ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 9 - 15, 2005 All times/dates are PST. Reports say the quake that created the S.E. Asian tsunami first registered at a seismology station in Inuvik (in the Arctic Circle) at 6:12 p.m. MST Christmas Day. A chart for that event shows many indicators of the catastrophe. Mars of violence makes a bad aspect to catastrophe-ruling Uranus in Pisces, the sign of oceans. Mars is in the 4th house (Mother Earth), in Scorpio, sign of death and earthquakes. Perhaps more tellingly, the Moon's south node (bad karma) is also in Scorpio, but mere hours from leaving this sign, not to return for 18 years. From Scorpio, the south node entered Libra. That's a relief in some ways - it hints the destruction is Scorpio's "parting shot" rather than Libra's "opening fusillade." (If the latter, we would have to face 18 more months of such influences.) By now you've probably seen my 2005 "Year Ahead" and its various world predictions. These predictions are always truncated. Here's what was thrown out: I predicted a small, stubborn war would start sometime August 2005 through February 2006, perhaps in a nation starting with P or L. Oddly, Portugal - which as far as I know is a terribly peaceful place - seems to be in this warlike influence's pathway. However, unusual quake, fire or industrial explosions might be more probable - in Iceland, too. Almost all the present hotspots qualify for increased violence under this August-February Mars period: Israel, Turkey, India and Rwanda show new militancy. Libya, Indonesia and the Philippines get a taste of this hostility also. The nations involved suggests that this might be terrorist-al-la-Quada stuff -- if so, expect some foundations to be rocked, especially around December 05. If George Bush's and Bin Laden's birth information are correct, this Mars violence will "visit" one or both of them quite strongly. Headaches or criticism "from above" for George, and possibly sickness, death or arrest for Laden, perhaps around December. The U.S. wants to end confrontations after July. American protectionism ebbs and an Iraqi withdrawal looms. Yet explosive fighting looks probable in Iraq August to February. This might delay the withdrawal until late 2007. Iran also grows increasingly violent in late 2005. South Korea looks unstable, while North Korea grows more peaceful. Like Saudi Arabia, South Korea faces big upheavals centering on late 2007/early 2008. Ireland faces the same upheaval, though probably via a peaceful rebirth, rebuilding the destroyed cities or repatriating nationhood from Britain. Start Nothing: 9:58 a.m. to 7:07 p.m. Mon., 7:43 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. Wed., and 12:22 p.m. to 9:27 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Ambition plus work are a potent combo - plug ahead! Since June 2003, jobs have tended to end or somehow "pointed you earthward." You might have assumed extra family/parenting, business foundation or food-shelter duties - or been placed in a research role. This trend continues until July, then ends. This week, you'll either have to meld, or choose between, pure ambition and those "earth-ward duties." Retreat Thursday/Friday to mull this over. You're ambitious early week - a new career project might "birth" Sunday or early Monday. Popularity and fresh hopes arrive Tuesday/Wednesday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Higher learning, law, philosophy, religion, ponderings, publishing, foreign cultures and climes - these attract you and bring reward this week. A new project could start soon in one of these arenas. But you also might need to choose between (or combine) the long and short - e.g., paperwork or a novel, errands or a voyage, chatter or formal contracts, etc. You might have to mollify or soothe two competing friends. Be ambitious Tuesday (lucky late!) and Wednesday. Optimism and social joys increase Thursday/Friday - a love wish might come true. Retreat, contemplate Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Focus on mysteries, depths, and how to grow your assets, your family, your lineage. Pregnancy, investments, lifestyle changes, deep health concerns, agreements, funding, bonds, taking consequential action - these are highlighted. You might have begun something lucky in these areas last week. More "beginnings" open this week and next, especially this Sunday and early Monday. But you have to choose between (or combine) income and growth, earning and investing. Higher education, law, love, foreign cultures, publishing are lucky Tuesday night - act now! Be wary, diplomatic with higher-ups Thursday, early Friday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Relationships climax this week. All relationships qualify - marriage, business partnerships, contractual dealings, friendships, dealings with the public. (This last doesn't mean you have to be famous - lawyers, doctors, salespeople, store clerks deal with the public.) The climax might not seem to be much - it's slow, quiet, but there's a firmness, an "implacable reality" in it. You'll ponder, Do I go on, or not? Or you might have to compromise, hugely. Some meet their mate! Let this hint help you: in 2005, it is better to chase ambition than security. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Slog on - your workload's heavy. You might have to choose between doing what stares you in the face (hands-on type chores) and a more subtle or management duty. If you can combine the two, results will please. A new work project might begin over the week ahead. Relationships excite you emotionally, or bring opportunities, Monday night to early Wednesday - be eager and willing Tuesday night, when your social, gambling or romantic side could stumble on a prize! Mysteries and intimacy, investments and investigations enter Thursday/Friday - be cautious, gentle. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 A love affair could start soon with someone sweet, unfathomable, gracious and diplomatic. You might have to choose, in the two weeks ahead, between a deep love and a more social, friendly link. If you can combine them, better! (Remember, DON'T start living with anyone before February 7 - domestic friction would ensue later, and forever.) If not love, then creativity, joys from children, self-expression, speculation and risk fill the week ahead. A new project starts in one of these areas. Sunday/Monday are romantic. Work/money luck Tuesday. Deep intimacy is possible Saturday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Decide who and what stays in your life, and who/what must go. Financial, family, career and other practical considerations dictate your choice. Look deeply - who's hurting you and who's helping - what's capable of growth and what's a dead end? You'll live with your decision for a long time, so make it solid, brave, and right. Don't use compromise as a tool of evasion or procrastination. You might also have to choose between career and home, ambition and retreat - to win, combine the two. Your romantic luck soars Tuesday night! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 This week features paperwork, detail tasks, errands, visits and communications. Small but fortunate projects begin in these zones. The big and the small combine (e.g., detail work on a legal document, or errands to prepare for a long trip) - but if you delay, nit-pick or are reluctant, the small could hinder, even defeat the big. Co-operation's essential. Your income picture continues to look good, but don't spend before February 7 - pay only regular bills. Your home, real estate, spiritual and governmental luck soars Tuesday night. Romance, Wednesday night to Friday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 You're creative, romantic and magnetic! Chase money all week. You'll indulge on a luxury purchase soon. You need to make a financial choice - to consume, or to invest for the future. To earn quick money, or to increase your involvement in your employer's stock plan, etc. I can't choose for you - they all look equally lucky/unlucky. Study these money themes Sunday. Friends, news, trips and paperwork benefit you Monday night to Wednesday morning. A love, popularity or friendship wish comes true Tuesday! Go slow, be cautious Thursday/Friday. Romance Saturday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan.19 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness continue to attract others to you. Someone will flirt soon. Since June 2003 you've struggled to convince others; your proposals, suggestions and sales pitches have met with quiet scepticism. This continues to July, but it reaches a quiet climax this week. Now you either convince someone, form a bond, relocate, join another (or receive some encouragement in these efforts) - or, in future, you'll quietly gear down, cease your efforts. It's no loss if you do: other, brighter horizons will soon appear! Money luck Tuesday night! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Rest; lie low. Contemplate; find your spiritual center. Pamper your health. You have to choose between, or somehow combine, hands-on chores and more abstract duties. Do you support or give advice? Your increased responsibilities will last until July, but this week determines how you handle them for the six months ahead. Co-workers grow more chatty and pleasant now through January - and a new job project begins. Your energy rises nicely Tuesday/Wednesday. Tuesday night brings understanding, a meeting of minds, perhaps romantic attraction. Handle money carefully Thursday/Friday. Good friends Saturday night! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 You have to choose between a hopeful, bright possible future and a solid, secure, but somewhat unglamorous present. This could manifest as going off with friends versus sticking with your present romance, or adhering to an educational program versus deciding to learn "in the field" - or creating art versus running the art gallery. I can't decide for you - except to say a merging of opposites will provide the winning solution. This "dilemma" isn't stark and thunderous - it's quiet, but necessary. Your hopes rise Sunday/Monday. Your magnetism attracts, Thursday/Friday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/