@ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
OCTOBER 17 - 23, 2004 

All times/dates are PDT.
I avoid predicting political winners, because the birth data is usually unreliable or missing. That's the case with John Kerry - in 2 minutes of searching the internet, I found birth times of 8:03 a.m. and 7:10 a.m. I wrote here two months ago that September could bring a step up for Kerry, and he might ride this into a November victory. The September 30 debate brought that step up. On Kerry's last birthday, Jupiter was in his solar career sign, sometimes an indicator of political victory. But neither of Kerry's "birth times" confirm this indicator. On the negative side, Pluto is now in the same spot in the heavens as Kerry's Sun - the very aspect that defeated Michael Dukakis. Nor is Bush slouching on election day - the Moon will be in Cancer, signalling a 1-in-28-day peak in popularity for Bush. This, too, is a strong indicator of political victory. I will say this: if Bush is elected, he faces a downfall in 2005. There is some indication between Bush and Kerry's charts that Kerry inherits "a karmic task" from Bush. I'll go with this and call Kerry the winner, but with trepidation.
	Kerry, by the way, is a SAGITTARIUS. So the following forecast for you Sagittarians should generally fit him also: If you Sages handle it right, you get the best of two worlds (love and friendship) now through late October, 2005. Life supports your romantic, creative, pleasure-oriented and child-related pursuits in a deep, subtle, blessed way. When you enter these realms of intense personal pleasure, you'll feel calm, as if the universe were subconsciously reassuring you. You'll progress smoothly, you'll act wisely, your true moral instincts will guide you and make you feel "just right." 
The light side of all these - light romance, social joys, friendships, groups, entertainment rather than deep, self-expressive creativity, running the gallery rather than painting the picture - will attract a different kind of luck, a cheerful, expansive, optimistic, "gee, lucky me!" kind of fortune - but your moral instincts will not be "on side" in 2005 - in fact, in social arenas you can fall prey to temptation, over-expansion, and a "heedlessness toward reality." Beware a friend's money scheme. Be self-aware, examine your own motives and goals in any "popularity" setting.
	This October through July 16, 2005, both these types of luck (personal joys and social) will be restricted by the practical realities of sex and "net worth." You might fall in love, but have to accept a sexual life which is a bit slower than you wanted, or a financial restriction. Or, you might join a great new social circle, then realize that it could cost you a pretty penny to "keep up" with a gold-plated crowd. No matter what, you will be happy, excited, and stressed - exercise outdoors, turn off the teevee!	

Start Nothing: 8:46 a.m. to 4:07 p.m. Mon., 2:59 p.m. to 6:38 p.m. Wed., and 5:20 a.m. to 10:13 p.m. Fri.

Aries   March 21-April 19
A mellow, understanding mood comes Sunday/Monday - seek culture, learn, 
attend a movie, find a bookstore, travel. Express love to someone. The practical side of life returns Tuesday/Wednesday - but big barriers arise. Destiny doesn't flow with a partnership or contract - don't commit to anything during these two days. (You can succeed in organizing your home or a business base.) Flirtations, social delights arrive Wednesday night to Friday. Your optimism surges, life brightens! Friday begins a month of finances, sexual intimacy, subconscious urgings -  wait until 2005 to commit to these  areas.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Tackle life's depths and mysteries Sunday, early Monday - you could learn a valuable secret, invest well, or gain sweet intimacy with someone. A pleasurable, romantic streak runs through your days until late October. This week brings business or love relationships (discussions/meetings). These relationships deepen, become more tangible, Friday into next week. However, people you meet this week and next might lead you into an ultimate dead-end. (They might not know this: the cosmos is astir, more than mere individuals.) Proceed carefully. Your career's lucky Wednesday night, Thursday, higher-ups approve! 

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Relationships excite and challenge you Sunday/Monday. Wisdom and gentleness accompany romance Wednesday night to Friday. It's a loving week! (And a loving cycle, to autumn 2005.) But Tuesday/Wednesday bring the obstacles - your net worth, earnings, spending power, home, family, even your sexual prowess could nix romance's urgent bloom. Investigate, find out where and how you need to shore up your practical, financial foundations. You start to hear "advance news" of work - don't be too quick to jump in, to get a head start - take what comes, without volunteering.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Home tensions continue - use this energy productively: change the curtains, repair the stairs. Get ambitious with real estate - BUT make sure you know all the "possibles" - mortgage fees/payments, taxes, maintenance, future increases, etc. You're very lucky with property now, as long as you don't let a gloomy outlook about partnership, or your "spousal scepticism" reduce your luck (especially mid-week). A reputation or career difficulty will affect property, home or parenting the first week of November, too. Work succeeds Sunday. Investments succeed Thursday. A month of pleasure and romance starts Friday. 

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Romance, pleasure, speculative winnings, creativity and self-expression fill Sunday/Monday. (For success, act before 9 a.m. Monday.) You face two work-money difficulties Monday night to Wednesday. One puts more burdens on your shoulders, or binds you - e.g., you can't take that pleasure trip due to obligations. (Any obstacle here is the surface tip of a restrictive situation that will last to July/05.) Don't spend your days talking! The other mid-week difficulty brings a money-love conflict. (Pick money, this time.) Relationships excite -and succeed - Thursday! Friday begins a quiet, down-home month.

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Money continues to flow swiftly - bank it, don't spend, let no one push you into spending. You receive tremendous money luck now through autumn 2005, but you have to balance this against social and "love" pressures, both of which drain your bank account. Save everything for investments to be made in 2005. (Investing will keep your money safe from you and your friends.) Be peaceful, soak up the joys of home and nature, Sunday/Monday. Romantic, social and creative problems arise mid-week. Plunge into work Thursday eve, Friday - you'll succeed!

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Your charisma, energy, effectiveness and luck continue high. Ask favors, start important projects. You'll attract admirers! Don't be too wild, don't laugh out of turn, etc. Your private life continues to be sweet; you feel a peaceful completeness - for a few moments! Short trips, news, conversations, details fill Sunday/Monday - follow your curiosity. Home, realty, family and security, parental and career obstacles show up late Monday to Wednesday. These will "exist" in some form through next July - be diligent, patient. Romance, self-expression, pleasure and beauty arrive Wednesday night to Friday.
	
Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Be quiet within, contemplate and plan. Don't make enemies - and don't get involved in red tape. Your dealings with government agencies, head office, institutions and spiritual groups will expand over the thirteen months ahead. Now through December, these links could increase or "secure" your income. But in 2005 through June 2006, associations with these (government, institutions, etc.) could bring escalating hopes, descending results - wasted time and dead-ends. So act now. Money's good Sunday/Monday. Communications and travel obstacles arise mid-week. Home, nature bless you Thursday/Friday. Love winks, Friday night, Saturday!

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Your optimism and popularity continue to float on life's waves! Your energy and charisma rise Sunday/Monday. Expect romance, flirtations, friends, freshness and luck! Your happy mood thumps into some rather enduring financial obstacles Tuesday/Wednesday - study your wallet or bank account, look at income and outgo. Neither invest nor spend these two days. The financial ropes that bind you will last to mid-2005. You could see or hear of a career opportunity Wednesday - it's worth seeing about. Paperwork, travel, calls, visits and casual friends fill Thursday/Friday. Seek home, peace Saturday.

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Let your ambitions flow this week, but realize that opposition might exist, particularly among your peers, spouse, partner or those you negotiate with. You'll see the challenge Tuesday/Wednesday. You'll have loads of energy and some pretty fine clout, too, so charge away. Be diplomatic, or a higher-up with a short fuse will show anger, now or (worse) in early November. Be restful Sunday/Monday - contemplate your plans, options. Your money luck rises Thursday night and Friday. A month of social joys and fresh optimism starts Friday!  The law favors you.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 19
Your hopes and popularity rise Sunday/Monday. Legal, educational, far-travel, love, cultural and similar matters go well this week - and will expand mightily over the 13 months ahead. Until July 2005 conflicts exist between these fine things and your health, family duties or work scene. For example, health or work schedules prevent travel. Study these obstacles Tuesday/Wednesday, and quietly plan to work on them. You'll be a  bit tired mid-week, but your zip and charisma return Wednesday night to Friday. Friday starts a month of career, status and parental concerns.

Pisces   Feb. 20-March 20
Your ambitions, parental role and career are favourably accented Sunday/Monday, especially if you approach others, seek opportunities or negotiate. Don't invest nor seek intimacy Tuesday/Wednesday - deep problems could be embedded in the "situation." You might have to decide between your ambitions and a sweet relationship, or between your duties and a desire to escape to an attractive new place. After all this enervating decision-making, you'll be ready to slide into a restful, contemplative mood Wednesday night into Friday - do so! While dreaming, you could find a great money idea.


www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337.


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