ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS FEBRUARY 9 - 15, 2003 All times/dates are PST. I'll be giving free tarot (and maybe short astrology) readings Friday, February 14 at a fundraiser for the Federation of B.C. Writers. The benefit runs from 7 - 11 p.m. at Balthazar's, 1215 Bidwell Street in Vancouver - but I'll only be doing the readings from 8-10 p.m. There's a cover charge of $ 35, which includes entertainment, food, drink, chocolates, and, probably, a bunch of writer types. You have to buy tickets at Ticketmaster, for the "Literary Madness Masquerade" - evidently you can't get them at the door. Call Sherry at 604-661-5097 for more info. (I'm still planning to do free short readings w/o a cover charge, just taking my time finding a place. I'll get there!).... Arch Crawford, a stock market astrologer, worries that mid-February might bring a market fall - he's looking at February 15/16, when Mars (war) joins Pluto (death) in the sign of expeditions and foreign countries. At the same time, Jupiter opposite Neptune hints at an inflation/deflation scare. However, Arch is more persuaded that a market bottom will occur about mid-March. That's the "sudden collapse" danger point I warned you about a year ago, when I said to have an exit strategy.... Had an email from a LEO, full of questions about the 2003 yearly forecast. First, she asks, what do I mean by "a more subtle process occurs between you [Leos] and others." I'm referring to Neptune in Aquarius. Neptune is a big, gaseous planet, so, like gas, it expands emotions and beliefs, fears and rumors. Neptune is that alluring but ungraspable beauty or mystery you feel about someone, that thing you can't pin down. Neptune also rules perception and states of mind - and our eyes. (If you wear glasses, blame Neptune!) In relationships, this planet causes illusion, suspicion, mistrust, co-dependency - yet it also creates elevated states of understanding, compassion, mystical and spiritual love. Neptune attracts us to mysterious, soft, shy, sweet, compassionate, dreamy people - or makes us approach others in this way. Unfortunately, it also attracts us to alcoholics, druggies, inveterate dreamers, and those who attach to us in subtle, difficult-to-extricate ways. The old classic film, "Days of Wine and Roses" was about a Neptunian relationship. Until 2011, Neptune brings such magic (good and otherwise) to partnerships for Leos, to romance for LIBRAS, in intellectual spheres and "wedding urges" for GEMINI, to social areas for ARIES, to friendly, casual relationships for SAGITTARIUS, and into the very core for AQUARIANS. For SCORPIOS, Neptune works its magic in family and domestic areas; for TAURUS, in career; and for CAPRICORNS, in money. Start Nothing: 7:28 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Sun., 6:28 a.m. to 9:19 a.m. Wed., and 4:22 a.m. Thurs. to 4:04 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 You're happy! But don't buy that electrical gizmo Sunday - it won't work for long. Messaging, trips, friendly contacts keep you running Monday/Tuesday. Be discreet, understanding Tuesday afternoon. If a friend gripes, snarls or insults you, remember how frustrating your life was in the 1970's and early 80's - that's what he/she is facing now. Social joys and flirtations comes late Tuesday night. Be a home-body Thursday/Friday. All's well. Some friends will drop by in the week(s) ahead, so tidy up. Romance, creativity and a winning streak hit Friday eve, Saturday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Your energy and charisma are high Sunday - use them to make some final adjustments in your career approach, to meet and/or impress a big-wig. (Considering it's Sunday, perhaps prepare a report, etc.) Chase money Monday (lucky) but hesitate financially Tuesday daytime: some opposition lurks. Tuesday night brings great money luck! If you live on the east coast, ask for a pay raise first thing Wednesday morning. Paperwork, trips occupy you Wednesday/Thursday. All's well. But settle into home, family Friday eve, Saturday: cheerfulness arms you, worry tempts. Keep the middle ground. Gemini May 21-June 20 Compassion, understanding, far travel, law, education, publishing and all forms of love are emphasized. Rest, retreat Sunday. Your energy surges late Sunday through Wednesday morning. Monday, and Tuesday night, are best - you'll attract those interested in romance, love, and your particular skills. Show what you can do Monday - you can aid your career tremendously! Wednesday's morning rush hour might bring you a special friend. Chase money Wednesday/Thursday, but be diplomatic with someone who's reluctant. Talk, travel, friendly contacts fill Friday eve, Saturday - news has "massive import" - react quickly, fairly. Cancer June 21-July 22 Sunday's social, talkative, but as the day fades so does everyone's patience - drive carefully. Retire early this night - rest, contemplate, pamper your health right into Wednesday morning. Aside from a possible sharp pain Tuesday morning, all seems well. Monday's great for spiritual pursuits, investments, research, investigations, sexual intimacy, health diagnosis, and lifestyle changes. (So is Tuesday night.) Your energy returns Wednesday to Friday -- tackle important, serious things Wednesday, not later. The weekend brings big money prospects - and expands all those Monday/Tuesday things. Be wise, astute; not selfish, deluded. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your ambitions get a green light Sunday, but a peer, ally or spouse disagrees - step softly! Your happiness glows Sunday night to Wednesday morning - a wish comes true about a new friend, lover, spouse, or a business opportunity - chase it/him/her! Tuesday daytime needs caution - don't force an issue; do cheer up a sad friend. Retreat, rest, avoid the spotlight Wednesday to Friday afternoon. Your energy and charisma soar Friday eve into the weekend! You'll meet love, grand vistas, and you'll spy "love's cruelty." Be wise but be alive, Leo! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your mind's alive with precision and wit Sunday. Avoid chores, tools and electricity. Chase your ambitions Monday to Wednesday morning. A "working partnership" or job opportunity arises Monday (or Tuesday night) - say yes! Don't force matters Tuesday daytime or you'll spark disappointment, especially on the home front. Your mood and popularity rise Wednesday to Friday afternoon - nothing major, but you'll be happy, flirty, and spy a bright future! Rest, find a quiet place to contemplate Friday night, Saturday. Major "home truths" or spiritual insights are brewing - are they real? Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Take a chance this week - it's the last one for awhile that will be packed with romantic, pleasure, risk/winning, creative and teaching possibilities. Your social circle could yield someone special if you're not yet attached, especially late Sunday night to Wednesday morning, and Friday eve through the weekend. (Worst time: Sunday eve. Best times: Tuesday night, Wednesday a.m. rush hour, and Saturday forenoon.) The "right one" might attract you more mentally than physically. The weeks ahead will feature "love notes" (rather than full-bodied stuff). Illusion and optimism differ Saturday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Heal, rest, repair your premises and your family, connect with your soul - and decide who and what should accompany you into the future, and who/what should not. Decide late Sunday night through Wednesday morning - a perfect time for changes, investments, intimacy, research, detective work and doctor visits. (Tuesday daytime's the exception: study a puzzle rather than think you've solved it.) Mellow wisdom visits Wednesday to Friday afternoon. Your ambition increases Friday eve into the weekend - take care, realize career luck has to be balanced with compassion and support at home. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Be careful with chores and tools Sunday, and with domineering attitudes Tuesday daytime. This week holds an opportunity to join forces with someone smooth, quiet and nervous. This person supplies "sharp sight," you supply enthusiasm. If you meet Monday, your security will be enhanced by the association. If Tuesday night to 6:30 a.m. P.S.T. Wednesday, you'll gain in travel, legal, media, intellectual or similar zones. Intimacy, secrets, financial commitments attract Wednesday to Friday, but they hold little reward. Huge possibilities expand like balloons Friday/Saturday! (But remember what fills balloons.) Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Continue to chase money. You'll intuitively access your best abilities and accomplish superb work late Sunday night to early Wednesday morning - but back away or peddle softly Tuesday daytime. Someone sweet appears Wednesday to Friday, but is not a strong contender for your affection. (Your charms are starting to show.) Gather money-related paperwork (taxes, receipts, documents) over the few weeks ahead - while it's available. Something secret, perhaps a temptation, perhaps a huge insight, a healing, a giant investment, faces you Friday p.m. and Saturday. Be wary, unselfish: see, understand. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy, charm, clout and luck continue to soar! (Not Sunday, though, when you're sluggish and unprotected against someone's slyness.) Romance, pleasure, creativity, risk-taking ventures and joys with children blossom late Sunday night into Wednesday morning. Hook up with a Gemini, Libra, or Leo. But be patient, quiet Tuesday daytime - someone wants to vent their frustration. Tackle chores Wednesday to Friday afternoon - all goes well. You can be seriously attracted to a person, inspiration or opportunity Friday eve and Saturday - it's big but might also be illusive, or co-dependent stuff. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 You'll be busy with messaging, paperwork and errands Sunday. Handle cars and tools carefully as the day fades. Your home, family, security, garden, soul, all are blessed Monday to Wednesday morning. Start a reno project, reconnect with your kids, walk in nature, etc. But back away from a problem (or problem person) Tuesday daytime. Your energy and charisma remain low this week, but Wednesday to Friday bring sweet notions of beauty, romance, pleasure - enjoy the dream. Tackle chores Friday night, Saturday. A major spiritual insight might arrive. Avoid alcohol/drugs. www.astralreflections.com. E-mail: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/