ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MAY 17 - 23, 2009 All times/dates are PDT. Probably the largest "sun centered" social "culture" - and certainly the longest lasting - is astrology. (Did you see that movie, forget it's name, that puts forth the intriguing proposition that Jesus was one of a long line of "Sun Gods?" Of course Christianity is a religion, whereas astrology is a metaphysical system.) In any case, the sun is our source of energy, the source even of the blood that pumps through our veins, and in astrology is unparalleled as the most important factor. There have been some bad Sun-centered societies, too. Evidently the Aztecs (at least so said the guide book I took to Mexico City last February) would sometimes slaughter thousands of victims in one day, worried that if they didn't feed the Sun God enough blood he wouldn't rise the next morning. Now that's paranoia! All of which brings us to modern Sun-centric activities. In World War II scientists began studying the frequency of sun-spots, for they found that an increase in sun spots accompanied increased radio emissions, which disrupted essential communications. We now know that when the number of sunspots increases, the solar flares which accompany them cause an intensified solar wind pressure. In 1965 a stock market technician, Charles Collins, theorized that decreased sunspots coincided with declines in stock markets. He had tracked the cycle back to 1872, comparing it to the market indices. More recent speculation suggests that heightened spots/flares coincide with economic and social buoyancy; and a decrease in flares accompanies a declining social mood and economy. The great depression was preceded by a declining sunspot cycle. From 1950 to 2000, says NASA, "the sun activity [frequency of spots/flares] was unusually high." This coincided with the largest economic boom in history. What now, in 2009? A recent NASA press release says "The sunspot cycle is behaving a little like the stock market. Just when you think it has hit bottom it goes even lower." The NASA release adds: "This is the quietest sun we've seen in almost a century." Reportedly, this "quiet sun" is baffling astronomers. One London professor says they cannot see any signs of this low "flare count" ending soon. (I've got to credit elliotwave.com for much of the above information.).... A reader asked how I know the Taliban is a Pisces organization. I don't know. In that May 3 column I was just speculating on the clues of acrophonology. According to this mantic art, the letter T, or the sound "tuh" is a Piscean indicator. In the same way, Al-Quada would be considered an Aries ("A") entity with a Sagittarian subtext (Q, U, and J = Sagittarius). It fits, as Aries is warlike, and Sagittarius rules foreign countries (Al-Quada, of course, fights in every country it can find.) Usually, A is controlled by T_. Aries was not always considered the ruler of war. In Roman times, Aries was the sign of spring, the first growth of plants. In recent war-wracked centuries, this essential trait of "the new emerging" has come to be associated with violence - nothing has caused "newness" as much as war. Start Nothing: 3:40 a.m. to 7:17 a.m. Sun., 2:43 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tues., and 3:36 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. Thurs., and 5:49 p.m. to 11:34 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 The accent switches mid-week from money to communications. At this very point (or indeed all May) someone might befriend you in a way that is dangerous to your finances. Take care - be neither deceptive nor greedy (the first is the con, the second the conned). Sign nothing; promise nothing. Sunday to Tuesday brings weariness - rest, contemplate, and deal with government or institutional matters. Your energy and magnetism soar Tuesday eve to Thursday - but as noted, you might attract the wrong types before Thursday. Money's lucky - but start nothing - Friday/Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Your energy remains high - get out and do things - but only ongoing or overdue things! (Start nothing before May 31.) Your essential indecision remains. This hints that you're on the cusp of major change. Wisdom, internationalism, religion, higher learning, a huge new level in love - these loom before you, wide as the 15 years ahead. No need to pursue these now. (2009 benefits career, ambitious actions.) But 2010 will set huge new fortunate goals (and bring a wider social circle)! Confusion, worries arise mid-week, are resolved Thursday. Money's coming! Gemini May 21-June 20 Continue to delay new starts through May 30. Since late April a low energy/buoyant social life combo has led to meeting intriguing people (or old friends) in a private or background way - e.g., in a charitable organization, or administrative meeting, etc. Now your energy surges upward, so social delights will be open and obvious! Still, a wee hangover, a bit of guilt or loyalty to those private links, could bring indecision about plunging forward mid-week. Well, retreat for one last "private session" or rest-up, Friday/Saturday. Soon, energy and joy! Cancer June 21-July 22 Now your revels must fade. Even though a party or happily anticipated gathering happens Thursday-Saturday, you might already sense a bit of weariness stealing over you. Prepare for a month of rest, retreat, contemplation, planning, and dealings with civil servants,, institutions, head office, charities and spirituality. (But don't start anything in these or any areas, before May 31.) Tuesday/Wednesday present a turning point between hope and retreat: don't become confused about finances nor sex - where you think intimacy exists, it might not. Read Aries' message "con" reference for clues. Leo July 23-Aug.22 A month of pressures related to career, ambitions and status concerns yields mid-week to a month of much happier things: socializing, flirtations, light romance, optimism, entertainment, and new goals. (Let those new goals come slowly: June's best.) Mysteries fill Sunday to Tuesday - health diagnosis or a financial reassessment might be necessary. (Nothing's deeply wrong.) You face a major change in beliefs and philosophy for 15 years. Tuesday/Wednesday might bring this to the surface, causing confusion but provoking insight: relationships (and your pride regarding them) are the flex-point of this change. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Thoughtful days end; ambitious days begin. If you have pursued lust over the last month, and called it love, the month ahead shows the error - seek salvation in work; DON'T seek wedding bells. If instead you pursued financial goals, the weeks ahead open a door to accomplishment through renewed effort. However, DON'T start yet - wait until May 31 to launch anything. Work/career direction is confused Tuesday/Wednesday: wait 10 days for clarity. (In lust and finances, deep changes are on the horizon - clues Tuesday.) Thursday-Saturday bring renewed peace, philosophical wisdom. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 A month of mystery, of financial and sexual import, of possible health or lifestyle concerns, switches this week to a month of intellectual, philosophical, international, legal/ethical, cultural and love pursuits. When we switch from one stream to another, we often encounter choppy waters - and that can happen mid-week, as doubts, illusions and confusions arise, especially about relationships, romance, and all those financial/health/sex concerns of the past month. Let this ride - clarity will come in June. But do realize home and major relationships face deep change - evident somewhat Tuesday night. Scorpio Oct.23-Nov. 21 Romantic feelings come Sunday to Tuesday, and partnership urges Thursday to Saturday. Don't try to "cap off" a relationship by proposing marriage or a business link. A change of mind would occur later. Also avoid jumping on "regular opportunities," relocation, contracts and litigation. The month ahead holds secrets, research, investigation and discoveries, major financial, sexual and lifestyle commitments (or at least delving). This will produce fine, lucky results, especially in real estate - but NOT YET! Don't act before June. Switching from open relationships to secrecy can cause doubt, indecision mid-week. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 A month of work ends (though it lingers through this week, and tries to lay more burdens on you Friday/Saturday). The month ahead holds exciting meetings, new relationships and opportunities, fresh horizons, and challenges. However, DON'T chase any of these before May 31.Midweek might bring some confusion, especially in regard to romantic possibilities, an emotional or business partnership, or communications, paperwork strategies, and/or travel plans. Clarity will arrive in a week or so. Your approach to romance and love (including children) faces major change - Tuesday night holds a hint. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You've probably been confused, blocked or otherwise a bit disappointed in romance lately, so this week's switch-over from romance (or beauty, sports, pleasure, speculation) to work shouldn't bother you immensely. Two things:1) pleasure and socializing will linger - even improve! - through much of June; and 2) the switch from pleasure to duties might cause some confusion and misdirection Tuesday/Wednesday. That's okay - the best cure for this is simply to stop, rest, and wait for next week to proceed (wait until May 31 to start new projects). "Subterranean" domestic changes loom. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 You move, this week, from a month of rest, domesticity, security and sluggishness to a month of action, exploration, adventure, romance and vigour! But this change-over, though it technically occurs Wednesday, is a very slow one. Domestic themes will linger into early July. The lack of a definite change could be why you feel confused or "unguided" mid-week, as these two "worlds" fight within you (subconsciously, if not obviously). Your temper could run hot all June as a result - but pleasure WILL come! Start nothing new before May 31. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 You shift from a quickly-moving, busy but unimportant month, to a late-May and June of slow but very important themes, such as family, security, property and retirement provisions. The change from one to the other could cause some deception, confused thinking or indecision mid-week - be especially cautious in dealing with civil servants, charitable and spiritual organizations, and "head office." You shouldn't launch any projects anyway before May 31. Your earnings picture faces major changes over the 15 years ahead - clues about this arise Tuesday night. You draw attention Sunday-Tuesday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. Readings: 604-261-1337. /30/