ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2004 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight Savings Time. ALL SIGNS: I might as well repeat two things: 1) Now to July 16, 2005, new business, financial or investment projects will face strong headwinds, many will fail. On the other hand, some individuals will grasp items, stocks, etc. at a bargain price (because some else has failed). Much depends on your astuteness and "native luck." 2) Now through June, 2006, if you're running down the wrong path (into a hidden trap) certain undeniable signals will alert you: your project (or relationship) promises great rewards and seems so easy to do (child's play!) yet it keeps meeting inexplicable delays; or every time you solve one difficulty preventing success, a new, unexpected (and seemingly unfair) hurdle arises; and/or you know, deep down where you don't even want to recognize it, that you're taking unfair advantage of a person or thing. Such projects will keep drawing you on, but their end is disappointment! SCORPIO, the year ahead (to late October, 2005) pulls you gently away from the heightened social life you've led for the past 13 months. You've really blossomed, you've overcome years of dejection or loneliness that were rooted in the upheavals of 1984-1995. Now your long-term (two-decade) future is bright and hopeful! But you need a year to internalize and process the good feelings, hopes and new horizons you've recently felt and seen. You need some time alone. Next October (05) you'll emerge into one of the luckiest two-year periods of your life. Use the 13 months until then to rest, so you'll have the energy to seize that opportune time; to plan and prepare so you'll know where you're going; and to clear away old things, so you'll have the freedom and space to embrace the opportunities of 2006. Now to October, '05, tackle neglected duties, handle back taxes, make a confession you might owe someone, and dispel old ghosts and fears, guilts and traumas. This will be easier than you think! The year ahead offers splendid results from therapy - but you'd be wise to avoid meditation and spiritual pursuits in 2005 and the first half of 2006. Old karma enters this area, so you might be tempted to use spiritual energy to your own advantage, or believe yourself a greater healer than you are, or mingle imagination with spirit, etc. 2004 gave you a vision of the future. 2005 demands that you prepare quietly for that future. 2006 and '07 will bring it! Red tape, administrative and management themes, contacts with institutions and government agencies will grow - perhaps hugely - now to next October. Don't delegate all your tasks, or you'll find others have "fled," leaving you to face disappointment. Health-wise, exercise, proper diet, etc., are generally better than bed rest or hospital stays. Start Nothing: 3:27 a.m. to 11:54 p.m. Mon., 5:13 a.m. to 12:23 p.m. Thurs., and 3:42 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 A short trip, phone call, email, even a newspaper could lead to a fascinating meeting or opportunity Sunday to Tuesday morning - and to romance, pleasure, beauty, or a creative outpouring Thursday to Saturday. But remember my warning about relationships and opportunities all year ahead: maintain your own boundaries, be gently independent. That way, you'll "connect" profitably and/or happily with people who can stand on their own two feet. Don't "fuse" with anyone. Home, real estate, security and kids are peaceful Tuesday morning. They grow difficult this p.m. through Wednesday. (93) Taurus April 20-May 20 Chase money and ambitions Sunday and Tuesday mornings - luck is on your side - so is the "unreliable sympathy" of higher ups. (Those higher-ups won't help you Friday.) This is a great week for your career. Paperwork, conversations and short trips need caution Tuesday noon through Wednesday. Be home, seek rest, security Thursday p.m. to Saturday. Much work will be piled on your shoulders this week - and for a year! But relief comes now also, lasting through October - a streak of pleasure, beauty, sensual gratification and romance bless your days! Gemini May 21-June 20 During the last year you've worked to establish your security, your home or position in the world. You've shored up your foundations, emotionally and otherwise. This frees you now (through autumn 2005) to pursue the pleasures of life - creativity, romance, beauty, the joys of child-rearing/teaching. Enjoy these! But the practical realities and restrictions of earning a living and preserving your net worth should keep you from going overboard in the pursuit of pleasures. DON'T gamble; avoid speculative investments. You attract someone Sunday/Monday! Money needs care Tuesday/Wednesday. Visits someone Thursday/Friday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Home, family, property, security, retirement, gardening, nature, agriculture and similar themes occupy you intently through the weeks ahead - and in a major way for the whole year ahead. You'll experience luck, expansion in these areas - but avoid pride, selfish motives; remain very realistic. Over-optimism can create disappointment, or worse. Make sure a partnership is stable, alive, before you share assets. (Don't move into a new home with anyone before November 11.) Rest, contemplate Sunday/Monday. Charge forth to impress people, ask favors and accomplish big things Tuesday/Wednesday. Chase money Thursday/Friday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your hopes climb Sunday/Monday - popularity, social delights arrive. A sensual or monetary wish (a good investment?) might come true Sunday through Tuesday morning - dream, flow with your feelings. Contemplate, withdraw from the fray Tuesday to Thursday noon. You can sense the future these days. Tuesday morning is an excellent time to visit a counsellor, psychic, therapist, hospital, government agency, head office - or to apply for a management position. Avoid disruptions and temperamental people later Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Your energy roars back Thursday eve onward - get out, impress people! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Pursue career objectives Sunday and Tuesday mornings. (Later if you live east of the Pacific Ocean.) You could form a beautifully successful agreement or "working partnership" with a co-worker or someone who provides exactly the qualities you lack, and needs the qualities you have. Your hopes and general joy in life rise Tuesday to Thursday. You might meet a lover at a social function. But money and practical difficulties arise Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. Strictly AVOID large financial outlays. Retreat for some quiet time Thursday eve into Saturday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Your energy, charisma, effectiveness, timing and luck soar! Extra courage - and impulsiveness - flow into you now to mid-November. You can attract a marriage partner, form unions, negotiate or impose terms, seize opportunities. Don't abuse your power and luck - the price for pride/arrogance, over the two years ahead, will be high. Remain humble! Travel and water mix well Sunday to Tuesday morning - love and creativity flow like a dream! Pursue career objectives Tuesday morning, but avoid friction this p.m. and Wednesday. Popularity, social delights and optimism come Thursday eve to Saturday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Lie low, rest, contemplate and plan. Your spiritual world will expand over the next 12 months, but the six weeks ahead advise caution in this area - and in all dealings with red tape, head office, government agencies and institutions. Life's secrets emerge Sunday/Monday. You could have a good investment, love, family, or home beautification idea Sunday or Tuesday. Wisdom and understanding flow your way mid-week. Time your important actions for Tuesday morning. Your prestige is "on the line" Thursday p.m. to Saturday - make an effort, and you'll pass any tests! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your optimism and popularity continue to climb. An important relationship in love, business or friendship looms Sunday and Tuesday morning. It promises to eventually increase your security, perhaps to bless your soul. You might meet love at a social function anytime this month. All this love/popularity stuff is good, but - until August 2005 - realize you'll face barriers when you try to push this love and popularity into financial, sexual, intimate, research, health or lifestyle commitment areas. (You might see this mid-week.) Love, understanding, far travel come Thursday eve onward! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your optimism, cheerfulness, energy and luck will be very high, now through late 2005, in ambition, prestige, community status and relations with higher-ups. But for the six weeks ahead, higher-ups will be temperamental and impatient, and co-operators (from spouse to clients to business partners) will continue their slow, cautious ways. So you'll have to be astute and nimble to succeed. You might end one position or project to start another: make sure this is the best long-term choice. Your money luck and intuition are highest Sunday and Tuesday mornings. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Life's mellow and easy. You understand much now, your horizons broaden, you might travel afar, write a book, attend school, join a religion or study the law. (But don't enter a lawsuit - it would drain your bank account in major, unforeseen ways.) All these great interests MIGHT be bad karma disguised as good luck if you notice the following: your goal keeps promising success, but eluding you; inexplicable delays keep occurring; or you know, deep down, that you're trying to take advantage of someone. Love's possible Sunday-Tuesday, and Thursday/Friday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Life's mysteries burst to the surface for the next 12 months. You'll learn much, but make sure what you learn is healthy. You'll be apparently lucky in financial, investment, debt, lifestyle, sexual, intimate, research, investigation, diagnostic, occult and similar areas. But be very realistic - it's quite possible that a lifestyle change, financial partnership, negotiation or investment, for example, won't yield any reward, and could reduce your net worth. Be steadily creative. Romance the world rather than exploit it - this will keep you safe. Spiritual insights are hugely available Sunday-Tuesday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/