ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2004 All times/dates are PST. I was just riffling through some financial statements of REITS (real estate investment trusts) the other day. Of the ones I saw, earnings per share in the trailing 12 months had declined an average 10 per cent. Also in the last year, many REITS switched from paying out less than their profits in monthly dividends (a healthy situation) to paying out more than their monthly profits (not a good situation). I'd be wary. In July, 2005, Saturn enters Leo for a couple of years. Leo is Cancer's money sign. Cancer rules houses. Saturn rules restrictions. The implication should be plain. I predicted we'd have some economic difficulties beginning September 25, and lasting through 2005 (actually, into late 2006). In October, inflation shot up, surprising economists. That was Mars (and Sun and Mercury) joining Jupiter. Jupiter makes things expand. This expansionary Jupiter is holding a long wrestling match with Saturn, the planet of practicality and restriction, until November 2006. Right now, these two biggies are in the preliminary grappling stage. The real fight hasn't yet begun. There will be an intermission in July-October 2005, then the more serious stage of the fight begins. Remember a few columns back I mentioned that 2009-2011 could be the "second shoe dropping" of the 2000/01 market crash? Evidently a lot of insurance companies, right at the markets' heights in the late 1990's and 2000, issued a bunch of equity mutual funds which carried the guarantee of a 100 per cent pay back of the principle in ten years. (So did banks, in a different way.) In 2008, 09, 10, and 11, the insurance companies will have to reimburse these fund holders 100 per cent of what their basket of stocks was worth in 1998-2001. Many of these baskets were composed of tech stocks covering a broad swatch of the NASDAQ index. In 2000, the NASDAQ was at 5000. Now it's at 2000. It's not very likely those insurance companies are going to be rescued by a sudden climb back up to 5000 in the next 5 years_ In 1995 in a public talk I said that India would become a major computer center. That's happened. The main expansion is over, but the beneficial ripples last through 2012. India's "second wave" (present even now) should be film, fantasy, fashion, beauty, video games. No major political or other shocks visit this huge nation for seven years. But 2012 could see a disruptive altering of borders or alliances/enmities. Things look pretty drastic for Saudi Arabia in 2007/08. Some deaths in February-May 2005, December 05, and July-November 06, are the lead-in to a final 2007/08 climax - the land is in danger, so is the ruling structure. Start Nothing: 6:28 p.m. Sun. to 0:46 a.m. Mon., 0:41 a.m. to 6:44 a.m. Wed., 3:03 a.m. to 8:54 a.m. Fri., and after 8:03 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Your mellow mood and understanding continue, especially late this week, when new insights take you into deep waters. Cultural affairs, love, far travel, education, publishing, insurance and legal involvements are foremost, but in these the past reigns - new projects (of any kind) won't fly. Beneath your mellowness, a strong lust - for sex, money or information - brews. Before December 20, don't let these lusts tempt you to start a new venture (they're strong Wednesday/Thursday). Tackle work Sunday. Relationships, exciting meetings, the spark of love, and new (or distant) horizons enter Monday/Tuesday. Taurus April 20-May 20 You'll feel romantic Sunday - if you're single, a powerful meeting could be slated! Late day is better than early. These weeks are oriented toward the depths (or undersides!) of relationships, they seem to move links to the funding, commitment, sexual, and consequential stages, in business and love. But be wary of settling on a final commitment before December 20. (That means an old flame or ongoing lover is better than a stranger Sunday.) Settle into work and do things for dependents Monday/Tuesday. Relationships catch fire again Wednesday/Thursday, and Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Powerful relationships and opportunities fill the weeks ahead, particularly this Friday/Saturday, which "rebirth" potentially major associations! A former business partner, associate, spouse, relocation possibility or business opportunity might return - if so, you might be wise to re-link - perhaps in a modified way. But steer clear of brand new people, new projects, ventures and places before December 20. Be patient with a partner's delays or indecision - they reflect your own. Home, kids and nature bless you Sunday. Romance, beauty, pleasure, deep creative urges come Monday/Tuesday. Work and health need attention Wednesday/Thursday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Work returns, demands to be done. Watch flaws, figures and misdirection in ongoing tasks. Your romantic side remains vibrant. A friendly, active Sunday could trigger an attraction, perhaps while you're travelling or visiting. Flashing glances and deep feelings could sweeten Wednesday/Thursday, too. These days are also good for children's affairs, education, and creative projects. Buckle down to your chores Monday/Tuesday, when you accomplish with great ease (especially on domestic fronts) and Friday/Saturday. (Beware electricity and tools Friday afternoon.) A different work role or employment change could arise early week. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Romance, beauty, pleasure and charming children bless your days. Express yourself, give rein to your creative urges. (But DON'T start important new creative nor speculative projects before December 20.) Stick with an ongoing love, or greet an old flame, but avoid romantic affairs with newly-met people now through December 19. Continue to guard against temper tantrums and accident potential on the home front. Chase money Sunday. Travel, visits, coffee conversations, paperwork, details, siblings and casual friends fill Monday/Tuesday. Settle into rest, home, Wednesday/Thursday. Love, pleasure, creative surges fill Friday/Saturday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Concentrate on home, family, real estate and similar issues all week, especially December 10 and 11. Don't start anything in these (or any) areas before December 20 - use the present period to correct past mistakes, to shore up foundations, and to re-connect with family - and with your soul. Rest when tired - this is your natural hibernation month. Some travel will occur - and it will spark romantic feelings, especially Sunday and Wednesday/Thursday. Contemplate which people and situations should remain in your life, but DON'T make a final decision! Money's lucky Monday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Take care of details before they take care of you - answer letters from the tax department, get that report to the boss, pay those bills, etc. Don't start new projects (especially detail or paperwork ones) before December 20, but do pick up all the loose ends. Complete and protect. Your money luck sails high, especially Sunday (when you should be resting) and Wednesday/Thursday. Collect money; don't spend. Your energy soars Monday/Tuesday - your hunches are correct. "Deep data" is contained in a message or a news item, Tuesday and Friday/Saturday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Pursue money all week, but don't spend, and don't start new earnings projects before December 20. Focus on past links/deeds: chase people who owe you, apply to former bosses for a job, pay overdue bills or taxes, etc. Money's "available" Tuesday and Saturday, but hits unexpected barriers Friday. Your magnetism stays high, you fascinate the opposite sex, especially Sunday and Wednesday/Thursday. Have you noticed yet that you're quieter, more contemplative and easier to get along with these past two months? This signals future luck with large organizations, government agencies. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your energy, charisma and high spirits attract people, but you're not quite ready to respond, nor to launch any important projects. Patience equals self-confidence - you'll only charge forward if you're unsure. You could be drawn to a "secret" affair (in love, politics or business) - perhaps an old flame. This situation will, in future, place an onerous burden on you, and a guilty conscience. Remain clean, upright. Tackle career and prestige situations Sunday. You're popular, optimistic Monday/Tuesday - a wish could come true! Lie low, rest mid-week. Your energy soars Friday/Saturday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You're tired, yet your romantic wishes could come true, especially Sunday or Wednesday/Thursday! You could also stumble across fine openings in career, property, family, agricultural, lodging, creative, educational and social arenas. In these, a seeming paradox exists: the best doors open onto past situations/contacts, yet the value, without exception, lies in seeing these opportunities as "beginnings." Could mean re-starting something formerly abandoned? Your career, ambitions and relations with higher-ups flow nicely Monday/Tuesday. Retreat for "deep rest" Friday/Saturday - study situations, perhaps make essential institutional or governmental contacts. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Popularity, visions of the future, entertainment and light flirtation float in! Life's fun, and you're winning! Old flames, former social contacts and former hopes tantalize you, especially Friday/Saturday. Another important thread winds its way through this week. In career, prestige and status zones, something seems to be "birthing" - a significant project or idea. But these might contain the seeds of future frustration, unless they have a direct link to the past - e.g., reprising an old, abandoned project could work. Be thoughtful, speak of love Monday/Tuesday - others will love it! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Fulfill career, business and parental demands. Your performance is under scrutiny, especially Wednesday through Saturday. (Be cautious Wednesday p.m. and Friday to mid-afternoon.) This isn't the time to make a big, glorious leap; be conservative. You might be shunted back to a prior career or parental role by temporary circumstance. You'll pass these tests! The entire week brings a quiet swell of love - or a travel, legal or educational option. (Remember, start nothing new before December 20.) Relationships excite Sunday. All's well in finances, health, sex and occultism Monday/Tuesday. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. www.astralreflections.com. /30/