegas."

Oil prices rise. "I see prices (of gas) over $2 per gallon. Possibly $2.50 per gallon, locally."

There will be a scandal on one of the reality-based shows, like "Survivor," with real damage happening. "There is potential of serious damage to at least one of the players, possibly a death or life-threatening event, due to some people creating an alliance."

Locally, there will be a big win that seems to defy the odds for a woman golfer with blond hair. It could make national or international headlines.

There will be more revelations of how people are made to be addicted to smoking.

Along the lines of legalizing marijuana, there is talk of legalizing other drugs, that may even make it to the ballots.

The Psychic speaks

Tarek Hage Mouras, The Psychic, has been predicting the future from his office at 4110 S. Maryland Parkway for 21 years.

The 65-year-old native of Lebanon sees a very cold winter for the United States, a continuation of the drought and several earthquakes.

Other predictions include:

New leaders will emerge in the Middle East.

The number of small wars will increase.

Terrorism in the United States will come from within the country, not from outside.

There will be a major scientific discovery that will astound the world.

There will be a major discovery that will improve industry.