ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS FEBRUARY 22 - 28, 2004 All times/dates are Pacific Standard. Around mid-2003, I wrote here that oil stocks were a dicey hold, because their prices would tend to inflate, then meet sudden problems. Last month, Royal Dutch/Shell, the huge British conglomerate, revealed that its worldwide reserves were 20 per cent less than previously stated. Chevron quickly followed, revealing an unexpected 20-25 per cent drop in estimated natural gas reserves from the Hibernia fields. PetroCan stock fell 12 per cent in one day, due to a surprising profit shortfall. One of Canada's three largest oil and gas income trusts, Pengrowth, revealed in late January that its reserves had suddenly tanked (its price dropped 25 per cent in two or three days). Months earlier, Viking, another long-existing Canadian oil and gas trust, dropped 20 per cent in price in one day, when it was revealed that their oil reserves were 10 per cent less than reported. Most recently, in early February, the Texas energy giant El Paso announced that they expect to "sharply" reduce their stated proven reserves of natural gas. In Canada, the entire industry has been hit with a government edict that they have to restate their reserves (downward) and every O&G company is falling in price. The lunar south node, which hinted at these events, often involves shady dealings or moral decline. Right now, that corruption is showing in oil and gas (and financial houses) - in 2005, it will show in beauty, cosmetics, fashion and similar stocks... I keep telling VIRGOS that they're in a great, lucky year, September 2003 through September 2004. If that's true, why then are numerous Virgos writing me to enumerate their woes? Well, here's the stickler: the planet that's indicating Virgo luck is also the ruler of home and hearth for this sign. And in Virgo's area of home and hearth, the planet Pluto has been signalling tectonic upheavals since 1995 (and will, into early '08). So this sign faces a decision. The best choice is to be cheerful, optimistic and grab luck, command life, and control and MAKE changes on the home, family, and real estate fronts. (Buy a house. Move the family to Outer Point or Paradise Suburbs. Renovate the house. Make a baby. Establish a new educational program for the kids. Kick out the goth teenager. Get a new family menu or set of rules. Buy a retirement home. Etc.) Or, Virgos can stand there and weep and wail at the barbs of fate's shifts. One thing this sign should know from the outset this year: others (especially spouses, ex's etc.) will not co-operate. When this happens, realize you are in charge, YOU are the lucky one - so act, without delay! (Except in April, August and December, when everyone should delay). All signs: avoid noxious or flammable chemicals through Tuesday. Start Nothing: Before 4:45 a.m. Sun., 10:54 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tues., and 6:55 p.m. Wed. to 1:22 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Take the quiet road now to March 20. Rest, contemplate, plan future events, deal with hospitals and government agencies, be charitable and spiritual. This period boosts your income swiftly and unexpectedly. These might be "one time" bonanzas, so hold and bank them - DON'T fall prey to an unconscious need to spend. Despite your weariness, at least one person is deeply attracted to you, and manages to get the message across by quiet gestures. Home, children are an endless burden to July 2005 - but they're also your road to success. Taurus April 20-May 20 Dreams will come true over the next four weeks! You exude a magnetic sexual assertiveness. Ethics are very important: reject clandestine attractions. Your spiritual, intimate side mellows...could you be growing happier, in long-term ways? I think so! A lot of career chatter and activity ebbs now (Wednesday onward) leaving you free for social delights. Rest Sunday/Monday. Your charisma soars Tuesday-Thursday - flirtation and love possibilities arrive! In general, Taureans should not marry this year, but someone you meet Wednesday eve to Friday morning could be the exception to the rule! Gemini May 21-June 20 Your role as a parent, your career or ambitions, and your relations with VIPs are on a new course now through 2010. Your "proper role" will lean into a more intellectual, renowned, legal, travel-oriented or cultural role. Long-overdue recognition could come! Your stress levels will rise to 2010, too. Seek calm (outdoor - not indoor - exercise or a love relationship provides this). And strive to get ahead, to display your talents. The four weeks ahead highlight all these trends. Happiness Sunday-Tuesday. Rest, dream Tuesday-Thursday. Impress the world, ask favors Friday/Saturday! Cancer June 21-July 22 The month ahead accents legal, publishing, media, scholarship, intellectual, far-travel themes - and love. A new note has entered these areas, until 2010. For the past fourteen years you've ridden the chaos of life. Lustful and money-oriented relationships kept you in upheaval. You've aged, you've seen the hidden forces of life clothed in events. The insights you suffered are now your treasure chest - use it, teach others, spread wisdom, become a mentor, write - or simply fall in love. Real, mellow love! The month ahead brings these themes happily to you Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The four weeks ahead feature mysteries, life's hidden forces, research and investigation. You might crawl through the underside of life (or your own psychological underside). You might be impelled by lust, power, ambition or money, but ultimately you'll want three things: knowledge, love (that perfect relationship) and happiness. This journey, beginning now, will take seven years to emerge into knowing, love and joy. It WILL get there. Be kind to yourself on the way, by being tolerant of others. If you've already found your true love, take him/her with you. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept 22 The month ahead accents relationships of all kinds. It's an unusual situation - others have the power, but you have the luck. Be diplomatic, flexible, and eager to join with others in pursuit of their goals and desires, but know you're bringing something very valuable to the table in any negotiations. You might change a home or important partnership this month ahead (and this whole seven years ahead). Intimacy is sweet. A legal affair could begin, involving family finances, fidelity, marital possessions, or a major investment. Remember, ultimate luck's yours! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Many chores come, until March 20. Your life changes, too. A partner demands change, or you enter a new intimacy (or financial arrangement) with someone. Consequence and commitment prevail, financially and sexually - or you separate. A person or corporation with whom you now develop a deeper bond could become a "legal partner" before August. (If you're unengaged, a prospect will arrive sometime before August - in love, though perhaps not in business.) All this unfolds in miniature this week (relationships Sunday-Tuesday, consequence Tuesday-Thursday, "legal" Friday/Saturday). Others treat you with affection! Scorpio Oct. 22-Nov. 21 You're on a winning streak in romance, creativity, children's interests and finances these few weeks ahead! But start carefully. Tackle chores Sunday to Tuesday morning. Avoid chasing an alluring person or a business "opportunity" - deception and self-delusion float everywhere. Take care around noxious fumes and flammable materials. Trustworthy - and lucky - relationships enter from Tuesday eve to Wednesday morning, and Wednesday night. The deeper side of associations emerges Friday/Saturday - intimacy in emotional ties, funding in business relationships. Despite some mild surface glitches, destiny is on your side, promoting commitment. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Slow down, accept your body's sluggish pace now through late March. It's nature's healthy way of making you rest. Chores will give you little respite - tackle them seriously Tuesday eve to Thursday (routine only Thursday). Your efforts are piling up career points. Grab naps where you can. Don't operate machinery when tired (especially this Sunday and Tuesday). A recent spate of short trips and friendly calls slows down, but affectionate notions continue to run through your thoughts, especially Sunday to Tuesday. (This spring/summer those thoughts will meet reality's powerful answer!) Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You're on top of your game Sunday to Tuesday. Start important projects, seek favors, impress people! But avoid money ventures and wild romance - you might misread financial conditions, someone's honesty, or the fickleness of an alluring person. True romance, creativity, and speculative luck arrives Tuesday night to Thursday - and to some degree, romantic "heat" and courage will propel you now through late March. (Thursday isn't good for starting things, though.) Tackle chores Friday/Saturday. This week and the few ahead feature paperwork, details, short trips and curiosity. Build money foundations. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The weeks ahead feature earned income, spending, memory, possessions, and casual physical intimacy. Communications get an affectionate response through early March. A friendly, casual love affair could begin, but it won't come knee-high to the huge romantic prospects that flood this spring/summer - by entering a relationship now, you could undermine your desire for the "real thing." (Desire is magnetism.) Don't give someone the wrong impression (nor bet/invest during a bout of indecision) Sunday to Tuesday. Retire, rest, or work on your house, garden midweek. Romance, pleasure call Friday/ Saturday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your energy, magnetism, effectiveness and timing are high and sharp, Pisces. Charge forth, seek favors, start important projects, display your talents. Your money luck continues mildly high for two more weeks, but your money drives are starting to veer into paperwork, communications and travel - watch that this isn't wasted energy. Through Tuesday, money's link to government, planning, secrets or closed-door agreements seems overblown and unreliable - take care. A good friend, sibling, or prospective partner brightens Wednesday (but anyone first met Thursday isn't a "good bet"). Settle down, rest Friday/Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstepghens@shaw.ca.