ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2003 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight. (For the Atlantic coast (N. and S. America), add 5 hours; For England add 8 hours; for Hong Kong, add 16 hours.) I'm on vacation this week and next, so won' t be answering emails nor the phone. The recent change of signs by the planets Uranus and Saturn has caused long "start nothing" periods when the Moon is in Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra. Once again this week, the "start nothing" lasts from Sunday morning right into Tuesday morning. This hints, again, that the economy is going to slip for awhile as it finds new footing. It also counsels Cancers (and Capricorns) to be careful in what they start in relocation, business, contract, relationship, war - it might be too early for action. George Bush is a Cancer, with a Libra Moon and Leo rising. Bush's Leo ascendant (rising sign) is in the same degree as Osama Bin Laden's Sun - 7 degrees. This degree is known as the "animal tamer." Bush swaggers like a "good ol' boy" Texan, but his chart shows a lot to swagger about. His Sun is at 13 Cancer - the very same degree as the U.S. Sun. In essence, he has all the virtues and vices of the nation itself - the braggadocio, the wildly swinging moods, the generosity, the heightened patriotism, the high intelligence, the parental or nurturing attitude toward the downtrodden - and the love of wealth. (Hence, his dividend tax cut, which has made poor Warren Buffet ashamed, because it blatantly favors the rich.) Bush's Moon at 16 degrees Libra, points to a tremendous stamina and strength, but a susceptibility to explosions. Carelli, an Italian astrologer, described this degree in the 1950's: "An enemy grenade falling into the trench would certainly have his name on it." But in astrology, a king's (president's) Moon indicates his subjects, the general population. The 9/11 attack utilized two big flying "grenades." George Bush's Mars (war planet) is in Scorpio, a sign of death - and of deep determination. Bush will never give up the war on terror. In mid-2004 the lunar south node contacts his Mars, bringing a bad "war temptation." This "karmic lunation" was in effect when the U.S. invaded Iraq. The invasion succeeded easily, as it started under a Moon trine Saturn. But the lunar south node was involved, showing subtle long-term "karmic" difficulties, or bad motives. Two examples of "bad motive" were the staged rescue of the female P.O.W. and the deception about WMD's. The karmic "difficulties" are beginning to show in the almost daily deaths of American soldiers, and the general chaos that has greeted attempts to govern the Iraqis. Which reminds me: remember I told you Saddam Hussein was somehow "protected" until December 2003? Start Nothing: 11:39 a.m. Sun. to 6:13 a.m. Tues., 11:06 a.m. to 1:16 p.m. Thurs., and 9:15 p.m. Fri. to 6:20 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 A strange influence prevails, in which all practical home-related matters, real estate, retirement, security, governmental, charitable, red tape concerns AND love, creativity, relations with children, vacation projects - all ride destiny's horse, and meet quick and easy success. But if you take action Sunday noon through Monday, nothing will come of it. So act early Sunday, and thence onward accept what comes. Otherwise, wait until Tuesday/Wednesday to act. All these matters still soar with luck these two days - and eventual results will be solid! Tackle work/health matters, carefully, Thursday-Saturday. (92) Taurus April 20-May 20 Dive into paperwork, trips, communications and "office systems" before 11:30 a.m. Sunday - your work can have excellent long-term results. But stick to routine Sunday p.m. and Monday. Fortune favors you in real estate, home, family, therapy, nature, security, retirement, selling a business, or "ending" anything and establishing any new base, Tuesday morning (rush hour) through Thursday morning. This might be the "information stage" of these, with final lucky action in late July or August. E.g., studying realty publications now, buying AND taking possession in late July/August. Romance, pleasure Thursday-Saturday! (93) Gemini May 21-June 20 Buy big, important things (tools, computer, car, stocks) Sunday morning, NOT noon through Tuesday morning. The whole Sunday-to-Thursday morning period holds an almost destined luck, an open door, in money, earnings, spending, and communications, travel, paperwork and errands. The two could combine nicely - e.g., buying travel tickets, selling your communications skills. But don't act Sunday noon through Tuesday mid-morning. Pay attention to "destiny's nudge" - it's lucky, could concern marriage, relocation. Settle into rest, family time, renovations, nature walks and contemplation Thursday afternoon to Saturday. Decide who/what stays, who/what goes. (93) Cancer June 21-July 22 Your magnetism, effectiveness, energy and timing ride a winning wave this month - and the height of the wave occurs this Sunday through Thursday (especially Sunday/Monday). Start important projects, make important contacts, seek favors, particularly in legal, international, career, work, earnings, machinery, tool, computer, political, romantic, child-related, and creative areas. But don't start anything 11:30 a.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Tuesday - nothing will come of it, despite the luck that surrounds you. Tackle paperwork, errands, travel, communications Thursday afternoon through Saturday eve. (Be home Saturday eve, rest, enjoy family, nature.) (93) Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Lie low, rest, avoid competitive situations, do not take on new burdens, especially Sunday/Monday. Sunday morning helps you with governmental, red tape, charitable, institutional, administrative and similar projects, especially if a legal or international tie-in exists. Stick to routine, and spiritual matters Sunday noon through Monday. Your energy and pizzazz returns somewhat Tuesday to Thursday - use it to seek favors, have an intimate chat with a loved one, to contact government agencies, institutions, head office, to perform red tape. Now through mid-2005, these will move slowly - be honest here. (93) Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You will almost feel your future coursing by you, through you, this week. Hints are everywhere - so are auspicious meetings. Love, investment, social networking, career, family, home, government or institutional dealings - pick one and ride with it! However, despite a feeling of luck, don't act (nor believe in anything which appears) Sunday noon through early Tuesday morning. You'll be optimistic, flirtatious Sunday/Monday, tired but productive Tuesday/Wednesday. Your energy and charisma surge Thursday p.m. to Saturday - the relationship surprises that occur are par for the course for seven years ahead. (93) Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The emphasis continues on your ambitions, career, community status (marriage is a status, too), and VIP relations. This area will be slow and weighty for the two years ahead. But you can make great progress Sunday morning - and you should find that life's events carry your ambitions forward (or at least open doors, give you positive clues) Sunday through Thursday morning. But don't step through the doors that are opened for you (nor start any ambitious projects) Sunday noon through Tuesday morning. Just stick to routine. Retreat, rest, Thursday-Saturday. (93) Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Look fort one last sweet or profitable clue to a relationship or business connection. By Friday, things move past this... The whole week favors legal, educational, media, international, love and similar matters. Sunday through Wednesday, luck flows in the matters I just listed, as well as in career, VIP relations, money, spending, earning, and work. Plunge into these Sunday morning, or Tuesday mid-morning onward, not during the interval in between. (There's no danger, just no future.) Social delights, optimism and romance fill Thursday-Saturday, but a few "misunderstandings" could arise. (93) Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Destiny nudges you into changes, commitments, lucky new sexual or financial or spiritual depths, especially Sunday morning, but to some degree all month. Be an explorer - a new neighborhood, an occult system, any research. However, realize that any projects, promises or offers which arise Sunday noon to Tuesday morning will eventually prove "empty." Intellectual, international, legal, philosophical, media ventures succeed superbly Tuesday to Thursday morning. Be cautiously ambitious Thursday to Saturday. Large finances, intimate bonding, will be slow but potent for two years: be conservative, let things build slowly. (93) Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Relationships, especially new ones, are strongly favored Sunday morning, and (in a deeper, consequential way) Tuesday mid-morning through Thursday noon. Commit, sign papers, show someone how eager and co-operative you can be! But NOT Sunday noon to mid-morning Tuesday: things germinated then will either "break" or fizzle out eventually. You'll feel destiny's nudge this week, especially in spiritual, investigative, financial (investment, debt) and sexual ways - listen to that calm, tiny urge that taps you on the shoulder. Approach legal, intellectual, love, travel and media matters with optimistic caution Thursday-Saturday. (93) Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Work proceeds slowly Sunday morning, probably because you're facing a new element, perhaps a new task. Don't be rushed. Don't tackle anything new Sunday noon through Tuesday mid-morning -- results will disappoint. Tuesday to Thursday brings exciting relationships, opposition and opportunity. It's a mixed-up time. Though this is a work week, a social, even romantic "destiny" could take you to happy places. And though Tuesday-Thursday are relationship oriented, Tuesday's luck is definitely monetary or work oriented. Look at the "core mystery" Thursday-Saturday - investigate, be wary of committing your funds. (93) Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 A love affair could start Sunday morning. But if it begins Sunday noon to Tuesday morning, it has little to do with your real direction in life. Events will slowly overtake it, render it irrelevant. Same "timing" applies to creative, vacation, pleasure, and teaching projects. Tackle chores and health concerns Tuesday-Thursday - success is certain! (Except pre-dawn Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.) A "destiny factor" is nudging you toward a work/career success - or, if you're a "homemaker," toward a deep understanding of your present "position." Relationships excite but need care, Thursday-Saturday. (93) www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. Please note: I'm away most of July. /30/