ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 3, 2005 All times/dates are PDT. For the past eight months the indicators of good luck and bad karma have been residing in the same sign. (I say "bad karma" as a catch-all; more correctly, it is old karma.) To use a Biblical slant, of the twelve mansions that line astrology's ancient street, good luck and bad karma decided to set up house in one. Every time we rang Lucky Lou's (Jupiter's) doorbell, and were ushered into his living room, a dour looking figure hung in the background. We couldn't quite make her out, misty, haunting the shadows in the halls and doorways, but she made us uneasy. Even Lucky Lou had a weird leer, as if he knew his dark consort was an odd pick, but, in the final summation, he had decided to stand by her, even to aid and abet her designs. He had to, for Ms. Karma, despite her slender appearance, was much stronger than luck. Even worse, there was an old, humorless figure perched upstairs, Karma's father, Saturn. So for the last eight months, if you went to visit Lucky Lou and ask his aid, he'd turn to his unlikely mate, Karma. After a swift, silent conference, they'd send your request up to the attic, where tall, crusty old Saturn refused it as a matter of course. Well, that's not precisely true. Saturn would not always refuse your request. Sometimes he would merely demand a payment that only the luckless could pay. Yes, you can land that job, he'd say, but the pay is 2 cents per day, WITH a promise for more. It wasn't always that bad. In some cases, Karma owed you something because you'd been good in the past, or had paid dues without collecting the rewards. So some of us had a big prize dumped in our lap, and we weren't even knocking on LL's door, we were just delivering the newspaper. This combo of good luck and bad karma was a subtle, difficult one to handle. Now two things have happened. Jupiter (Lucky Lou) remains in the same sign as the lunar south node (Ms. Difficult Karma) but instead of embracing each other, they're pulling apart. Every day, their paths diverge a little more; so we can begin to tell the difference between the actions that will bring us good luck, and those that invoke karmic traps. By October 25, our karmic traps and our good luck will be living in different mansions altogether. Unfortunately, when they separate, Lucky Lou will be able to shake Ms. Karma, but not her father. Right now the old man's being co-operative, but Lucky Lou runs afoul of him when he divorces Karma, so from October 25/05, right into late November, Saturn dogs LL's every footstep. So our best shot at constructing any new venture, anytime before December 2006, is this short period from the present through late October. Proceed - cautiously! Start Nothing: Before 11:57 a.m. Sun., 0:22 a.m. Tues. to 0:14 a.m. Wed., and 4:44 a.m. to 12:56 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Tackle chores with steady determination. You're finally making money - saving it will help you move up to another level in life. A business, fame or travel opportunity - or someone exciting - has entered your sphere lately, or will soon. Monday/Tuesday seem to bring luck and ease in furthering these opportunities or attractions, but there is a subtle lack of support, and promises could whiff into nothing. That's good! On Thursday/Friday, an attractive relationship or opportunity is definitely on a growth track. But is that good? Think deeply; foresee ultimate consequences. Taurus April 20-May 20 Romance, beauty, pleasure, charming children, and a general winning streak visit you, especially Friday/Saturday, when a love affair might start! (Tuesday/Wednesday bring relationship surprise, but without romantic growth.) You have an eye on what seems like a sweet work opportunity, especially Monday/Tuesday and Thursday. Decide: do you want a hands-on job now, with its petty burdens/rewards? If you do want a job, apply before 8:30 pm Monday, not after, not Tuesday. If it is a job involving real estate, domesticity, construction, food and shelter, apply on Thursday after 12 noon. Gemini May 21-June 20 A conflict between home and career, security and risk, family and outside world, climaxes this week, probably around Wednesday. Everything considered, you'd probably be wisest to choose security, family and home. A romantic swell is flowing in you these days. It blossoms Monday/Tuesday and Thursday. The Monday/Tuesday period offers two people: one sweet, beautiful, mysteriously alluring, the other dynamic, even domineering. Chose the latter. Thursday could make a friend a lover, or bring a casual meeting with someone attractive. In all these, look deeply: what is the end result? Cancer June 21-July 22 After some morning worry, you surge into strength, energy and radiant charisma, Sunday into Tuesday! The main accent for several weeks lies in paperwork, details, errands, travel and communications. These could be disrupted, or surprisingly fortunate now, especially mid-week. Stay safe, but be ready to pounce on an opportunity (or a new friendship). Your domestic scene is a puzzler this year: there's great luck and expansion, but also a creeping fog of "unseen consequences." Both these are emphasized Monday/Tuesday and Thursday: embrace luck, but avoid chasing a "receding prize." Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The emphasis lies on making money, buying/selling, collecting, drumming up lucrative clients - and on sensuality, luxury goods, and memory, rote learning, elementary schooling. Be careful with money, particularly with investments, debt and large finances, the first four days of this week - disruption could occur, but luck could occur also. DON'T make a new investment in a flaky (or "inspired") person/project. Rest, lie low Sunday p.m. through Tuesday. Your energy and charisma soar Wednesday onward. A casual friendship could grow flirtatious. You could hear exhilarating news, perhaps about a sibling. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness surge, and you start this week with happy hopes! Start important projects, impress important people, ask favors. Realize changes will occur around mid-September, involving home, family, food, shelter, property, security and retirement. Put yourself in position to be in charge of these changes. Someone (or some prospect) enters your life now (or in some cases, jumps out) - this is electric, and as jumpy as electricity! Money runs around you like a river, especially Monday/Tuesday and Thursday. If it comes, accept - but don't chase false lures. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Though you're tired, luck blossoms - use it well. If you "missed" a big opportunity this year in friendship, travel, news, writing, paperwork, projection of your personality, and/or change to your financial, sexual, health or lifestyle structure, now a second chance comes. But think: maybe that earlier "opportunity" was a subtle trap, and you were wise to stay out. Handle the present opportunity this way: If it falls in your lap, take it. If you have to keep chasing and chasing it, reject it. Monday/Tuesday and Thursday stand out. Big decisions! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your hopes will rise over the weeks ahead, and for good reason, as a year of heightened personal luck (best in 13 years) starts late October. Think ahead, plan ahead, make contacts. Your popularity grows (a bit now, a lot this winter!). Someone quick and restless might attract your romantic gaze this week. It would be fun, but probably short - your choice. You could be drawn to a spa, retreat, spiritual program, administrative situation or government position, especially Monday/Tuesday and Thursday. Give this deep thought before you commit. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Deep changes loom by mid-September, likely involving your career, community standing, or marital status. You might sense these changes early week (Sunday eve-Tuesday) and Friday/Saturday, so keep your radar spinning - and perform a bit of detective/research work. A sweet, calming future beckons to you this week, Monday/Tuesday and Thursday. But think twice: it could be an embalming future. If a ticket of any type, or a social connection, "falls in your lap" Thursday, accept with enthusiasm! But beware of chasing a constantly receding yet constantly alluring opportunity. Happiness, Thursday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Law, learning, publishing/media, international contacts, far travel, philosophy/religion, love occupy your mind, and are fortunate, now through late September. But these areas face change, sometimes great, sometimes small, every September until 2009. So proceed with a flexible plan and outlook. Opportunity for a "new start" arrives in your career and prestige relationships, especially Monday/Tuesday (nothing might come of it) and Thursday (a real beginning). In both cases, if it "drops in your lap" it could be very fortunate; if you have to chase, and chase and chase it, beware. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The weeks ahead accent mysteries, intimacy, lust, dreams, your subconscious, occultism, detective work, large finances, health diagnosis, lifestyle changes and consequential commitments. These areas brew the greatest benefits and greatest goofs, so proceed with awareness, yet act intuitively. (Easy for me to say!) Your legal, higher learning, far travel, religious, publishing, cultural and love zones are lit luckily all week, especially Monday/Tuesday (weak) and Thursday (possible big new start). But take care: don't pursue an elusive goal here: instead, accept what the cosmos "gives you." Seek love, not war! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Relationships grab your attention, especially during a romantic or pleasurable Sunday to Tuesday, when an exciting meeting could involve someone sensually alluring - perhaps a boss, or someone in your field. Wednesday either triggers sudden quick attraction, or disrupts a relationship. On Thursday, a deep new sexual (pregnancy?) or love/lust situation could begin. All these "mini scenarios" could involve the same person. Or they might bring a financial or "lifestyle change" opportunity instead of love/lust. DO NOT chase a likely person, investment, etc. - accept what/who comes. An intriguing week! For a reading with Tim: 604-261-1337. www.astralfreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. /30/