ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 20 - 26, 2008 All times/dates are PST. I've had many requests to email back articles, especially the new Luck, Karma, and "Year Ahead" items. All of these are now posted on www.astralreflections.com. You can find them by looking through the left hand menu on the home page. Anytime you want to access an old column, you can search through "Archive" on the astral site_ What a year ahead this is! We should all have great hopes, for Jupiter, the planet of great good fortune, begins the new Pluto cycle (the deepest, longest and most important life-cycle of all - this one lasting '08 to 2024) in the same sign as Pluto. In whatever sphere of our lives this deep new cycle dawns, it starts with exuberance, hope, luck, expansion and cheerfulness - the basic building blocks of any successful life or project. I learned long ago (though I'm condemned to keep re-learning) that if a lack of enthusiasm infects the starting stages of a project, it must fail. Sometimes this lack shows as a "blank moment." Fifteen years ago I strayed into property development, a 14-lot subdivision project deep in the wilderness. It required a 3 kilometer road expansion. My new partner and I obtained several bids, and one was selected - not the cheapest bid but one from a road builder my partner insisted was the best for the price - reliable, etc. We negotiated a contract via phone and fax. Then we were to meet, to fill in some blanks and sign the contract. As soon as the fellow entered the restaurant and sat down, I had a blank feeling. Just blank. I felt nothing, the entire time he was there. Nevertheless we signed the contract - a bad move for both of us. The subdivision ended up in a slew of lawsuits, government foot-dragging, bad feelings and eventual failure. I've learned, when I feel that blankness, to pause, go away and think_ The White House's stimulus package (to overcome the economic malaise of the housing crisis and credit crunch) to be announced January 28, either won't be announced that day, or will fail. In the latter instance, the follow-through on this package will rival FEMA's (Federal Emergency Management's) bungled Katrina response. FEMA's failure was rooted in corruption and racism (including the racism of rich toward poor). But this stimulus package will fall prey mostly to confusion, false starts, lack of decisiveness, and general lassitude. That might be an apt description of any project anyone starts from January 28 through February 18, during the Mercury retrograde. Since the 28th is next Monday, we should use the present week to finish up, cap off, and prepare for the "two steps back" influence of the next few weeks. Details below_ Start Nothing: Before 0:05 a.m. Sun., 2:56 a.m. Mon. to 2:20 a.m. Tues., 6:43 a.m. to 6:48 a.m. Thurs., and 3:32 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Happiness, friendships, entertainment and light romance fill the weeks ahead! Your popularity rises. A wish could come true. What was promised or hinted at the last few weeks grows fulsome and vibrant. A former friend is on the horizon; so is a former hope. But these won't show until late month or February. Complete things this week, especially projects involving friends, entertainment or group issues. Rest (or work on foundations and basics) Sunday/Monday, rather than chasing ambitious goals directly. Romance surges into your mood - and perhaps your life - Tuesday/Wednesday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Sunday begins a month of career pressures/opportunities, relations with VIPs, bosses and parents, and prestige and status concerns. Before you dive headlong into ambitious projects, consider this: indecision, delays and "circular paths" infect this arena from January 28 to February 13. So start only short projects that won't need a big push during that period, or spend this week putting everything in order. Prepare for delays and confusion - line up alternate suppliers or obtain critical supplies immediately, reconfirm schedules and meetings, etc. This week is smooth, happy - except Saturday! Gemini May 21-June 20 Sunday starts a month of love, understanding, far travel, higher learning, media and publishing, law, religion, philosophy, cultural events and social rituals. You'll feel mellow, happy! January 28 to February 18 toss these spheres into confusion, so spend this week tying up loose ends. Don't start major projects. (One exception: if a major venture in these zones - travel, etc. - returns in the weeks ahead, it might succeed with flair and joy! But that's next week.) Chase money, spend, forge dollar agreements Sunday/Monday. Travel, talk surge Tuesday/Wednesday. Property's lucky Thursday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Mysteries and hidden gems fill the four weeks ahead. Most of these will be from the past - investment or lifestyle opportunities you overlooked, the return of an intimate partner, an old puzzle or family skeleton, etc. Use the present week to tie up agreements, finish outstanding tasks, and to make your position plain to someone. Your energy and charisma surge Sunday/Monday - you could meet someone who promises sexual or financial goodies - if Sunday, it's solid; if Monday, empty promises might occur. Money luck mid-week; travel and relationship luck Thursday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 2008 nudges you to form relationships, relocate, sign contracts, deal with the public, seek fame, and in general to go "outside yourself." The month ahead emphasizes these zones: relationships, opportunities and exotic places call strongly. Be diplomatic and eager to join. Independence won't succeed. An old flame or former partner might show soon. This week, finish tasks, clear your desks - events, people and situations will enter soon that will call for all your attention. Rest and contemplate Sunday/Monday. Your charisma and energy rise Tuesday/Wednesday. Money's fortunate Thursday, not Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The weeks ahead hold 2008's biggest pile of work. It won't be huge - mainly because you're in a year destined for pleasure, creativity and romance. Many of these will be tasks you neglected or performed hastily the first time. And many new tasks, if thrust on you January 28 to February 18, will be rife with delays, confusion and mixed results. So use this week, while your thinking is relatively clear, to start any chores you know must be started before mid-February. (Otherwise, complete: start nothing. Optimism arrives Sunday/Monday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The weeks ahead emphasize romance, creativity, adventure, speculation, sports, joys from children, and self-expression. A new romance that begins this week has a chance. January 28 to February 18 will bring old flames but only unworkable new prospects. Don't start a major project now, especially in creative, speculative or educational arenas, if success would depend on developing it during the month ahead. Your career scene looks lucky and stable Sunday (and very early Monday). Contact VIPs, get out in the community, or plan a presentation. Happiness, popularity come Tuesday/Wednesday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Home, property, family, security, retirement plans, Mother Nature, farming, gardening, diet, stomach and soul - these draw your attention for the weeks ahead. Get as much done as possible in these zones this week, as indecision, delays and mistakes will enter this general sphere January 28 to February 18. Contemplate who and what has grown stale in your life, who/what is fresh and fertile, capable of growth. Romance, pleasure, creative and speculative success bless you Sunday (and a bit Monday). Take care with career Tuesday/Wednesday: cut no corners! Joy, Thursday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Communications, short trips, errands, paperwork and details, newspapers, media and curiosity - these fill your hours for the few weeks ahead. Get everything accomplished this week, if possible - mail, return calls and emails, make contacts, write reports, etc. These enter a spin-cycle of mistakes, delays, indecision and missed appointments from January 28 through February 18. (These delays can even start earlier, this week.) An investment, financial action, or sexual yearning succeeds Sunday, falls on deaf ears Monday. Education, religion/philosophy, law, international travel and culture bless you mid-week. Act ambitiously Thursday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Chase money, earnings, and buy/sell, through the four weeks ahead. But chase new money this week, and old, or former money opportunities or contacts the next three (January 28 to February 18). (E.g., a house you almost bought but didn't; a contract negotiation that failed - these are "former money" - and they might present a second chance soon.) Relationships excite and challenge Sunday/Monday - they're lucky, friendly, as long as you avoid political/religious discussions. Secrets, deep health issues, finances and sexual urges are generally lucky mid-week. Love, wisdom and understanding flow Thursday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy and charisma reach peak levels this week and the next few! See and be seen, ask for favors, seek an audience. Despite this energy, life grows confusing January 28 to February 18 - you might act decisively, only to wonder later whether you should have. Caution's best. Get much accomplished this week, before Friday. You'll be extra-determined and courageous, yet indecisive, confused and delayed in romantic, creative, speculative and child-rearing areas. An old passion will affect you deeply and benevolently. Tuesday/Wednesday create relationship excitement: caution. Thursday's sexy, mysterious! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Retreat, rest and lie low for the month ahead. Your energies and magnetism need regeneration. Deal with private issues, meditate, contemplate and plan, interact with government agencies, charities and spiritual sources, and institutions. You won't face any real lows, as you've entered a lucky, social year. But you need to catch your breath. Honor and complete as many obligations as possible this week, because January 28 to February 18 will bring a pile of neglected chores, long-lost friends and other pulls on your time. Romance adds sweet moments Sunday/Monday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/