ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
JULY 13-19, 2008

	All times/dates are PDT.
	For TAURUS, July through August 18 intensifies romantic, sensual and risky urges. An uncertain relationship might be nudged into certainty! A present attraction could lead to two years of a long, steady (and perhaps slow) romance, one that has few fireworks but plenty of deep joys and quiet reliability. 2008's romance seems aptly suited for marriage, and might lead to a wedding. Make sure you want what you land, Taurus. A love captured now could be, on the positive side, like the steering anchor that sailors use to keep their vessel steadily on course, or, on the negative side, an anchor, period, tying you to a duty that you find burdensome, even suffocating, after the sensual thrill wears off. You'll sense early on what kind of anchor this is. Have the courage to say no if you glimpse an unwanted future. Romance tends to arise, in 2008/09, with someone significantly different in age. This July/August, you might blow hot and cold about love. If so, take a "time out" - a week or so apart, to contact your "truth center" - and go with whatever it reveals.
	Well, I'm always getting in trouble, aren't I? Sometimes I wince when I use a word, and that's always a signal to rephrase or drop it. But with the pressures of deadlines, my reckless nature, and my chronic lack of vocabulary, I often just wince and speed on. That happened two columns ago when I used the words "a bit superficial" and "ferret" in conjunction with GEMINI. Sorry, Gemini! No wrong was meant - I'm a Gemini myself (Sun and Moon). First, the "superficial" - yes, Gemini does like to skate on the surface, especially in relationships, but this sign can actually feel very deeply and sharply. Gemini experiences emotions in quick "jabs" that cut deep, but don't last - few Geminis can brood like a CANCER or SCORPIO. That has earned them the moniker of "flighty," or superficial. Well, Gemini IS flighty, but only to escape those whose minds walk rather than fly, and to elude those whose embrace might suffocate. Gemini hates to be caged - and can be a hard one to catch. If you do have a Gemini, give him/her lots of room, air and surprises. This sign lives on variety, the way LEO lives on love, and AQUARIUS lives on ideals. Gemini's complex. Scorpio, the master of research, mystery, depths and investigation, Scorpio who knows/senses what almost everyone is hiding, finds Gemini a complete puzzle. (Scorpio's mistake: they look for consistency!)
	And about saying Gemini would, as an animal, like to be a "ferret" - maybe I should have said ermine, sable, or marten. The point was, Geminis love to dart swiftly here and there, like curious - mice? Oops, there I go again_


Start Nothing: Before 8:50 a.m. Sun., 7:43 p.m. to 9:20 Tues., and 0:59 to 8:40 a.m. Fri.

Aries   March 21-April 19
It's your last week of home-based interests, Aries. So pour over those MLS ads for 9 more days, pursue security, gardening, family healing - but don't forget to cast an eye on your work and career, especially Monday morning through Thursday, when your value increases to bosses, parents and VIPs. Even if you aren't going to pursue ambition's trail, show them what you can do. You might get an offer you can't refuse. You feel mellow, wise and compassionate Sunday-Tuesday. Your social circle grows or otherwise delights you Friday/Saturday. 

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Communications, short trips, visits from siblings and casual friends, paperwork, distribution and details - all slated. Be nimble; be quick. Sunday/Monday bring a mystery or an intimate or financial "opportunity" - but there's not much opportune about it (except around sunrise Monday). Friends and hopes make you feel good anyway, though. All sorts of "mellow luck" fills Wednesday/Thursday (and might create opportunities - good ones - right into the weekend). The luckiest openings occur in far travel, higher education, legal fronts, cultural involvements and social rituals, love, insurance and advertising campaigns. Be ambitious Friday/Saturday! 

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Chase money. Buy/sell; seek a pay raise. Those you deal with or work for are more flush than usual - that includes your spouse. Your sensual side and your memory are more acute than usual. This year holds much intimate, sexual gratification for many Geminis, but make sure you're honest and socially responsible. Emotions intensify in your home arena all July/August - if your "love attention" wanders, expect to pay the price! (If it doesn't, expect happy bedtimes!) Communications grow more affectionate, mildly lucky, now to early August. Handle finances Wednesday/Thursday.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Your elevated energy, charisma and effectiveness continue - get out, start important projects, ask favors, impress people! Tackle chores Sunday to Tuesday (but give it a rest Sunday night and dawn Tuesday). Exciting meetings are slated Wednesday/Thursday - though you might be more impressive than impressed, consider how valuable or "nice to be around" this person might be in future. (That "future" might occur as early as Friday/Saturday.) Cut no ties. Mysteries, high finance, debt, investments, intimacies, lust, health issues and lifestyle changes arise Friday/Saturday - work in concert with others. 

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Continue to lie low, rest, plan and hold confidential discussions. Be sympathetic, nurture rather than accuse - attraction, compatibility are only half of love - the other half is the leap into understanding, empathy and aid. Sometimes this takes real courage, because it exposes us, makes us vulnerable, especially when we're having an argument. Ah, well. Romantic notions float by you Sunday to Tuesday. Enjoy, without necessarily diving in. Tackle chores Wednesday/Thursday - your efforts might later open a doorway of opportunity (perhaps Friday/Saturday). Keep chasing money - but bank it, don't spend! 

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Entertainment, social joys, flirtations, playful romance, optimism, wishes coming true - this week is filled with delights! The accent is on "light," yet you're hungering for heavy results, deep love, powerful romance. If married, you're serious about your children's talents, future, and guidance. If you're creative, you're serious about your output. But will any of this seriousness get you anywhere, when everybody is being merely playful? Yes. Continue. You'll succeed, especially Wednesday/Thursday Your sincerity is your most seductive tool - which seems like a contradiction. AVOID verboten lust/romance, extra-marital stuff, etc. 

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Continue in an ambitious vein - but pay attention to Wednesday/Thursday's clues that your "career streak" (or business streak, prestige streak, etc.) is coming to an end. The future, both short (08) and long term (2 decades) lies in the opposite direction - in security, domesticity, children, real estate, agriculture, retirement, etc. (Which, depends on your age.) Love and partnership prospects draw ever closer for you singles, romance in 2009, partnership opportunities in the summer of 2010, then "partnering adventures" 2011 to 2019 (exciting - but stable? - perhaps). Next week: optimism's joy!

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Float into benevolent cultural events, social rituals, church/synagogue, foreign contacts, far travel, education or other broadening experiences, especially Wednesday to Saturday. (Chase money and pay bills Sunday to Tuesday.) To August 4, bosses, parents and authorities will be more gracious, even affectionate. They'll favor you, perhaps even make an offer. Be careful. A "sweet trap" of ultimate disappointment, of besmirched reputation could lurk. If you can't be strictly honest and ethical to your core (only a saint could be right now!) then avoid intense ambitions this year. Home's happy, Friday/Saturday! 

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Your energy, charisma and effectiveness ride a nice wave Sunday to Tuesday. But don't invest nor start anything important Sunday p.m. - it would meet disappointment, practical obstacles, or superiors' ire.  Great ideas or friendly meetings abound regarding home and security concerns Monday. You're in the last week of a deeply sexual, financial, mystery-laden phase, but in general your best luck in 2008 comes from earnings, lightly sensual situations, and "skating along the surface." These offer their benefits Wednesday into Saturday! Follow your curiosity Friday/Saturday, into a newspaper or trip.

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
The emphasis continues on relationships, in business and love. Consider two things, Cap: 1) you're in a "power position" from late summer through 2024 (a long time!) so you don't need to approach others too much on bended knee right now; but 2) don't isolate yourself, either. Let no one take advantage of you, but be loving and willing, also. Your energy and charisma droop Sunday to Tuesday, so rest and plan, meditate and aid others. That changes swiftly Wednesday onward, when you attract aid, luck and admiration! 

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Handle one last week of drudgery, Aquarius. Present burdens will be lighter than in past weeks, though, as Sunday to Tuesday bring social times, some playfulness, flirting, and lots of optimism about your future. The drudgery will be cut short, too, by a boost of energy, charisma and luck Friday-Saturday - though that luck might bring you a new (and lucrative, fascinating) job! But the days in-between (Wednesday/Thursday) bring weariness and serious (but smooth) tasks. Protect your health, especially mid-week. Fresh horizons are coming!  Major changes loom, financial and sexual.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Romance, pleasure, games, sports, beauty, creative and speculative projects capture your attention - your winning streak continues! But you might (or should) feel ambitious Sunday to Tuesday. Realize that Sunday's goals probably run counter to a mate's or co-operator's views and desires. Social delights, flirtations and optimism float in Wednesday/Thursday - and provide you with plans and delicious anticipation right into Friday/Saturday, even though weariness comes over you these two days. Others act and feel intensely all July, through mid-August. You could spark a war - or love! Be diplomatic and patient.


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


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