ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS APRIL 10 - 16, 2005 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight Time. I received an interesting email from someone on March 19, the day Mercury went retrograde. She recently moved into town, is in a motel, must get a job to survive, but is worried about my advice not to start any major projects while Mercury's "backward" (March 19 to April 12). A couple of points here: I had been warning about the retrograde period since at least March 1 - when you know that such a period is imminent, try not to start things that will largely proceed into or during the retro. For instance, why did this young lady travel to a new city without money just before the merc retro, when she knew she'd have to look for a job by the time of the retro? (Of course, this advice is easy to give, but I break it myself all the time. Patience is a virtue few of us exercise.) I receive so many emails from employment-seekers about finding a job during the mercury retro, that it must be a common problem. Here's my advice: if you're looking for a particular (i.e., career-oriented) job, and have enough money to comfortably tide you over, then don't look for work during the retro. Just wait - research, take a rest, contact old bosses, etc. But if it's a survival issue, then do go out and find a new job - but make it a fill-in, temporary job, to support you while you search for a better position. Tell yourself this will NOT be your final destination. The employment you find during a Mercury retro will usually either not last, or might be a no-growth, dead-end position where you won't be able to utilize your best talents. (There are rare exceptions.) Okay, I feel bad for dismissing you SAGITTARIANS last week. Here, then, is a short recap of your Pluto-pressure period. In your case, Pluto's 1995-2008 agenda is to make you recognize the spiritual (not the religious or philosophical, although he might bring it in through these) - to increase your empathy, your charity and mercy toward others, to show you the hidden side of life, and to, ultimately, release you from burdens and the "prisons of perceptions" which have accumulated over your lifetime (s). In 2005, Pluto works with your hopes, building yet dashing new ones (it's complex!). This year, Pluto and Jupiter introduce you to a new social circle, one that probably contains a psychic or spiritual contact, or two! In 2006, you go deeply into spiritual (or institutional, government or charity) areas - deeply into yourself. You start to see what Pluto's about; you get glimpses of his entire vast realm. In 2007, Jupiter joins Pluto in your sign of Sagittarius - and you come together, too. Your whole life is transformed in big, bold ways. 2007 is your year to strike out in big life-changing ways! Start Nothing: 10:37 p.m. Sun. to 3:54 p.m. Mon., 10:01 p.m. Wed. to 2:03 a.m. Thurs., and 7:37 a.m. to 2:17 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Your energy, charisma, and sexual magnetism continue high, Aries - and now, added to the brew, you'll be effective also (at least Tuesday onward). Don't delay past noon (PDT) Tuesday - get out, communicate, approach special or important people, ask favors, start significant projects, especially (Tuesday/Wednesday) in social, far-travel, media, legal, intellectual, educational, wedding, cultural and similar zones. You're in winning mode! Your social life bubbles happily all month. Love might show that it's "destined" early this week. Settle down, rest and prepare the groundwork for your ventures Friday/Saturday. Money's coming! Taurus April 20-May 20 Continue to rest. Work in the background, with confidential matters or with government, head office, charities or institutions. All your schemes have been unreliable recently, but by Tuesday onward you can start earnestly planning future ventures. Your energy's high Sunday, but not "powerful" - don't challenge authorities or demand attention. (Be careful with bosses, authorities all month, especially if you're young.) You could be attracted to a verboten relationship. In this particular case, destiny might be "on side." Chase money or start income projects Tuesday noon into Wednesday - success looks likely! Gemini May 21-June 20 Wishes can still come true, Gemini! Confusion and indecision end in general. You're hopeful about a legal process all April, but be careful - 2005's legal complications or lawsuits can cost much more than they preserve or win for you. Instead, throw your intellectual energy behind a trip to another country, an educational, cultural, writing, or publishing/media project. (But even in these, be certain your know where you're going, and that the goal's realistically achievable - delays might be protecting you from a misstep!) Recuperate Sunday. Conquer the world Tuesday/Wednesday! Cancer June 21-July 22 Delays end (Tuesday onward) in career, ambitions, dealings with authorities, reputation concerns, parenting, relations with higher-ups - generally in all practical matters. Yet just as delays and obstacles end, your ambition ebbs a bit. Well, continue to work hard (through April) and to protect your health (from work's debilitations). Your social life begins to perk up mildly, Sunday/Monday and Friday onward - soon, it will perk up big-time! Lie low, rest and plan late Monday through Wednesday - you'll succeed in "backroom deals," family and home affairs. Your energy, charisma surge Thursday/Friday! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Delays and indecisions end (Tuesday onward) in legal, international, educational, cultural, intellectual, publishing, philosophical and similar zones. You can make excellent progress in these areas Tuesday (after mid-morning) and Wednesday. Relationships continue to be exciting, especially if they are "linked" to the above areas (e.g., a lover from another country) - but it's love or anger, little in-between. (Anger could be masking attraction!) Starting Friday, higher-ups will begin to favor you on career fronts. Be ready to shine! Protect reputation Sunday. A wish comes true Tuesday/Wednesday. Flirtations sparkle. Rest Thursday/Friday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You finally get a clear signal in sexual, financial (investment/debt) health and lifestyle situations. My advice: charge into these things if they involve work or ambition; let them go if they involve gratification, mystery or fascination. It's time to let go of lust and opt for real love, wise love. Take care with legal, travel concerns Sunday. Your ambitions get a shot of luck, or meet an open door, Tuesday (after 10 a.m. PDT) and Wednesday. In this, and in property and family matters, destiny favors making a change! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Relationships straighten out; indecisions and delays end. You'll forgive broken promises - or you'll leave a situation that breeds them. Your romantic side asserts itself bravely all April - and it's trustworthy now - it points at someone who represents a true marriage mate. ("Destiny" signals you with a call, note or visit.) In the weeks ahead, an association could turn intimate, bringing commitment, sexuality, a sharing of resources. The month ahead also features business and investment success. Love, travel, intellectual and legal affairs succeed Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday. Chase practical ambitions Thursday/Friday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Delays end in work and machinery areas. From Tuesday onward, you can buy machinery, computers, software, start up work projects, etc. Tuesday (after 10 a.m. PDT) and Wednesday are an excellent two days to change direction, to take a longer-term view, to invest in your future - or in land, stocks, equipment, etc. If you don't know what to do, listen to your money hunches - they're "speaking" Sunday night, Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday night. (Good times, also, to research or visit a psychic.) Continue to be gentle, careful with home, family. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Delays, indecisions and misunderstandings end in romance, with children, and in creative, speculative and pleasure - oriented projects. It's time to put forth your proposal, paint that picture, state your case, or woo that special person. One door will shut, but another (or two) will open wide Tuesday/Wednesday! Be diplomatic, eager, and passionate - act now, because by Friday afternoon some of the magic recedes. You'll be "involved" with this person or opportunity right into mid-May - and by June, success starts happening! But your first step should be now - take a chance! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 More money than usual flows to you and from you - bank it. Delays end in home, family, property, gardening/agricultural and similar concerns - you can charge ahead with these, but try not to overspend. You feel romantic (or simply notice the beauty of the world) Sunday/Monday - but this is just a precursor of the pleasurable times that await you in ten days. Meanwhile, your biggest opportunities lie in work, machinery, employment affairs, Tuesday noon through Wednesday. You could arrange a pay raise for yourself! Some opposition faces you Saturday - diplomacy! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Communications could disappoint Sunday. Stick close to home, dawdle in the garden or nap on the couch. Recent delays end Tuesday, freeing you to reach friends, buy a car, travel, etc. A friend or social group - or perhaps a newspaper headline - have a way of foretelling your future, of shaping your goals early this week. Watch for clues! Friends remain pleasant, but you've got something more on your mind Tuesday/Wednesday - chase romance, adventure, creativity, pleasure or children's benefits/schooling while your luck's high! Duties press Thursday/Friday - you'll accomplish a lot Thursday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Delays and missteps end in earnings, payments, purchases - use the ten days ahead to make essential "first moves" in money projects. What you start now, you'll be able to develop into mid-May. A governmental, management or institutional contact, or a red-tape application, could aid your dollar luck all April. Physically, you remain vulnerable - avoid dangerous situations. A lucky door opens in home, security, family, real estate, retirement or similar arenas Monday night to Wednesday. If you don't see the door, try something! Soon, you're going to travel for pleasure. www.astralreflections.com Email: timstephens@shaw.ca For a reading with Tim: 604-261-1337. /30/