ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2003 All times/dates are PST. Shame on me! A SCORPIO lady wrote about my profile of that sign. She averred that many Scorpios are sweet, benevolent, good, personable, friendly and honest. And that reminded me - my ex-wife's sister, a Scorpio, fits that description perfectly. She's quiet, humorous, sweet, altruistic - helped my ex-wife for years without complaint. Yes! Most Scorpios are quite lovable. Still, this is the worst sign to have as an enemy because they never give up. But it's also the most sentimental sign - if you're Scorpio's friend or loved one, that "never give up" quality supports you forever, and in the face of the most overwhelming odds. Love's connection is like a steel cable to Scorpio. If your Scorpio mate finds you smooching with another, he'd sooner shoot your lover than you. (Well, don't test this too often.) Scorpio loves CANCER and PISCES. He competes - and bonds - with TAURUS. But let's leave the vast ocean of Scorpio's feelings and visit the quiet, shining pond of Libra's heart. Here is a completely different world, feel and climate. The first surprise is: love is MORE important to careful Libra than to volcanic Scorpio. Scorpio plows through waves of emotion with a powerful swimmer's heart. Libra tiptoes through life's lagoons, ankle-deep, carefully looking for pearls of love. And when he finds one, he often has the charm to make the pearl pursue him. Libra constantly seeks love, yet often seems to be merely receiving it. This is the consummate "come hither" sign. Once he's conquered you, Libra will often be lost in thought, carefully considering how attracted he is to you. (Or how just, moral or good or bad you are.) For Libra, love is never simple; it always comes with "considerations" - e.g., "yes, well you suit THIS in me, but you're not totally empathic with me THERE." It's as if Libra pokes you lightly to see what you're made of, then shrinks back to think, "hmmn." Libra constantly studies his/her relationships because he values them more than anything else in life. Libra is highly skilled sexually, but easily neutered by stress - and he hates to be suffocated. A CANCER, Scorpio or Pisces could hug someone for an hour (society permitting). But don't hug Libra for more than four seconds - even that's pushing it. The eyes start to wander and the guilt starts in for poor Libra: "Why can't I hug longer?" he thinks "Am I too cool? Too unengaged? Do I need therapy?" This sign wants you to sit coolly on the other couch and discuss life, art, justice - and your relationship. Libra seeks life-long commitment, yet loves the most freedom-oriented signs: GEMINI, AQUARIUS and ARIES - because, within love, Libra also needs to breathe freedom's sweet air. Start Nothing: 1:54 a.m. to 3:26 a.m. Sun., 2:48 p.m. to 4:11 p.m. Tues., and 10:53 p.m. Thurs. to 3:40 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Love, affection, calm gentleness, understanding continue. Chase foreign dealings, far travel, legal solutions, social rites, higher education. Your career worth increases softly but strongly, making this a good time to land a pay raise or important client - or, especially, to call in past favors. However, don't start brand new career/business projects now through January 5. Wait out a four-week period of delay, mistakes, misunderstood directions. Be cautious with communications, tools and driving Sunday to Tuesday morning. Home's sweet Wednesday/Thursday - there's job luck, too. Romance, beauty call Friday, reward Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Take hints and hunches seriously. Major currents, opportunities, changes are "active" just beneath the surface. This applies especially to health, finances, and sexual attraction. If you're young, think about pregnancy and all it involves (the 90 years the child would live, think, and feel). You could have a minor Midas touch in investments and buying/selling, especially Sunday into early Monday, Thursday, and Saturday p.m. You might face a dilemma this week - perhaps around mid-week - between taking a creative, romantic approach, or a more pragmatic, sensual tack. Either way wins! Gemini May 21-June 20 Marriage, partnership, relocation, new horizons, opportunities - agreements and challenges - these fill your world now. Accent diplomacy; others hold the aces. Your financial, investment, sexual zones grow luckier for two weeks. But these areas also "turn backwards" until January 5. So deal with ongoing or returned-from-the-past matters in sex, money - and health. You're very lucky in real estate through next autumn, but again, it's "past things" until January 6. Your energy, effectiveness rise handsomely Sunday to Tuesday! Chase money Thursday. Worrisome news is false Friday; someone tells the truth Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Plow steadily ahead with work. Ensure your dependents' welfare. Eat sensibly, dress for the season. If you MUST make any tool or machinery purchases, make them now - Thursday's good, but Saturday (December 13) is even better (after dawn, PST). Next week through January 5 will bring lemons, futile items, etc. Your health (and temper) need a good long rest Sunday-Tuesday. Your energy rises nicely Tuesday night into Thursday. You could attract luck in career, notice from a VIP, or stumble into a "high class" romance Thursday! An old flame's nearby. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Romance, beauty, pleasure, creative surges, speculative urges, joys from raising/teaching children - these fill your days now! Forget the future - immerse yourself in the present, in the pleasures of the moment. Take a chance, leap. Read Cancer message about b uying tools/machinery. Applies to computers also. DON'T start any new work projects before January 6 (unless they're short, routine chores). Your hopes and general joy in life rise Sunday-Tuesday. Temper's possible early Tuesday, but so's a grand relationship agreement/meeting! Retreat, rest, avoid competition mid-week. Your energy and charisma soar Friday/Saturday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The accent's on home, real estate, children, parenting, security, stomach, nature and soul. This is a key year - another being 2007 - for promoting these interests. You can establish your children's future now, change homes for the better, etc. This life-improving trend began four months ago, so you might have already taken big steps. December brings more, but focus (before January 6) on what's already started. Don't begin new projects, commitments, especially in education, romance, creativity or speculation. An old flame might return soon. Relationships, future plans bring joy Thursday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Communications, conversations, reading, short travel, paperwork, details - these fill your days. You might feel you're wasting time - an impatience with paperwork or "small talk" might be signalling that you need to dive deep within, to align your life and associations more closely with your soul. There's no urgency here, no dire dangers, but this is a good year (to autumn '04) to retreat, rest, plan, find the spiritual, visit psychics, etc. You're mellow, wise, Sunday-Tuesday. Be dutiful Wednesday; chase ambitions Thursday. Social joys are uncertain Friday, solid Saturday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Chase money all week. Sunday's lucrative, but be wary of investments and debt Monday to Tuesday morning. (Early Tuesday afternoon's good.) A sweet, mellow mood steals over you mid-week. This is a bad week to mix friends with money, and you might have to make a choice between the two around Wednesday - but instead of choosing, split your time into two separate segments, one for each. Both have value - friends, socializing delight you, perhaps even bring love, while an income project of deep value could be born (Thursday). Money, Saturday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your energy, magnetism, effectiveness and luck remain high! You can attract co-operators, admirers. Ask for favors, push your own agenda - others will "fall in line." But be diplomatic about it Sunday to Tuesday (especially Monday night/Tuesday morning) or you'll create opposition. Life's deeper forces emerge midweek - work toward finances, sexual commitments, diagnosis, research, lifestyle changes. Keep your ambitions in mind while you're dealing with these - you can "slide into" a big step upward! But close any money deals now - next week's too late. You'll solve a domestic/family problem Thursday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The days leave you a bit weary - rest, avoid taking on additional burdens. Your energy will return soon (two weeks). Meanwhile, life gives you favors: your appearance pleases others, your mind's alert, and you can accomplish four important, beneficial things. The first is a money chore Tuesday afternoon. More importantly, you can meld with others/another Wednesday/Thursday, when your gracious demeanor brings legal, travel, love or social success. A major spiritual or government-linked "growth" begins now also. Fourth, Saturday opens the door to love's intimacy, or financial commitment and growth. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Optimism, social joys, popularity and dreams about the future brighten your days! A light romance could come if you're "eligible" - complete with sensual gratification. Try to get all purchasing and income projects wrapped up, as delays and mistakes will affect these next week into early January. Romance, beauty, pleasure and a creative mood enter Sunday to Tuesday. Embrace love. Be diplomatic Tuesday morning. Work calls Wednesday/Thursday, but it looks lucrative! Your social life takes a deep, quiet turn Thursday. Others oppose you Friday, but attract, please you Saturday p.m. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Important people are noting your progress and demeanor. Your career future, your position, perks and "title" could change as a result. Display your skills! (This influence is in effect 1996 to 2008; it heightens every December.) You might feel tired Sunday to Tuesday - nature wants you to slow down, be home, hug your family. Inspiration, spiritual insight come Sunday eve and Tuesday afternoon. Life's beauty shines Wednesday/Thursday: be social - someone wants to flirt, or more! Be open to love, but remember your ambitions, too. Work's hard Friday, easy Saturday p.m. For a reading: 604-261-1337. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. www.astralreflections.com. /30/