ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JULY 31 – AUGUST 6, 2011 All times/dates are PDT. Remember my preamble about the unusual “Start Nothing” periods we’ve had lately? Well, this week takes the cake – one period lasts from 4:38 p.m. Monday to 3:04 a.m. Wednesday, and another, on Friday, lasts a mere minute! It might seem a little picky to even include this 60-second “Start Nothing,” but there’s good reason to: as I’ve mentioned before, we usually should not start anything until several hours after the “S.N.” is over. So, for example, though Friday’s S.N. ends at 5 a.m., it would be best not to start anything until about 8 or 9 a.m. Ever notice the similarity between accented and accident? Often the latter causes the former: what we think is coincidence, an “accidental occurrence,” is the angle or door through which we see things more brightly, or are drawn to a new focus, as if our lens brightened…. Well, I’ve finally read the Bible from start to finish. The word “astrology” is not used once, but “astrologer/s” occurs ten times – once in Isaiah, and nine times in Daniel. The prophet Isaiah, speaking as God, uses the word while he is taunting the kingdom of Babylon (Isa 47:13). God does not actually condemn astrologers in this passage, though he comes close. While telling how Babylon, one of Israel’s enemies, will one day be defeated and destroyed, he says all their magicians and astrologers will not be able to save them. Here’s the passage: “Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame….each of them goes on in his error; there is not one that can save you.” This passage is most often quoted by Christian and Catholic “scholars” who want to prove that astrology comes from the devil. But read Isaiah’s entire passage, while substituting “warriors” for “astrologers.” Or “King” for astrologers. Or “wise men” or “fighting men” or “shields” or “swords” or “armies” – now it sounds like a passage we see tens, if not hundreds of times in the Old Testament, when God taunts an army he’s going to help Israel defeat. (He also uses the same taunt or warning against Israel, when he makes the other army defeat them. The Israeli army is defeated about as many times as it wins.) “Let your warriors and your shining shields try to help you; let your city walls try to stand; when I (God) use my might against you, you cannot win” goes the typical warning/taunt. In the Old Testament, shields, warriors, city walls, swords, etc., are never bad in themselves. Both the good guys and the bad guys possess them. Isaiah’s taunt regarding the astrologers is similar: not a criticism of astrology per se, but a warning that nothing, including their astrologers, can save the Babylonians from destruction. There is a good reason astrology is never directly criticised in the Bible – I’ll show you soon. Start Nothing: 11:20 p.m. Sun. to 1:42a.m. Mon., 4:38 p.m. Mon. to 3:04 a.m. Wed., and 4:57 a.m. to 4:58 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Ah, romance – Sunday (and the weeks ahead) bring a light, friendly, flirtatious, fun kind of attraction that you’ve never quite experienced before. (But you will, many times in the eight years ahead.) Depending on your age and situation, romance could be replaced by creative surges, sports, vacation, joys with children, or speculative pursuits. Remember, don’t start anything important before August 26 – except this weekend’s love affair. (It will turn into a puzzler, but still worth it.) Tackle routine chores Monday/Tuesday. Relationships bless and puzzle, Wednesday onward. Taurus April 20-May 20 Delay big new starts until August 26 onward. A sweet, beneficial aura settles over your home life, property issues, gardening, retirement plans, security concerns, and with parent-children issues and projects. (These are especially lucky Sunday.) Though you might feel a bit sluggish, the weeks ahead will be very active. Themes of beauty and love toy with your thoughts, like the breeze with a curtain, especially Monday/Tuesday. Old flames allure, then are gone. You can accomplish important (not new) chores Wednesday to Saturday, but be diplomatic, co-operative Friday/Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 This week starts with a great weekend (July 30 and 31). Love and society’s approval seem to mix, though this takes place on a light, friendly note rather than with romance’s mad flush. Your conscience is pleased. A trip pleases, a friendship could blossom, Sunday or Wednesday/Thursday (and all month). Still, certain “disagreements” of belief, religion, law, philosophy lurk, and could spring out swiftly, Monday, Thursday or Friday. You’re prone to make casual comments which others take seriously. Start no new projects before August 26 – they would fail. Money’s coming – bank it! Cancer June 21-July 22 Start nothing new before August 26, Cancer. Stick with ongoing projects and relationships, or reprise past ones. (An acquaintance from the past might contact you.) The weeks ahead hold good money luck, especially in the spheres of property, family and friends. (Friends and conventions are excellent conduits to employment or more clients his year – to June 2012 – if you’re seeking. But wait until August 26 onward to seek the new. ) That money luck might “show up” Sunday, Monday or Thursday. Wednesday starts seven weeks of sexual magnetism! Romance (only) beckons Friday/Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Careful until September 19 – legal matters can work against you. In far travel, international, cultural, educational and ethical areas, work with institutions and civil servants – otherwise, these zones can restrict or burden you. For the immediate few weeks ahead – to August 26 – avoid starting any major new project. (Then, from August 26 to September 19, form plans to take significant action in these zones – far travel, etc. – during the late September to November 10 period.) Despite all these “wait” messages, your charisma, energy and mood climb mightily now, especially Sunday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Avoid initiating new projects, relationships or broad lifestyle changes before August 26, especially this week. (This week runs smoothly, but the indecision that a “new start” would cause could be deep and have repercussions beyond this month.) In general, you’re a bit tired for several weeks ahead. Spend this time contemplating, resting, renewing old acquaintance, resolving old hurts and putting your emotional and spiritual worlds on an even keel. You’re wise now, can understand things that eluded you in previous years. A social contact will pique your sexual interest soon. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Start nothing new before August 26, Libra. Soon (next week onward) welcome faces from the past will enter, among them, perhaps, a former light romance. But this week (especially Sunday!) the accent is fully on present company – social delights, light romance, popularity, organizations, politics, conventions. Don’t make any big new relationships, though. You might have to make a choice over the month ahead, between intimacy/sex and friendship. Bosses and VIPs are impatient, temperamental for seven weeks: be diplomatic! You’re the star, “in charge” Wednesday/Thursday! Speak up! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Start nothing new, important before August 26, Scorpio. Stick with ongoing people and projects, or reprise those from the past – especially in career and status zones. A former boss, investor, or career role might return soon. (Since you’re in a year of lucky money opportunities, this “return” might have a good money benefit.) Your reputation is on the line, so have safety nets in place: Plan B, extra supplies, back-up machinery, etc. Keep your appointment calendar “slim.” People in charge, authorities and parents treat you favourably. Avoid legal hassles for seven weeks. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 A sweet, mellow month of enlightenment, travel, culture, learning and love lies ahead. You understand the need for a social or moral code. Embrace wider learning, the hint of idea, rather than specifics (these can be all awry). Recheck details, addresses, money amounts now to August 26 – and start no new projects or relationships before then. If you’re a student, wait until August 26 onward to make you final choice of courses, if you can. Sunday’s remarkable – love is available, so is a great teacher! Ambition succeeds Monday. Hopes and popularity soar Wednesday/Thursday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Start no new projects or relationships before August 26. A very interesting month faces you, filled with quiet but potent mysteries, possibilities, financial keys, golden secrets, intimate bonds and lifestyle choices. And yet – you shouldn’t start anything new! The viable stuff will come from the past, or from ongoing situations. Keep an eye on indecision, missed deadlines, miscalculated profits…but do delve deep and see what’s there. (Especially Sunday, when money is “in the ground.”) Someone seriously contemplates letting you into their privacy. Hopes rise at week’s end. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The general accent lies on opportunity, fresh horizons, partnerships, agreements and disputes, negotiation and litigation. You generally like this area, you feel a certain life force or vivacity here. Sunday could be spectacular in these things – be open, forward, approach others, be diplomatic, eager to join. In some cases, love occurs! Remember, though, not to start anything new and important before August 26. So those opportunities might come from the past, or the fresh air come from breaking old chains. Secrets yield profits Monday. Higher-ups are watching Friday/Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Separate routine chores from new, difficult or unfamiliar ones. Tackle only the former before August 26. You might have to clean up an old mess, or re-assume a former employment role. A nice reward accompanies these activities. Co-workers are pleasant, affectionate. If someone offers you a different job Sunday, grab it! But DO NOT buy machinery, a car, electronics, etc. – even clothes – before August 26. Your romantic scene is going to heat up soon. That’s better than chasing a money gamble that lures you. An ex partner or spouse might appear – it’s short. Secrets midweek. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/