ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 8 - 14, 2006 All times/dates are PST. In this year ahead, Jupiter expands all things connected to birth and death. That includes chemical spills, butcher shops, meatpackers, pesticide and herbicide manufacturers (and sprayers) disease, funeral homes, estate lawyers, maternity wards, midwives, gynecology. Also on the expansion list are oil, nuclear power, uranium, jungles, swamps, outer space, deep medical research, high finance and finances connected to others (e.g., mutual funds, marriage finances). In many of these, expansion will equal lower costs/prices, in the same way that bumper crops lead to lower food costs. Back in my January 2005 "Year Ahead" article, I wrote that recession would threaten in 2005, then actually occur in 2006. Well, I don't know if that's true, but three slowdown indicators have already arrived: 1) the housing market in the U.S. has dived on all fronts in the last month or two; 2) the yield curve on bonds is inverted in the United States; 2) the Baltic Dry Index (a measure of freight carried internationally by ships) has been declining for months. The first indicator means that the yield you receive on a ten-year bond is actually less than on a two-year bond. This is very unusual, and has, commentators say, preceded every recession except one, in the past 80 years or whatever. The odd thing is, the one time the inverted curve did not presage a recession, was the last time, in the 1990's. So if the economy really has changed, don't expect a recession! The Baltic Index doesn't seem to have been noticed by any of the financial media, but it is a much more basic, indisputable indicator of slowing international commerce. The inverted yield curve has only occurred in America and Europe, so, initially, Canada and Australia's economies (being commodity-based) should be healthy. But a world slow down will hurt both countries, and a U.S. slowdown will inevitably affect Canada. If economic declines do occur, we should start seeing them in March/06, with a slow, steady intensifying into November/06. I also predicted that the (U.S.) stock markets would go nowhere in 2005. The Dow ended the year 0.6 per cent lower than it began, though the broader indexes rose slightly. Canada rose over 20 per cent, boosted by oil, uranium and minerals. But chances are high that oil and uranium will decline in price, even if only for the short term, in 2006. The recent decline in the U.S. housing market should be a rather long one, lasting right through August 2007, or about 20 more months. Be wary of stocks beginning with P or L before July, or G, N, after June, and F, W, C, E, X, J, U or Q all year. They'll tend to be volatile, unpredictable. Start Nothing: 10:56 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. Mon., 5:46 p.m. Wed. to 2:50 a.m. Thurs., and 1:48 a.m. to 1:31 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 The cosmos encourages you to change your life this year, but it also demands that you do it within restrictive, practical, conservative guidelines. If you simply whoopee off the nearest cliff with a Tarzan vine, you'll end up flat and broke. Paradoxically, the conservative approach will preserve your ability to romance, create and have fun, in the long-term future. The present week urges you to be ambitious, to make changes that boost your worldly position. Build the base for 2006's expansion Thursday/Friday - get the family onside, research, invest, expand! Taurus April 20-May 20 This great week starts with high energy, favors and attention (to you, that is). Ask for favors, present your proposals, seek love, impress people Sunday through mid-morning Monday. (Almost never is a proposal wasted - a boss who turns it down still credits you for loyalty, inspiration, and executive potential. And most proposals that are accepted have been preceded by prior ones.) Take care with money and friends through Tuesday morning, then chase dollars. Casual friends, siblings, communications, travel could lead you straight to love, media or education success Thursday/Friday! Gemini May 21-June 20 Depths and mysteries face you this week. Lie low, stay in the background and watch Sunday/Monday - gradually, the illusion/confusion (or indecision) of Sunday daytime will be replaced by knowledge, insight and hunches, and these in turn, by Monday morning, lead to affection and a conviction that life is beautiful. Help others, give to charity. You might be attracted to someone sexy and "dangerous." Your energy and charisma rise Tuesday/Wednesday: be astute, careful. Chase money or purchases, ask for a pay raise or invest for income Thursday/Friday - your luck's high! Cancer June 21-July 22 January accents lucky and affectionate relationships. Singles could meet a viable mate, or approach marriage. You're popular and optimistic Sunday/Monday, social delights arrive, and a wish could come true! You're more realistic after 5 p.m. Sunday, than before. But ebb into a restful, contemplative stance Monday eve to Wednesday midnight - rest, protect your health. Your energy and charisma soar Thursday/Friday - you'll draw attention, you can impress others, so make your bid - for love, for a business opportunity, for a job, a new position, a contract, an investment, whatever draws you! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 All January and February, co-workers are affectionate, bosses like you - you might even have a workplace romance. (During the rest of 06, watch that you don't shove aside your family, real estate and healing luck by overworking.) Your ambitions are lucky and favored Sunday eve to mid-morning Monday. Wishes could come true mid-week - be sociable! (Discern the difference between flirting and real romance Wednesday.) Your energy drops Thursday/Friday, but invest for retirement, seek promotion, research, contact government agencies or head office, visit a psychic or counselor: good things await! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The emphasis lies on romance, plunging into the pleasure of the moment, beauty, creative surges, risk, teaching children - you're on a winning streak! If you're alone, a former flame might reappear, perhaps from a distance. Far travel, foreign countries/people, cultural events, gentle love, publishing, law, learning, society's structures - these might confuse or fool you Sunday before 5 p.m., but they pay off in beautiful ways then through Monday morning. Career and parenting hold luck and "adjustments" mid-week. A wish comes true Thursday/Friday - popularity, social joys, romance and optimism soar! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 This month and February bless you in the security sphere - home, family, parenting, real estate, retirement, etc. Success might involve a deep lifestyle change or commitment, an investment, a mortgage, surgery, sexual intimacy, co-habitation, etc. - if so, put it in motion before January 22. (5 p.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday is an excellent time for this.) You could be attracted to a sexy, "dangerous" person Sunday/Monday. A mellow, wise mood arrives Tuesday (tense morning, intuitive evening) and Wednesday. Be ambitious Thursday/Friday - your career, business and prestige luck soars! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Communications are friendly and affectionate this month and February. This helps you persuade others, sell your proposals, deal with the public, or put a good surface on your presentations. You can now speak eloquently to someone you desire: lover's conversations become easy. Sunday/Monday brings opportunities, fresh horizons, challenges and exciting meetings with the opposite sex: keep your temper - and your courage! (All's good 5 p.m. Sunday onward.) Midweek promotes research, power struggles, sexual and financial commitments. Love, far travel, education, law and publishing proceed grandly Thursday/Friday - state your case! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 You'll have plenty of money this January/February. To expand your job, request a pay raise, or purchase machinery, act before January 22. January brings money from the past; February presents new opportunities. The present smooth week begins with work - you'll be a bit bamfoozled about your task before Sunday eve, then all proceeds swiftly and productively into Monday morning. Both exciting meetings and power-struggles occur mid-week. Best period: the second half of Tuesday. Life's mysteries, sex, lust, finances, big changes, investments, intimacy, surgery get a cosmic boost Thursday/Friday - act! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your charisma and energy remain at peak levels. You're beginning to experience the popularity promised for all 2006. (If you aren't, get out, visit a store, a pub - you'll notice people are friendlier. They're friendlier because they respond to the glint of optimism and cheer in your eye.) Sunday/Monday make you a winner in romance, creativity, risk, sports, pleasure, teaching and beauty, especially Sunday eve to mid-morning Monday. Tackle chores Tuesday/Wednesday. Exciting meetings, opportunities and challenges arrive Thursday/Friday - it's lucky, so plunge in, so more calculating, no more shyness! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy and attractiveness are a bit low this week and half of next. Even so, this is a lucky week for practical matters, especially home, gardening, family, security, real estate (Sunday eve to Monday mid-morning) and government contacts, institutions, charities, health concerns, work and machinery purchases (ALL Thursday/Friday). (Your career is favored all 2006, and you succeed as a parent.) So get things done, tackle those taxes or government, school, or institutional applications. Your romantic side blossoms a wee bit Tuesday/Wednesday, but dreaming is probably better than chasing. Pisces Feb.19 - March 20 Your popularity, optimism and romantic prospects soar this week and next! (This week's better, so don't procrastinate.) Sunday/Monday are friendly, casual - luck rides with you, especially Sunday night to Monday mid-morning, in travel, communications, and detail work. You could begin a friendly romance. Take a breather, retreat, lie low and contemplate Tuesday/Wednesday. Study your career/family trends/future. Romance, pleasure, creative surges, beauty, sports, gaming wins, joys from charming children - these fill Thursday/Friday, and with big, swelling luck! Plunge in, get involved, take a chance! (2006 supports romance more than "weddings.") www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. 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