ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS AUGUST 7 – 13, 2011 All times/dates are PDT. Last week we saw the first mention of the word “astrologers” in the Bible. The word is written nine more times by Daniel, an Israeli/Jewish prophet who lived in Babylon, astrology’s birthplace. In Daniel astrologers are mentioned in three incidents. The main one involves the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar. He has a dream one night. He brings all his “magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers” to his court and says to them: Not only do I want you to interpret my dream (which was not unusual) but I also want you to tell me what dream I had – describe it without a word of it from me. The astrologers, quite honestly, say they can’t tell him what dream he had. They protest that they are only men, not gods. So King Neb issues a decree that they – and all the “wise men” (all astrologers, magicians enchanters and sorcerers) be torn into pieces. This includes Daniel. But Daniel prays to God, and God reveals to him Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which he then recounts and interprets for Neb. Neb rewards Daniel, spares his colleagues, and appoints him chief over all the astrologers, enchanters, magicians, and sorcerers (twice called diviners instead of sorcerers). Throughout the Bible, God condemns enchanters, magician and sorcerers (he calls them “detestable”) yet he never condemns astrologers. He obviously loves and protects Daniel, so Daniel was either an astrologer, or a new species – a independent wise man. Neither is stated. Two more incidents occur. In the first, the astrologers, being jealous of Daniel’s three friends and their power, tell King Neb that these three are not bowing down to worship his pagan god. So he throws them into a fire, but they don’t burn. This is not the astrologers’ finest hour. They’re envious, malicious snitches. In the third instance, Neb’s son, now King, saw an angel’s hand writing on a wall. Again all the wise men were summoned, including astrologers, but only Daniel communicated with God, and only he could interpret it. So the Old Testament gives four pictures of astrologers: 1) in Isaiah, they can’t save people from destruction; in Daniel, 2) they can’t enter another’s subconscious; 3) are honest; 4) are envious snitches. Throughout the Old Testament, magic, sorcery, fortune telling, divination, being a medium, “spiritist” etc., are condemned by God as being more heinous sins than murder or adultery. Yet as early as Moses’ time, Jewish priests practiced divination with impunity. The prophets, by the Book of Samuel, have become fortune tellers who accept payment to answer such questions as “Where are the donkeys I lost?” Yet still they are loved by God. The thrust seems to be; psychically gifted people who submit to God and speak in his service, are loved. Those who practise the same mantic arts, but not in God’s service (or worse, for other gods) are condemned to death. Astrologers seem to sidestep this entire scenario. They are never directly condemned nor praised, because they claim no connection to divinity. Yet, astoundingly, the Bible repeatedly shows that there is nothing closer to God than astrology. But that’s for next week. Start Nothing: 8:15 a.m. to 8:21 a.m. Sun., 1:25 p.m. to 1:38 p.m. Tues., and 1:34 p.m. Wed. to 8:47 p.m. Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 Continue to avoid new starts, projects or relationships. Clean up the past: children, romances or creative projects left hanging (Sunday/Monday, Saturday) or chores neglected. An old flame might appear, or you chase one. This was never a super-deep love, but a pleasing, bright one. Your home life grows hectic now to September 18. Perhaps you’re moving, selling, repairing, renovating, etc. This is a good development, especially in this year of buying/selling luck. But DON’T start a new reno or large repair project before August 26. Caution Tuesday/Wednesday: others are stronger. Taurus April 20-May 20 Avoid all new starts, projects and relationships before August 26, Taurus, especially in home, parent-kid, property, gardening, agriculture, security and retirement zones. Mysteries arise Sunday to Tuesday noon – a perfect time for research, intimate talks, health diagnosis, lifestyle investigations and for sexual and financial actions. But be aware that illusion/deception exists, and don’t commit to a brand new sexual relationship or financial action/investment – stick with ongoing or past situations. Words, tools, electricity and driving need alert serenity into Wednesday. Gemini May 21-June 20 August is filled with things you like: talking, writing, short trips, fascinating facts, siblings and casual friends – but all from or connected to the past. A light, sweet friend or lover could return. If you travel to a new place, realize you might lose something, so use precautions (e.g., two car keys in separate places). Money can flow to you from old invoices, and old bills come due. DON’T buy anything more than food, necessities before August 26 (and start no big new projects). Attraction and opposition face you Monday-Wednesday. Help an Aries. Love possible, Saturday! Cancer June 21-July 22 Continue to chase money, but without starting new money projects until August 26 onward. Since your main money period of the year occurs before the 26th, a good profit might lurk in past connections or ventures. If not, stick with the status quo: it’s lucky enough. Your friends gather round, you feel popular this summer! And your determination and sex appeal are high. Your home (and mate, if you’re married) feels restricting, but this will pass in fourteen months, so be patient. Work on home projects together. Careful with tools, health, career Monday-Wednesday. Interesting secrets late week! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your energy and charisma soar, but avoid new projects before August 26. You can give old projects a good heave, or successfully revive past ones. (Don’t revive a writing, organizational, or music project – these need more than you can give them now.) Romance or a gamble excite Sunday to Wednesday! Plunge in, but don’t violate any moral codes – gossip or, worse, censure could follow. Your duties contain a distasteful task midweek. You might need to be a hatchet-man. Well, stick with what’s honest. An exciting attraction, new horizon arises Friday/Saturday. (But you’re old to them.) Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Re-establish contact with a government agency or head office over the next few weeks – redo a task, perhaps taxes, a system report, application, etc. The outlook is good, you’ll be treated graciously, a re-submitted application succeeds, etc. A health cure, “missed” before, can work or arrive now. Don’t start any brand new projects before August 26. Your ethics are high this year – that’s good, because the six weeks ahead might bring a social-sexual attraction to the boil – careful Tuesday/Wednesday: love, lust mingle “disagreeably.” Handle home, security concerns Sunday-Tuesday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Your popularity remains high and delightful – except among VIPs, bosses and authorities, who display impatience until mid-September. Don’t push them – and especially don’t try to force your point of view on them, especially this Tuesday/Wednesday. If you just sit back and carefully let your opponent charge ahead, they’ll take the “body blows.” Start nothing important before August 26. An old flame might appear. Retreat judiciously Tuesday noon to Thursday eve. Romance starts small Thursday night, peaks Saturday. You’re hopeful, optimistic – enjoy! Investment luck returns soon. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Enter no new projects, relationships or situations before August 26, Scorpio. Avoid legal hassles until September 19. (If you’re a legal worker, this period brings much more work – and reward. You could net a prestigious client.) Your career is emphasized these weeks – VIPs, bosses and parents favour you, but be prepared for mistakes, delays, missed appointments or short supplies. Money’s full, good, Sunday to noon Tuesday – but don’t buy anything important. Take care with work, tools, driving Monday to Wednesday. Home, real estate, kids and security flow well Friday/Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 A gentle, mellow mood prevails. Your energy and charisma surge Sunday to midday Tuesday. You could attract love, perhaps from an old flame. Usually I’d say start something significant these three days, but Mercury’s retrograde, so brand new projects, relationships, will swirl into unending circles. Stick with the past and the ongoing. Also, watch for sudden upsets in sexual or financial/earnings areas – your urges here could interfere with romance’s smooth course. Money’s paramount midweek, but buy nothing big. Casual friends, short trips, paperwork arrive Friday/Saturday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The accent lies on mysteries, depths, research, investments, debt, sexual desires, intimate links, health diagnosis, commitments and consequences. These zones are mildly lucky now, but don’t make any major commitments (nor start any projects) before August 26. One partnership might end, another begin, now to mid-September. Rest, contemplate, and deal with government agencies, head office or institutions Sunday to noon Tuesday. Use a fine surge of energy to complete difficult chores/projects Tuesday/Wednesday. Money’s fortu+nate, and reaches a wee climax, Friday/Saturday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Start nothing new before August 26. This week and next could present juicy “old opportunities.” Jump on these. A former partner, spouse or associate could contact you (or you them). Relationships excite, seem filled with potential! Your popularity and optimism rise Sunday to Tuesday noon. Flirtations, social joys, entertainment rise, and an old wish might come true! Don’t “count on the future” this week, though. Rest, contemplate Tuesday p.m. to Thursday eve. This night to Saturday, your energy soars, and exciting meetings could be in store! Work is hectic until mid-September. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Don’t start anything new before August 26, Pisces, especially in work, machinery, health and nutrition zones. Mistakes and delays might enter these areas – but luck supports you; no disasters occur. A former job might return. You’re passionate and brave in romantic and creative areas all month (and into mid-September) but Monday to Wednesday could bring an upset or set back if you hold money above love/art. Though this is really a work period, you feel hopeful, popular midweek, and a wee wish could come true. Retreat, rest Friday/Saturday – contemplate, enjoy sweet solitude. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/