ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS AUGUST 17 - 23, 2008 All times/dates are PDT. Many years ago I wrote a column about omens. Yesterday a reader asked me to send her that column. Look, I can't even find my shoes in the morning, much less a column lost in past decades. But I do vaguely remember that column - and of course the truth of omens is always with us, so here's my best redux of that: On your birthday (astrologically, your "birthday" might occur the day before or after your actual calendar b'day, as our human calendar only approximates the reality of solar and galactic motion) - on your birthday, the tone and meaning of the entire succeeding 12 months is set. You can actually change your year by changing the place where you experience your birthday. But rather than get into the mathematics of that, you can also experience your birthday wherever you are, and observe WHAT is going to happen to you in the 12 months following. Here's how: on your birthday, either go somewhere quiet, or be "alone in a crowd" (if you're at your birthday party) sit down, and watch the sky. (Or, if you're really pro-active, go somewhere on your B'day where birds often fly.) Close your eyes. Ask for guidance. Ask God. Whatever. Then open your eyes. If in your view 1 bird flies, the year ahead features you, your personality, and a new life - you will break new ground and begin a life-changing new project. If two birds are flying across the sky, the year ahead will bring good earnings and serenity. If three birds, a friend (or cousin or sibling) comes or you'll take a significant short trip. If four birds, you'll find a home. If five, romance or creative success lies ahead. If six birds fly across the sky, the year ahead will be filled with work and chores, but you will also experience domestic bliss. If seven birds, year ahead will feature exciting meetings, opportunities, a new world of possibilities, even marriage or partnership, but also competition from others. This will be a very significant year. If you see eight birds, expect life to completely change. An investment, sexual liaison (not necessarily with a single person) or health matter could be the "engine" of this change. If nine birds, you might travel to another country, or be involved in7:2 a lawsuit - or, simply, have a wise year of expanding viewpoints. If you see 10 birds, you'll be promoted, or your business will expand. If 11, the year ahead brings a new social circle. If you see 12 birds, the year ahead will be one of quietude, but you will also experience spiritual insights. If you see and count 13 birds, God is speaking to you, saying: "This is your shadow: be your upper self." Start Nothing: Before 0:46 a.m. Sun., 4;41 a.m. to 7:10 a.m. Tues., 9:53 a.m. to 11:38 a.m. Thurs., and 2:20 a.m. to 2:48 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Catch some last rays of pleasure, beauty, creativity or love - the earlier "danger" of these has ebbed. Your indecision about a hard, hectic job ends Tuesday, but Friday begins a whole month of work and health issues. This hints that you reach a decision now - probably to continue at that hectic job, or to work at something quieter, more deeply productive. Either way, work grows easier, more pleasant. The seven weeks ahead bring opportunities and "strong relationships" - you could join, split, love, hate. Be diplomatic, flexible! (93) Taurus April 20-May 20 Your sluggish period ends Friday, when a month of creativity, romance, pleasure and beauty begins - soon, you'll ride a 4-week winning streak! Dive into duties Tuesday to Thursday; you'll perform well, and will clear your plate for more palatable activities. (And, you might subtly trigger an eventual pay raise.) All is not joy, though - the 7 weeks ahead bring intermittent but hectic/unwanted work or an irritating health issue (neck or head?). Strictly follow safety procedures. Your energy and charisma shoot skyward Friday/Saturday - a "busted relationship" favors you! (93) Gemini May 21-June 20 You might make one last short trip before settling into a more sluggish, renewing pace (Friday onward). The seven weeks ahead bring a streak of romance, creativity, speculation, dealing with (teaching, raising) children, or risk-taking. You'll be determined and brave about this, and many small incidents will please and encourage you, but you won't really have the energy, the oomph for it, until October. So go slow, be willing to build a strong foundation. Your hopes soar Tuesday-Thursday, as social delights arrive! Be quiet, retreat Friday/Saturday - accept disruptions. (93) Cancer June 21-July 22 Wisdom and a mellow mood flow over you Sunday/Monday. Love, ambitious partnerships, marriage, social friendships - all goes very well with these Sunday daytime! Take advantage, cement a relationship, because by Friday/Saturday a new element enters which could strain these same ties, even break weak ones apart. Chase money Tuesday to Thursday - luck accompanies you. Talk, short trips, messages, paperwork and detail stuff enters Thursday to Saturday. The month ahead accents relationships; the seven weeks ahead also bring a streak of lust, money fever, research, and commitment. (93) Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your energy and pizzazz continue high, but you'll soon turn your thoughts from being "on stage" to moving more quietly and thoughtfully - for a month of money issues arrives Friday. Sunday/Monday bring financial, sexual and health issues. If you dig deep you'll see the trends running under events and situations, like an underground river. Mid-week accents contemplation, understanding, and love. Be ambitious Thursday eve to Saturday, when some of those "underground trends" could burst into daylight! For 7 weeks, you'll tend to think and act hastily - don't! (93) Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Rest; don't worry about my prior "warnings." Rest deeply. You'll spy opportunities and distant horizons (in time or space) Sunday/Monday - be diplomatic, slow to react (and slow to jump on those "opportunities," too). Secrets abound Tuesday to Thursday - a bit of research, questioning or deep thinking could uncover a treasure of knowledge, intimacy or money. Friday begins a month of heightened energy, pizzazz, charm and effectiveness for you - it will be, overall, a time of wisdom, travel and love. Go! The 7 weeks ahead bring more money - bank it! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Partnerships have held you back or dragged you down since early July; now they "right themselves." For 7 weeks ahead, you're going to simmer with extra willpower, magnetism, and sexual drive. You'll essentially be "in charge" of marriage, partnerships, and prospects thereto. All that magnetism might not glow too brightly Friday through September 21, as you'll be a bit more tired and sequestered than usual. But you'll be working your magic on a deeper level. Opportunities or a "viable partner" appear Tuesday to Thursday. Secrets, intimacy, "treasures" blossom Friday/Saturday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Okay, if you must be ambitious, be so now, Tuesday to Thursday - the weight from above, pushing you back, lessens briefly, and you accomplish big tasks, easily! Earlier, spend Sunday/Monday dallying with love, children or creative projects. Partnerships, opportunities and opposition come in Thursday to Saturday, and kick off a 4-week period of optimism, wishes coming true, socializing, light romance, and other uplifting things! Two lover-friends might argue: sidestep it. The 7 weeks ahead bring unwelcome chores. Smile and tackle them - they might ensure your job survival in 2009. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The 7 weeks ahead raise your hopes about romance, or a teaching, creative, sports or child-raising/teaching project. It's a perfect time for a vacation, flirting, seeking entertainment - were it not for the major tasks being laid on your shoulders by parents or bosses from Friday to September 21. So either delay pleasure until September, or work hard, play hard. Present duties will have a beneficial effect on your earnings, present and future. (DON'T quit tasks, cheat or punch the boss through July 2010- you'd have long-term difficulty with employment.) Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You could learn something significant by talking, asking Sunday/Monday. It's a perfect time to take a trip or write a paper. (Sunday's best.) Good "endings" come Tuesday to Thursday - rest, work on foundations, buy real estate, and/or hug your kids. Friday begins a month of wisdom, mellow thoughts, of travel, educational and legal success. You could fall in love! But Friday/Saturday also might bring a split between two friends, or a petty argument. Higher-ups will display impatience, temperament for 7 weeks - start looking for your sense of humor! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Money's lucky Sunday (and less so Monday) - chase some! You might buy a prized possession, or make a lucky investment. Use Tuesday to Thursday to handle paperwork, run errands, catch up with friends, and take short trips. Now to October 3, strictly avoid lawsuits. The opposition of the last three weeks (if you've noticed it) now ebbs. Friday begins a month of deeper matters, of investments and finances, debt, commitment, research, subconscious urgings, lust, dreams, mysteries, therapy and lifestyle changes. These will go slowly, so be patient. Rest Friday/Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 A month of work dissolves this week, as Friday begins 4 weeks of relationships, new horizons and opportunities. There will also be some opposition, much of it subtle but strong, so you'll succeed best if you're diplomatic, co-operative, and willing to join others in pursuing their goals. Your energy and effectiveness soar Sunday/Monday. Sunday could bring a splendid agreement, new love prospect, or an opportunity via a social contact or partner. Chase money Tuesday to Thursday - luck accompanies you! Talk and visits bring either break-offs or new relationships Friday/Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/