ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS AUGUST 24 - 30, 2003 All times/dates are PDT. The "big luck" cycle I've been talking about for the last year (especially these last few weeks) ends Wednesday - when another, more complex cycle begins. This new luck cycle seems tied to something from the past - perhaps to a situation or person who was important in our lives in February 1998 to February 1999, and/or September 1991 to early October 1992. For example, if you separated from your spouse in 1992, that person might re-appear in your life as an opportunity, or someone like him or her might enter. Or if upon that separation you decided to move to Brazil, but didn't, that move might "offer itself" again. Nothing's simple. I'll discuss this new trend more deeply in coming weeks. This accent on the past intensifies this week through September 19, as Mercury retrogrades. This short period could bring that "lucky returnee" (mentioned above) but it is a dangerous, non-productive time to chase or start any brand new projects - these will meet with mistakes, misunderstandings and delays. So focus on the past for a few weeks. Last week, I said your # 6 sign does not rule dependents, despite traditional astrological tenets. I'd better explain: Your # 6 sign does rule dependents if they serve you: for example, employees, farm animals, guard dogs, etc. But pets and beloved children are ruled by your # 4 and # 5 sign. Anyway, we're at # 7 - your love and war sign. To find # 7, count your own sign as # 1 in the Sun-sign messages below. Then count down the signs until you hit # 7. E.g., Aries' # 7 is Libra, and Libra's # 7 is Aries. You will always be # 7 to your # 7. # 7 is your sign of equals, partners and "obvious enemies." It's your "same but opposite" sign. If you're an Aquarian, your # 7 is Leo. You're both very stubborn, but Leo loves romance and pleasure, while your heart flows toward friends and entertainment. Geminis and Sagittarians (# 7 to each other) are both indecisive, intellectual, and love travel; but Sag loves long trips, and philosophical ideas, while Gemini likes short trips - and poking fun at ideas. Cancer nurtures unconditionally, while her # 7, Capricorn, steers or disciplines - yet both are deeply concerned with parenting. You tend to compete with your # 7, yet admire him/her. So love and argument often mix. This pairing demands a lot of maturity, respect and grace from both partners. But the # 1-# 7 pairing never "wears out." The spark of attraction lives on and on. Your # 7 sign freshens your life and brings new opportunities, fresh ways of seeing the world. # 7 challenges your outworn ideas, spurs you to seek new horizons, perhaps even to relocate. This is your perfect marriage partner, IF you can bear the dynamism! Start Nothing: 1:51 p.m. to 9:48 p.m. Sun., 5:00 a.m. Tues. to 3:27 a.m. Wed., 0:26 a.m. to 6:41 a.m. Fri., and after 11:37 a.m. Sat. Aries March 20-April 19 Work and co-workers grow more pleasant for the weeks ahead - a working partnership might be offered. But this whole area (employment, machinery, health) falls into disarray and delay now through September 19. DON'T buy machinery, software, cars, etc. Don't start important work projects. If new duties are foisted on you, be wary of giving "completion promises." Romance, beauty, creativity, children's schooling and other risky ventures remain hugely favourable Sunday night into 5 a.m. Tuesday - but that's it. A former job role or duty will return during the year ahead. Taurus April 20-May 20 The month and year ahead will bring back a significant lover, or a creative, speculative or child-oriented (educational?) venture. This doesn't mean you'll end up with such a person or project on an enduring basis - one or two major obstacles could prevent this old joy from becoming permanent. It's lucky, but meant to teach, to move you through one segment of the life transforming "journey" you're on from 1996 to 2008. Grab one last lucky real estate, soul, security or family "chance" late Sunday to dawn Tuesday. Romance mid-week! Gemini May 21-June 20 Make one last lucky communication/contact or visit Monday into 5 a.m. Tuesday. The month ahead will re-introduce a former real estate, family or parenting situation, security or retirement project, diet or nutritional regimen, or some venture dealing with land, food or shelter. This situation/project will be expansive and lucky, but it will meet two major obstacles through late 2004 - either a significant relationship, kids, or a work/health situation opposes it. Your luck will overcome those obstacles. Don't start this project before September 19 - just see/accept it. Beauty, love Friday/Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Grab luck where you find it, but don't chase new ventures before September 20. Details, paperwork, communications and schedules will go awry for four weeks, so have a "Plan B" ready. DO NOT buy software, computers, cars, stationery, etc. The year ahead will involve you in a "revisit" to former communications, travel, family (brother/sister) paperwork or office situation. You might have to make a choice, now to late 2004, between these lucky but humdrum spheres and romantic, pleasure or creative pursuits. Chase money Monday to Tuesday dawn. Be home Friday/Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your luck remains high, especially Sunday night into Tuesday morning. Your magnetism, energy and romantic impact surprise even you! But mid-week your luck "switches" from a personal radiance to money spheres. In spending and earnings, you'll be creative, speculative and generally lucky now through late summer of 2004. A past monetary or earnings situation might return in some form, perhaps with someone new. Two obstacles will "fight" your success in money. One of these could be your own tendency to gamble on your security (e.g., to bet your house?). Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Optimism soars Sunday - about a situation that won't last. You'll feel a bit tired Monday/Tuesday. But your energy and charisma soar mid-week - and a whole year of personal luck begins! The past twelve months kept you quiet and secluded; the year ahead brings confidence, worldly luck, and attention from others. Still, avoid starting new projects or relationships now through September 19. People, projects and situations from the past will flood in, and could be lucky - for a whole year. Real estate, home, family, security figure prominently in this luck. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Make one last hopeful, pleasing contact (seek a friend or group entry) Monday to early morning Tuesday. If you're in love, just enjoy. A mild weariness arrives Wednesday/Thursday. These two days begin a year of sweet spiritual peace, of contemplation. Luck will center on the following areas now through late summer 2004: government, warehousing, institutions and large corporations, "head office," spirit, meditation, sympathy, altruism, charity, dreams, home, old associates, management and delegation of chores. But strictly avoid the following: gossip, accusations, email vulnerabilities, and seeking to "impress the world." Scorpio Oct.23-Nov. 21 Take one last ambitious step Monday to Tuesday dawn, then cease your efforts. The year ahead will bring career, income and status rewards IF you chase fun, groups, crowds, entertainment, light romance, popularity and happiness. (These might involve past contacts or an old dream.) If you chase money or career directly, you'll get nowhere. Not a bad deal! These fun/social goals will also be rewarding/lucky in and of themselves. Avoid the temptation (which will arise) to be secretive, independent, pessimistic or grouchy. Midweek, joy begins! Be quiet and restful Friday/Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Strike one last travel, international, intellectual, legal or "social agreement" note Monday and early Tuesday. Mid-week begins a lucky year for your career, status, parental role, ambitions and relations with VIPs. But don't start new projects in these - delays, mistakes and false starts will prevail now through September 19. On the other hand, a past status role or old ambition (or an old employer) could appear, drenched in luck. Take this up, but wait until late September to launch "new efforts," even in the service of an old goal. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Something (news, or someone's reaction) has trumpeted a clarion call, urging you toward a big change in your life. Your last good chance to change something essential, deep and life-affecting arrives Monday through 5 a.m. Tuesday. Mid-week begins an entire year of luck and expansion in legal, international, scholarship, far travel, media, social ritual, philosophical and love spheres. Now to September 19, something/someone from the past might appear in one or two of these arenas. It's lucky, but wait until late September to chase it. Be ambitious Saturday (not Friday). Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Reach out one last time - to a friend, a lover, an opportunity, a foreign land, even the public - Monday into pre-dawn Tuesday. You could land a big one! From mid-week into summer 2004, your luck will shift, into the consequential, funding, mystery, sexual, intimate, and life-changing depths of relationships. Don't start anything important in these "depths" until after September 19 - before this, accept, watch. You might "luck out" with an old lover, investment, etc., during the year ahead. Obstacles arise where you chase status/career - chase wealth, love, property instead! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Try to end or extricate yourself from "the big job" late Sunday night to Tuesday dawn - or ask that this job be rewarded by a solid promotion with a pay raise attached. Wednesday through September 19 will bring a former partner, business or relocation opportunity, public-oriented venture, litigation or contract situation, divorce or marriage "chance." - Or a situation/person who "echoes" the past. Embrace this "returnee," because it can bring massive luck during the year ahead. DON'T start or chase a new, unfamiliar project, person or opportunity before September 20. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: (1) 604-261-1337. /30/