ASTRAL REFLECTIONS 
BY TIM STEPHENS
AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 

	All times/dates are PDT.
      We’ve seen the use of the word “astrologer/s” in the Bible, and the most obvious use of astrological symbols in the God-visions of Ezekiel and Revelation. But if one looks carefully, the numbers of astrology (basically, 7 – 5 planets plus sun and moon – and 12 – zodiacal signs) are used everywhere throughout this great book, never casually. For example, the Israelites, fleeing Egypt, hungry and thirsty, come to 3 places: one with bitter, undrinkable water (no numbers mentioned), another called “Sin” without food (only number: 7, which the Israelites sin against), and another, relative paradise with restorative springs and palm trees – 12 springs, 70 palm trees. The number 7, representing the sun, moon and 5 visible planets, often occurs in destiny situations. In Genesis 41:1-7, the Pharaoh dreams of 7 fat cows, 7 gaunt cows, 7 healthy grain stalks, and 7 thin, scorched grain stalks. Joseph correctly interprets the dream to mean that 7 years of abundant crops will be followed by 7 years of famine. 
      The word for oath, or promise “shibah,” also means “seven.” (In Ge 26:33 a well, source of life, is named “Shibah.” ) Here, the language itself implies that the “ultimate seven” – the sun, moon and 5 known planets – are involved in God’s oath or promise to mankind. 
      Jacob (who was later renamed Israel) had 4 mates (remember the 4 living creatures of Ezekiel and Revelation?). These mothers produced 12 sons, who mated in turn and produced the 12 tribes of Israel. As Thomas Mann has pointed out, during their 40 years of wandering, the 12 tribes (signs) remained separate but camped in one great circle, with God’s altar in the centre: the design of the astrological wheel. Quite a feat, as the population numbered two million by then.
      The grandfather of Israel (Jacob’s grandfather) Abraham, emigrated from Ur of the Chaldeans. The Chaldeans were so well known as astrologers that their name came to mean “astrologer.”  So Israel actually began with an émigré from the land of astrology.
      Although Abraham subsequently lived in “astrology-less” Canaan (later renamed Israel) he sent his servant back to the land of astrology, Mesopotamia, to locate a wife for his son, Isaac. Isaac in turn insisted that his own son, Jacob, return to Mesopotamia to find a wife. Jacob stayed there, and his 12 children (the 12 tribes) were born in Mesopotamia. Actually, the 12 Mesopotamian children included one daughter, who was “replaced” when a 12th son was born in Canaan/Israel. This “replacement” of the daughter was probably necessary due to the chauvinistic laws of property ownership and inheritance.  It was necessary to “ground” the Israeli nation in Canaan, so the 12th son was born there. The discarded daughter, Dinah, might become the ancestor of the “Great Woman” of the Third Testament.
      Was it only coincidence that the progenitor of Israel came from the land of astrology, then insisted that each generation return to the land of astrology to mate, that from this 12 children were born in the land of astrology, who then became the 12 tribes of Israel, corresponding to the 12 signs of the zodiac? Maybe! 


Start Nothing: 10:12 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Sun., 3:15 p.m. Mon. to 11:25 a.m. Tues., 10:35 a.m. to 11:48 a.m. Thurs., and 12:42 p.m. to 2:03 p.m. Sat.


Aries   March 21-April 19
Knuckle down to your work, Aries. Past delays and indecision are over. It’s time to look to the future. But to get there, you have to plough through three (more) weeks of chores. You’re in a lucky money year, so your work efforts should yield substantial rewards. This is also a good time to purchase machinery, a car, computer, etc., especially this Sunday eve through Monday. Relationships – enemies as well as friends – confront you Tuesday to Thursday morning. There’s no easy path here. Apologize if needed (to fight harder is useless). Sex, finances meet luck Thursday/Friday!

Taurus   April 20-May 20
You’re lucky this year, Taurus – keep this in mind over the next few weeks, when your romantic, creative, “sporting” and emotional luck rises strongly. Be willing to expand, to take a big chance. You face a big change in your life, one of the two most fortunate changes in a thirteen year period. You could meet a love that changes your life. If already attached, you could take a chance on an investment, could greet news of pregnancy, or if older, you might find the perfect pleasurable, creative retirement lifestyle. You’re a winner now, especially Sunday/Monday and Friday!

Gemini   May 21-June 20
You’re not lucky “on the outside” this year, Gemini. Seek quietude, rest, contemplation, solitude – NOT independence. Government agencies, charities, spiritual groups (and individuals) institutions and “head offices” will treat you well. My paradoxical advice: seek others constantly. Most of those you approach will gently refuse, yet, oddly, you’ll feel satisfied, serene and good about the experience. This “approaching” is a healing process, pulling you out of past alienation, anger. A good opportunity confronts you in real estate, family dynamics (Sunday/Monday, and later). 

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Past delays are over – go forth, start new projects, contact new people. The main emphasis now and over the weeks ahead lies on socializing, casual friends, siblings, short trips, errands, details, paperwork and communications – if you start a new venture in these Sunday eve or Monday you could succeed splendidly as time goes by. You’re more than usually attractive to the opposite sex, but you might also be a little overbearing, so use a light touch. Slow down, be restful, care for family midweek. Avoid temper. Romance, creativity, risks and kids reward you Thursday eve, Friday.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Past delays are over. Chase money, new clients, a pay raise, buy and sell items, now to late September. (Avoid legal hassles to mid-late September.) Your memory and your sensual attractiveness strengthen. Deal with surfaces, not depths – the latter can confuse you a bit until February 2012 – at that point you’ll begin a decade and a half in which depths will be your element. Your intuition will soar (then, not now). Your career luck is great, so seek elevation in both position and income, especially Sunday/Monday (and Friday: out on your own?). Watch what you say/write midweek. 

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Your energy, charisma, courage, and clout are high, Virgo, especially Sunday/Monday. Start important projects, tackle jobs that formerly intimidated you . Seek attention, ask favours.  Be careful with money and purchasing midweek – safest time for shopping is Wednesday night. Contacts, friends and siblings are a source of luck Thursday noon through Friday – so are communications, paperwork and travel. Friday (and Saturday eve) bless a realty purchase or investment. In personal terms, Friday offers deep bonding. Make a sexual, financial or lifestyle wish come true in September! 

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Take a restful approach. Bosses need diplomacy. The weeks ahead feature (and reward) solitude, quietude, contemplation, planning, recuperation and therapy, research, charity, spirituality, and administrative duties – including dealings with government and institutions. A “new day” might begin with one or two of these Sunday/Monday. Good luck is almost certain in all these zones, leading to improvements in finances, lifestyle, and health. You might uncover a valuable secret. Your energy improves somewhat midweek. Money, purchases and “sensual sex” are lucky Friday, not Saturday. 

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Happiness and hope visit you to late September, especially this Sunday/Monday. So do popularity, social delights, entertainment, group affairs (e.g., clubs, conventions) and, possibly, light romance. The social and romantic elements are significant, as you are in a year (to June, 2012) of great benefit through relationships, deals, contracts, etc. So a light romance could lead to marriage, a social contact to a lucrative business partnership, etc. Be open, eager – mingle! Careful midweek: secrets, gossip and governments don’t like you. Friday, you grasp the world and succeed!

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
The weeks ahead feature career, ambitions, status and reputation, dealings with VIPs, parents and bosses. Higher-ups favour you until mid-September, so push ahead, present ideas, projects and proposals, especially Sunday eve into Monday afternoon. The delays and indecisions of August have dissolved. Your hopes and social happiness rise Tuesday/Wednesday, but events and circumstances interfere, so wait until Wednesday night, Thursday morning to find agreement, love. You tire Thursday noon to Saturday noon, but Friday’s very lucky for work, career, dealings with head office.

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Recent delays and indecision are over, so proceed confidently. The weeks ahead feature gentle love, far travel, higher education, intellect, publishing, wisdom, law, culture and religion. All these will be blessed by graciousness, an unexpected luck, and affection between “the parties.” Sunday/Monday strike this “love and travel” keynote, and might plant the first seeds of a good project. Be ambitious but careful midweek. You’re in charge in a deep way, but a partner or “open enemy” isn’t ready to concede! Popularity and happiness visit you late week – a wish comes true. 

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Your relations with others continue, but the accent changes from excitement to productivity – lovers make babies, agreements are funded, discoveries lead to investments. These, and the whole zone of secrets, research, finances, sexual desire, health, lifestyle choices, changes and commitments, are unusually fortunate. The delays and mistakes of August are ended, so proceed confidently. One of the absolute best financial moves you could take now would be to buy a home or other real estate – it’s one of the best months in 156 (13 years) to do so. Luckiest days: Monday, Friday.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
The delays of August are over, so march forward. The weeks ahead fill with lucky, exciting meetings, new horizons, relocation themes, opportunities, dealings with the public – even fame! Sunday and Monday are seminal. They might start a relationship, opening or venture that develops later. Be diplomatic, eager to join. Communicate with a loved one, with partners, associates – the result could be a wedding, a contract or other boost. Be careful Tuesday/Wednesday: finances meet unlucky obstacles. Wisdom, legal affairs, far travel, education and love meet luck Thursday/Friday!


www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014.



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