ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2005 All times/dates are Pacific Standard. SAGITTARIANS have suffered from withdrawal, emotional frustration, love's alienation and all those things since 1996. That's one of the effects of Pluto in Sagittarius from 1996 through early 2008. This planet seems determined to change Sagittarian's lives, particularly to make them more spiritual and emotionally stable. That will be the end result, as you'll see by 2008. But in the interim, Pluto casts a bit of a grey pall over things. Even when something good happens, many Sages don't believe it. They write to ask, as one did, "Is that a light at the end of the tunnel, or just another train coming?" Actually, it's a bit of a light. Here are the yearly "changes" in the remainder of this Pluto cycle for you Sages: In 2005, many of you will expand your social connections, and receive a great, welcome boost in confidence and general joy. Still, the "Pluto effect" will linger. In 2006, Pluto gets all the power. Change is uppermost, and emotional retreat can occur as an agent of this change. Your contemplations will travel deep, very deep. Institutions, government agencies, large corporations will "aid" Pluto in this change - and perhaps aid you. Your spiritual side will become very powerful, and perhaps even over-ride that famous, indefatigable sense of logic you possess. You'll see, or sense, some secrets so vast that you might nibble on them a wee bit for the rest of your life. In 2007, Jupiter joins Pluto in your sign - this year, the changes will be big, splendid, lucky, and in your favor. It's as if, at the very end of 12 years of giving you grief and enforcing change, Pluto suddenly says, "Okay, now you make the changes you want to make. You expand; you do whatever will make you most cheerful and most prosperous, most famous or most happy. This is one of the BEST years ever, to launch a big project. (It will tend to reshape the rest of your life.) Then, in early 2008, Pluto leaves your sign, not to return for 235 years! Form some wishes - but only good, moral, semi-realistic wishes - in 2005, for these can be the basis of what happens to you in your big breakthrough year of 2007. Jupiter, Sagittarius' ruling planet, turns retrograde this Tuesday through June 4. This delays - but does not extinguish - projects based on luck, and those that center on publishing, world travel, international commerce, politics, higher learning, religion, law and philosophy, weddings and other "big" social rituals. (I'll outline where the delays occur for all signs, next week.) Many of those corporate big wigs who escaped the arm of the law in recent years will now be held to account: Koslowski, Bernie Ebbers, etc. Start Nothing: 7:21 p.m. to 10:51 p.m. Mon., 2:56 p.m. Wed. to 4:21 a.m. Thurs., and 5:08 a.m. to 6:32 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Your mood's happy, your step's light, your popularity's rising, and your horizons are bright! Social joys and flirtations crowd your days. A deep, alluring relationship might arise Sunday or Monday - if before 9 a.m. Monday, the relationship will bring heavy domestic duties, or demand a financial/career sacrifice. If after 9 a.m. (PST) things look "easier." Delve deep Tuesday/Wednesday - secrets, research, big finances, sexual or lifestyle commitments could cause near-term worries, but will bring security. Someone's attracted to you Thursday/Friday - you could begin something deep, sexy or lucrative! Be ambitious Saturday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Be ambitious - higher-ups are watching. Bosses, parents, etc., are feeling indecisive through 2010, so they'll welcome your stable, unruffled self-assurance - "sell" this quality in every meeting. (You'll gain during the same period by being sympathetic to those under you.) Tackle chores Sunday/Monday. Expect exciting (Tuesday morning) worrying/elusive (Tuesday night) and stable, unglamorous meetings (Wednesday mid-day). The first and last have a good future. Veer into the depths Thursday after 2 p.m., and all Friday - an investment, debt restructuring, lifestyle or sexual commitment, could sow the seed of major change! Gemini May 21-June 20 Speak, write to (or visit) those in foreign countries, in universities, law offices, libraries, churches (etc.) - at the very least, watch a foreign film or read a penetrating book. Your view is broad, your heart compassionate. Love could come. It's the romantic variety Sunday/Monday (and could well demand a sacrifice of money, sexual desires or lifestyle if you bond with someone before 9 a.m. Monday). If it's mature love (most likely Thursday/Friday) it could cause a major change in your lifestyle in the three years ahead. Tackle chores mid-week. Cancer June 21-July 22 Lifestyle changes, health, research and detective work, sexual commitments and consequences, investments, debts - dive into these. The occult, dreams and your subconscious rise to the surface. Visit a psychic if you're in healthy emotional shape. If not, seek someone more orthodox. What you find could be disruptive or a bit of a slap to wake you from the dull comfort of your suppositions. (That's good, ultimately!) Be restful, a "homebody" Sunday/Monday. Romance and adventure call Tuesday/Wednesday - your creative, pleasure-oriented and teaching urges rise. Tackle chores (and health concerns) Thursday/Friday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 If you avoid dreamers, evaders, con artists and those with alcohol or drug problems, this week brings you exciting, intriguing people and opportunities. Your future might lie over an ocean. (Or in film media or health fields.) Communications, short trips, casual contacts and curiosity fill Sunday/Monday. Be home Tuesday/Wednesday, or work on business fundamentals, security. Your romantic, creative and pleasure-seeking side emerges Thursday/Friday - an exciting relationship would change your home life in future. Avoid falling for anyone you meet before 2 p.m. Thursday - financial and sexual disappointment would follow. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Buckle down to work. Take care of your health. Chase money Sunday/Monday. (Start new money projects after 9 a.m. Monday, not before.) Communications, trips, errands, paperwork and details fill Tuesday/Wednesday - avoid them Tuesday night. Your home, family, garden, security and property occupy your thoughts Thursday/Friday. You're drawn to these matters 1996-2010. You might feel you'll find your opportunity, your "other self" within them - you will, to a degree. The past month (and this week) have prodded you to take action in these zones - do so after 2 p.m. (PST) Thursday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Romance, creativity, pleasure and a winning streak - these accompany you now! Your energy and magnetism soar Sunday/Monday - you can attract an admirer, find new co-operation, and start brave new projects. However, your present position, reputation, career or parental duties, could form a barrier to complete success (in love or business) if you initiate anything before 9 a.m. Monday. If you start early Sunday you'll succeed, with a later sacrifice. If you start Monday after 9, success is milder but longer lasting. Make money mid-week. A "gentle love" could arrive Thursday/Friday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Focus on home, hearth, Mother Nature, kids, real estate, life's foundations. You're dreamy, lack realism - but have a very high intuition - in these areas from 1996 to 2011. Depend on your hunches, especially this week (and especially Thursday, a day that could show you what is and isn't workable in home purchases, budgets, relations, love.) Lie low, rest and meditate on the future Sunday/Monday. Your energy rises Tuesday/Wednesday - ask favors, start projects. Money, buying/selling succeed Thursday eve, Friday. A new financial scheme could begin. Governmental contacts slow until June. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Life's busy but not important - unless you include possible romantic developments and/or a significant communication or document involving home, family or property. Friends, casual conversations, short trips and information keep your life interesting. Be curious - you'll discover places/things that could later play an important role. Social delights, entertainment, light romance and bright hopes fill Sunday/Monday. (Except about sex and finances - here, until July, don't expect miracles; remain steady, conservative.) Retreat, rest and contemplate Tuesday/Wednesday. Your charisma and energy soar upward Thursday/Friday - you could start a new "mystery" project! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Chase money this week, but beware "soft schemes" promoted by dreamers, smooth talkers. Your understanding of interest rates could profit you in the weeks ahead - take action Thursday eve or Friday. Earlier, Sunday/Monday spur your ambitions, and attract higher-ups - they might be on your side, might put forth proposals, or they might be applying pressure. In any case, stand up straight and show your stuff! A pay raise might loom. Social joys, popularity, bright optimism fill Tuesday/Wednesday. You'll be happy! Retreat, rest, and think deeply Thursday/Friday. Protect your health. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Start important projects (except social, political, legislative or entertainment ones - you'll see why next week). Ask favors, impress others, show up in person, display your talents. You're in charge now, your energy and magnetism radiate! Tackle travel, legal, educational, publishing, and "formal love" matters Sunday/Monday. (Formal love = anniversaries, weddings, proposals, love letters, etc.) Your ambitions, career, and relations with higher-ups are generally good Tuesday/Wednesday: show your abilities; ask for increased responsibilities. (Your long "career exile" is over!) Social delights, popularity, optimism, flirtation and pleasure fill Thursday/Friday! Rest, Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Pamper your health. Eat and dress sensibly; take "power naps." Deal with government agencies, institutions, corporate head offices, health and retirement plan administrators, and similar types. Now through 2011, you're in "spiritual preparation" - from 2011 to 2025, you'll reach true spirituality. But this needs a level head and lack of ego! When spirituality is an escape, danger lurks. Mysteries fill Sunday/Monday. Investigate. Don't invest before 9 a.m. Monday. Love, wisdom and a mellow mood flow over you mid-week. You'll feel career pressures Thursday (abrupt) and Friday (successful). Saturday's happy. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/