ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS AUGUST 14 - 20, 2005 All times/dates are PDT. If you are receiving my daily horoscopes by cell phone, and you have received the same horoscope several days in a row, please email me: timstephens@shaw.ca. I received an interesting email from a reader in Georgia. She noticed that during the recent Mercury "retro" (it ends Monday) two of her friends were robbed - and both thieves were caught. Mercury rules thieves - light fingered, quick in, quick out, restless, observant, quick talking, a disdain for the rules - that's Mercury. In traditional astrology, Mercury rules GEMINI and VIRGO, but this description of thieves sounds nothing like earthy, serious, practical, glad-to-live-by-the-sweat-of-my-brow Virgo. Which inclines me to think that the new planet astronomers discovered last year probably rules Virgo. Or that Virgo's true planet has yet to be found_ Last week I showed you how to find your own planet's symbol in an ephemeris. (An easy to use on-line ephemeris is www.astro.com/swisseph/swepha_e.htm.). Periods when your ruling planet retrograded indicated times of quietude and re-planning for you. But you can also look up the retrogrades of any planet and know when to wait, and when to charge ahead with any project. Perhaps most important is your relationship planet. Is a partner going to co-operate, a public going to receive you, a proposal going to be accepted, permission given, a contract signed, is an opportunity valid - or not? If your relationship planet is retrograde, the answer's "not." First, find your relating planet in the list below, then after locating this planet in the ephemeris, run your finger down the column of numbers beneath it until you find an "R" Keep going until you find a "D." Seek relationship success in the weeks and months starting with D and ending with R. From R to D, sit back and wait. (The retro period can last as long as four months.) AQUARIUS and CAPRICORN, your relationship indicators, the Sun and Moon, never retrograde. (But other factors affect delays/refusals in liaisons.) ARIES and SCORPIO, your relationship planet is Venus. SAGITTARIUS and PISCES, yours is Mercury. TAURUS, your relationship planet is Pluto. GEMINI, yours is Jupiter. CANCER, your relationship ruler is Saturn. LEO, yours is Uranus. VIRGO, yours is Neptune. LIBRA, your relations are ruled by Mars. As for the symbols for each planet in the ephemeris, you'll have to revisit last Sunday's column. But you can also find the planets by observing their order. First, find Mercury: a circle with horns, surmounting a plus sign. Going immediately right across the row you'll find, in order: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, then Pluto. Start Nothing: 1:43 p.m. to 4:13 p.m. Mon., 6:02 p.m. Tues. to 4:39 p.m. Wed., and 10:53 a.m. to 3:52 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 At last you can sail forward! A good time to get your new direction is midweek (early Tuesday morn, Wednesday suppertime, and Thursday p.m.). You don't so much see your future as sense it, like a horse smelling water! Love could raise its red banner this week, especially Sunday/Monday, when someone quietly chases you, and Wednesday eve to Friday morn, when friendly flirtation lets you know who's interested! Creative, speculative projects also succeed now. But these - and romance - enter a sober, serious phase now to 2007. Nothing for free. Taurus April 20-May 20 Delays end Monday night, especially in home, family, garden/agri, retirement, security, food/diet and similar zones. Push forward in these areas, this week and right up to the end of the month. A mild romantic and pleasure streak ends with a few chores Wednesday onward - but this mild streak has just been a prelude. By August 22 you'll enter four weeks of pleasure, romance, creative and speculative urges - ensure a winning streak then by getting "deep rest" now. (Yes, do those few chores, but get to bed early, etc. this week.) Gemini May 21-June 20 By Monday night delays end, barriers crumple in communications, mail, travel, contacts, paperwork and similar things. Get those forms to those government agencies, make those applications, call that friend, etc. Earlier, Sunday could bring an exciting, perhaps destined meeting, or a strong relocation, publicity, or contract idea. If so, launch this idea (make contact, write, put forth the proposal, act, etc.) Thursday afternoon and hope for the best. You'll have an "answer" in a fairly short time! (Remember this decade's accent on "co-operation.") Investments, lust highlighted Tuesday/Wednesday. Be ambitious Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Money delays end Monday night. You'll get more reliable answers and results now in pay requests, in cultivating lucrative clients, in buying and selling. Get chores done Sunday into Monday noon, partly because it's a good, productive period, but also because you'll want to be free to embrace the opportunities, exciting meetings or ideas that Monday night through Tuesday suppertime will bring. (Don't commit to anything Tuesday night or Wednesday daytime, though.) A month of sweet home influences begins midweek. Financial, sexual mysteries tantalize you midweek - act Thursday afternoon. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your switch from personal doubts, or feelings of frustration that your "main agenda" is not going forward - to progress on all fronts! A very tempting old flame might linger Sunday/Monday, but someone new could step in to your life Wednesday to Friday. He/she seems to be coated in a sort of interior indecision if met before 6 p.m. Thursday, is more straightforward if met later. Relationships, in business and love, could veer deeper Friday night and Saturday: make sure you want the results! Overall, an easy week with tantalizing openings! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Delays and mistakes end Monday night in government, career, red tape, institutional, charity, spiritual, and similar areas. Strive to complete old or tackle new, needed projects in these zones this week through early September. (But remember you're tired, so get lots of sleep, eat sensibly, and don't spark confrontations.) Secrets or insights are available Monday - they affect the home, or arise from the home, and can help you solve deep emotional, family or property problems. Quiet pleasure winds into your days Monday eve to Wednesday. Your money picture improves soon! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Social, light romantic, group-oriented, entertainment projects have been delayed: those delays end Monday, so go ahead, dive into them. Try for quick results, as your magnetism and energy will begin to ebb next week (for a month). It will be a mild ebbing, though, as you will be filled with the sweet, charming rays of Venus from Wednesday into mid-September. This will be, with October, a great time to initiate long-term, hopeful plans - the kinds that have been attached to your dreams for many years. Love might come Wednesday-Friday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Delays and frustrations end Monday night in career, prestige, reputation, community status, parenting, and business, so dive into these zones quickly from the 16th to early September. Civil servants (of all levels) will treat you favorably from Wednesday into mid-September - take advantage of this time to settle tax accounts, submit applications, etc. Money is favored Sunday into Monday noon - Sunday especially. Ask! Communications, travel call you early week, but settle down by Wednesday night into Friday morning - sleep, look over your foundations, family, security - all okay? If not, adjust. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Frustrations and delays end in educational, travel, cultural, legal, publishing, media and similar zones Monday night. You can actually act a little earlier than this - try charging ahead Sunday, when fate and a surging charisma give you clout. Phone people, convince allies, try to collect favors owed to you. Chase money Monday eve to Wednesday morning. Make calls, travel, handle paperwork Thursday/Friday. Settle into home Friday eve, Saturday. Your hopes and social yearnings get a sweet, gentle boost Wednesday into mid-September. A likeable Libran might enter your life. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Delays end in financial, sexual, diagnostic, occult, and lifestyle change areas - in all the big, deep areas of life. If you've been itching to take action in these zones, do it after Monday - but avoid Wednesday night to Thursday morning (6:30 p.m. to 11 a.m.), when you would only be courting "hard times." Higher-ups (and parents) look kindly on you Wednesday through mid-September, so ask for favors, present proposals, etc. Rest deeply, and handle red tape, government, head office, and financial matters Sunday (best) and Monday. New energy Tuesday! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Delays end in relationships - answers come, partners/lovers end their indecisive ways, etc. Act on attractions, proposals, contracts/agreements, negotiations and relocation projects - seek permission and answer competitors - from Tuesday onward. A lovely wisdom or series of insights comes to you Wednesday, and continues through mid-September. But look closely: is this wisdom, or a subtly bent philosophy created to support what you want to do? Someone who enters your life now to the end of August could be both a sweet pleasure and a subtle trap. Your energy, charisma soar Thursday/Friday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Work, health, machinery, car and schedule delays end Monday night, so tackle any/all of these in the week that follows. In a subtle, indirect way, relationships that have been sweet and affectionate over the last few weeks now veer, through the weeks ahead, into deeper zones: intimacy, sharing funds, etc. In addition, a surge of fresh relationship dealings will come in about a week. You're going to be active (interactive)! The two months ahead are a good window to begin new work, financial, investment, lifestyle change and research ventures. For Tim's Daily Horoscope, text ADD+space+YOUR SIGN to 131313. E.g., "ADD PISCES" to 131313. Cost: $0.50 per day. Canada only. /30/