ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MARCH 13 – 19, 2011 All times/dates are PDT. There are all kinds of earned happiness – e.g., seeing your kids graduate from college. But, romance and infatuation aside, there are only two basic kinds of unearned or God-given happiness. One is that deep, beauty-filled joy in life, that serene one, where you don’t exactly see the design, but you sense it. The winter-bare trees in the sunlight, alive with deep magic, or the houses on the street are mysteriously perfect, as if in a painting. Often, half-grasped memories echo with this spontaneous, slow joy. The other kind of “free happiness” is more bouncy, bubbly, you just feel that life is fresh and benevolent, people say Hi, you smile on the street, you laugh with friends. This kind of joy has beauty too, but it’s a lighter, fresher beauty, it sort of whisks by. The houses on the street don’t look “perfect” as in a painting, but cheerful, welcoming. This week, PISCES will experience the first kind of happiness Sunday/Monday, ARIES will feel it Tuesday eve to Thursday noon, and TAURUS experiences it Thursday afternoon to noon Saturday. On the other hand, VIRGO will sense the second, lighter kind of happiness Sunday/Monday (actually, to Tuesday noon, though it wears off) while LIBRA will get a rush of that lighter happiness Tuesday afternoon to Thursday noon, and SCORPIO feels it Thursday afternoon to Saturday noon. Now, if this works, if you do sense the rise in “joy” on the days noted for your sign, then you have an indication, not only that astrology works, but that it flows with something much deeper. The Bible is filled with astrological references. The numbers used more than any other in that book, 7 and 12, are the number of days in a week and months in a year, the number of planets and sun and moon visible to the naked eye (7) and the number of astrology signs (12). Astrologers (magi) announced the birth of Christ, and even knew where to find him. The wheels Ezekiel saw were probably zodiacal wheels; they were accompanied by four creatures, Lion, Man, Eagle and Ox, which represent the fire, air, water and earth signs. He says “the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.” (Ezekiel 1:20). The Catholic church revered astrology until the Renaissance, when the rise of science induced it to denounce the practice in an attempt to remain relevant. But if the Bible seems to accept astrology (I haven’t seen the actual word yet) psychics don’t get the same. Prophets are praised, but “sorceresses” (no male here) and “mediums and spiritists must be put to death.” (Leviticus). Yet the commentators in Exodus suggest the priests (Aaron & sons) practiced divination with “yes-no” stones. Start Nothing: 6:11 a.m. to 7:29 a.m. Sun., 3:05 a.m. to 12:33 p.m. Tues., 12:59 p.m. to 1:53 p.m. Thurs., and 11:10 a.m. to 1:03 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 This isn’t the easiest week, Aries. There aren’t any disasters (unless you’re impetuous Sunday or late week, Saturday). You’re just rowing against the wind in career, communications, media, travel, work and health zones. Plod onward, and get plenty of rest. Watch what you say or write Sunday and Friday/Saturday. Home’s no picnic Sunday and early Monday, but Monday p.m. into Tuesday noon brings a gratifying sense of emotional security and friendship. Contemplate romance midweek. Tackle chores (safely) Thursday onward. A brand new world of hope and friendship lies ahead! Taurus April 20-May 20 One more week of happiness, optimism, flirting, new plans, life’s vigour, friendships and entertainment, Taurus! It won’t be a totally smooth time, though. Sunday contains some communications foul-ups (beware gossip, secret acts, especially regarding a partner) after which you feel gloom Monday morning. But all’s smooth after this, especially in shopping and earning, Tuesday/Wednesday. Romance, gambling urges and creative surges arrive Thursday noon to Saturday noon -- but you might have to choose between “two attractions” or two actions. A chore you didn’t do nags at you. Gemini May 21-June 20 Plug away at career, ambition, prestige or authority-related chores, Gemini. (If something in this arena began in 2010 or last January, it’s still a winner.) Be careful with money – make a major purchase, seek a pay raise or deal with important clients after midday Monday, not before (nor Sunday). Short trips, communications, paperwork, casual friendships and errands go well midweek. But someone’s evasive or deceptive around noon Thursday. All week, your hopes might struggle against a financial, romantic, age or health barrier. Try this: conform to the barrier; make it an aid. Cancer June 21-July 22 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness rise high Sunday to Tuesday, giving you the ability to cope with some major obstacles or problems that have existed for two or three years. Your luck, karma and self-image hit the lowest spot in two decades over the last year and a half. Now you’re beginning the long climb upward, back to the sunshine. Things turn Monday about noon – relationships, finances, security and intimacy take on a comfortable, healthy glow! Your money and career luck climb midweek. But you hit a familiar relationship drag Friday/Saturday: being light, friendly cures it. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Lie low, rest and contemplate Sunday to Tuesday noon. Don’t tempt fate. Tuesday afternoon might start with a rush, a sudden friendship, a brilliant idea, or merely a wee uplift – in whatever way, a small signal comes that the next eight years are going to be different – you are stepping into a zone of increased awareness and intellectual acuity, of increased and smoother love, more travel, more learning; and if single, you will very likely marry. Life is fresh, mysteries flee (well, soon)! Expect attention all midweek. Chase money but beware spending, Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Be wary of investments, large financial undertakings, intimacy and any “private co-operation” Sunday – and all week, Virgo. These are ethically okay Monday, but they still won’t yield practical profit. Work is reliable, though: you’re paid honestly, fairly. Relationships face some bumps, but you remain buoyant, and end happily. Retire for some rest and contemplation Tuesday noon to Thursday noon. Contacts with institutions, government or “head office” go well. Reconnect with spiritual realms. Your energy and charisma leap upward Thursday eve onward, but co-operation’s essential. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Your last week of work, drudgery and health concerns, Libra. Next week brings a month of fresh opportunities and excitement! For now, tackle chores so you’ll be free to chase those opportunities – some of which could involve love. Ambition, career and prestige relationships draw you Sunday to Tuesday noon. Co-operation will be lacking until Monday noon, so plan your most important moves for that p.m. Hopes, optimism, friendship and light flirtation play around you Tuesday to Thursday – one of the most exciting relationship periods of your life is starting! Retreat, rest Friday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You’re in a romantic, creative, beauty-aware time, and Sunday to Tuesday bring a mellow, understanding mood. Good – you’ll need all the understanding you can muster Sunday through noon Monday, when various obstacles try your patience, especially in the work arena. By noon this trend switches 180 degrees to success, and romance has a better than even chance, right into pre-dawn Tuesday. Your ambitions get a splendid opportunity Tuesday eve to early Thursday (unless you worry about security) – take the chance, early (Tuesday best). Optimism, happiness, popularity late week! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The accent remains on home, children, security, real estate, nature, stomach, soul and nurturing, for one more week. It isn’t the easiest week – romance and pleasure can’t seem to escape the realities of money and earnings. They’re intertwined, through late 2012. On the plus side, the same period (18 months) blesses you in emotional, serene, moral ways – you’ll feel good, right. (And you’ll be oddly protected from any disasters.) But don’t seek intimacy, sex nor investments Sunday. Gentle love, understanding and travel ideas enter midweek. Be ambitious Thursday eve, Friday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The week ahead features communications, but watch what you say/write Sunday into Monday noon. Relationships irk you during this period – but they sweeten Monday eve – love might even appear, in a quiet but deep way. Life’s depths rise to the surface Tuesday afternoon to Thursday noon – you could hit gold, or discover a “golden” key, method, or research nugget. Intimacy and lifestyle changes are also favoured (best Tuesday p.m. to Wednesday morning). Gentle love, wisdom, cultural involvements and intellectual or travel themes waft around you Thursday eve, Friday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Continue to chase money, but cautiously. This entire week, romance, gambling, sex, investments, lifestyle changes, secrets and “detective work” need to be handled carefully – or better yet, left alone, especially Sunday and Thursday onward. Tackle chores Sunday to Tuesday noon – follow safety rules Sunday/Monday. You glow with a certain sweet light all March, which can attract romantic attention. Tuesday afternoon to Thursday noon could provide some relationship excitement! Be diplomatic but eager these days. Secrets, “darker urges” arise Thursday/Friday – be honest, clean, safe. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness continue to put you on top, Pisces. But this week has a couple of barriers which irk you a bit. They involve a partner, and/or your home situation, and/or money. (In all cases, money.) Ah, well, everything that has a compromise, has a solution. Sunday to Tuesday heightens your romantic, pleasure and beauty sensors. A creative surge arrives! (It’s better, easier, Monday p.m. onward.) Tackle chores midweek – you’ll do them swiftly, successfully. Good health news! Relationships present challenges Thursday to Saturday: be diplomatic, loving. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/