ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
MAY 7 - 13, 2006

	All times/dates are PDT.
	Over the years, readers have contacted me about eclipses of the Sun and Moon - why don't I mention them in my predictions, as other sun sign horoscope writers do? (For example: "The lunar eclipse in your fourth house, Gemini, means the sky is going to fall.") The problem with mentioning eclipses for a whole sun sign is that they only strongly or noticeably affect people born in 2 days (out of the 30) of every sign. 
	It's impossible to write a horoscope column that would have, instead of the 12 sun-sign messages, 180 to 360 messages every week, covering every "astrology type," just to pinpoint those people who will be strongly affected by each eclipse. That's why I stick to the north and south lunar nodes, which are, in a sense, the eclipses' handmaidens - they play out the karmic influence of the associated eclipses for all members of a sun sign. For the nodes' effect on you this year (to late June) go to my "Karmic" article on the astral website (left hand menu). 
	But just for fun, lets look at the next two eclipses in 2006. The lunar eclipse occurs September 7, and will strongly affect people born around March 6 or September 8 of any year (climax of marriage or other partnership, relocation) and around June 6 or December 8 (change of home and/or career). Important events should occur with two weeks of September 7. 
The next solar eclipse occurs September 22. This eclipse, instead of bringing climaxes, leads most importantly to the birth of a situation, role or project. For people born September 21/22/23 (in any year) it brings the birth of a new life, and removal of the old; for December 21/23/24 people, the removal of a career or parenting role, birth of a new role. If you were born March 21/22/23, it ends a partnership or public role, and births a new one; if you were born June 21/22/23, it signals a change of home, removal of a child or furniture, and the birth of new domestic or security situations. These events will probably occur within a week or two of September 22. The "removal" event will be more obvious than the birth, as births slowly grow from small beginnings, whereas things that are lost are usually fully-grown and their removal is obvious. A pumpkin that falls off the shelf is more obvious than the slow growth of a pumpkin seed deep in the soil. This is why astrologers traditionally have treated eclipses as "dire omens" rather than the climactic and birth signals that they are. 
Eclipses can signal very dramatic events if they occur within a degree or two of a birth planet, but only a personal astrology reading could reveal if this lies ahead for you.


Start Nothing: 10:48 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. Mon., 10:14 p.m. Wed., to 5:25 a.m. Thurs., and 11:15 p.m. Fri. to 1:56 p.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
Moneymaking continues - collect, pay bills, buy/sell, seek lucrative clients, a pay raise. You likely started something good last week - continue this Sunday, but sense when to pull back (probably when a communication doesn't "get through" this evening). Be cautious, conservative the rest of the week. A deceptive situation or person could play on your sympathies or your greed to Wednesday (and again Friday). A handsome investment opportunity might arose Friday, especially this morning. Travel, wisdom, love, learning create a happy Saturday! All May, beware tension, argument on the domestic front.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
This week starts with romance (Sunday) - but a quiet, deep legal/domestic glitch would prevent a proper "mating" in the long run. So enjoy, without thinking this is life mate stuff. The same pertains to a creative idea, speculative venture, or pleasure project - enjoy it, don't hang your future on it. All week, your charisma, effectiveness, luck and determination to "speak your piece" can take you far, lead to new contacts and opportunities. But realize only sympathetic Taurus people will climb the leadership ladder this decade. Opportunities, exciting meetings, emotional climaxes Thursday/Friday!

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Continue to rest, lie low, contemplate and plan. Sunday might bring the final "open door" to last week's run of luck in spiritual, retirement, government-related, investment, retreat/spa, health, or similar matters. Make one last bid for success. But be cautious - communicating too much, or trying to gain one last advantage in a negotiation, could defeat your purpose. Romance and beauty call Monday night to Wednesday. But doubt grows about a legal, intellectual, or career matter. Relax. Work duties climax Thursday/Friday: managing, delegating is better than a "hands on" approach.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Popularity, social delights, flirtation, entertainment, optimism and wishful thinking (good wishful thinking!) fill this week. Sunday brings an exciting, profitable, affectionate contact, especially if you indulge your curiosity. But this day and Monday also signal, subtly, that your income must fit your dreams and social hopes, or something won't work. Despite this, an impulsive investment Sunday could work well. (So could a sudden bid for intimacy.) Be restful Tuesday/Wednesday; recuperate and observe. Romance, beauty, pleasure, creativity, speculation and all those social joys climax Thursday/Friday. Say yes to "future love." 

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Your career, relations with higher-ups, prestige and status concerns reach a climax Thursday/Friday, when you might have to choose between security versus taking an ambitious chance, or between your mate/home and your outside prospects. All week, don't let a temptation, a secret yearning, collusion, a bit of greed or a large financial consideration muddy the waters of your perception, or adulterate your ambitious actions. (All May cautions against legal hassles, and flying in the face of social mores.) If Sunday opens a money door - walk through! Love calls Saturday!

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Last week's mellowness continues - so do opportunities, Sunday at least, to learn, travel afar, wed, join a higher learning institution or a philosopher's club. You'll understand life and love on a broad vista. Large finances and investments go well now to May 29. You like the people that money brings you into contact with now. Intimacy attracts you all month: you might start a "physical" affair, perhaps with someone met at a social function. But marriage and other partnerships carry some disagreements and doubts this week, especially about work.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Last week held many opportunities for you to take life by the tail and stake your claim. Ambition, career, lifestyle changes, an investment, a sexual liaison, pregnancy, a splendid agreement, a relocation, a great, affectionate partnership-one or several of these was an opportunity for you, and it still is, Sunday - and to some degree all May. However, a Gemini or Virgo might have difficult news Sunday: pay attention. Don't confront higher-ups; keep a sense of humor - enemies have the advantage, so don't "engage" them. Chase money Thursday/Friday.

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
The opportunities of last week continue, especially Sunday and Thursday to Saturday. Press forward, diplomatically and cheerfully, to make allies, contacts, to negotiate, deal with the public and relocate. Embrace this fresh new world that faces you! Look for excitement, change and adventure - but make no enemies (especially on legal levels). Work might be hectic in media, legal, learning, travel and international areas, but it will be worth it in the end. Workmates are affectionate through May. Social joys, flirtations, optimism bless you Sunday. Your energy, charisma rise Thursday/Friday. 

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
The general accent falls on work, health, and care of dependents. You can make a strong impression on the career scene Sunday, or pick up a bargain in machinery, tools, even real estate (especially industrial property). Seek the opportunities, not the drudgery - much is attitude. Don't be discouraged by a late-day nay-sayer. All May, despite the work atmosphere, you will feel a mild romantic nudge, and your sexual side is certainly "alive" - this could signal an affair. Be ethical; avoid those who are "already taken." Nice wee surprise Saturday! 

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Expect romance, creative urges, pleasure, delightful children, speculation, a general joy and moments of heightened beauty this week and next! Sunday shows you the way to love and wisdom. Reject the "superficial path." Someone might want to set up a home or security vehicle with you.  Be ambitious Tuesday/Wednesday, but shy away from speculative money dealings and people with a beguiling patter. Your popularity rises, social delights call, Thursday/Friday. A love or creative situation might climax, especially Friday. Chase, seek, meet - extend your hand! Contemplation brings an excellent plan Saturday. 

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Your domestic scene requires attention this week and next. Garden, clean up, paint, set family members on a solid course, revise your diet - all that good stuff. Flirtation might occur in your "backyard" (or close to home). Work remains hectic, demanding, until early June. Last week presented many opportunities in home, realty, domestic areas, and in work and career. Follow these up now, especially when they climax Sunday and Thursday night through Friday. Saturday brings flirtation, socializing with a good, faithful friend, a satisfying repair job or successful errands.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Last week's luck continues, in travel, paperwork, calls, communications, friendship, romantic flirtations, and dealings with siblings (but not partnerships) especially Sunday and Friday. Be somewhat cautious with siblings - and all family members - Sunday. (Don't gossip all week - listeners would doubt you.)  Your money luck rises gently through May 28 - you can afford a luxury item, especially one involving a motor or fire. You're more adventurous with money and romantic gifts than usual - passion's rising. Mysteries, finances, intimacy proceed well Wednesday, not Tuesday. Seek love's conversations Friday. Career luck Saturday!

www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337.


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