ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIIM STEPHENS FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2004 All times/dates are PST. A reader asked what I meant when I wrote that ARIES "moral axis" revolves around sex and money in 2004. The long answer to this is found under "Platforms - Karmic Forecast" at www.astralreflections.com. (Where every sign's 2004 karmic outlook is detailed.) But to briefly explain here: In 2004, Aries will be blessed in casual or pleasure-oriented sex, and in earning money. But members of this sign could make too big a sacrifice/payment if they pursue deep sexual bonding, sex which will tend to change the life (e.g., pregnancy) or deep financial commitments, such as investments in stocks, mortgages, etc. LIBRA, though, should do the opposite to Aries - which brings up another reader's question. This reader asked: if I say AQUARIANS should avoid ambition and instead strive for security in 2004, and the opposite sign, LEO, should avoid security and strive to be ambitious in 2004 - what then can a person with an Aquarian Sun but a Leo rising sign do? (Someone with Aquarius rising and a Leo Sun could ask the same thing, but in reverse.) Ultimately, these Aquarius-Leo (or Leo-Aquarius) people will need to approach every situation separately, on its own particular terms, if it involves security (and real estate, family, nature, food) and/or ambition (career, prestige, parenting role). In each situation, the person will have to make a moral decision. If he decides what is right, and follows it, whether it is for security or for ambition, he'll "win." If he senses what is right, but talks himself into what is selfish, then he'll lose. There is another clue, though. Since this person has an Aquarian Sun, she should aim her "proactive" self, her assertive actions, toward security. But as her rising sign favors ambition in 2004, she should welcome any ambitious events that come through circumstances. This is because the rising sign (generally, not totally) signals environment, or events that happen to us, whereas the Sun signals our own drives, push, and actions. A karmic "puzzle" awaits all people who have opposite Suns and rising signs. These opposites are: ARIES-LIBRA, TAURUS-SCORPIO, GEMINI-SAGITTARIUS, CANCER-CAPRICORN, LEO-AQUARIUS, and VIRGO-PISCES. If your Sun is in one of these signs and your ascendant (rising sign) is in the opposite sign of the pair - e.g., Virgo Sun-Pisces rising sign, or Pisces Sun-Virgo rising - then you face this need to choose carefully not only in 2004, but every year of your life, in some arena of activity or other. Again, consider your Sun "assertive actions" and your rising sign "circumstances." Start Nothing: 12:20 p.m. to 6:14 p.m. Sunday, 8:59 p.m. Mon. to 8:27 p.m. Tues., 9:33 a.m. to 11:26 p.m. Thurs., and after 2:10 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Work and home matters enter "deep delay" zones until May. So take it easy, luxuriate in the time which life grants you to contemplate various courses of action. "Work delays" don't mean dollar delays - money flows to your swiftly through late March - bank it, don't spend it! Chase ambitions late Sunday through Monday - your productivity is good. Tuesday's actions will likely lead to void results. Your popularity and social delights return late Tuesday into Thursday. But midweek also starts a month of quietude, rest, and spiritual concerns - a good one. Taurus April 20-May 20 Get your work done early Sunday - save this night and Monday/Tuesday for play, romance, creative projects and children's' talents. (But don't start an important project Tuesday.) Your career or business ambitions deserve one last effort Wednesday into Thursday morning. Social joys, popularity, optimism, splendid fresh wishes about the future come Friday/Saturday, and an entire month of these follows! Beware disagreements Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Bosses and VIPs are temperamental through late March, so be diplomatic. For the rest of February, government agencies, administrative offices and institutions favor you. Gemini May 21-June 20 The month ahead accents your place in society, your career and other ambitions, and your relations with bosses, parents and other authorities. Your quiet charm and diplomatic ease will impress higher-ups. They might invest in your talents or projects. This is a mildly beneficial influence, not a bonanza. (A bigger prize awaits you in family, real estate, security, food and shelter areas -- though it might not "become real" until May onward.) Sweet intimacy Sunday. Your educational, legal and far travel interests benefit Wednesday/Thursday. A sudden "career change" Friday/Saturday! Cancer June 21-July 22 The mysteries continue, but only for a few days. Sunday eve/Monday bring relationship opportunities (or temptations) ands by mid-week you're dipping deeply into lust, financial ambition (greed?) and possible binding commitments. But by Thursday/Friday you rise up emotionally to clearer air. You enter a mellow four weeks where you can see for miles. You'll know the truth about life and love, you'll philosophize, learn, travel and experience foreign people or foreign cultures. (Even if only by taking the bus downtown to see a foreign film.) Surprise rejection/attraction comes Saturday! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 In love and money, you'll either commit yourself more deeply, or formally break off, during the weeks ahead. A recent opportunity or newly-minted relationship now proceeds to crucial funding or deeper intimacy - or not. You might decide to call it quits with an "old" relationship as new feelings enter, and the wheel of circumstance turns - Saturday (the 21st) could be a "pivot point." Legal and ritual factors flow smoothly and luckily, so you can sign documents without fear. Relationships excite mid-week, grow intimate, consequential Friday, and surprise you Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Romance lures you Sunday night to Tuesday - Monday's best, for pleasure in general, love, creative urges, speculation. You'll feel happy! Tackle work Wednesday/Thursday - wrap up a whole month of duties, clear your desk or job list. (Careful with machinery Wednesday early afternoon.) Though Wednesday night begins a whole month of fresh new relationships, new opportunities and horizons, you won't really feel the first bracing gust of these until Friday/Saturday. A possible power struggle, rejection, "emotional housecleaning" (or real home changes) will lead to surprising fresh insights, ideas, even loves Saturday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 A winter romance (or the weave of potential loves that have sparked up your thoughts) is about to fade - briefly, for late March will bring love's parade again, with trumpets this time, winding past your window through August. All you have to do is climb out the window and join it. But that's late March onward. For now, romance, creativity, pleasure, and speculative winnings blossom mid-week, even as a month of work and health concerns begin. By Friday/Saturday, the chores will start piling up - a new, surprising one Saturday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 22 Maintain a restful pace through mid-week. Money's lucky Sunday. Perform paperwork, errands and necessary calls Monday (and Tuesday if they're totally routine). Your sluggish feeling intensifies Wednesday/Thursday - but these two days also start a whole month of romantic, creative, pleasurable, and beauty-oriented urges. You could fall in love, but in a social, or light way that leaves your heart healthy. The first event of this adventuresome streak happens Friday (lucky) or Saturday, when an alienated feeling could be followed by a sudden attraction to a friendly, vibrant, cold "beauty." Hmmnn. Sagittarius Nov. 23-Dec. 21 The month ahead features home, family, security. It could be a huge month, opening 2004's door to life-changing developments in relationships, career and home. Singles might marry (and will surely meet an attractive and available prospect this spring/summer). Your home will change suddenly and surprisingly sometime now to 2010 - either soon (as soon as this Saturday, which contains all the hints you need!) or after a long period of tension. But late February/March is only the door-opener - see far ahead, plan, decide. Abandon stale projects and relationships. Think. Contemplate. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 After a quiet, dreamy daytime, Sunday night propels your energy and charisma upward. You might see yourself somewhere else, doing something else - it's a workable idea! Use Monday (after 10 am PST is best) to chase goals, ask favors, and show off your abilities. Mid-week intensifies what's been a month-long money chase. Wrap it up - buy articles, pay bills, ask for a pay raise, etc. A month of paperwork, general busyness, details, calls, trips and casual friendships starts in earnest Friday/Saturday - a surprise message might come, sending you travelling! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Sunday's social - but retire early, and rest through Tuesday. (Monday favors government-related, spiritual, institutional, or any red tape dealings - and investments, later in the day.) Your energy and charisma return mid-week. Your ideas are inspired Wednesday eve - forget indecision, just create, flow with your dreams. Friendships display affection, and you're talkative and loveable. But stress and tension rule on the home front through March 20 - DO NOT start living with anyone before then. The month ahead features earnings and spending. A "power struggle" might precede a money/heart surprise Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your weariness continues, but only to mid-week, when you start a whole month of magnetism, climbing energy, effectiveness and astute timing. You have a job to do, a person to impress, Sunday daytime. A secret message might come (perhaps via a glance that says "I know what you want"). Your popularity and optimism rise Monday/Tuesday, then you sink into the slough of weariness again Tuesday-Thursday. But that's the end - by Friday/Saturday you're bouncing about accomplishing things and impressing people - start important projects, seek favors! Don't argue with higher-ups Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. /30/