ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS AUGUST 10 - 16, 2003 All times/dates are PDT. The good, the bad, and the just plain wrong: In some editions of last week's column, I wrote: "for example, Aries' # 5 [sign] is Sagittarius." A goof - Aries # 5 is Leo. Hope I didn't confuse you! I was dead wrong that the U.S. would not invade Iraq. I was right (back in 2001) that it would be a drawn out, ground-based "governmental change" type of thing - though I missed that the actual invasion/war stage would be swift. (Depends whether you consider the war over yet, I guess.) And so far, despite all logic, Saddam remains "protected." (I forecast until December/03, but I'm willing to change my mind if you have a better idea.) I was wrong, too, in not seeing a "regime change" until late 2003. Though there is no organic new regime yet. All my Iraq forecasts were based on the indication that there would not be a regime change before Decmber/03 - a view I drew from the Iraq national chart. So that chart might be a bit off. (Good workmen like me always blame our tools.) But my forecast of "wild gyrations" in interest rates for June to December/03 has already manifested. Since mid-June, U.S. 10 year bond yields have surged from 3.15 per cent to 4.48 per cent (as I write this) - a 42 per cent increase in yield. Mortgage rates have risen 20 per cent. So all you clients whom I told to "lock in" recently should send me a few flowers! Rates might ebb back through September, then rise again late year. I was early (I don't think wrong yet) to advise you in May/June to get out of Canadian REITS (real estate investment trusts). They rose 5 to 10 per cent in June, then fell about 2 per cent recently. I think they face a long down-slope. Financing costs (new mortgages) have risen since June, affecting all classes of property. Apartments are slowly emptying. In Toronto, for example, year-over-year vacancy rates have doubled. I'm sticking with my old prediction that real estate in general will decline world-wide from mid-03 through 2006/07. August 2005 to August/07 could present some commercial realty bargains. Vancouver (2010 Winter Olympics) Calgary (oil/gas) and Houston (recovery) might show strength. But I'd proceed cautiously. Waterfront, down to 2010. Same with warehousing and government property. Some Taureans have asked why I say real estate is so lucky for them (to August 26 this year) while simultaneously predicting a decline in prices. I just know it is - how, why, who knows? Maybe selling is lucky, at this point. Next week, more Sun-sign relationships. Start Nothing: Before 12:23 pm Sun., 11:35 am to 5:19 pm Tues., and 3:29 a.m. Thurs. to 1:00 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Continue to chase love, romance, children's interests, beauty, joy, pleasure, vacation, speculative or creative projects, Aries. You're riding a wave of luck! Accept invitations (and/or extend some) Sunday afternoon to Tuesday morning. Your own drives have slowed somewhat, or a puzzling situation causes delay in one of your cherished goals/ventures. Tuesday night through Wednesday can offer insight into the causes of delay, the insecurities/doubts you or others face - Wednesday morn seems pivotal. (These delays last to latte September.) Your energy and charisma rise Friday/Saturday - but Friday bores, Saturday soars. Taurus Apr. 20-May 20 Your luck continues high in family, real estate, nature, agriculture, retirement and similar areas - all food and shelter zones. This is a great time for ending the past, starting anew - quit a job, sell a house, find a therapist, plant a garden or nurture someone. If nothing else, rest - don't waste time and energy on small, niggling tasks. A recent "secret" project or attraction, or a government-linked "hope," hits delays now to late September. (Clues about this mid-week.) Tackle ambitions Sunday p.m. to Tuesday noon. Retreat, rest, contemplate Friday/Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Chase intellectual, travel, communications and friendship projects all week, especially Sunday to Tuesday and Friday/Saturday (Saturday better). Midweek nudges you toward former career ambitions/conditions, or into a former parent/child role. This might not continue forever - perhaps only to early autumn. So be somewhat wary or throwing a lot of money into this child/home or career venture. The two years ahead tend to make you spend money on home, real estate, children, etc. - this can be a good thing, but be realistic, also. There are no rewards for extravagance. Cancer June21-July 22 Chase money above all else, Cancer - seed future dollar growth. Your luck's higher than apparent until late August! Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning offers the best chance. Ask for a pay raise, seek new clients or buy equipment Monday, when work and income co-operate in great ways! Midweek nudges you back toward a former legal, educational, media, long-distance/travel, or "social ritual" project - or delays an on-going one. (These delays last to late September.) Your prestige or ambitions are tied to this - both these get a big boost Saturday, if you try! Leo July 23-Aug.22 Your personal luck continues to soar, Leo - ask favors, impress people, use your charisma and generosity - you're on a winning streak! Be eager, outgoing and diplomatic Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning, when relationships are highlighted. Love could reach a peak, you could meet an exciting person, a great opportunity could pop up - seize the day! A break-off might represent luck in disguise. Do what's loving, gentle and deep Monday night - this way, you can't go wrong. (It's a good time to make a daring speculative or career move, too.) Virgo Aug. 23-Sept.22 Tackle a job Sunday afternoon to Tuesday noon - you'll do it easily, though it turns out to be larger than you expected. It pays well, or will improve your job security or family happiness. A two-month delay has already begun in relationships, contracts, dealings with the public, relocation and similar areas. Sexual commitments, funding, or an anticipated life change or investment - all delayed until late September. The same influence can bring "old goals" back - or give you a second chance in sex, investments, etc. - in a lucky way Saturday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Romance could strike Sunday noon to Tuesday noon - be willing to respond immediately! (Speak of love, but don't speak of weddings.) The same winning streak applies to pleasure, speculation, beauty, creativity and children's interests. Take a chance! These same themes, in a slightly different way, disappoint you Friday daytime and surprise and bless you Friday night and Saturday - opportunities blossom in marriage, business partnerships, meetings, the public, fame, relocation. Discern an opportunity and pounce on it - with your usual diplomacy. Accept delays, need for caution in work/career, reputation, midweek through September. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Romantic, creative, speculative, vacation/pleasure, educational and child-oriented ventures meet delays for two months - though delays can deepen some pleasures, especially in romance. A missed job opportunity or old flame could reappear anytime now through September - perhaps this Wednesday (love) or Saturday (job). Career, business and status opportunities arise Sunday into Tuesday morning - leap on them! Your might face a tug-o-war between career and your family's demands these few days. Or you might want to chuck a job, end a career - this can be luck in disguise, but consider carefully first! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 All things legal, educational, ritual (weddings, mitzvahs, confirmations, etc.) international and intellectual - all things profound, including love, compassion - are still immensely favored, especially in a "seeding" way. Chase these Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning, and Friday night through Saturday. That first period is light and friendly, the second provokes deep emotions, love's luck (and gambler's luck). Say yes to marriage, if applicable. The middle-week period reveals problems/delays with work, health, computers - and your inability to "shake off" an old love - you will, in October! Meanwhile, don't mix love and work. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Chase money Sunday afternoon to Tuesday morning - you can earn more, stumble on a lucrative investment, find a rich boss, agree to a great business deal, or benefit from your spouse's good fortune. Money matters climax - grab while the grabbing's good! Communications, travel, details and paperwork have recently entered a wonky, delay-prone phase, lasting until late September. Your enthusiasm for travel and light conversations wanes. This secondarily impedes your efforts (same two months) to complete a family, property, retirement or similar venture. You'll delay quitting a job, for now. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness rise Sunday afternoon to Tuesday morning - clinch deals, seize opportunities, pursue relocation opportunities, approach a potential lover, or tell your mate you want to wed. A touch of destiny helps nudge your wishes into reality! You can chase money Tuesday p.m. to Thursday, but your luck's mixed - be realistic. DON'T buy equipment, computers, etc. - if you must (an emergency) then do it before 9:19 a.m. (PDT) Wednesday. The two months ahead bring income and purchase delays. Travel, talk meet a wall Friday, succeed Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your burdens, duties, chores and drudgeries reach a peak Sunday afternoon to Tuesday - after this, the world's demands on you will steadily decrease - gradually through 2007, then swiftly and hugely 2008 onward (when you'll enter the power and love phase of your life). Honor obligations early week - be charitable - your reward will come. You might feel a little tired, cranky, sexually unenthusiastic through September -- be restful. A secret admirer waits until October. Your energy rises briefly Tuesday-Thursday. Chase money and make purchases Saturday, not Friday. Life's getting better! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: (1) 604-261-1337. /30/