ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JULY 17 – 23, 2011 All times/dates are PDT. If you are determined to launch any new project, you’d better do it this week, or schedule a post-August start. Mercury retrogrades August 2; it’s beginning to slow even now. (The retrograde causes delays, wrong choices, subsequent regrets, “going in circles,” etc. The Unfinished Symphony” was probably begun during a Mercury retrograde period. The Hubble space telescope was launched under this influence; it had to be decommissioned shortly after achieving orbit, until a new lens/mirror could be made and taken into space to replace the badly-manufactured one.) All things considered, it is better to complete major projects this week, or take them one step further, than to launch brand new ventures. Many major purchases made August 2 to 25 will turn out to be lemons. So buy now – but avoid items which typically entail post-purchase servicing, installation, “seating” or aligning, such as heavy machinery, lumber mill saws, printing presses, etc. (A computer could qualify, too.) If you’re buying a television, do so Monday or early morning Saturday (July 23). Only GEMINI and CANCER have any real need to buy anything before August – the rest of us would do just as well to wait for August 26 onward. (Even gathering school supplies will be easier if you delay – or purchase the bulk – the no-brainers – now; they’re already in stores.) …. BTW, yes, I’m aware that I haven’t updated the “Luck Cycle” or “Karma” sections of the astral site. They’re written, of course – every sign was in the preambles of this column. But I haven’t collated them and put them in the Platforms section. I’ll do that soon. I’ve been very busy. Hope to have it done by next week. If you’re impatient, you can look in the Archive. The Karma articles will be in columns around February/March of this year, and the Luck messages were only recently written, so they’ll be in the late May to early July columns…. You will often be very compatible if your Moon is in another’s Sun sign. You will feel comfortable with this person’s drives, his/her actions. Generally, we’re most compatible with people born 5 and 9 signs from our own. (Always count your own sign as “1.”) That means Gemini, LIBRA and AQUARIUS are very compatible; all three love thinking, and their true love is very verbal. But the water signs, SCORPIO, Cancer and PISCES, hardly need words; they swim deeply and quietly into each other’s emotional presence. ARIES, LEO and SAGITTARIUS glow with mutual attraction; they love the beau geste, blushing cheeks and enthusiastic romance. They’re rarely shy. TAURUS, VIRGO and CAPRICORN feel comfortable with each other’s solid nature. They love the outdoors. They consider love and life’s practical necessities inseparable. They’re the least prudish of signs, rarely false in love. Start Nothing: 5:23 a.m. to 10:13 p.m. Sun., 4:15 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. Wed., and 2:34 p.m. to 9:58 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Last week of domesticity, sluggishness and security themes, Aries. Soon (Friday night onward) a surge of pleasure, creativity and romance will arrive! While you’re waiting, finish important tasks. Complete real estate deals, foundational garden and household chores (e.g., soil improvement, plumbing, laying a new cement walkway). If it applies, “write the end” to an association or relationship. Sunday’s for joy and friends. Retreat, rest and plan Monday/Tuesday. You might need to handle an administrative chore. Be charitable. Your energy and charisma surge Wednesday to Friday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Complete home-oriented and communication tasks, answer mail, etc. Start new communications projects only if they’re short ones. A slow-down approaches. Friends remain affectionate, gracious. Social delights, flirtations, entertainment and popularity buoy you Sunday night to Tuesday. Be cautious with money Tuesday; don’t let friends make you overspend. Retreat, rest Wednesday to Friday eve – you can accomplish in governmental areas, but watch legalities, ethics. Be cautious Wednesday—safety rules! Your energy, charisma and clout surge Friday night, Saturday – joy, luck abound! Gemini May 21-June 20 The accent continues on money, earnings, collecting and paying, buying/selling, and sensual attractions. This is a go-ahead time, with no major obstacles – so take action! (But finish rather than start projects.) Sunday’s for thinking, culture, foreign movies, gentle love – but don’t start anything. You’re ambitious (or should be) Monday/Tuesday – success is available, but watch impatience or friction Tuesday early afternoon. (Just before and after this, a great career-money idea or opening could occur!) Your hopes rise Wednesday to Friday – flirtations, social delights arrive! Cancer June 21-July 22 Your energy, charisma, effectiveness and clout continue high – but now to August 26, finish rather than start projects and relationships. Soon, an old friend and an old money situation will return, and your ambition will be sparked anew (in something old). But that’s August. Sunday’s easy but “empty.” Research, enjoy mystery. Sweet understanding, gentle love, culture, intellectual arenas and far travel fill Monday/Tuesday. (Temper is a liability Tuesday afternoon.) Be ambitious, chase career Wednesday to Friday. (Beware subtle opposition Wednesday night.) Saturday: party time! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Use this week and next to finish rather than start projects, ventures. They are two very successful weeks, so finish big, significant things, even projects you put aside weeks or months ago. Your legal, travel and love hopes remain high (though your greatest luck lies in career, ambition, this year). You can find aid in government, from civil servants or head office. Sunday’s intriguing but sign nothing. Mysteries, finances, sexual urges fill Monday/Tuesday – successfully, except Tuesday afternoon. Wisdom, gentle love bless Wednesday to Friday. Be ambitious Saturday – luck’s there! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your hopes, popularity remain high. A meaningful relationship could start Monday/Tuesday or Friday night into Saturday. The best for the long-term would be a link that forms Tuesday eve/night, or Saturday. Monday/Tuesday also feature opportunities and opposition – be diplomatic. Wednesday to Friday brings secrets, research, subconscious urges, intimacy, lifestyle changes, health diagnosis, and large finances. Luck here is jumbled, some good, some bad – best Thursday noon onward. All week (excepting those relationships) focus on finishing rather than starting. Saturday, you win! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The accent remains on ambition, career, prestige relationships, dealing with authorities and higher-ups. This week is smooth and successful – but concentrate on finishing important projects, even those from the past (not older than a year) rather than starting big new ventures. Sunday’s pleasurable, romantic – but yields little. Tackle work or health concerns Monday/Tuesday. Wednesday to Friday brings opportunities, exciting relationships, new horizons, challenges and oppositions. Take care Wednesday p.m. – arguments have large import. Lucky money, intimacy Saturday – say yes! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 A slow-down occupies the horizon, so finish or give another boost to important projects this week and next, Scorpio. Avoid big new starts. Both weeks are smooth, successful. Your present flow of goodwill, intellectual and cultural ease, will be replaced by a power-packed, ambitious month starting Friday night. (But the four weeks following will bring a career/business project from the past, or turn an ongoing one in mild circles, so don’t plan a brand new project for August.) Rest Sunday. Romance, creativity flow Monday/Tuesday: you’re a winner! Saturday, lucky opportunity. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Mysteries, health concerns, “big finances,” other people’s money, inheritances, lifestyle changes, diagnosis, sexual urges – these continue auspiciously. Finish or further big projects rather than starting new ones. All runs smoothly. (Well, don’t argue over loyalty Tuesday afternoon nor let money overrule love Wednesday night.) Monday/Tuesday highlight home, kids, security. Wednesday to Friday features romance, pleasure, beauty. Friday night begins four weeks of intellectual, travel, international, cultural, love and “idea-transmission” involvements – from the past. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Finish or further ongoing projects, Cap, rather than start big new ones. A slow-down looms like clouds on the horizon. This week flows very smoothly, if you can sidestep a bit of friction Tuesday afternoon and avoid being heavy-handed Wednesday night. (Sure you can!) Relationships remain sweet, but Friday begins a month of “closed door” activity – confidential meetings, big finances, investments, sexual intimacy, health diagnoses, and research. By next week, these spheres will grow affectionate, fortunate – IF you deal with past projects, bonds. Love could strike Saturday! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 All runs smoothly this week and next, Aquarius. But complete projects rather than start big new ones. (Small/short ones okay.) Your energy and charisma shine Sunday. Chase money Monday/Tuesday. Let your bank overrule your heart Tuesday afternoon. Short trips, reports, communications fill Wednesday to Friday. Put a period on a sentence of work. Avoid gossip, sly people Wednesday night. Relax Saturday (in nature, or by looking at houses). A month of surprises, opportunities, fresh horizons, relationships and challenges begins late Friday; the best of these will be from the past. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Romance, pleasure, games and creativity, risk and adventure end late Friday, so enjoy them while you can. (Friday night brings a month of work and health concerns.) Finish or further important projects in any sphere – don’t start anything new, big, before August 26. Rest deeply Sunday – nothing’s worth doing. Your energy and charisma soar Monday/Tuesday – grab love, other prizes! Don’t be impatient on the home front Tuesday afternoon. Chase money Wednesday to Friday, but be cautious Wednesday night, Thursday morn, when money hits obstacles. Saturday’s busy – errands, friends. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/