ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS NOVEMBER 2 - 8, 2003 All times/dates are PST. CAPRICORNS, male and female, are usually very competent parents. This sign has a deep understanding of children's needs. As a child, many Capricorns experienced a period without same-age friends, and found themselves companioned by adults. So they have a deep experience of the adult-child relationship, and are quite prepared to pass this early kindness on to the children they know as adults. Many Capricorns also had "early training" in child rearing - this is the typical older child who had to baby sit his or her siblings. Many teenage (and younger) Capricorns have actually had to run a family due to a parent's divorce, absence or early demise. But kindness, to Capricorn, is not gushy, nurturing, embracing. To this sign, the result is more important than the process. Capricorn is a natural director. (Ron Howard, the film director, is Capricorn.) Like Virgo, Capricorn men are often ruggedly handsome (Mel Gibson) and the women are sultry and alluring (Faye Dunaway, Aaliyah). But back to kids: Capricorn thinks of a child's future, and acts accordingly. This sign doesn't care whether the child loves him or her (well, of course they care, but I'm speaking of how they act on the surface) but rather that the child will be a success in life. If pushed, a typical Capricorn parent would say: "I would rather you hate me and succeed in life, than love me and fail." (And, Cap would add silently, "because I love you.") Capricorn does things "for the child's good," for its future. To Capricorn, the best future is guaranteed by the right behavior. A Capricorn's children behave. The biblical proverb, "spare the rod; spoil the child" was almost certainly uttered by a Cap. (Evidently the rod was not used as punishment, but to tap cattle to make them turn right or left. The saying means: prod your children in the right direction.) CANCER is the opposite - not a director, but a nurturer. Cancer's motto is: "My child, I love you no matter what you do." Cancer is not judgemental towards his/her children. If Cancer has any shortcoming as a parent, it is the inability to set iron-clad boundaries. However, this sign is deeply a parent. It's as though the cosmos said: "You are entrusted with the handing down of generational qualities." If Cancer loved Christmas as a child, Cancer's children will cherish Christmas. If Cancer was loved as a child, Cancer's children will be showered with adoration. If Cancer was abused as a child, very likely Cancer's children will be abused. This sign "passes on" whatever it experienced. Together, Cancer and Capricorn are the ultimate parents - and are powerful "mates" for each other. Now through June, 2005, many Cancers will marry Capricorns. Start Nothing: 11:40 a.m. to 11:52 a.m. Sun., 10:36 p.m. Mon. to 9:02 p.m. Tues., and 6:16 a.m. to 8:29 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Deep changes are slated, but let these happen to you - don't chase change for change's sake (nor investments, nor sexual ties). You'll learn secrets now, but they're more likely to tempt (as a test) than profit you. Just watch everything with wise calm. Your intellect, your sense of compassion and understanding of life/mankind lifts sweetly now - love on a basic, heart level becomes more possible! A legal or educational matter that held you in a trap the last two years might be solved in the few weeks ahead. Welcome work! Taurus April 20-May 20 Relationships rise in importance. Be astute, protect your inner calm and your outer "rights." This doesn't mean don't love; it means don't sacrifice your essence; don't have a relationship just "to have one." Applies in business, contractual dealings also. That said, the year ahead is among the most romantic you'll ever have. If you're married, children will bring shining joys! June to December, 2003, tempts many Taureans to "break society's rules" with someone met at a social function. The month ahead brings success to finances, sweetness to intimate situations. Gemini May 21-June 20 Hard work faces you - faithfully perform your chores, but stop there. Signing on for extra work will prevent your luck in other places. (Luck comes from quietude this year - when you withdraw or relax, you'll see a solution to a problem, or a great financial idea, etc.) Others treat you with affection this November. But the boss seems primed for a tantrum or two - duck, don't fight! (Especially this Sunday to Tuesday.) Optimistic wishes or social urges fight practicality Wednesday, but they reward you Thursday. Seek that relaxation Friday/Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Romance, creative urges, beauty, the joys and risks of raising children, pleasure and vacations - these touch you during the weeks ahead. But don't chase these things where if you sense you "need luck" to succeed. Your best luck will come in a slightly different zone - in light romance, social delights, entertainment. (Especially November 7/8.) Seek fellow-feeling rather than immediate, personal pleasure. Don't worry about sex, money or health Sunday - anticipation is far worse than the reality. You grow wise, mellow Monday/Tuesday. Act on your ambitions Wednesday/Thursday - but not Wednesday night. Leo July 213-Aug. 22 You're tied to home for the weeks ahead - but avoid "burying yourself" in real estate, renovations, family dealings, etc. Sweet thoughts of love, self-expression and pleasure will lead you "astray" - luckily! Earning/spending money is blessed for eleven months - but skirt investments. Now to December, you're too "hasty" with big finances (and possibly with "intimacies"). Could be dangerous! This applies especially Sunday p.m. through Tuesday, when the deeper, more consequential side of actions, agreements and relationships tempt you. Wisdom and love visit Wednesday/Thursday. Friday/Saturday's ambitions are the right ones. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Relationships fill Sunday to Tuesday - don't fret about a job or health factor that might affect these. Either you get along with someone or you don't. Have self-esteem. The deeper side of life lures you Wednesday (a flaw) and Thursday (success) - chase intimacy, investments, or lifestyle changes. Don't get "snagged" by time-wasting paperwork, errands, details or conversations this month. Be profound, aim far (foreign countries) seek big ideas and eternal truths - especially Friday/Saturday, when luck or "calm love" visits Virgos who have a large/far view! (Saturday noon's best.). Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Tackle work and health matters Sunday/Monday. Don't worry about love - it will follow its course. Relationships and opportunities have a flaw Wednesday, but are lucky Thursday. Focus on large finances, investments, debts and mortgages, money affected by others, and on sexual promises/intimacies, consequences, lifestyle changes, deep health matters, research, secrets and power plays this month. You'd much rather chase the "light" side of these now (casual sex, above-board dealings, week-to-week money, etc.) - but that would be a mistake. Friday/Saturday will show you the way - and reward it with luck! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your energy, charisma, effectiveness and money luck hit a yearly high. You're more popular - and will remain so. Go out, start important projects, seek favors, sell your wares. In all these, be smart. Smart right now means: flexible, partnership-oriented, advice-seeking. November 7 and 8 will bless such a course! The temptation to act alone, or to impose your will on another, is powerful - and unlucky. (Doing nothing would be luckier!) Romance tickles your heart Sunday-Tuesday. Don't worry about your security, (sexual) stamina, stomach, nor family Sunday. Tackle chores Wednesday/Thursday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Lie low, rest, avoid competitive situations. But don't loll in this - push yourself to tackle chores, even unimportant ones - keep yourself active. (Some valid - and lucky - chores will "appear" November 7 and 8. Doing them could later boost your standing with VIPs.) Until 2005, avoid contacts with - and don't depend on - hospitals, institutions, insurance or government agencies. Tip-toe around (rather than into) head office and administrative chores. Home, family, security call you Sunday to Tuesday. "Legal" or philosophical "deception" occurs Sunday. Romance, beauty, creative urges mildly bless you Wednesday/Thursday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Don't worry about money Sunday, but don't be fooled about it either. Trips, talks, errands and paperwork fill Sunday-Tuesday. (Nothing important.) You lean slowly toward ending or starting a significant relationship Wednesday/Thursday. Thursday's better. You're drawn toward social situations, and you might seek popularity in November - but you'll experience a subtle "deadness" or lack of fulfillment here. At the same time, something less "social" can truly fulfill - deep one-on-one romance, a solitary creative or pleasure project, beauty, or teaching your own child(ren). Friday/Saturday offer this more present, closer, beautiful option. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Much activity and pressure occurs in your career, prestige and ambition sector - you could hear good or bad news here this month, depending on "what's due you" karmically, cosmically. But DO NOT chase, push, nor provoke VIPs, parents, bosses, etc., NOR begin, change or otherwise force business, career or social status projects. Instead, do what naturally "calls you" November 7 and 8 - and this will be home, real estate, security, investment, family, nature, sleep, food, retirement, selling a business, etc. In these areas, ambition can succeed! Thursday, Saturday luckiest. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Neither worry nor deceive Sunday. Your charisma, energy and effectiveness surge Sunday-Tuesday. Monday's best. Chase money Wednesday (iffy) and Thursday (good). Reject big ideas, pompous philosophies, rigid religions, foreign climes, ponderous social rituals - and all lawyers - through 2004, but especially this November. You'll see the correct and fruitful angle of any mental, legal, travel, or similar urge/situation Friday/Saturday - it's short, detailed, brief, light. If you lean this way, you could meet someone lucky and good for you Saturday. Could be a (future) mate, or a lucky career contact, etc. www.astralreflections.com. E-mail: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/