ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MARCH 18 - 24, 2007 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight Time. Last February 28, Saturn opposed Neptune. I wrote about that week that fears or other "oceanic" elements would erode business and government structures, and that inflation worries would rise. But I didn't foresee that world stock markets would fall 4 to 8 per cent, as they did. On March 22 (Thursday) Saturn will oppose Mars - a smaller, weaker aspect, it can't invoke such huge things as inflation and worldwide fears. But it does signal anger between governments, or displeasing news about the economy. This aspect's "flavor" is like biting on a nut that's gone bitter. The markets might fall, but only as a secondary effect. This aspect triggers things like burning tires, Somalia, or tanker-trailers colliding with bridges. In our personal lives, Thursday's aspect points to muffled or repressed anger, grudges or hidden ill will. Radicals among us will run up against establishments. We should try to be loving and magnanimous - partly because it's the best way to deflect the "bad luck" of this aspect. (Like the mystics say, love IS the most practical approach to life. It's the equivalent to - and the broad basis of - a positive attitude in business.) _ I've predicted great things for VIRGO and SAGITTARIUS for 2007. Yet the big people suffering in the news lately have been these very signs: media baron and Greek tragic hero dripping in hubris Conrad Black, facing 101 possible years in prison, and Sages Anna Nicole, dead, and Britney Spears, rehab'ing. What gives? Well, this year spells the end of a decade of pressure and alienation for both signs - in inner regions for Sages, in home-buckling upheavals for Virgos. Ending a bad situation is good, but often in life we cling to the very things that are cause our pain: suffocating jobs, abusive spouses, unrealistic attitudes or dreams - and breaking these negative chains often causes us pain, just as a frozen river, if it could feel pain, would cry out when its ice grinds and smashes as spring thaw frees it to flow in warm summer days. The "wild card" in '07 is that Jupiter - usually a lucky planet - intensifies and expands this breaking up. So the end could 1) feel worse than ever, a HUGE smashing of the imprisoning status quo; or 2) be and feel lucky (e.g., love could free Sage from that internal prison; Virgo could end domestic turmoil by finding a lucky new residence). Either way, both of these signs (and GEMINI and PISCES also, though in different ways) will look back in four or six years and say: "Wow, I really started a different, new - better! - life back in 07/08." (BTW, if media baron Conrad Black's trial did start March 14, the law will stumble, or meet a "roadblock" and Black will, at least initially, feel he's the victor.) Start Nothing: 8:59 p.m. to 10:42 p.m. Sun., 8:33 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Tues., and 8:12 a.m. to 11:06 p.m. Aries March 21-April 19 Your energy returns in two stages: emotionally/physically Monday, and in productive, creative, luck-oriented and romantic ways from Tuesday night onward. Absolutely relax Sunday - your last chance for "bone deep" rest until July! Be alert Monday and Thursday, as life offers a choice between your ethics and your insecurity. It could be subtle - but stay strictly upright Sunday/Monday and Thursday, not even a "justified" sneak, peek, misdirection, grab, greed, fear reaction, control demand or other tiny sin. You'll be glad, later, that you "reinforced your soul" with a "good choice." Taurus April 20-May 20 You have some serious decisions to make, especially Sunday/Monday, affecting the deeper trends of your life, and the way you want your future to go. This might involve a dilemma. For example: your bright future lies down one path, but your sexual desires lie down another. Or, your future dreams pull one way, and your financial involvements, desires or obligations pull another. Answers come Tuesday - adjustment, change, might be necessary. Choose between prestige and security, career and home Thursday - or better, wait until Saturday to choose. Seek rest, quietude. Gemini May 21-June 20 A month of effort, long hours, of contemplating your accomplishments and worldly position, of interfacing with higher-ups, yields now to four weeks of happiness, entertainment, a lighter heart and socializing. Your popularity is about to soar, partly as a result of what you write (so send those friendly emails) or say to an "audience." However, some important threads - mostly communications ones - will still exist from your ambitious actions of the past month - pluck one lingering from early/mid February. You might face an important relationship or relocation decision early week. Cancer June 21-July 22 A change might be due in your job or health, centering on Sunday/Monday and Thursday but the influence permeates the entire week). You might have to choose between earning and investing, or, simply, between short money and long-term money - choose the earnings, the short-term. Even though it might seem more restrictive or unpromising, this choice keeps a spouse or partner "onside," and will prove more stable, practical. In health, less invasive procedures are probably better than surgery right now. Recent mellow feelings, understandings, yield now to ambition, "prestige urges." Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Sunday/Monday, you might have to choose between mystery, lust, power or financial urges, and a more heedless pathway, the path of romance, creativity, self-expression - of joy. Choose joy over power - it has a bigger future for you. The mystery and lust of March fade Tuesday, to bring four weeks of mellow feelings, understanding, broad views, love, and possibly far travel, media or educational success. Philosophically, you're starting to feel that all is right with the world. Someone/thing attracts Thursday: be friendly, easy-going, and neither suspicious nor gullible. Reject anger. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The opposition against you comes to a peak Sunday/Monday, then will fade for a few months. Domestic, property or security matters are at the crux of the conflict. For example, your spouse might disagree with your choice of home, retirement project, etc. Partial solutions come Tuesday - nevertheless, you might have to make a choice, or enact a major change. If it involves an investment or sexual choice, make it Tuesday. Practice safety rules Thursday; don't grow angry; enlist others rather than tackle chores or health matters alone. Major changes loom! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Though you worked hard the last few weeks, a streak of romance, pleasure or creativity, a lucky meeting, relieved the drudgery of work. Now the emphasis switches from work to relationship excitement, love, co-operation, opportunities, fame, perhaps legal or relocation themes. A romance could grow to the level of partnership. Intimacy and/or commitment loom even in minor situations. But first, a (perhaps covert) struggle with a co-worker or a dilemma about travel or communications needs solving Sunday/Monday. Usually, for you, things resolve when they're brought to the surface. Do so. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 A month of work and health concerns begins. But before it does, you have one last decision to make; it might involve romance, a creative project, a financial gamble, or the pursuit of a special, pleasurable vision - all which involve risk - versus hanging on to what you already have. My advice - hang on, for you haven't met (since the 1960's) the love or project that's worth major risk. You will, 2011 onward. (Risk now contains an element of dispossession - losing materially, gaining spiritually.) Diplomatically handle Thursday's career or domestic "grind." Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your sluggish mood lifts - the weeks ahead emphasize romance, charming children, creative urges, speculative risks, beauty, games, vacations, pleasure. You'll ride a winning streak! 2007 can be a time of big changes, of the end of frustrations - and the more confident you feel, the more wildly you could throw everything asunder! (That will especially apply April 6 to May 14, when you might end a love affair, or turn your home into a lover's den!) Somehow, you MUST force your own needs upon your environment. Best path appears Tuesday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 A change or conflict comes to a head Sunday to Tuesday. It's minor, involving travel, communications or paperwork, but tackling it can free you for more significant action. That action, over the four weeks ahead, will probably lie in domestic, real estate, security, retirement, foundational or "withdrawal" zones. In the month ahead, examine your relationships and projects: withdraw from those that are stale or unrewarding; throw your efforts into those that promise growth. Be careful with finances, investments and sexual urges before Friday. Romance sweetens the next four weeks. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 You can face two important choices this week. The first, Sunday/Monday, might be almost "invisible." Look closely, and you'll see a difference between your social desires, your optimism - and your earnings capacity or urges. In 2007, it's better to socialize and plan the future than to earn money. The second (Thursday?) pits your restlessness, your desire to travel, talk and learn, against someone's insistence on work, dependents, worry and health factors (all of which threatens to hold you back). That someone will prove right, this time. Romance, pleasure Friday/Saturday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 You'll slow down slightly through the weeks ahead, but your energy and charisma will remain nicely buoyant. You face a critical choice Sunday/Monday, in career, prestige, status, parenting or responsibility areas - you can either go your own way, or follow the directions of bosses and authoritative people. Authorities and higher-ups have the edge, so bend gracefully. This choice comes again, in a different guise, around Thursday - tackle a chore yourself rather than delegating it. The three months ahead bring a rise in earnings -plan now, act April 6 onward! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/