ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS FEBRUARY 6 - 12, 2005 All times/dates are PST. Boy, that didn't take long. On January 14 I emailed my January 23 column to the editors. It forecast that in George Bush's second term, "at least one pundit will compare him to JFK." Well, it's started already. In fact, it started before the column was officially published. In its January 22 issue, Barron's assistant editor Randall Forsyth compared Bush's inaugural speech to Kennedy's 1961 effort, and Robert Fulford, the Financial Post's great commentator, in a January 21 front-page story, called Bush's inaugural oratory "the most eloquent of its kind since John F. Kennedy's triumph_" Barron's also confirmed my September 2003 prediction for 2004, that grain harvests would swell, and grain prices fall. "Grain prices collapsed last year because of a record harvest" [worldwide], reported Felix Zulaf in that paper's "Roundtable" (January 22/05). Corn prices fell 40 per cent, wheat 30 per cent, and soybeans 50 per cent. But on to my promise last week, to show how Jupiter's "retrograde" from the present to June 4, will affect each sign. Remember, Jupiter often represents or "rules" your lucky or "prosperity" projects. In general, these four months will slow, but not extinguish, our most optimistic projects. Here's a sign-by-sign rundown: ARIES, this 4-month slowdown will delay agreements, contracts, a relocation venture, dealings with the public, marriage, fame. TAURUS, the slowdown affects work, health, and projects involving dependents. GEMINI, this slowdown could delay romance, a creative or self-expression venture, a "gamble" or a vacation. You CANCERS might notice a slowdown in real estate, home and kid-oriented matters. For LEO, the slowdown affects a communications, travel, media, distribution, or similar matter. A 4-month delay in a new earnings project, a school program or a big purchase arises for VIRGO. For LIBRA, the slowdown comes in communications, media, travel and distribution projects. SCORPIO, this slowdown delays your government-related, spiritual, charity, administrative or red tape projects. SAGITTARIANS face a delay in social, group, legislative, humanitarian, fame, entertainment and similar undertakings. CAPRICORN, your slowdown affects career, prestige, business and "power" projects. Delays will affect AQUARIANS in legal, far travel, cultural, higher education, religious, media, science and fame zones. You PISCEANS might see slowdowns come in your investment, financial, sexual (pregnancy), health and new lifestyle projects. We should all use this delay as a chance to adjust, to gain a second wind, and for sober reappraisal, to make sure our plans are realistic rather than over-optimistic. Start Nothing: 5:47 p.m. Sun. to 6:26 a.m. Mon., 8:18 p.m. Tues. to 5:59 a.m. Wed., and 9:13 p.m. Thurs. to 7:21 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Optimism, flirtations, social delights and a feeling that life is newly fresh - these fill the days of this happy, lucky week! A wish could come true now, especially one involving travel, a lawsuit, publishing, higher education or love. Monday/Tuesday figure prominently - make (and answer) proposals, be friendly and assertive. Earlier, Sunday needs a balance between career and home/family. Your energy ebbs but your luck stays high Wednesday/Thursday. Your energy and charisma rise Friday/Saturday - use them to conquer challenges, overcome problems. Step softly with higher-ups, show executive "aplomb" through March. Taurus April 20-May 20 The accent lies on career, prestige, reputation, your relations with higher-ups. Spend Sunday resting, thinking, being philosophical, and looking for flaws in your plans. Then charge forth Monday/Tuesday, when career and work are extremely favored - and right through Wednesday/Thursday, too, when your friendliness and social charms boost your career and popularity quotients! Retreat, rest and stay far away from expressions of opinions Friday/Saturday. Avoid legal hassles these two days - and right into late March. You could gain a raise or promotion this week - this might involve resuming old duties. Gemini May 21-June 20 The emphasis lies on mental love, far travel, legal and cultural affairs, international involvements, higher education, religion and life philosophy, publishing, fame, statistics and insurance. Aim for success in one of these this week - for the love of it Monday/Tuesday, and a bit more ambitiously Wednesday and Thursday daytime. By Friday/Saturday, you'll be filled with hope and anticipation! (Don't fret, though - get out, meet friends, gaze on the world.) Now through late March, you become more impulsive in finances and sex - if you go slow, you might succeed in these. Cancer June 21-July 22 The general accent lies on mysteries, dreams, your subconscious, sexual desires, intimacy, lifestyle changes, deep health matters, and major finances (debts, mortgages, investments, inheritances, etc.). Superb luck floats through these areas Monday/Tuesday, and, less so, Wednesday/Thursday. Take the crucial action Monday/Tuesday; follow up Wednesday/Thursday. You might spy the doorway, the opportunity for your action earlier, on Sunday - if so, wait until Monday onward to act. (Unless love is your intent.) Be ambitious but careful Friday/Saturday. For six weeks, others grow feisty - you could start an ambitious association, or fight. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Relationships fill the two weeks ahead. This includes contracts and litigation, love/marriage and divorce, business partnerships, dealings with the public, fame, relocation, opposition, co-operation, challenge and opportunity. Monday/Tuesday hold excellent results if you dive into any of these. Be eager, approach; be diplomatic, for others hold the aces. These themes veer into deeper zones Wednesday/Thursday, into funding, commitment, changes caused by agreements, the intimacy that follows attraction, etc. These are lucky, too. Make a big step, a big commitment this week, Leo! Friday/Saturday hold legal, ethical problems: go slow. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Charge into chores, employment projects, and tasks involving dependents or health. Monday/Tuesday offer superb success in these. Seek employment, ask the boss for more responsibilities, or buy machinery, tools, computers, software, cars, etc. (Don't ask for a pay raise or you'll delay everything.) It's also a great time to rearrange your children's educational future, or to "catch-up" with essential work involving a property, home or farm. Success continues Wednesday/Thursday - but success depends on others. Co-operate! Be careful with finances, health and sexuality Friday/Saturday. Through March, your "romantic courage" intensifies. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Spend Sunday resting, tidying up. Then charge into love, beauty, pleasure, vacation, a gamble or speculation, teaching children, romance and creativity Monday/Tuesday - luck rides with you! An attractive stranger represents a possible great love - with a fair amount of domestic friction, and (probably) an eventual break-up or aborted marriage plans. Hmmn - better to "ramp up" an existing love. (DON'T move in with anyone now through the morning of March 20 - it would ensure home-based fighting.) Your luck continues Wednesday/Thursday, but chores, employment call, too. Be careful with relationships Friday/Saturday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You'll communicate a lot with co-workers, or be talking, running around town about machinery, repairs, etc., through late March. Make sure your car, computer and phone are in good order. The two weeks ahead emphasize your domestic situation, real estate, security, Mother Nature, garden/agriculture, and business foundations. Dive into these areas Monday/Tuesday-they're dripping with luck! Finish with the old and create a foundation for the new. In mid-February you'll be repaid for charitable acts, perhaps in one of these security, domestic or similar areas. Romance, pleasure arise Wednesday/Thursday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Money flows to you swiftly during the six weeks ahead. Save it, or pay down debts. If you spend heedlessly, you could end up with less than you started with. Quietly reflect Sunday. February features paperwork, curiosity, short trips, casual contacts, errands and details. You can surge ahead with these in a remarkable way Monday/Tuesday. Buy stationery, computer software, a car, etc. The good luck continues Wednesday/Thursday, but now the underlying theme is security. (Order a security system.) Romance, beauty and pleasure arrive Friday/Saturday - but the ride's bumpy! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your energy rises Sunday - you'll get either an okay or a "soft refusal." You can start or further one or two excellent money projects this week, especially Monday/Tuesday. Use Wednesday/Thursday to handle the communications, visiting, or paperwork of those money projects. Then retreat - or at least step softly - Friday/Saturday, when you'll feel a bit tired, which increases your grumpiness. You could insult someone without meaning to. Now through late March, your testosterone rises (male or female) - this makes you magnetic, courageous, and impulsive. You might "demand an end" to something. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 For the six weeks to late March, don't make an enemy. Your performance will be outstanding if you're an athlete, but us other mortals should beware over-exertion, over-heating. Don't get in an argument with the government, head office or an institution. The two weeks ahead continue to raise your energy and charisma levels. This is a great time to impress people, to ask for co-operation and start important projects, especially Monday/Tuesday, when your luck is high! Chase money (and continue those lucky projects) Wednesday/Friday. Avoid speaking, driving impulsively Friday/Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your inner life grows sweeter over the month ahead, while your social life heats up for six weeks. Perhaps the more you shine inside, the more others desire your presence. Still, you should generally lie low and get your rest this week and next. Pamper your health. Contemplate. Deal with government agencies, institutions, head office, and red tape - start new projects here. Float into spiritual realms; visit a psychic. All these succeed wonderfully this week, especially Monday to Thursday. You could successfully apply for benefits or government business funding. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/