ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MARCH 21 - 27, 2004 All times/dates are PST. MY APOLOGIES if you emailed or telephoned me the last two weeks of February. On the morning of February 14, I wed the beautiful Maureen Brown, and that evening we flew away to France. In all the excitement, I forgot to turn on my telephone's answering machine. And my email program strangled itself a week later. So if you did try to contact me, please try again. Someone did email to remind me of my Nortel call (wow, was that an old one!) and, with several other "mailers," wondered where commodities and the stock markets are going. The economy doesn't seem to hold any major pitfalls astrologically - nothing, at least, like 2000-2002. However, Jupiter, the planet of expansion and "great good fortune" is in difficult aspect, through September, to Pluto, the planet of fate and high finance. I think people who believe in luck this year will fare far better than those who don't. BUT, in March/April and June to a mild degree, and to a stronger degree in August, this Jupiter-Pluto difficulty could cause unexpected (yet, in hindsight, always suspected) "dislocations" in the economy. Since Jupiter rules expansion and Pluto rules energy, vast systems, death, crime, butchering, and high finance, we could see a price spike (up or down) in oil or meat, financial or infrastructure problems in energy/utilities, and unexpected high finance problems with banks/derivatives, etc. (Since I wrote this, the terrorist train bombing in Spain roiled the markets.) These could cause the stock markets to jerk down. Overall, as I wrote a couple of months ago, I think January's high formed a rather lasting ceiling (about 10700 on the Dow Industrials) in the same way that 7200 on the Dow formed a long-lasting bottom last March (03) and the prior October. (My 2001 advice, to buy whenever the Dow hits low 7,000's, is now withdrawn, though.) A couple of CAPRICORNS have emailed to ask why I haven't mentioned them in the last few weeks of sun-sign descriptions. Actually, I started the whole description series off with Capricorn, way back in the middle of '03. (You Capricorns can find your 7-year forecast on the astral web site, under the "2010" platform link.) Capricorn is the most ambitious sign, but this ambition often runs quietly under a diplomatic surface. Feelings run deep in Capricorn, but they are often hidden or reined in so that more practical pursuits don't derail. This sign appreciates loyalty, and will protect those he/she thinks are "living right." More on Caps next week. Start Nothing: 7:13 a.m. to 10:09 p.m. Mon., 2:29 p.m. Wed. to 9:35 a.m. Thurs., and 2:44 p.m. to 10:23 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Your energy, luck and charisma climb to yearly heights this week through April Sunday's superb for speaking, writing, travel, and accomplishing legal, educational, cultural, media or international goals (until 7 a.m. Monday). After dawn, Monday promises more than it delivers. Chase money and possessions Tuesday/Wednesday - you could land a pay raise, a life-elevating possession (car, computer) and/or a sensual delight! But realize travel, law, finances and sexual commitment will be delayed Wednesday through August - make your mark, your decision/commitment, immediately...or not. SELL investments rather than committing additional large sums. Taurus April 20-May 20 Take a restful, contemplative stance in the weeks ahead. Your physical and emotional reserves will be a bit low - especially this Sunday/Monday. Sunday (to 7 a.m. PST Monday) is great for dealings with government, hospitals, spiritual people or psychics. Your energy climbs Tuesday/Wednesday - finalize agreements in business, emotional and intimate areas. Luck flows into romantic, creative, and child-related areas. Take a chance! Be careful with money Thursday/Friday - your social side could trip up your practical or prudent instincts. DON'T sign papers! Money solutions (of a minor sort) appear Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 At least one of your long-held wishes will come true in the month ahead. If it manifests after April 5, it could hurtle you back to the past in a mighty way! Your hopes could involve property, family, security, or they could directly conflict with these. Your popularity rises; your social life could bring a major love. Sunday's instrumental - it hits the note that will reverberate through the weeks ahead. Retreat, dream, seek "government favors" Tuesday/Wednesday. Your charisma and energy soar Thursday/Friday, but don't buy anything - including a "love story." Cancer June 21-July 22 Your ambitions come to the fore over the month ahead - so does pressure from bosses, parents, and authority figures. A social introduction might lead you to a former career or business situation. Much that happens now through late April - even to August - will be somewhat secret, or involve government agencies or huge corporations. Paperwork, red tape and communications will surge! Make any ambitious moves now, as April could bring delays/confusions in new projects. Sunday's good for ambitions. Popularity and social delights visit you Tuesday/Wednesday. That government/secret stuff begins Thursday-Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The weeks ahead bring foreign travel, legal victories, love, wedding or similar rituals, higher education, a mellow understanding of life. (Clues come Sunday.) Use the two weeks ahead to complete projects in these areas. By April 6, a delay/confusion influence will enter - but so will lucky links to past legal, love, travel, religious, educational or media ventures. You'll meet at least one of these "links" at a social function. As a result, a dream will come true! Your popularity rises gently but unstoppably, now to August! Don't commit, Thursday/Friday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sep. 22 A financial, intimate and/or lifestyle commitment you make in the next four weeks will change your life. Until April 6, these commitments are tied to the future; after, they will be linked to past situations. Commitment will change your worldly status. E.g., intimate commitment = pregnancy = parenthood. Or financial investment = a new business role. Research, look deeply, follow your intuitive nudges. Authorities, parents and bosses will be half-approving, half-critical to May 6, but "all approval" May through July. You might launch a major career coup! Libra Sep. 23-Oct. 22 Relationships reach a turning point over the next four weeks. You could fall in love, be feted by an old flame, commit to a relocation, meet a great business contact, find a new "public" role, etc. Legalities, rituals, mellow understanding or a rather formal, wise, "society-approves" element imbues new and old relationships. Stay out of legal hassles, court fights, etc. - you'll tend to lose these through early May, then win them May to early August. Married or single, love is rekindled. Sign agreements March 21, 23 or after April 27. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 The month ahead lays a mountain of chores on your shoulders. Complete tasks rather than start new ventures, now through April. Your employer or job responsibilities might change. DO NOT buy new equipment, a car, computer, etc. before May. Now through July you face a chance to turn your life around in regard to finances, sex, a partnership or marriage, and your connection to an institution or government agency. Take the step, commit yourself - but not to a verboten love affair! Research aids you. Invest after April, not before. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Love in some form will visit you over the month ahead - might be romance, love of children, of beauty, of nature. In addition, your urge to self-express, your creativity, gambling urges, and sense of vitality will soar. This happens every spring for you - but this year, these feelings trigger something potentially permanent, something unusually important, which will develop throughout the spring and summer. You could meet a life-mate, or produce a creative oeuvre that brings you public recognition, or relocate to balmy shores! An old flame might arrive soon. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Home, family, real estate, security, business territory or foundations, nature's wild call, and your own soul - these occupy you for the month ahead. They could also change your job, and eventually, your standing in the world. You might quit a position now, or alter your working hours to accommodate changes at home. Work will be very hectic to early May, but you're building toward a rewarding situation - perhaps a raise in pay or elevated position. This will "emerge" May to July. DO NOT buy real estate now through April. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Time rushes you toward short trips, calls and messaging, quick meetings and casual talks, paperwork and many details. (DON'T start a new venture in these areas - e.g., a mail program or installation of a new telephone - before May.) These seemingly rushed, casual moments carry a major freight - you could meet a powerful love, have a stunning creative inspiration, fall in love with a child's future, suddenly decide to quit you job and become a teacher, or otherwise take a wonderful gamble on life. Take that risk - reward awaits you! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Wherever you can over the month ahead, grab the money. Possessions, buying/selling, earnings are highlighted fortunately - but DON'T start new earnings projects, nor buy anything big now through April. (You'd later change your mind about it.) Your home life, your family, property, security, even business foundations, are about to be transformed in an initially hectic but eventually beneficial way. (The sweet rewards here will become apparent May through July). Your mate, or another important relationship - or a plan to relocate far away - could be involved. Luck comes from affection. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/