ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2003 All times/dates are PST. Long ago I wrote here that the "major battle" in the Afghan war would take place around Herat in western Afghanistan. Now the media reports that a warlord who rules from Herat collects a tax on everything crossing the Afghanistan-Iran border, and reportedly has more firepower and trained soldiers than the central government... You've seen the rise in terrorist activities I forecast for the last two weeks. (The four Turkey bombings, etc.) From here on, expect seven years of "skirmishes," but no "cataclysm"... I promised a bit more on SCORPIO. Members of this sign are deeply sensual - not like TAURUS, who simply loves beauty and physical pleasure, but from a desire for pure intensity. Scorpio wants power, intensity, cataclysm. He dives into sexuality (or simply into emotional relationships) because he wants to know the depths, any depths - of pleasure, of regret and guilt, of passion, of joy and beauty, of loyalty and kindness, of sacrifice and anger, submission and dominance. Many Scorpios are equally at home in the gutter and the heavens. This sign can be the most social, charming huckster around, or a solitary, brooding presence - depending on the day and hour. If there were an "extreme sport" event for riding emotional roller-coasters, Scorpio would be the champion. (As implied, too, the champion rides and controls that roller-coaster.) This sign can dream of murder, and of saving all humanity. If you are going to deal with any Scorpio, first determine whether he/she has two qualities: a strong moral character/belief system, and compassion. Otherwise, you could be sunk! This sign loves to conquer or change people, nature - life itself. Many doctors, scientists and humanitarians are Scorpios - e.g., Jonas Salk (insulin) and Albert Schweitzer (doctor amongst the poor). So are many butchers, soldiers, and financiers. Though Scorpio loves to change others, he hates to be changed. Though he wants to share your secrets, he won't reveal his own. These children can be difficult to raise when they have the wrong parents. The Scorpio child responds to sympathy and emotion - not mere logic. And that sympathy had better be sincere, for the Scorpio child knows what's happening deep in your emotional depths. The parent who tries to argue with little Scorpio soon discovers how deeply stubborn this sign is. They're usually courageous, also. To most Scorpios, suffering or punishment is well worth it, if only they can win. If you want to really know the Scorpio nature, read Dostoyevsky's novels - almost every major character is a Scorpio in some form. Start Nothing: 1:39 a.m. to 2:56 a.m. Tues., and 12:52 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 Love's mellow. Understanding arrives. You could be travelling afar soon. But you're also beginning to hear news, to plan and make contacts, regarding your career. (Or, if you're a homemaker, around your parenting role.) You've felt a little constrained for the last half year, you've needed to rein in your impulses, laugh a little softer, suffer a boring situation. In two weeks, that will no longer be so - you'll bust out!" Rest, lie low Sunday/Monday. Your charisma, energy soar mid-week! Chase money Thursday eve to Saturday. But beware deception. Taurus April 20-May 20 Life's deep, consequential. Seek change, be willing to commit yourself to the results. You can take a solid step toward a cherished goal Sunday or Monday. Communication or a short trip is involved. Retreat, rest, and find your soul Tuesday through Thursday noon. Deal with institutions, government, or red tape. It's an excellent few days to plan or enact investments, debt reduction, etc. Your energy and magnetism rise Thursday eve to Saturday - start important but short projects. (By mid-December, even earlier, circumstances will "turn in circles.") Romance "hovers nearby." Gemini May 21-June 20 Be diplomatic, make others' desires and needs your first priority. This will profit you more than insisting on your own fulfillment. You could meet love - or a new home. Relocation lures you. You might naturally pick a place where you'll be a more cheerful parent. (Or your family's needs - including spouse's career - could prevent relocation. If so, staying put is luckier.) Expect career action Sunday/Monday. Cherished wishes might come true Tuesday-Thursday! Popularity, social delights arrive! Retreat, rest Thursday eve through Saturday. Good financial, investment "openings" this week and next. Cancer June 21-July 22 You're surrounded by duties, chores, machinery and health concerns. Just trudge ahead! Strive to complete chores rather than start big new jobs, for an atmosphere of delay and mistakes will enter by mid-December. (These "delays" could also bring an old flame into your life - in late December.) A sweet, understanding mood flows over you Sunday/Monday. Your ambitions have been tied to legal, media, travel, or educational pursuits for six months. This will end soon, so push these into a "last surge" Monday through Thursday noon. Social delights come Thursday-Saturday! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Romance, pleasure, beauty, a winning streak - these rise now! Embrace fortune by taking a risk. (In areas of love and fame, the risk is to express yourself deeply, fully, to fly in the face of embarrassment.) You could make a deep commitment Sunday/Monday, in money, sex or lifestyle. A sweet, mellow mood steals over you mid-week - discuss love, or religion, philosophy, etc. Make those travel plans! Chase your career Thursday eve to Saturday. But, all week, be wary of romancing a co-worker, and/or of "loving your work" - both might disappoint. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Changes loom in home, family, real estate, soul, stomach, security. You might buy real estate soon, or shift a parent-child relationship, renovate, landscape, etc. Remember one thing: the change is not important; your cheerfulness and sense of well-being is. Do whatever promotes this - even if it means not changing! Relationships, new horizons beckon quietly Sunday/Monday. Be diplomatic. Sexual or financial desires emerge from deep within Tuesday to Thursday. Wisdom, understanding bless you Thursday eve to Saturday. All week, self-indulgence might fight "society's expectations." You know who wins that one! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 News could surprise you, triggering an opportunity, a relationship, or a short trip. Use this week to satisfy your curiosity. Try to wrap up paperwork, detail tasks, and communications, as mid-December will bring slowdowns and mistakes. Your home becomes more active - and affectionate - in the weeks ahead. Don't let ambition dominate. Tackle chores (or health concerns) Sunday/Monday. Relationships and new horizons call you mid-week - be diplomatic, seek ageement. Research, intimacy lure you Thursday to Saturday. Be willing to "commit" Friday afternoon onward. If you're restricted, held back, find out why. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Chase earnings, buy important articles. Complete communications and travel projects - DON'T START these projects, as they'll run into delays or meander into impractical corridors by mid-December. You can "possess" someone now, if you really want to. Sunday/Monday are romantic, pleasure-filled, though a wee bit sedate. You can accomplish huge piles of achievement Tuesday to Thursday noon. Aim yourself toward chores which earn money, or promise to. For the entire year ahead, I urge you to seek relationships and opportunities: a "quiet voice" might show you what I mean Thursday-Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Soon, delays and mistakes will occur in your money zones (light money, purchases, earnings). If you need anything essential (as opposed to important) buy it now, or wait until January. ("Important" -e.g., asking for a pay raise - should wait until after January 5. If you ask now you might get initial encouragement, followed by a well-thought-out "no.") Your charisma and energy are high, so ask favors, see and be seen, impress people! A romantic "lift" occurs Tuesday to Wednesday - then a serious surge mid-December into January! (An old flame?). Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Rest, recuperate, dream, plan your future, seek spirit, be humble, charitable, and deal with government agencies, institutions. Avoid competitive situations. Use the present contemplative time to think over the past, to foresee what "old stuff" you're going to be handling in late December, when your energy will be higher. Do this deeply Tuesday-Thursday - you could find profit's (or love's) key! DO NOT start any new projects now through January 5. Romantic notions flow into you Thursday eve to Saturday, but remember, your charisma's low - dreams, quiet beauty are best. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Social joys, popularity, entertainment, light romance, parties, a bright future - all these flow in to brighten your mood and heart! You're optimistic, cheerful, and "wishful" - at least relative to, say, a month ago. But take a moment to look over your obligations, government red tape, etc. - if you have anything "hanging fire" here, try to complete it this week and next, to prevent being overwhelmed later in December. With care, you'll increase your money Sunday/Monday. Trips and communications bring friends and joys Tuesday to Thursday. Be home, study finances, Friday/Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your position in the world has been undergoing changes since 1995 - and will, until 2008. The good thing is, the type of change is improving - somewhat now through the end of 2004, then more beneficially 2005-2008. The weeks ahead accent this change once again: be duteous, hard-working, flexible and HOPEFUL on your career and/or parenting fronts. Avoid all legal and international tie-ins to your ambitions, if possible, through December 2004. Your energy and charisma rise Sunday/Monday. You're noticed! Seek money, even a pay raise, Tuesday-Thursday. Chat, travel Friday/Saturday. For a reading: 604-261-1337. E-mail: timstephens@shaw.ca. Www.astralreflections.com. /30/