ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 23 – 29, 2011 All times/dates are PST. Okay, okay, please stop sending me all those emails about the “changed zodiac!” Birth dates shifting forward for all the signs, turning SCORPIOS into LIBRANS and GEMINIS into TAUREANS. And claiming there is a “lost” sign of Ophiuchus. And that the sign Scorpio is now only 6 days long. All these appear to be the fevered product of an astronomer in Minnesota, whose musings somehow gained media prominence.... So here’s my darned explanation: Many centuries ago, in India and elsewhere, astrology was based on the constellations of stars. The signs were named after the constellations they roughly overlaid. This method of astrology, called “sidereal,” is still (though barely) in use today, mostly in India. The problem with sidereal astrology is “precession.” Precession is a tiny wobble in the earth’s rotation, which makes the sky above us seem to shift a little bit from year to year – very slowly. If you stood in Canada looking toward the equator, and stared for 5,000 years, you’d see all the constellations creep to your right the width of an entire zodiac sign. Over 60 millennia, you’d see the constellations completely circle the sky and return to their starting place. Sidereal astrologers believe ARIES people derive their qualities from the constellation Aries. So as centuries pass and this constellation slowly shifts in the sky, they change the calendar dates for Aries. (And so on for every sign). Sidereal astrologers believe our century’s Aries natives are born in May, for that’s when the sun contacts the constellation Aries. In 5,000 years, they will say Aries births occur in June. In 30,000 years, they will say Aries are born in winter. Sidereal astrology has fallen out of favour; few astrologers practice it, even in its reputed birthplace, India. Tropical astrology “abandoned” the constellations about 18 centuries ago. Tropicalists believe a sign’s qualities rise not from stars but from the angle of the sun to the earth, its heat and light. Just as the sun affects plant growth (and everything else) it affects people born in its phases. For a tropical astrologer, Aries qualities reflect spring: new, impulsive, growing. Just as plants “burst forth” in the spring, so does Aries’ personality. As the days grow darker in November, they give us secretive Scorpio. In mid-winter, conservative CAPRICORN. And tropical Gemini will always be born in late spring: light, airy, butterfly-like. Etc. (Yes, this causes a “southern hemisphere” puzzle.) For tropical astrologers, Aries will always begin on the first day of spring, CANCER on the first day of summer, etc. That Minnesota astronomer was actually echoing sidereal astrologers, and telling us all we should revert to “the old days.” Egad. Humbug. Start Nothing: 12:08 p.m. to 3:59 Sun., 2:04 p.m. to 6:15 Tues., and 7:01 p.m. to 10:55 Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 Tackle chores Sunday – be safe with tools, electricity. This eve to Tuesday afternoon brings happy, flirty, friendly relationships. Don’t be argumentative Monday. Though mid-week tempts you toward research, investments or sexual intimacy, or nudges you to make a commitment to a person or lifestyle, you’d be wise to wait. Your future will develop best if right now you are social, if you play, plan and dream. Rewards come from past efforts, not present ones. Gentle, mellow love and understanding, travel and legal success float in late Thursday night through Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Legal matters might slow now to June, particularly those involving work, health or machinery. So might far travel, religious projects, and higher studies – in these, “revisit old haunts.” For instance, you’ll succeed in school if you resurrect an old project or study subjects you’ve studied before. Sunday afternoon to Tuesday brings work and health concerns. The weeks ahead reward ambition, so plunge into tasks. Relationships can be irksome mid-week. Be diplomatic, don’t push your own agenda. Secrets, depths, sexual attractions and finances – all luckily – fill Friday/Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 The weeks ahead beneficially emphasize higher learning, legal affairs, far travel, cultural involvements/rituals, and gentle love. Sleep in Sunday morning. This eve to Tuesday brings romantic situations, pleasure and beauty, passion and risk. Your creative juices flow. Gambling, however, might hurt your bank account. Reject investments for now. (Until June, new investments are ill advised. Stick with those already in the works.) Work and health issues arrive late Tuesday through Thursday. Good and bad luck are mixed, so just plod ahead. Relationships excite, reward Friday/Saturday! Cancer June 21-July 22 Secrets, depths, sexual urges, subconscious nudges, large finances, net worth, other people’s money and resources – these fill the weeks ahead. Research, look beneath surface appearances. Love vows or business agreements are one thing; commitment to share, delivering the funds, is another. Now it’s commitment time. You either get deeper, or break off. Tackle errands Sunday morning. Home, kids and security, nature and nutrition capture your attention this eve to Tuesday. Romance has a bit of a rough ride mid-week. Still, joy exists! Tackle chores Friday/Saturday – you succeed! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The emphasis lies on relationships, relocation, contracts, negotiations, opportunities and opposition. Emotions intensify; there’s little middle ground. Love and hate swirl. Your romantic sensors are fine-tuned, and luck flows into all communications. In short, Leo, you might fall in love now or soon, or heal a valuable, long-term bond. This week isn’t the easiest, nor the hardest. Communications, travel succeed Sunday p.m. to Tuesday. Recuperate, rest mid-week. Various frictions arise, perhaps with a partner. Be diplomatic. Romance, creativity, luck soar Thursday night to Saturday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 A time of great change is upon you. It might affect where you live. It’s lucky, and occurs now to early June. During the same period, your romantic, creative and child-oriented projects/links will tread water – that gives you the time and focus to concentrate on this change. It is the first of two steps – the second one occurs November to July 2012. That second one won’t be so much lucky as “telling,” perhaps hectic, certainly filled with determination. Make your move soon. Invest, commit, seek sexual intimacy, change your lifestyle. Thursday night to Saturday holds clues! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The month ahead emphasizes romance, creativity and speculative luck. Until June, you stand on the edge of momentous events, prospects, and opportunities. You might marry. For the best luck, relocate, negotiate, seek agreements and contracts, interface with the public, grab opportunities, form business partnerships or alliances, or seek marriage. (Some Librans, bound in unhappiness, might divorce now. But this influence might also “cure” your marriage. Can you give it one more try?) Rest Sunday daytime. This eve to Tuesday, your energy and charisma soar. Money caution mid-week. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your workload will increase now to June. Just plod through if you have no enthusiasm. But realize this work can be the entry hall to one or two major career or business opportunities, to arrive after May, into mid-2012. For the next six years, your money fortunes are on an extended rise! But it starts with work. Tamp down any domestic friction to late February: be gentle, kind. Pride wrecks love. Lie low, rest early week. Your energy surges back Tuesday night through Thursday. Thursday night to Saturday brings the first hint of your coming money luck. Get frequent rest these weeks. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Love, romance, creative projects, speculation, sports, risks, self-expression, dealings with children – these meet great luck and opportunity now to June. The month ahead features talk, travel, curiosity – so get curious! Travel and casual conversations can – no, will – lead to good things, romance among them! Uphold your reputation early Sunday. This eve to Tuesday brings social delights, flirtations and wish fulfillment! Retreat, rest and contemplate future obstacles mid-week. Your energy and charisma climb Thursday night to Saturday – start projects, ask favours, see and be seen. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The weeks ahead emphasize money, earnings, buying/selling, possessions, sensual attractions, and memory. Accept surface appearances; they will tend to be true, and questioning will “sour the atmosphere.” Lots of money might come! But be self-disciplined: spending can get out of control. Now to June, you are powerfully favoured to purchase (and sell) real estate, to heal family issues, to find security, and to end limiting situations, projects and conditions. (You might see and chuck these luckily Friday/Saturday.) February is one of the best months to combine money and property. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness soar for the next few weeks. Start important projects, ask favours, seek permission, impress bosses, colleagues. Your determination and sex appeal (which are always linked) are unusually high now through February. Sunday morning has a mysterious cast, but this eve to Tuesday brings wisdom, gentle love and understanding. Be ambitious mid-week, but be diplomatic. You might push just because you have extra energy, but others could feel you’re abrasive. Wishes come true Friday/Saturday – expect social joys, entertainment, flirtation, happiness! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Retreat for a while. Gather your energies and your thoughts. Rest, contemplate, let the world go by. Be charitable, spiritual. The few weeks ahead favour dealing with government, taxes, institutions and large corporations. Study a money plan, rework it until it’s perfect. Soon – by March at the latest – money will start flowing your way, perhaps a huge pile of money. Students could win scholarships, consultants might land a big client, etc. But now is preparation time. Avoid belligerent people, unsavoury places. Sunday to Tuesday is mysterious. Be ambitious Friday/Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/