ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
FEBRUARY 13 - 19, 2005 

	All times/dates are PST.
	I have two major failings as an astrologer. One, I lose my objectivity in politics. For example, I wrote last year that George Bush's charisma would be at a 28-day peak on election day, and Dukakis' - oops, I mean Kerry's - was at a 365-day low, yet I still gave the nod to Kerry. Hope outshone intellect. In politics, I've committed such errors for decades. That's why I try to avoid political forecasting.
	My second failing is, sometimes I just don't look. For example, I knew the date of the Iraq election - January 30 - but I just didn't think to look at it. So here's a belated look: the day was beautifully clear, with the moon in Libra, a sign of civil courage. The Moon was trine Sun, meaning men and women co-operated. (Many women voted.) The Moon was also trine Neptune, meaning lack of fear and rumor, and that our higher nature  defeats anxiety. The Moon joined Jupiter, indicating the birth of a political system. There was also a good aspect to Pluto and Mars, indicating, in future, a competent handling of death, violence and police/army issues. Only two sour notes existed: a Moon-Saturn square aspect indicates material hardship, so Iraq's poverty will live on. (Yes, Iraq has oil wealth. But brutal thieves thrive in a dictatorship, subtle ones in a democracy.) A Moon-Venus square indicates that (political and human) idealism will run counter to material and business success. Both these "poverty" influences will be slow to emerge. That said, the overall outlook is superb - this election took Iraq into a true, solid future - now we only need to see if it will, as a nation, defeat the intense martial events that seem to loom for the August/05 to February/06 period. Likely it will.
	VALENTINE'S DAY holds a Venus-Neptune conjunction, combining love with our capacity to dream. This conjunction is like a love mist someone sprays into the atmosphere. We're dewy-eyed, vulnerable, and we detect an ethereal, innocent or spiritual beauty in anyone we're attracted to. But the Taurus Moon - a strong love indicator itself - conflicts with this ethereal vision. The Moon promotes sensual, physical attraction. So we have the Battle of the Senses. We could become confused about love, being sexually assertive with someone who needs a light, mental touch, or being gracious and polite with someone who, frankly, wants simmering sex. Or we could chase the wrong person, or be hurt by the mildest wrong comment. Or, we might just stumble onto perfect love. An interesting Valentine's Day! If you want to be sure of your reception, approach a love prospect Sunday eve/night - that's when deep loves form. (To read your love prospects for 2005 see my "Love Forecast" article in last Wednesday's Courier or on the website.)


Start Nothing: 2:53 a.m. to 12:18 p.m. Sun., 7:07 p.m. to 9:18 p.m. Tues., and 9:23 p.m. Thurs. to 9:13 a.m. Fri.

Aries   March 21-April 19
A happy week! Pursue money Sunday afternoon to Tuesday. But avoid primrose illusions Monday. A friend means well, but misguides you anyway. Your Valentine's Day is friendly - or filled with subtle, entrancing "group dynamics." If you meet someone at a social function, the ensuing love could be strong but unsettling. Not so someone you meet in the p.m. Wednesday into Thursday morning - this chirpy, sensitive person could bless your life for a long time! Smooth, easy luck aids you in home, domestic, property situations Friday, but deserts you Saturday. 

Taurus   April 20-May 20
You're tired Sunday morning, but this afternoon you come tripping back to life. You'll attract (or successfully chase) a love, an intellectual venture or a journey. Be ambitious, Monday and Tuesday also. Higher-ups, parents, judges and VIPs look on you favourably all February, so take advantage, present proposals, display your skills, start big projects! Your money skills rise nicely to the fore after noon Wednesday to mid-morning Thursday. Friends, casual contacts, short trips, paperwork - especially those connected to your career - succeed splendidly Friday, but hit interference Saturday. A successful week!

Gemini   May 21-June 20
You can advance with research, spousal intimacy, or work on a delicious plan for your future, Sunday through Tuesday eve. Be quiet, restful; don't wave your arms in a crowded room, nor chase love too strenuously. Your energy and charisma soar Wednesday/Thursday. Use them to lasso love, soar to foreign countries, ink a media or publishing deal, write a great school paper, or create almost anything connected to love, beauty or a relationship - before mid-morning Thursday. Money luck shines Friday; dims Saturday - act accordingly! February/March heighten your deeper urges.  

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Wishes could come true Sunday eve to Tuesday, especially wishes about "deeper" things - lifestyle changes, investments, intimacy, etc. Be wishful, not foolish - don't step on thin ice in these areas. Retreat Tuesday night to Thursday. You could receive a stroke of luck in real estate, domestic, family, security, agricultural, retirement areas - especially if financial, sexual, health or lifestyle commitments are involved. On Friday, you begin a month of learning, far travel, law, media, love and understanding. Friday presents superb luck in these - and furthers those financial, intimate or lifestyle initiatives.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Through 2010, you'll often come to a fork in the road between gambling and investing, romance and sexual intimacy, creativity and research, diving into present pleasures, or exploiting things for your long-term future. The first halves of these pairs will bring more adventure (and perhaps winnings) but might interfere with marriage. The second half of these pairs will more easily lead to marriage, security and contractual opportunities. Your choice. Sunday p.m. to Tuesday, your career, reputation and parental role will bewilder and reward you. Strike early! Wishes come true Wednesday/Thursday!

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Gentle, understanding love steals softly into your days Sunday p.m. to Tuesday. But if you meet someone Sunday night (best before 10) the fire is definitely physical! Take a chance on a speculative investment this p.m. Don't fool yourself about work demands Monday. Your career hits unexpected personality clashes or work, electric, or technical malfunctions Wednesday morning, but this eve into Thursday morning brings the opposite - success, especially if you combine work and money-making! Friday's surge in popularity and social delights begins a month of relationship excitement Saturday surprises.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Delve deeply into mysteries, your subconscious, finances, debts, and your general life direction Sunday afternoon to Tuesday. You'll learn some secrets! Deeper intimacy with a mate or lover is possible Sunday p.m. - a superb time to settle on a real estate purchase, pregnancy, retirement, or other domestic venture. Don't begin co-habiting with anyone through March 20 (morning). You would create a situation of "home fights." Love's possible, Wednesday/Thursday! You might change partners anytime now through late March - an old flame might return March/April, to offer a serious option.

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Communications flow swiftly. You might be asked to drive "everywhere" over the weeks ahead. But this week you feel sluggish - so rest, pamper yourself, take time to contemplate. Relationships challenge, and present opportunities, Sunday p.m. to Tuesday. You could meet someone very alluring Monday or Wednesday/Thursday, but chances are you're confusing security or deep childhood stuff (or simple lust) with romance. The latter comes in abundance in the four weeks that start Friday. This day offers success in learning, travel, love, sex, romance, home, domestic affairs - but Saturday doesn't!

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Tackle chores Sunday p.m. to Tuesday. Sunday night offers a doorway to increased income - think "creative," "speculative." A lover could help. Receive or give a sweet note or glance Monday. Relationships excite the wrong way Wednesday morning, the perfectly right way this p.m. and Thursday morning! Love could arise from a friendship. Friday begins a month of domestic, realty, family, security, retirement, and similar concerns. You'll "slow down" - use your down time to contemplate who and what still belong in your life, who and what should go. Friday's lucky!

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Pursue money through Thursday. Through late March, you're very magnetic, assertive and determined. But you lack career patience now; you're more inclined to end a situation than baby it along. You might change jobs in the weeks ahead, but you'd be wiser to retreat a bit, plan strategy and consolidate your position. That magnetism helps with the opposite sex, though! Romance is powerful (rather than sweet) Sunday p.m. - and perhaps giddy Monday! Tackle chores Wednesday/Thursday. Exciting meetings fill Friday! This day begins a month of travel, paperwork and communications.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Your charm and energy remain high; chase important goals, start important projects, and ask people for favors. Your personal charm flows all February - especially this Monday and Wednesday/Thursday, when others could flock to you, especially if you're single! Sunday morning's for trips and talks. This afternoon to Tuesday settles you into a restful mood - take care of domestic, security and property issues. Romance, creative surges and pleasure urges come Tuesday night to Thursday - major love might strike! Friday aids work, health - and starts a month of money interests.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Lie low, rest, contemplate and plan. You might send or receive important (or heart-lifting) mail, email, or calls Sunday to Tuesday. Your spiritual side shows, especially Monday, when some Pisceans will experience a vision of goodness and/or beauty. Settle down to domestic, property, retirement and security concerns Tuesday night through Thursday. You'll have difficulty until Wednesday morning, then sweet success through Thursday morning, especially in governmental, management, health, spiritual, charity and institutional areas. Friday begins a month of surging energy, charisma and effectiveness for you - charge ahead this day!

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


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