ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS OCTOBER 10 -16, 2010 All times/dates are PDT. The jester has few friends. The guy who is full of jokes is full of distance. Comedy is the juxtaposition of incongruities. When we believe one thing, then are surprised by a new angle or perception - as long as it is not overly threatening - we laugh. However, almost all new perception and surprise threatens our stability and inertia. Much comedy is threatening, and many comics are angry, sharp and insulting, as anyone who has sat through a live stand-up routine knows. In Shakespeare, the jester is the court fool. In the Tarot, the Fool sits at the crossroads, he is between an old experience and a new experience. He lives in limbo. Beneath his jokes he is waiting for life to happen to him. He bears one of the great sorrows, the sadness of disconnection.... People born with the Moon in their eighth sign are human lie detectors. They make good researchers. Often these people are blessed with intuitive investment abilities. They are prone to extramarital temptations. They usually have very strong "instincts," or a bond with nature; animals "accept" them. Their lives are filled with change, as in the Chinese curse:"May you live an interesting life." If you have had your chart drawn by an astrologer, you can check to see if you were born with an "8th sign Moon." (You can get your chart for free at www.astrodeinst.com - but beware the commercial circus there.) If you're ARIES, your eighth sign is Scorpio. If you're TAURUS your 8th is Sagittarius. GEMINI, your 8th is Capricorn. CANCER, your 8th sign Moon would be in Aquarius. LEO, your 8th is Pisces. VIRGO, your 8th is Aries. LIBRA, Taurus. SCORPIO's 8th is Gemini. For SAGITTARIUS, Cancer. For CAPRICORN, Leo. Aquarius, your 8th sign is Virgo. And PISCES, the Moon is in your 8th sign if it's in Libra.... The greatest goal, and what we should all strive for, is peace between us. Yet those who advocate violence have much more compelling justifications than any peace-seekers. Why is this? I think it occurs because peace is, by its nature, passive. But why is violence more compelling than peace? Why is the world made this way? Because the universe is based on dynamism, on velocity and growth. For a plant to grow, it must "stab" the soil's calm surface. For man to discover, he must cleave the waves or burn rocket fuel. Such a world system is inherently violent. I think it's a testament to mankind that we have progressed so far and kept, even developed, our sense of humour, empathy, mercy and tolerance. Don't despair of mankind. We're the closest thing to angels, and this earth the closest thing to paradise, that any of us have ever seen. Start Nothing: 11:27 a.m. to 3:09 p.m. Sun., 5:07 p.m. to 9:17 p.m. Tues., and 2:49 a.m.to 7:24 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 The accent continues on relationships - and opportunities. Last summer's taste of luck and freedom will return as a full meal the first five months of 2011. But until then you have a number of duties - at least two major ones - to clear up. These are not mere "chores" - they entail an obligation, a social or sacred trust. They likely involve a legal, love or international affair, or a religious, intellectual, educational or publishing matter. Clues, reminders come Sunday to Tuesday. Be ambitious, reliable midweek, but don't seek agreement. Social delights, love, happiness Friday/Saturday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Two weeks remain of drudgery and health concerns, Taurus. Soon you'll be free to give your full attention to the social and romantic hints you've been picking up, and the opportunity of these will last until then. Meanwhile, knuckle down to work. Sunday's social and intriguing - perhaps with someone "higher up." But this eve and Monday/Tuesday bring heavier themes: sex, intimacy, privacy, research, finances, commitment.(Don't feel you have to commit, though.) Understanding, a mellow mood enters midweek. Be ambitious Friday/Saturday: prospects look good for a new project. Gemini May 21-June 20 The emphasis remains on romance, creativity, risk and reward, pleasure, beauty and charming kids. This isn't the easiest week, but there are no major obstacles, either. Tackle chores Sunday a.m. - clear the decks for some evening explorations, bids, or opportunities. Partnerships and marriage haven't been easy since 2003, and won't be this autumn/winter - nor Tuesday p.m. But next March starts eight years of peace, harmony, friendliness and interest in relationships. Loneliness will flee! Be patient, flexible until then, Depths, mystery, sexual and financial attractions mid-week. Cancer June 21-July 22 Home, family, security are still of prime importance. And romance, creativity, charming kids, pleasure, beauty, speculative risks still run a close second. A "prodigal child" might return in the next three months. Sunday morning, mid-day are romantic, in a friendly but sexy way. Tackle chores this eve to Tuesday. You'll get a lot done - but watch safety Tuesday eve. Relationships erect barriers Wednesday/Thursday, so be diplomatic. It's nothing major. Sexual urges, financial inspirations/hunches, life's depths and mysteries arise Friday/Saturday. Invest passively, pay debts. Research! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 What's slow is difficult; what's quick is easy. In the house, with family, be flexible, long-suffering, affectionate. Outside the house, follow your curiosity - it can lead you to valuable information, even to new friends. (Now to next March, you might make a friend who is surrounded by, or has an element of, mystery. This person can offer nuggets of little-known information, but don't follow his/her advice about money or business.) Rest early Sunday. This eve to Tuesday brings romantic urges-and insights. Tackle chores midweek. Exciting meetings, fresh horizons Friday onward! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Chase money. Buy/sell, seek new clients, ask for a pay raise or extra hours (especially Friday/Saturday). Generally this is an easy, sensual week. Sunday morning's very friendly. Both opportunity and opposition occur Monday/Tuesday - say yes to real estate, security, home, no to health or work themes. Romance, pleasure, sports, creative projects and charming kids fill Wednesday/Thursday - nighttimes best, mid-afternoons worst. Tackle chores Friday onward. A former opportunity returns to you now to mid-November. Be ready to "work it" December/January. Might involve property, relocation. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness remain high, Libra. Start important projects, insist on your way, ask favours, and make personal appearances. Shop Sunday morning (especially for high-tech). This afternoon through Tuesday brings paperwork, communications, errands, casual acquaintances - busyness. Your home life, your security, and real estate, become important mid-week. It's a splendid time to institute your own schedules, priorities, to end some situations and lay the groundwork for the new. Romance visits Friday/Saturday. Before 2011, new romance is not the "marrying kind." Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Continue to take a restful, contemplative approach. Your energy levels are low. Still, there's a lot of important work to be done, so do it. (Important because either a) you're the only one who can do it, or b) it promises to "almost directly" advance your own goals.) Someone might be "sweet" on you - be kind, but gently evasive. Chase money, buy/sell, Sunday eve to Tuesday. Communicate - but carefully - Wednesday/Thursday. Drive carefully, too. Be alert, because events are faster now than you are. Retreat to home ground for some deep, rejuvenating rest Friday/Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The accent lies on wish fulfillment, popularity, entertainment, social delights and group efforts. Visualize your future, make optimistic plans. You might be experiencing a clandestine attraction - this has little beneficial impact, and could hinder future love, which would be a shame, as the first half of 2011 holds the promise of splendid romantic beginnings! (If you're married, 2011 will bring creative and similar successes.) Sleep in Sunday morning. This p.m. (through Thursday) your energy soars - tackle big things, enjoy the attention! Buy/sell midweek. Errands, Friday/Saturday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Be ambitious. Think about future paths, possibilities Sunday morning. Then spend this p.m. through Tuesday evening in rest, planning, research, preparation and dealings with "permission agencies" (government, institutions, "head office"). (Attend to health issues, also.) Charge forth Wednesday/Thursday - ask favours, ask to see important people, make presentations, initiate projects. You'll succeed! Money's the subject (and object) Friday/Saturday. All month, your hopes are tied up with love and work. A co-worker romance might be growing more serious. There's no harm in this! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 A sweet, mellow, easy week, with a focus on intellectual interests, far travel, education, publishing, culture and love . (These slow mildly to late 2012.) Perform a money chore Sunday morning. Your optimism and popularity surge this eve to Tuesday. Accept and issue invitations, envision the future and sign on for entertainment. A wish might come true (perhaps not a romantic one). Rest, retreat Wednesday/Thursday. Plan and contemplate, think about your shifting spiritual and charity beliefs. Your energy and charisma return strongly Friday/Saturday. Romance is a definite maybe. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 The accent lies on mystery, depths, lust, big finances, subconscious urges, lifestyle changes, deep health factors, commitment and consequence. These deep currents are overlaid with a romantic, loving, and "intellectually beautiful" atmosphere. It could be the right time to say "Yes" to someone or something! (Though, frankly, there's no rush - next week's good also, as is most of the rest of 2010.) Be ambitious Sunday eve to Tuesday. Wishes can come true Wednesday/Thursday, though it's more likely you'll simply experience optimism and quiet social joys. Retreat, rest Friday/Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/