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What's ahead for love in 2004?
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Why let the supermarket tabloids have all the fun with wild predictions? We asked social scientists, psychologists, dating coaches, veteran daters, and astrologers to predict trends in the year ahead for romance and relationships. Here's what they told us.

"My 2004 dating forecast is for partly flirtatious with a great chance of making new connections, with a 'no pressure' attitude towards approaching attractive people", says relationships and dating coach, David Wygant. "Expect mild shyness or fear of rejection, clearing into confident anticipation of meeting as many people as possible and having FUN! Enjoy the New Year!" Look for Wygant online at davidwygant.com.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) -- Your passionate energy is irresistible. You take the initiative in romance; flirting is your forte and you love to play. And love brings out your sensuous side! 2004 will be a banner year for you, romantically speaking; your enterprising spirit and sometimes-impulsive ways will win you your heart's desire. (Astrology.com)

Helene Eksterowicz who broke up in February with ABC's Bachelor II, Aaron Buerge, says she's looking forward to 2004 as her year "to meet a really good guy. I'm going to be more open to new possibilities, more open minded and maybe I'll be giving a chance to some people who I might have rejected before." With her runner-up bachlorette Gwen Gioia, Eksterowicz is the author of "Nobody's Perfect: What to Do When You've Fallen for a Jerk But You Want to Make It Work" (CDS Books).

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) -- Romantically, your devotion knows no bounds; your determination in all things assures that you get what you want in love. Cozy closeness and special gifts are the way to your heart. Romance in 2004 starts off like a roller coaster; hang on tight until spring, when everything comes up roses. (Astrology.com)

"Because daters are juggling more options online than ever before, it will be more important to treat people as individuals and with respect," says Liz H. Kelly. "If it is not a match, simply move on with a polite good-bye. If you have a conflict or just can't deal with a date, give someone a courtesy call to cancel versus standing them up." Kelly is a dating coach and author of "Smart Man Hunting." She and her book have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and on Lifetime's "Speaking of Women's Health."

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) -- Your free spirit keeps your love interests guessing -- and helplessly intrigued. But you're also caring and thoughtful, and you go out of your way to make everything fun and fabulous. You'll be a social butterfly in busy 2004, and you'll light upon love when you least expect it! (Astrology.com)

"People will slow down," says Eleanor Scott. "They will set aside their PDAs and cellphones, and gaze at the landscape and array of characters that swirl around them. By slowly regarding the panoply of life, they will take more risks. They need to tell someone how they feel. They will express themselves articulately and the person who hears their declaration will feel better and inspired. And then their double shot mocha latte will be up. They will grab it precipitously and spill the hot beverage on the cell phone and hand of someone who will shoot them a venomous look. They will, of course, sputter an apology over their shoulder and then, really, all bets are off." Scott, a writer and performer in the Bay Area just completed a seven-week run in Los Angeles and San Francisco of her one woman, multi-character play, "Date Me."

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) -- You're devoted in matters of romance; once your heart is won, you're protective and passionate. You'll pamper your squeeze (while you teach them a thing or two about love!). Romance may start slow in 2004, but spring and summer will be hot, love wise -- just look out for jealousy. (Astrology.com)

"More than ever, men are seeking emotional intimacy over sex as the top priority in their relationships with women," says Sean K. Murphy. "Women are skeptical, though. Far more women than men believe sex is the most important thing to a man in a relationship." Murphy, whose findings are based on a national survey of 1,000 adult Americans, is the author of the book "The Spirit Man."

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) -- When it's right, it's right; you'd go a thousand miles for a perfect kiss. Your heart's as big as the sky and your passion's hot as the sun. 2004's a wild romantic ride, and you're there for all the thrills and the chills -- but summer will definitely sizzle. (Astrology.com)

"Finally over the stigma of online dating, people will start to ask for professional assistance with the medium," says Evan Marc Katz. "As a result, longer and more thoughtful essays will be written, more professional pictures will be taken, and the overall quality of the online dating pool will jump to a new level." Katz is the founder of E-Cyrano.com, a service that helps online daters write their profiles.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22) -- You're a real romantic, steady and true. You take your time in love, and it's all the sweeter for it. Loyalty, care and tenderness are your hallmarks. Your romantic patience will be richly rewarded in 2004 -- in ways that could be surprisingly racy. Don't be afraid to cut loose! (Astrology.com)

"As the ranks of the quirkyalone nation grow, more people will resist the pressure to date for the sake of dating, thus resulting in a reduced number of boring dates, but also increased quality of remaining encounters," says Sasha Cagen. "Dating will feel less like work and more like fun. Also, online dating shows will wane as people bore of watching blonde women mate with brown-haired men." Cagen, founder of the magazine To-Do List, is the author of "Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics" (HarperSanFrancisco).

"Economic trends are indicating that online dating is a phenomenal success," says Patti Feinstein. "New online sites are popping up on a daily basis for every taste including vegetarians. This is increasing the network of people to choose from as well as providing a convenient and easy way to shop around. I also predict that hypno-attraction will replace speed dating as entrepreneurs prey on the lonely. Speed dating will be considered passé." Feinstein, America's dating coach, a former matchmaker is based in Chicago and online at americasdatingcoach.com.

Libra (Sep. 23 - Oct. 22) -- 'Make love, not war' might be Libra's mantra; harmony is where it's at for you in matters of romance. Everyone wants to bask in the glow of your admiration in 2004 -- love with Libra is a dream come true. Indulge your indecision (why not?) until the perfect thing comes along. (Astrology.com)

"Now, more than ever before, I've seen a quest to nest," says Gilda Carle, Ph.D. "Often, it borders on desperation and immediacy, especially during holidays, Valentine's Day, and other significant times. I sense a deep loneliness out there coupled with naivety about getting love right. People still want instant love, instantly! I hope they'll learn more about relationships--and themselves--so their hearts won't be so broken from rushing into love blindly." Dr. Gilda was the "Love Doc" for MTV Online and is an author and professor of psychology and communications. She is online at DrGilda.com.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) -- You're as clever in love as you are in life, and someone lucky also gets to know your fabulous sensual side in 2004. Your intense passion creates an attraction that's truly magnetic. You've got the power to transform relationships into exactly what you want (but don't be too sneaky!). (Astrology.com)

"Online services will continue to change ways in which singles develop relationships," says Bob Schwartz. "One aspect of online services doing this is by reuniting lost loves. For many reasons, people lose touch with loved ones and years pass, people move, new relationships develop, and lost loves cannot be located. As a result, people wonder and turn to reunite/finder services to help people reunite with lost loves." Schwartz is president of US Search. It powers finder services such as Yahoo! People Finder.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) -- You're a straight shooter when it comes to romance -- no games, but lots of fun. Watch for the one who can win your heart while respecting your independence in 2004. Someone who's as frank and funny as you could inspire a walk on wild side, accompanied by true love! (Astrology.com)

"The trend in 2004 will be for strong, durable relationships," says Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein. "Being alone is no fun! On the other hand, not everyone is comfortable with online dating. There is still hesitance about meeting strangers. Also, lots of people need encouragement to go out at night and join local gyms, clubs, churches, take courses, etc. Too many lonely people are falling asleep to reality shows and trying to satisfy their own need to connect by following the lives of strangers who feel familiar for the moment!" Dr. Holstein, a positive psychologist and happiness coach, is originator of The Enchanted Self at enchantedself.com.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) -- You positively bloom in love, and you're a loyal and devoted partner. You'll stay practical about matters of romance in 2004 -- but when you're ready to give, you'll give completely. Don't be surprised if it's a remarkably free spirit who inspires such generosity; opposites really do attract! (Astrology.com)

"As women continue to look more and more delicious, healthy, lithe, and sexy into their 40s, 50s and even 60s, younger men, who don't have to worry about choosing a young woman to have on their arm so that they will look studly (because they are really young) increasingly are going for the older gals," says Aline Zoldbrod, Ph.D. "The older gals who are interested are often better in the sack, and more comfortable with their bodies, than the younger, unlined women." Dr. Zoldbrod is a Boston psychologist, sex therapist, and author of "Sex Smart," "Sex Talk," and "Men, Women and Infertility."

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) -- You do everything your own way, even romance; you're more likely to treat your squeeze to snowshoeing than a candlelit dinner. You'll be typically inventive in matters of the heart in 2004, finding love in unusual places. The one who wins your heart might also be your best friend. (Astrology.com)

"In 2004, Internet daters who caught onto the online craze last year will evolve from 'amateurs' into 'experts,' changing their focus from hunting for 'the one' to creating their ideal dating lifestyle, complete with a wardrobe of dates to suit every mood. Online daters will also begin using dating boards to forge not only romances but like-minded communities: a new, computer-aided version of Paris in the 1920s or Greenwich Village in the 1950s." Veteran online daters, "Gemini" and "Scorpio," are the authors of "Gemini and Scorpio's Fabulous Guide to Online Dating," geminiandscorpio.com.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) -- Love with you is like a dream -- the real and the surreal join forces to create magic. You're magnetic in 2004, so don't be surprised by all the attention. Use your imagination and don't be afraid to express your heart's desire (when you figure out what it is!). (Astrology.com)

"Love is going scientific, says Dr. Romance (Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D.). "As we get more research that shows what works, couples will do more things right and waste less time. For example, long-term relationships need different skills than dating. The Urban Tribe trend will have people dating more in groups where they can get to know each other better in a shorter time. Groups of friends can spot a loser faster than a love-struck single. We will also be more upfront about wanting "lite" relationships that are just for fun. Dating will be less about partying, hooking up and spending money, and more about doing fun things together and getting to know each other." Dr. Tessina is a psychotherapist and author of "The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again" (Wiley 2002).

-- Compiled by Rad Dewey, Yahoo! Personals

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