Financial Horoscopes: Stars in their Isas

by Sarah Modlock

10 May 2005

If you happened to cast an eye over the astrology column of your newspaper and it told you to avoid blue cars this week, you almost certainly wouldn't take any notice. I hope. What if it predicted you were due for a windfall? Would you buy a lottery ticket just in case? Still doubtful. So it's incredible to think that millions of people from housewives to world leaders rely on the stars to determine their fortune, financial or otherwise.

Nearly half of all Brits claim to believe that the time of their birth and the position of certain planets can influence their character and day-to-day events in their lives. Princess Diana is said to have called her astrologer up to four times per day. Ronald Reagan's movements and decisions were dictated by his wife's 'soothsayer'. Incredibly, the US government was charged £2,300 a month for the zodiac bulletins and a prediction of a 'bad day' meant the president was sternly forbidden to leave the White House by his wife. Nor could he make decisions of state. The world's greatest superpower was, effectively, ruled for eight years by the whims of his answer to Mystic Meg. And this eccentricity is not confined to US politics. The bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton in October 1984 so unnerved Margaret Thatcher that Number 10 asked a tabloid astrologer to stargaze for signs of future dangers. Marjorie Orr - no relation to Matt Lucas - a London-based astrologer, said her role as keeper of Mrs Thatcher's astrological chart was not 'political' but an extra security measure. Yeeeees.

But one of Britain's most successful astrologers, Jonathan Cainer has confessed what many sceptics have long-believed: 'Wherever possible, astrologers avoid making specific predictions about particular events. We find it a lot safer to be vague. This allows us to claim credit when it suits us - and it gets us off the hook if we have misread a horoscope... Out of respect to tradition, I always make a point of speaking in riddles or of burying my very best prophecies in a set of casual, seemingly off-hand remarks.' In other words, he hasn't a clue what's going to happen, and even if he did get it right, you wouldn't understand it.

So if we can anticipate delight or disaster in the stars, can they also flaw or fulfil our financial fantasies? Decide for yourself once you have read what astrologers say about you:

Aquarius (Jan 21 - Feb 19): Water-bearers are almost certain to be without life assurance but are interested in ethical investing. This sign is the most likely to have stocks and shares and the luckiest winners of Premium Bonds, scooping one in every seven prizes. Aquarians enjoy splashing out on holidays and are below average on insurance claims for theft but high on claims for car accidents.

Pisces (Feb 20 - Mar 20): The fish are most likely to invest online and are keen readers of the financial press. Those born under this sign like safety when investing and are quite likely to have a financial adviser. Being security conscious means they are unlikely to need to claim insurance for car theft but will need it for repairs as this sign is top for pile-ups.

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 20): Lump sums are the ram's favourite way of investing but the sign has no real extremes of behaviour as far as finances go. However, it does top the list for insurance claims due to your fearless driving habits - rams are more likely to overtake on the inside or jump a red light than any other sign.

Taurus (Apr 21 - May 21): Online investing appeals to Taureans but they are also attracted to safe, secure places to invest their money. The bull likes to splurge on eating out more than any other sign. They often forget to lock their cars though and will get to know their insurers well.

Gemini (May 22 - Jun 22): The twins love shopping and the excitement of stocks and shares. They are quite likely to invest lump sums and win lots of Premium Bond prizes. But double trouble on the roads puts them high on the list of insurance claimants, even though they are fond of family Fords.

Cancer (Jun 23 - Jul 23): Stocks and shares appeal to the crab who also reads the financial press and shops around. They enjoy spending on clothes and eating out and have a fondness for gold credit cards. They are careful on the roads but in the top three signs for insurance claims over stolen shells. Oops, I mean cars.

Leo (Jul 24 - Aug 23): Risky investments and retail therapy keep the lion happy, although this sign has a low take up of life assurance. The lion's ostentatious car - probably a BMW - attracts thieves but it takes pride in its driving and is never likely to need to claim for accidents.

Virgo (Aug 24 - Sep 23): It's official - the virgin is highly attracted to financial advisers. This sign is also full of contradictions as it is synonymous with risky investments but is financially sensible and is careful with property because it is aware of the value of money. It is well known to its car insurance company though because of its driving habits.

Libra (Sep 24 - Oct 23): Safety and security plus expert advice from a financial adviser is a must for Librans who like to weigh everything up but can be indecisive. They are calm and careful with money but will line their insurer's pockets as they frequently lose their no-claims bonus.

Scorpio (Oct 24 - Nov 22): Secretive Scorpio is the sign most likely to hide their credit card statements from their partner. They like risky investments and the fun of investing online. Along with Saggitarians, they are the insurer's favourite sign.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 - Dec 21): Caring, sharing Saggitarians are more likely to share a credit card with their partner than any other star sign which is just as well because they themselves are frugal when it comes to clothes and food. The sign is the lowest for insurance claims but is least likely to have life insurance.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 20): Financial decisions are made with the help of the media. This sign enjoys protecting and spending money on its home comforts. Along with Scorpios, it is the insurer's favourite sign, probably because Capricorn likes safety-conscious Volvos.

So, should we feel reassured that Chancellor Gordon Brown is an honest Aquarian? Or that most top fund managers are acutely intelligent Pisceans? If I was a true Gemini, I would say I am in two minds about it. In fact, I think it does not make a jot of difference. Even Zurich, who commissioned the research into insurance claims for car accidents, have declared that they will not be charging fender-bending Ariens higher premiums. And when was the last time you heard of an insurance company missing a chance to make money?

Sources: NatWest Bank, Zurich Municipal, Avon and Somerset Police, LeggMason Investors, The Sun, Lloyds TSB, NS&I, Abbey National.