2009 is just a few days old, bringing a newborn's promise of hope.

How will this year develop? Will it bring an improved economy? A cheaper tank of gas? Greater success for local sports teams? More or less rain and snow?

For these pressing issues we at the Renton Reporter turned to Jeannie Keyes, owner of The Venus Moon, a metaphysical shop on Main Street in downtown Renton. Keyes has been called a reader, a psychic and a life counselor. She's most comfortable with the life counselor title. Keyes opened her shop on Main Street last year, moving from Third Street. A licensed counselor, Keyes has given readings and sold metaphysical wares in Renton since 2002.

This is the first time Keyes has made predictions for an entire year. But it's not the first that she's predicted future events. She predicted the death of her mother in 2006, and the end of her 15-year marriage in 2002. She made the prediction about her mother's death at the start of 2006. And she says she knew when she got married in 1967 that the marriage would last no longer than 15 years. The union ended exactly 15 years later.

Keyes uses a variety of tools in predictions and readings, including crystal balls, pendulums, runes and tarot cards. But for her 2009 predictions she used just one tool: a ceramic turtle pendulum used to channel her dead mother. She also called on angels and guides for help. She defines guides as dead people who guide the living.

Of the process, Keyes says, "First, before I started answering the questions, I said 'Hey angels, can you give me a hand here?' Then I asked my guides to guide me through it."

"And I always talk to Jesus," she adds. "I always bring him into it. He's such a part of my life anyway."

Keyes conjured the answers to our 2009 questions not in her Renton shop, but seated crosslegged on her bed. She e-mailed the Renton Reporter her predictions on her BlackBerry. It took less than half an hour for her to make her predictions.

"When they start coming in, it's just like opening a floodgate," she said.

Keyes believes her predictions will become reality, but she admits that people's actions play a part in determining the future.

"Predictions don't always come true," she cautions.

When do you see Renton's economy recovering?

I see a continued economic difficulty for Renton until spring; but with the flowers, the situation will start coming back up and be pretty darn good looking by summer solstice.

What about the economy of the United States?

The economy will revive, but it will take a concerted effort of not just the government but of each individual to take more responsibility for themselves, their families, their communities and their country. The time for sitting back and letting everyone else do it all for us is at an end.

How do you think Barack Obama will do during his first year as president?

Obama has his work cut out for him and I think that it will not be as easy as he may have thought it would be even with the majority of Democrats in Congress. He has his heart in the right place and he will do his best to fulfill his campaign promises. His health may be somewhat compromised sometime in the first four months, however.

Is next year's weather going to be as unusual as this year's?

2009 weather will continue to be a bit erratic but not as harsh. We will see the seasons more separately, however. Spring will not be as harsh. I think winter will not be as harsh as the past year's. I think we're up for a couple more snowfalls, as bad as they are now — or good — depending on your outlook.

What is the most exciting thing that's going to happen in Renton in 2009?

I think Renton, as a community, a family, will come together more than ever this year. The economic adversity can be thanked for the helping and caring feelings that will arise.

What do you see in the future of downtown Renton?

Some real thought has got to be given to the future of Renton's downtown area. A look at other old-town areas may help the town "fathers and mothers" to see what direction that should be. Our "old town" feeling will need to be preserved if we are to stand out as a destination — rather than conforming to a cookie-cutter any-town-USA feeling. Traditional things will become much more important in the next few years.

How will the Seahawks and Mariners do? And will the Sonics ever come back to Seattle?

Our sports teams will make a surprising comeback this year. I predicted that the Raiders would go back to Oakland and I believe the Sonics will return home, too.

What will the price of gas be in December 2009?

I think the price of gas will go back up to between $3 and $4 per gallon by December 2009.

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