ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MAY 3 - 9, 2009 All times/dates are PDT. ALL SIGNS: Mercury goes retrograde May 6 through 30. Start nothing new; buy nothing new (of significance - e.g., delay purchases of machinery, cars, dresses, suits, real estate, etc.). Fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sage) are all transported by an unusual romantic breeze this May. Some powerful love bolts could fly! For Aries this means personal attention, as this sign's love magnetism surges to persuasive heights. For Sage it means "pure" romance; for Leo, gentle, socially-approved love, perhaps even with wedding hints attached. The air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) might be surprised by a romantic friendship - social romance for Gemini, chatty stuff for Aquarius, and for Libra strong hints of partnership and marriage. Alas, for all six signs this amorous influence occurs during the Mercury retrograde, so most of these blooms won't last the summer. Think of May as a "romantic holiday." BUT, if romantic events involve a former lover/flame, the merger could be permanent, the garden perennial! (Or at least the affair would be one you'd remember fondly for decades.) For the earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) and water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) signs, this romantic influence morphs into practical urges - though it might warp into a fusion of lust and ambition: an affair with the boss, an extramarital triangle, love for security's sake, etc. I don't recommend these, 1) because such combinations seldom lead to happiness, and 2) the circumstances facing you are likely to change_. Though I can't see an economic shock/adjustment until September, the markets might struggle this May, as Mercury's retrograde causes uncertainty and mixed news. Still, the planetary aspects are mostly benign, so it's a toss-up. Anxieties and rumors will affect the markets (and our personal relationships) around the third week_. If you're going on vacation, visit places you've been to before. Be alert, as misunderstood directions, missed turns, phantom reservations and lost wallets are more likely than usual_. On the plus side, Mercury retro is great for research_. Did you see the Taliban are within 60 miles/100 km of Pakistan's capital city? If I have the right birth data for Pakistan, it's a Leo nation, suffering "downfall karma" until late August 2009. If the West wants to support this nation, they should make a major effort now through August. But they probably won't. Unfortunately for Pakistan the bad karma doesn't go away, it just switches from the leadership to the population and the land, from September through 2010 (with the worst intensity in May/June). The Taliban ("T") is a Piscean entity. Pisces is the sign of destruction and transformation for Leo. It's quite likely the Taliban will conquer Pakistan. Trouble is, of course, that Pakistan's nuclear missiles would then be in the hands of the U.S.A.'s (and Canada's and Britain's and everyone's) mortal enemy, an enemy that believes in revenge and punishment. Remember I wrote here that Obama would be angry, angry enough to go to war from October/09 to June/10? Hmmm_. Scary stuff_. Start Nothing: 6:31 p.m. Mon. to 2:51a.m. Tues., 3:01 a.m. to 9:48 a.m. Thurs., and 11:49 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Just as your sexual and personal charms soar to superb heights, you grow indecisive about how to communicate with the object of your desires. Life's complicated. On the plus side, there's not much wrong this week. Work flows smoothly Sunday/Monday (careful with glitches, computers, machinery and co-workers suppertime Monday). Relationships need an adjustment early Tuesday, but otherwise mutual attraction is very evident - Wednesday too! Depths, mysteries, investments, finances, debts, sex and intimate commitments run well Thursday/Friday. Don't start new projects all week, to May 30. Doubts arise Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Your energy, charisma and courage rise to a high spot this month, but you grow indecisive about money affairs and purchases, especially speculative ones - take care, start nothing new (projects nor relationships) through May 30. A former money opportunity might return briefly - grab it quickly, as it won't last long. Soon, you'll be facing questions about where you want to go in life. Don't answer until June. This week is relatively easy. Romance flows sweetly Sunday, but faces suppertime disruptions Monday. You'll succeed with chores Tuesday/Wednesday. Late week's mixed. Gemini May 21-June 20 Start nothing new through May 30 (including relationships). You're not sure what you want to do in your entire life - who you want to be, where, and how. You're irresolute because a huge "era" has ended for you, and a new one is beginning, in two steps: 1) now, new relationships and opportunities; 2) starting in 2010, new career, intellectual, and friendship situations. All are good, so you're filled with inexplicable hope. Good! Friends and flirtations call, but your most important duty is to rest. Romance and/or pleasure, Tuesday/Wednesday! Cancer June 21-July 22 Don't start new projects, relationships, or investments before May 31. Soon, next week, former friends will reappear, which fits nicely into this delightful social month. But spend some time this week (Sunday and Wednesday best) catching up on neglected governmental, tax, administrative, health or paperwork duties. Something has been brewing on your career or status fronts - it could be an end of a project or position, the stabilizing of your position, a new communications/travel regime, or a boss-employee romance. That last isn't risk-free. Friends bring joy Sunday; romance Thursday/Friday! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Start nothing new before May 31. Focus on old, neglected or ongoing chores, especially in social, networking, career, status and community zones. (A former career project might return next week.) Expect delays, supply shortages, etc. - have a "plan B." A real romance might be developing, but you and another are uncertain of the future. That's okay, be patient. May is a great month, if you're not ambitious, to travel to a part of the world you have already visited or lived in. Chase money Sunday. Romantic communications succeed Tuesday/Wednesday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Start nothing new in any area before May 31. Former contacts, projects or situations could return, especially in career, legal, international, cultural, publishing or educational zones. You might dream of a "secret lust" from the past, or someone turns you on because he/she reminds you of a past person. If you refuse to be drawn by lust's sirens, a different person from the past might appear later in May - to pursue you, with love (not just lust) in mind. This week's lucky - you win Sunday! Chase money Wednesday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 You're undergoing significant relationship changes. Divorce, marriage, sexual changes, new love - anything's possible. Remember one thing: this is your lucky romantic year. An old flame might appear this week, or a present flame might show indecision. Now or later (May or June) the intimate, consequential side grows, and a commitment (or final break) looms. Usually, I'd advise: "Just say yes." But the larger picture is complex. Make sure true, deep compatibility exists. If not, wait - 2010/11 to 2018 holds many "liaison opportunities." Start no new projects before May 31. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Start no new relationships, investments, projects - and buy NOTHING important - before May 31. A former investment, debt, or lifestyle opportunity might return this week - grab it if you feel good about it (especially if property, security or family finances are involved). A former lust-based flame might return also - tough to advise on this, as you're in a strong, beneficial relationship phase (in May) but this person might be "work," or a psychological enemy. Social delights bring excitement Sunday/Monday. Government, administration, health zones meet luck Wednesday. You get results Thursday/Friday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Don't start new projects, relationships or negotiations before May 31. Sign nothing; don't relocate. A former job might return - so might an ex-love. If the latter, dive in for a few weeks of romance - but keep your future "loose." If this person is a Gemini (or displays such characteristics - nervous, talkative, bright but with the attention span of a butterfly) things might get serious. Remember this: true love is gentle. Temper (yours)= dissatisfaction. Chase ambitions Sunday/Monday. Social delights, flirtations excite Tuesday/Wednesday. Lie low Thursday-Saturday. Protect your health all week. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Start no new projects, relationships, investments, etc., through May 30, especially in work, health, creative, teaching and romantic zones. Anticipate delays and unexpected hindrances - have "Plan B" ready. A former job or duty might return. An old flame lurks, but won't show yet. If you're happily attached, your amour might suffer some indecision - it's temporary and "surface," so be patient. Travel, legal, intellectual and cultural matters go well Sunday. Decide to go or stay with a career choice Tuesday - this area meets grand luck Wednesday! Social joys arrive Thursday/Friday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The accent lies on home, family, real estate, security, gardening, soul and nutrition. Take some long naps. Nothing of importance will occur. DON'T start new projects before May 31, in any area. An old flame might call/write. This probably won't come to much (and could die under the heat of a long-lasting argument in June) - but it offers "closure." Dive into secrets (and profitable investments) Sunday, but guard against monetary and physical upsets Monday. Love, wisdom, travel, intellectual, religious and cultural pursuits intrigue you Tuesday and succeed superbly Wednesday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Don't start new projects before May 31, especially in home, property, communications, paperwork and mail zones. (Don't order new magazines, papers or internet services. Buy NO computers or software.) Make a list before you do errands; otherwise you'll make repeated trips. A family member might return. This week is soft and easy. Others co-operate, please you Sunday (best) and Monday. Secrets, investments, debt, sexual urges, commitments, lifestyle changes - any of these can open the door to intrigue Tuesday, and to success Wednesday! Money flows: save it! Love, wisdom come Thursday/Friday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. Readings: 604-261-1337. /30/