ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2003 All times/dates are Pacific Standard. ALL SIGNS: Mercury retrogrades (appears to travel backward) December 17 to early morning January 6. We should all avoid starting any important projects during these few weeks, especially in communications, mail-order, short travel, writing, intellectual, scholastic, legal, and similar arenas. Mercury retro tends to cause mistakes, circling, dead-ends, delays and other glitches. If you "birth" a project under this influence, it is likely to incorporate these frustrating characteristics as part of its permanent nature. An interesting retro took place in October 2002, when Mercury retrograded out of early Libra into late Virgo. There, it made a bad aspect to Saturn, passed on, two days later turned direct in motion, and made the same bad aspect to Saturn, then scooted on into Libra again. This "circling around Saturn" marked the bottom of the bear market - it occurred over several days, but the last touch to Saturn was October 10, the day the Dow hit bottom. Another lower benchmark might occur in future, but if so it will be in a Japanese fashion (a slow downward cycling with many bull rallies). Our present retrograde occurs in Capricorn, the sign of business, ambition and pragmatic politics. (Agamemnon of Greek legend, the guy who was always saying "let's be sensible," was probably a Capricorn.) As such, this retro could make us revisit that October/02 retro in some way. Last time, Mercury was going backward, then forward, as it twice passed Saturn. That "circle" signalled the end of the huge decline in the stock markets. This time, Mercury goes forward (December 13) then backward (December 21) as it twice passes Saturn. It's a reverse image of the October/02 phenomena. I've never noticed this pattern before. My guess is, this "reverse pattern" might mark as durable and "strictly bound" a top as the now famous "October bottom" was. For most of us, this retrograde brings the re-thinking of power situations: money, practicality, our social reputation, career status and duties. Bosses and politicians become indecisive, and their promises, spoken during this period, should not be believed. For TAURUS especially, and VIRGO, PISCES and CANCER, this retro could bring an old romantic flame, an ex spouse, or a renewed interest in a creative or social project that faded in the past. For GEMINI, it could signal a former financial situation, investment, or sexual "temptation." For ARIES, a former career circumstance. For LIBRA a former home, family or property situation. LEO could return to a former employer. CAPRICORN might revisit a foreign country. PISCES meets an old friend. For AQUARIUS, a forgotten obligation comes due - perhaps a governmental one. Start Nothing: 12:05 p.m. to 1:07 p.m. Sun., 9:49 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. Tues., 10:39 p.m. to 11:20 p.m. Thurs., and after 11:42 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Legal, intellectual, love, social ritual (e.g., wedding) far travel, and communications interests continue on their mellow path. You might sense that these changed subtly but deeply last week, perhaps at somebody's home. (You're prone to take on some pretty major home-related burdens this year and next.) Be alert for delays and mistakes in your career arena now to January 6. DON'T start new projects in career, ambitions, VIP relations, etc. Work is big, lucky Monday, not Tuesday. Relationships, opportunities, challenges/opposition arise midweek - Thursday night's best. Be "money careful" Friday/Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Delve deep, seek answers, listen to your inner, quiet feelings. Your financial, love and sensual future could rest on the choices you make now. You're starting to see that a temptation is not necessarily lucky. An old flame, former teacher, legal or international matter returns in the weeks ahead. If this "returning situation" can measure up to the demands of practicality, if it works "in the real world," then you might have a blessed situation! You won't really know until late January, so don't rush any decisions. Romance, Sunday-Tuesday! Gemini May 21-June 20 Relationships are paramount - be diplomatic, join, chase new horizons and opportunities. Marriage or partnership could loom - but you might also sense (correctly) that an important relationship took a new, deep turn last week, perhaps due to a monetary or domestic factor. The weeks ahead shunt you into the deeper, commitment-and-consequence side of relationships (sexual intimacy, funding in business, etc.) - and they make you indecisive, or bring back a former situation. You might spy an old, sexy flame, or reprise an investment you'd formerly abandoned. These must face "practical reality." Cancer June 21-July 22 One more week of work, health and drudgery, Cancer - then the fresh air of excitement and possibilities will enter! So tackle duties faithfully now, get them done. Clear your desk. A former flame, ex spouse, relocation possibility, business or public-related opportunity could return soon. As long as this person, situation or opportunity lives up to your sceptical examination, you might reprise it, and dance off to a success! But realize that if you feel glum about the situation, you should reject it. Romantic notions arrive Friday/Saturday - but wait, think. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 One last week of romance, pleasure, speculative and creative success awaits you. Dive in! DON'T start any new work projects, nor buy machinery, computers, or tools now through January 5. Discussions about a project at your workplace will tend to die on the vine, or lead to unprofitable efforts, so don't volunteer. Be wise, bide your time. A former job might return: it can "fill the gap" for awhile, but much better things are on the 2004 horizon. Chase money Sunday/Monday - "big money" Monday! Friends, Thursday. Sleep, rest Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The accent remains on home, family, real estate, security, nutrition and your soul. You can make great changes in these areas Sunday eve into Monday night - the latter could feature something "big." But take care with additional outlays of money Tuesday night to Thursday eve. An old flame could return during the weeks ahead - or a former creative, speculative, pleasure project. Or, perhaps, a "prodigal child." Any of these will have to meet and pass through a "practical test." If they pass, good. Relationship "temper" is about to end! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 One last week of communications, paperwork, niggly details. You could have one monster red tape chore to meet Monday. If it's too big to finish this day, try again Thursday eve. Six months of hard work, health stress and relationship friction ends Tuesday. Then to early February, you could meet a proper mate, if single. This might occur at an old haunt, the house of friends you haven't seen for awhile, etc. Now through January 5, DO NOT buy property, start renovations, nor institute any important family/kid program. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Start NO new mail, communications, computer, machinery, auto, travel, red tape or paperwork projects now through January 5. Keep alert for mistakes and delays with ongoing situations/chores in these areas. Have "Plan B" ready - or wait patiently. A six-month "fine fury" in love, sex, creativity or speculative arenas abates. Now into early February, a good, string work project will begin - but try not to start it before January 6. Social delights bless you Sunday-Tuesday. Mon day's friends are good for money! Lie low, rest mid-week. Your charisma, energy soar Friday/Saturday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 You've blown your top repeatedly since June. There were two especially important "blow-offs." (Which, if appropriate, you should apologize for soon - for your own sake. Apologies are best made when your energy and charisma are high - as yours are now.) That short temper dissolves now, will convert into romantic fervor, creative surges, or pleasure/beauty feelings through January. You'll be happier! That doesn't mean those family irritants are gone. But they matter a little less. DON'T start income projects, money ventures, and DON'T buy anything important, before January 6. Life's good! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 This is your last week of weariness, burdens and quietude. Relax into it. DO NOT begin any new ventures before January 6. The hindrance to making an effective start on anything lies in an old legal, educational, international, love or similar area - there's something which was not solved or not finished. Use the three weeks ahead to return and solve it. Big successes await this! For example, revisit an old flame or ex spouse to reach an agreement. Or get that legal paper that you kept not picking up. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your popularity remains high, wishes are coming true in some form, and life's benevolent! Delve into secret areas Sunday p.m. to Tuesday. Monday features a potentially "huge" investment, debt, secret item, or tempting attraction. A real estate or other "security" purchase could make your future comfy, even affluent! Legal, ethical matters need attention mid-week. Love's evident. Take your reputation, career seriously Friday/Saturday - reject worries, rumors - and "impossible dreams." DO NOT begin red tape, governmental or administrative projects before January 6. Six months of "hectic money" ends now: spending "normalizes." Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 This week continues to accent your career, reputation and VIP relations. All's well. A major meeting, opportunity, agreement, relocation - or conflict, disagreement - is slated for Monday. Be cheerful, and win! Don't start new social projects before January 6. Since June, your money situation, your health, your temper and sexual magnetism have "overheated." That fades now, which will actually bring more success in each of these arenas through early February. For instance, less "sensual radiance" will actually bring more sexual success. Much money flow to you through January - save it! For a reading: 604-261-1337. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. www.astralreflections.com. /30/