ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2004 All dates/times are PST. I can't remember if, when I talked about that off Mercury-Saturn "circling" aspect, I mentioned that January 21 was the last "pass" of it, and should roughly mark the top of the present bull run - marking a semi-permanent top to the Dow, just as the March 2003 Mercury-Saturn aspect marked a long-term bottom. Anyway, here it is. I'd be wary of buying stocks now, due to this. A reader wrote, "You said my sign was lucky in career this week, but nothing happened for me. I hope something happens, as I have tried very, very hard - for a very long time." Lying in my bath an hour later, it occurred to me: trying very hard in career is not enough. You have to try hard with that small but unmistakeable confidence that you'll succeed. That "certainty." If you try very, very hard but without confidence, others will take advantage of you. I've lived through both phases in my life, and looking back, can see the vast difference between the two... The keynote of modern society was struck by the United States in post-war Europe: that the winners from here on in will have to give the losers a helping hand. It is an essential step forward into the truth of life: that we are all connected, that one cannot ultimately win by vanquishing another. This truth is being muffled today by the separation of the classes in North America. This separation will continue until 2024. A few disgruntled SAGITTARIANS wrote to inveigle me to write about their sign. Sagittarians love ARIES, and often they LEO too charming to resist. But Sagittarians tend to find their equal in GEMINI. Like Gemini, Sages are indecisive, travel-prone, and love knowledge. But Gemini likes facts, while Sage loves ideas, principles, and everything elevated and abstract. Gemini loves stories and anecdotes, quips and wit, while Sage inclines to novels, and finds most matters too important to be witty about. Sometimes this makes them pompous, even boring, for Sages are convinced they know the truth. Nothing outrages this sign so much as a witless Gemini using insignificant facts to pop Sages' philosophical balloons. Sagittarians revere the law, society's basic traditions. Gemini is cool, while Sage runs hot. This is the sign of enthusiasm - so much so, that only enthusiasm will conquer their typical indecisiveness. It's also a hugely honest sign. If a Sage ever "cheats" on a job his sense of guilt will make him change careers. He can't stand being steeped in the "scene of his guilt." Start Nothing: 4:23 p.m. Sun. to 7:12 a.m. Mon., 9:42 p.m. Tues. to 11:58 a.m. Wed., and 5:39 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Tackle work Sunday. Don't argue with a co-worker or loved one this eve. Relationships anger or stymie you Monday, but they head straight toward attraction, even love, Tuesday! (A good day to pursue business opportunities and public recognition.) The deeper side of life - occultism, investments, sex, research - proceeds fairly well Wednesday/Thursday, but watch a "slippery patch" of deception or unexpected anger Wednesday night, Thursday morning. Friday brings love's disappointment, and a slow road in intellectual, international, legal and travel zones. But Saturday cures, blesses and furthers all these! Taurus April 20-May 20 Enjoy romance and beautiful notions Sunday. Even though this is a practical, pragmatic, ambitious month, you're radiating sensual appeal (especially you male Taureans). This can attract both desire and anger. Be diplomatic Sunday and Monday - someone might be itching to quarrel with you for their own ends. Tackle chores Monday/Tuesday. You could impress the boss Tuesday, with your output or your inspired thinking! (This is a pretty good day to start a business, too.) Relationships excite you Wednesday to Friday, but you'll meet some friction. Beware "tricky" people. Saturday's sexy. Gemini May 21-June 20 Life's mellow. Your social circle widens. Far travel, legal affairs, social rituals (eg., bar mitzvahs, weddings) education, media, religious and intellectual projects go well. Romance is sweet Tuesday, but Sunday through Friday is NOT a good period to fall in love. Saturday the 14th (from 2 a.m. onward) is different - an exciting meeting could bring beauty, mysticism, joy - and a "loving challenge!" Now through late March, don't fight with red-tape types, civil servants, hospital workers, etc. Brief surgery might be necessary. Don't walk down threatening streets in lonely places. Cancer June 21-July 22 Your careful, steady "walk forward" in life and career is about to pay off. The weeks ahead bring you more work but they also bring you the approval and acquiescence of bosses, VIPs and parents. You're treated affectionately in high places now, so visit there! Your social life intensifies now through late March, and you appear to be socializing with - again - higher ups. A career dream could come true these two months! Tackle a home, real estate, family, security or food situation Tuesday - you'll succeed! Romantic notions arrive Wednesday-Friday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Relationships challenge and excite. A social ritual (wedding, confirmation, etc.) approaches disappointment all week to Friday night, but succeeds 2 a.m. Saturday onward. Through Friday, your love fishing is likely to net a cold fish who, paradoxically, could fill you with intense passion - an ultimately tragic combination. So wait until Saturday (the 14th) - this day brings romance, pleasure, beauty, a swelling heart, an exciting meeting! (An argument or philosophical disagreement could lurk in this relationship, but it's workable if you're flexible.) Communicate or travel Tuesday. Rest Wednesday to Friday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Sunday starts brightly, your luck's high, so charge forth! This afternoon reveals a snag in home or family (entrenched positions). If you don't exercise authority, conditions can deteriorate. Take charge, be firm! - Monday too, when strife affects educational, legal, work place, or money situations. Tuesday flashes a green money light - go, seek more, buy tools, car. Calls, trips, details and paperwork fill Wednesday to Friday. All week, beware trying to turn a social contact into a financial or intimate one. Avoid legal hassles through March. Saturday, home sweet home! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 This week accents romance, beauty, pleasure, creativity and children's talents - especially Tuesday, when your energy and charisma soar, and luck walks with you! But during the entire Sunday through Friday period a subtle barrier works against your relationship, partnership and public interests. (Because your ambitions and/or duties "deflate" another's joy.) So don't start any new relationships, nor relocate, nor begin a public project, nor litigate this week (before 2 a.m. Saturday). Be quiet, rest Sunday. Take charge Monday/Tuesday. Chase money (carefully) Wednesday-Friday. Happiness, friends, visits and travel fill Saturday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 The emphasis rests on home, family, nature, security, contemplation. The tension of the last seven years fades swiftly, but now through March there is a bit of relationship friction. If you're single, anger toward/from a member of the opposite sex could signal an underlying attraction one of you doesn't want to admit! All week - to pre-dawn Saturday (the 14th) -- a quiet, subtle conflict brews between your ethics and your work duties. DON'T start a love affair with a co-worker. It would lead to big disappointments later. Money's available Saturday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The accent's on travel, paperwork, details, calls and visits, siblings and casual friends. Follow your curiosity. But all week up to Saturday pre-dawn, DON'T start a new romance, creative project, gambling or speculative, pleasure or child-teaching venture. These will have to struggle against a very strong financial or sexual "reality." (Perhaps you aren't being realistic, but it's more than that.) Follow your ambitions Sunday. Friends argue Monday. Your popularity soars Tuesday! Rest, recuperate Wednesday-Friday. Emerge to impress the world, attract love, hop a plane, etc., on a lucky Saturday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Chase money. Your home grows sweeter now to early March, but this week you and a partner/spouse might have difficulty coming to agreement about a domestic, career or other "power issue." You might also feel a dawning urge to quit one job for another, even if that other is just a "maybe" opportunity. Your romantic courage and adventurousness climbs steadily now to late March. In many ways, you're ready to pursue a new life! Your ambitions/career are packed with luck Tuesday. Optimism rules Wednesday to Friday. Rest quietly Saturday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy and charisma soar! Show off, seek favors! You'll attract love, but don't get affectionate, nor "too soft" with more practical relationships - co-workers, service people, etc. They would take advantage of your "easiness," and you wouldn't make a good verbal agreement. However, this is a good time to buy practical or "rough'n'ready" tools (not fancy, luxury items). Your home life grows heated now through late March - to escape angry words, channel this energy into reno projects, landscaping, etc. (But remember, be firm, "no-nonsense" with service/tradespeople.) You're inspired Tuesday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Paperwork, details, communications and travel will become a bit hectic now through late March, but will also serve your money interests - be active, curious! This week, though, erects a subtle conflict between your income and your creative, romantic, pleasure or gambling instincts. So wait until Saturday (the 14th) before you seriously chase any one of these. On this day your ambitions and efforts could trigger a promotion, business deal or bring you face-to-face with a potential love mate! Tuesday shows valuable secrets, opens doors to financial or intimate realms. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/