ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
JANUARY 5 - 11, 2003

	All times/dates are PST.
	I've written and filed my "Year Ahead" forecast. The "preamble" to it goes over world events for 2003, but it's hard to cover a year in the whole world in 250 words. So here's some stuff I left out:
	First, the Mercury Retrograde periods (January 2-22, April 26-May 20, August 28-September 20, etc.) all occur in earth signs (in order, Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo). These three signs will find 2003 to be a time of regrouping and shifting focus, of retracing some steps. Because the retro periods occur while the Sun's in the same signs, the very energy of these signs' drives/ambitions will tend to go in circles.
	That means something for us all, because the earth signs rule material success. Virgo is granaries and harvests, wheat fields and forestry. Capricorn is politics and large economic cycles, position and prestige - and also rules our present "War on Terror." Taurus rules "owning things" - money and cars and real estate and all. To have these basic earthly motives blocked or weakened by indecision, indicates an uncertainty in the political, business, and consumerism sectors over the year ahead. As noted in the forecast article, by June, the gloom lifts from airlines, telecoms and cars, and descends upon homes, families, real estate. Debt problems will emerge for the consumer. The consumer himself will slow down markedly. House prices will flatten at least, probably fall - for several years. Interest rates do weird things June to December - probably rise, but they're like a candle in the wind, flickering, wavering, bright, then out...
	A gambling mood continues in the stock markets through August, then September starts a sober, analytic year. In a flash, "valuation" will be in style, rather than cheerleading. Investment banks are in trouble, April 2003 to December 2004.
	If the U.S. invades Iraq (if) of course it will win, but if the invasion starts before January 22, expect many mistakes, a long-drawn out campaign, and unexpected results - and a messy aftermath. However, the Mercury retro in January is appropriate, in the sense that this is a "return engagement," the younger revisiting the elder's war, etc. 
	North Korea is on a self-destructive (or self-remaking) bent unequaled in its history. The essential action of this upheaval already occurred in 2000 through 2002. But 2003 indicates that the "payment" for these actions comes due. This could be another famine, or a nuclear accident, and/or sanction by international law and rejection by the world community. The only certainties are: N.K.'s population will suffer; N.K. will continue its vitriolic and wrath, and N.K.'s laws will be rewritten and its nationhood altered. If the chart's right, the problem peaks in August.
	
Start Nothing: 0:44 a.m. to 2:57 a.m. Mon., 3:55 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Wed., and 7:10 p.m. Fri. to 1:48 a.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
Delays, mistaken notions, wrong moves affect your career, ambitions, status and relations with VIPs - so remain alert and patient. You might get a second chance with an old boss, or hook a client you previously gave up on. Past weeks have tempted you in sexual or financial zones - and profit or sweet affection might have resulted! But Tuesday through January 28 could start a "wrong" love affair - be light, tell yourself better things will come later. (They will, February, April and August.) You attract "major attention" Wednesday to Friday!

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Chase your ambitions Sunday, but work alone. Your spouse might grow angry if you work too long, too hard. A sweet, social mood, optimism and joy in life, arrive Monday to Wednesday afternoon! Monday's best. A seemingly mild but deep disaffection might occur Tuesday p.m. if you mix money (or possessiveness) with love/friendship. Rest, avoid competition, but do tackle lucky government, spiritual or charitable projects Thursday p.m. to Friday. Saturday's nervy, but you shine! All week, avoid mistakes and new starts in far travel, legal, media and learning zones. 

Gemini   May 21-June 20
DON'T institute new investments, financial or lifestyle changes, nor chase someone new and sexy until after January 21. A former lover, investment, or lifestyle opportunity will return. Try to envision what would happen long-term if you grabbed it/him/her. If that former love, investment or lifestyle would restrict you or your income, reject it. Wisdom, mellowness fill Sunday, but so does an "irritating job." Tackle career or parental duties Monday to Wednesday. Be diplomatic Tuesday p.m. Your hopes soar, social joys flood in, Wednesday to Friday! But prevent "shock" Saturday.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Sometime between now and late January, you might receive an answer you gave up waiting for, or an offer/opportunity returns - in business, public dealings, or love. An ex-spouse might make an overture (or attack again, which actually is an attempt/need to relate). There's nothing bad about any of this - whether there's any good, is your decision to make. However, DON'T chase any new person, new offer, opportunity, marriage prospect, etc., before January 22. Sunday's sexy but dangerous. Your ambitions meet a stroke of luck Wednesday eve to Friday!

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Remain alert in job and health areas. If anything can go wrong, it will - delays, missing supplies, machine breakdowns, etc. DON'T start any new employment nor fitness projects, and don't buy computers, cars, machinery. Sunday's challenging (you have a wee temper tantrum with a family member) but opportunities in love await Leos who can smile. Lust (or "investment greed") lures you toward a trap Tuesday, but Monday and Wednesday aren't bad. Mellow, wise, sweet love awaits you Wednesday p.m. onward. But don't chase a new romance before January 28. 

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Your luck in real estate, family projects, all security/domestic areas, will soar to lucky heights August 27 onward. So don't charge prematurely into these areas this month. (Repairs, renos and property purchases will be okay in February.) If you're in a love affair, be patient with your lover's delays; if a parent, be patient with children. Everyone's a bit fuzzy-minded now, including you. An old flame might return. This would not lead to a good "living situation." Relationships need caution Tuesday. Investments, lust both succeed Wednesday p.m. to Friday.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Nostalgia reigns. Now to January 22, DON'T start new family, property, security or retirement projects. Avoid important "endings/new beginnings" - e.g., don't list a business for sale. A former incomplete project might return - those stairs you forgot to repair, a long-lost relative returns, etc. (Don't hire new service people for new repairs, though.) Sunday's romantic, but the kind of person you're attracted to this winter is not good for marriage. (This "constraint" ends January 16.) Tackle chores Monday to Wednesday. This eve to Saturday brings friendship joys, relationship tensions.

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Mistakes, delays and indecision affect mail, computers, communications, paperwork, errands, travel and "details." Expect missed appointments, double-check numbers, etc. DON'T start any projects in these areas before January 22. You've enjoyed a super magnetism and simmering sex appeal for the last couple of months. That fades during the weeks ahead, but an increase in money will compensate you nicely! But realize "dead-end" money ideas will tempt before January 28 - reject them. Romance calls Monday to Wednesday! You accomplish much work Thursday/Friday. But don't let your "fire" burn home relationships.

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
DON'T start new money (income or purchasing) projects now through about 5 p.m. January 22. Absolutely DO NOT buy a car, computer, tv, etc. You'd unerringly pick the lemon! On the plus side, old money owed to you might be returned, or you find something in the attic which you were sure you'd lost. From Tuesday into early February, your physical charms start to glow. From January 16 to early March, your romantic, creative side will heat up. Wednesday eve to Friday bring a first lucky hint of this!

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Your energy and charisma are tops now, but indecision or circumstantial delays prevent you from starting successful new projects. Stick with on-going ventures (or reprise old undertakings) especially in employment, machinery, legal, ethical, international, media or educational zones. Chase money Sunday - your luck's high, but "friendship" could interfere. You might sense an underlying alienation in words or messages Monday to Wednesday - it's no big deal. Home, family and property concerns meet great luck Thursday!  All week, don't mix friends and money. Romance, pleasure call you Saturday, but practice safety. 

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb.18
Now through January 22, you can be drawn back to governmental, head office, red tape, tax, institutional, spiritual, charitable or other "behind the scenes" projects which you didn't finish previously. DON'T start any new projects in these areas (or in any area, really). Concentrate on cleaning up your life, clearing obligations from your shoulders. When your energy and enthusiasm surges in late January, you aren't going to want these stale old things holding you back. An old secret or fear might return: pooh-pooh it. Take care with money Monday to Wednesday.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
You'll meet old social contacts in the weeks ahead. Sure, return for awhile - there's neither danger nor great success here. Nostalgia visits you involving old goals that were never achieved. A former cherished wish could come unexpectedly true - and might lead to your achieving one of those goals. Be careful with tools and driving Monday - you're tired. Your energy and charisma surge back Monday to Wednesday. Chase money Wednesday eve to Friday - a lucky streak hovers around you! Protect love all week; a "background" factor could disrupt it by Saturday.

www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337.

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