ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MAY 10 - 16, 2009 All times/dates are PDT. Bullying in elementary schools has become a media focus after a spate of child suicides. The children of this age, born from 1995 to 2008, possess Pluto in SAGITTARIUS. Oddly enough, this sign of law, social order, of cheerfulness and camaraderie, of optimism and good luck, is also more prone to bully than any other denizen of the zodiac. The Nazi party of Germany, and many of the politicians in the Reich, were Sagittarian or "Jupiterian." (Jupiter rules Sagittarius.) Although conventional wisdom states that bullies are cowards who compensate for a lack of self-worth by attacking those weaker than them, I think this is only half the story. In Sage's case, it is their very enthusiasm, optimism and fiery impatience that impel them sometimes to run roughshod over others. Sagittarius can be pompous; this sign believes in the truth, and believes it knows it - so some pushing, herding or bullying of those who don't agree can occur. In recent cases, the bullying was not by an older, single kid, but by a group of the child's peers. Here, the Sagittarian love of camaraderie has been perverted into intolerance by an entire group. I shouldn't pick on Sagittarius - every sign has its "dark side," which is usually brought out, in generational ways, by Pluto. The children born 1983 to 1995 had Pluto in SCORPIO - this generation might actually have the fewest flaws, as Pluto is "at home" (and therefore happy, or "well behaved") in this sign. Still, the dark side will be crime, drugs, murder and secretiveness. Pluto was in LIBRA from 1971 to 1983, so the generation born in these years will tend to display their dark side in marital and contractual zones, in litigation and confrontation, and sexual zones. As an age group, children born from 1958 to 1971 (Pluto in VIRGO) will tend to be professional victims, disability chasers, hypochondriacs and critics. The Pluto in LEO generation, born 1939 to 1958, tend to be anti-authoritarian, always ready to topple a king or boss - yet this generation wants to be regal, and always believes it is at the center of history. The 1914 to 1939 generation, with Pluto in CANCER, committed their crimes at home; incest and pedophilia were probably fairly rampant, but seldom made public. (Notice how these generations grow longer? The 1983 generation only lasted 12 years; the 1914 generation lasted 25 years - that's due to Pluto's eccentric orbit.) This isn't to say every sign's bad, but that every sign has its bad side - which, since life is joyous, is far outweighed by its good side. (In fact, the bad side is usually a perversion of a sign's uniquely valuable qualities.) GEMINI's bad side is disloyalty and violence. TAURUS' bad side is heedless sensuality. ARIES? Violence, and one-on-one bullying. PISCES dark side is drugs, evasion, perversion and pornography (the objectification of others). AQUARIAN's dark side is zealotry and the belief that political necessity is a greater good than the sanctity of life. CAPRICORN can be tempted to manipulate or exploit others' talents for its own ambitious ends. But hey, the dark side exists, and, a little bit of it wanders through all of us. Start Nothing: 10:56 p.m. Mon. to 6:09 a.m. Tues., and 5:58 p.m. to 7:01 p.m. Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 Continue to chase money, but look over your shoulder for both the real opportunities and the possible mistakes. Means don't start new projects; do protect ongoing ones. Pay overdue debts, collect ones owed you. Your magnetism continues high, and sensual delights (non-sexual ones, too!) are yours for the plucking. Love and wisdom combine Sunday, but practical barriers lurk. Monday's similar. A big change is brewing in your career, parenting and status (reputation) zones - sense this and make your own adjustments Tuesday-Thursday. (Thursday's successful.)Social joys, optimism and hope enter Friday/Saturday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Your energy, charisma and optimism remain high. But mistakes and false starts are likely unless you focus on reprising past efforts/projects, and work to protect ongoing ventures from delays. Start nothing new before May 31. Study yourself: where are you going, who do you want to be, etc. - especially in terms of romance, creativity, kids and money. For example, do you want to be this kind of parent or that? Mysteries fill Sunday/Monday. Don't invest! Wisdom, travel, love and learning meet barriers Tuesday/Wednesday, succeed Thursday. Guard your rep Friday/Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Continue to avoid new starts before May 31. Your links with government, head office, institutions and charities might demand reconsideration. E.g., your tax return's questioned, or you must redo an application. Though you're tired and contemplative, others keep seeking your social presence. You'll feel appreciated! (Yes, perhaps someone is secretly working against you, but that's outweighed by your good deeds, which bring secret allies, too! Be aware, not paranoid.) Love, partnership excitement arise Sunday! Finances and sex life need change - Tuesday shows this; Thursday shows the way. Wisdom, Friday/Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 This Mother's Day (Sunday) brings chores, but successful ones, and you'll feel the rewards of past efforts, of your present status. (Forgetting M's Day, this is a superb 24 hours for ambitious actions. Monday's similar. But remember, don't start any new projects before May 31.) The whole week brings social joys, but Tuesday to Thursday brings them most powerfully. A meeting might spark an exciting attraction! Midweek also gives you a hint that relationships are in for major, deep change. Dive into secrets, research, intimacy and financial efforts Friday/Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The accent is on ambition, career, your status in the community, and pleasing higher-ups and/or parents. Until May 31, focus on projects already started, or reprise past ambitions - new starts will fail, sooner or later. A former role or job is almost certain to reappear over the weeks ahead. On the plus side, income impediments affecting you since last December seem about to lift. A solid streak of romantic feelings, intellectual joys and international or cultural delights fill your days, especially Sunday/Monday (Sunday better) or Thursday night to Saturday! Virgo Aug.23-Sept. 22 Cultural, international, religious, intellectual, educational, publishing, legal and similar involvements absorb you now -something might return from the past in these areas, now through May 30. (Don't initiate any new ventures in these zones, same period.) An old flame could flare to "high intensity," especially Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday. You might be contemplating something secret and, perhaps, lucrative or sexy (or a bid for a new home or lifestyle) - remember, the accent lies on legal, ethical and cultural structures - don't violate them! Sunday's family, property endeavors - and endings - succeed. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Deep changes and deep attractions fill this month. You could speak to someone Sunday or Thursday night to Saturday, who seems like the perfect partner - but if this is someone you first meet these days (or any time May 6 to 30), it probably won't work out. An old flame could appear, and could grow serious. Life and relationships are fraught with mysteries and questions about loyalty, sex, lifestyle choices, commitment, finances, etc. - and might always be laden with them! But that could merely be love's depths. You decide. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov.21 The emphasis lies on relationships, opportunities, challenges, contracts and agreements. Be diplomatic. Others hold the aces. A spouse, business partner or important client (in fact everybody) might be indecisive - be patient. A former associate or ex-partner might reappear - he/she might hold a bag of something good for you. Say thanks, grab it, but don't sign anything nor recommit to a long-term relationship. A co-worker affair might occur. Money's lucky Sunday, but collect, don't invest. Pleasant news comes Thursday. Be home, renew family ties Friday/Saturday. Don't start projects before May 31. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The accent's on work, health and dependents' welfare. A former job or neglected duty might appear - if so, tackle it cheerfully. (You'll make great progress Sunday, Thursday and Friday.) If you're unemployed, try former bosses, positions. (Same days.) However, don't bother starting new projects - and DO NOT buy machinery, computers, etc. - before May 31. A strong romantic streak runs through this month. Your energy, charisma, and luck run high Sunday/Monday - you could attract/chase significant love! Handle money in new ways Tuesday, carefully Wednesday, and successfully Thursday. Don't gossip Friday/Saturday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Romance, creativity, beauty, speculation, a winning streak, pleasure and self-indulgence, and joys from raising/teaching children - these surround you this month. Don't start major new projects in these or other areas, before May 31. An old flame might return. Don't rework a report, story, painting, etc. - you'd mess up what was fine. You're tired Sunday/Monday, but a romantic streak might arise in your own back yard - literally. Take care: the ethics look wrong. Your charisma and energy soar skyward Tuesday to Thursday - make changes, call in favors. Money's good Friday! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The emphasis lies on home, property, family, security, retirement, gardening and nutrition. Take deep naps - nothing of supreme importance will occur. The more you recuperate now, the more energy you'll have to pursue June's lucky opportunities. Undertake minor home repairs, but don't start long, large or involved projects. A flirty, sweet person might engage you in enjoyable conversations, even provoke a short trip, but this won't go terribly far. Sunday/Monday life puts on a fresh, optimistic face! Retreat, contemplate Tuesday-Thursday. Your energy rises Friday/Saturday -- avoid giving wrong impressions. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Double-check communications, addresses, instructions, figures and paperwork - mistakes lurk! Old letters, documents, and photos flutter from the pages of a book. DON'T start new projects, especially in these areas (mail, etc.) before May 31. Money's flowing all around you - you might sell a big item you've couldn't sell before. But bank any funds; strictly avoid over-spending. Your reputation or career efforts could yield money luck Sunday (or you could just feel proud, accomplished) but a competitor lurks: be humble, wise. Social joys, flirtations, optimism and bright horizons arrive midweek! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. Readings: 604-261-1337. /30/