ASTROLOGICAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS APRIL 4 - 10, 2004 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight Time. All Signs: the mercury retrograde is in full effect. Don't start any big, brand new projects. CAPRICORN hates to be exposed or revealed. Many Capricorns are uncomfortable even in a benevolent spotlight. Long ago, when Capricorn Richard Nixon won the presidential election, his awkwardness showed through even in his victory salutes. My former Capricorn girlfriend forbade me to discuss her with anyone. (Unfortunately, the reverse didn't apply.) Back in the '80's, I once praised my Capricorn friend Sam in this column - but he was upset, because being mentioned in an astrology column sullied his image. Even when they're down and out Capricorns treasure their dignity - and feel intense, lasting shame if they fall below a former social position through divorce, business failure or other events. Capricorns strongly reflect anything else in their birth chart. A Capricorn with a Gemini Moon will talk and talk - and have a beautiful laugh. Ali, the Capricorn boxer, had a Leo Moon - he was the ultimate show-off and attention-getter. Capricorns with Libra Moon or rising sign move with deliberate grace and charm. This sign is usually heavy-boned and should never sail without a life preserver. Capricorns are deeply loyal to their family. When they're divorced, the children become the focal point for deeply tragic feelings. Capricorn can weep about the troubles of friends. None of this prevents Cap from being stern, though. Capricorn is fatherly rather than motherly. His/her basic attitude toward spouse and children is: "if you do as I tell you, I'll love you. If you don't, I will probably still love you, but you'll likely wish I didn't!" This sign understands unconditional love, but rejects it as foolish - or as properly the domain of his/her spouse. Capricorn wants to be in control of love, but in the end, loves deeply... The solar eclipse of April 19 occurs in 29 Aries, which hints that a police state or draconian military control will be clamped on some country this spring/summer - and that it is rather late to start big new initiatives, especially wars, machinery and wilderness ventures. This eclipse says the best projects have already "come" to us, perhaps as ideas, new starts, proposals, etc., in the past six to 12 months. So, May onward, favor projects you've already planned or started rather than "new inspirations." In general, it's better to begin ventures in 2004 than in 2005. Be careful, alert to sudden changes, ready to run, if your projects involve these: secrecy, death, chemicals, oil, high finance, or the letter "K." Start Nothing: 2:26 p.m. Mon. to 3:24 a.m. Tues., 4:06 a.m. Wed. to 4:50 a.m. Thurs., and 5:29 p.m. Fri. to 6:33 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Your energy and charisma soar! Approving glances shoot your way. A casual conversation, trip or meeting could spark a romantic tête-à-tête! Your money situation improves for about ten days - it's a bit of a false start, OR signals a temporary return to earning money from your wits, teaching, writing, paperwork until mid-May. Don't start new projects before April 30. (Though on the 28, 29, do start projects connected to old situations/desires.) Relationships spell adventure (not peace!) Sunday/Monday. Don't invest mid-week. Love, far travel, wisdom are blessed Friday. Ambition, Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Money starts flowing seriously. You'll collect - but make sure you save also. This spring/summer blesses your income - perhaps from an old source or former contact/situation in April, from new sources May-August. Strive to "concretize" this flow - make it permanent, place yourself on an earnings plateau that will last beyond this summer. (Look for a permanent job, seek a pay raise, etc.) Your money goals conflict with a gambling or romantic urge Sunday/Monday. Relationships need realism Tuesday/Wednesday. Sex, research, health and finances are dicey Thursday, lucky Friday. Love, learning Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Life's open, fresh, your horizons are unlimited! Your popularity soars. Former associates contact you. Wishes come true. Your romantic/sensual magnetism radiates. DON'T start new projects - but do bound gladly into on-going or past projects. A word, letter or contact nudges you toward a secret place or into dealings with an institution or the government - but this is too early, it will end up "dead in the water." That's just as well. Romance, adventure conflict with "home fires" Sunday/Monday. Tackle chores Tuesday/Wednesday. Relationships disrupt Thursday, please Friday. Big decisions Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Don't do anything Sunday/Monday that can later create an "uncomfortable secret" (gossip, damaged reputation). Avoid red tape, head office and government agencies both days. Your romantic feelings rise Tuesday/Wednesday - enjoy love, pleasure notions without necessarily acting on them. Tackle chores cautiously Thursday, with vim and vigor Friday. Relationships offer opportunity, partnership prospects, travel or merely a good solid conversation Saturday. Tone down your scepticism. You might meet a new friend this week, then not see him/her again until late May. Welcome old career projects/contacts; but don't start brand new ventures. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your fond wishes (in emotional, fun, social, legal, educational, media areas) run counter to your money luck, especially Sunday/Monday. (E.g., a fun vacation in Mexico entails turning down a lucrative job.) This time, wishes will probably win - but the whole spring/summer ahead will continue this struggle between desires and money luck, between "new prospects" and what/who you already possess. Home, family concerns arise Tuesday/Wednesday. Romance, creativity and "gambles" need caution Thursday, but shower you with good stuff Friday! Tackle chores Saturday. DON'T start legal, learning or media projects in April. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Keep your eye open for consequential sexual, financial, investment, partnership, health, research or lifestyle "openings" - pounce, make commitments when you have a "right" feeling about them. Now to the end of April, these consequential situations will probably (and fortunately) have a link to the past, and could involve your status, career, parental role or relations with VIPs. But DON'T sign new contracts this week, nor start new career projects anytime in April. VIPs, bosses, etc., might be temperamental, impatient through early May, but they're willing to reward you financially. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 An old flame or business link/opportunity could enter this April. This relationship could work - look at its "history" for yea-nay clues. If a former attraction appears before Thursday something in your life, a restriction, a psychological barrier, nixes it. (Still, it could be pretty thrilling Sunday eve-night!) A past contact who appears Friday (after 3 a.m.) can offer a sweet, lasting friendship, perhaps marriage. (Delay weddings, though, to October onward.) All week, don't chase brand new people, opportunities, business plans or contacts. Sign nothing. Seek home comforts Saturday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Careful with work, tools, machinery, dependents and employees - expect delays, missed appointments, supply shortages. Have "Plan B" ready. Make no promises; accept none. Major sexual, financial and lifestyle situations are forming, will lead to beneficial changes for you now to August. Watch; be ready. A new person you meet this week will disappear soon; remain independent. You're tired Sunday/Monday - duties might conflict with your social hopes. Honor your duties for now. Your energy rises nicely Tuesday onward. Seek favors but reject promises. Show money caution Thursday, money optimism Friday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 An "ex" - lover, spouse, business partner, friend - could appear this month. If he/she shows before Friday, your home or career duties will restrict or even shut down this budding re-acquaintance. But if he/she appears Friday (after 3 a.m. PDT) a great success could be imminent! Nostalgia, old loves and pleasures, former, half-finished creative projects and vacation plans call to you - go, indulge your yearnings! Ignore a "call to work" this week - it will prove to be short and disappointing. Happiness comes Sunday/Monday! Rest Tuesday/Wednesday. Your charisma, energy surge Thursday/Friday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Don't start home, family, security, renovation or similar projects now through April. A brief romance (or creative urge) that flowers this week will fade soon. Why waste your time? Your work scene offers rewards, but be safety conscious also. Co-workers will show affection and short tempers. Wait until April 28 onward to make changes in employment situations, to buy tools, computers, etc. You could receive a career surprise - or a legal "end game" - Sunday/Monday. Your hopes and popularity rise Tuesday/Wednesday. Lie low, rest Thursday/Friday. Your energy bursts upward Saturday! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Don't start communications, paperwork, distribution, photography, office, computer, travel, or detail-oriented projects in April. Expect delays, glitches and mistakes in these - check facts, figures on bills, addresses. Your romantic prospects are rising. If you're single, the four months ahead will offer love - and a happy home. All Aquarians now face strong luck in pleasure, beauty, teaching/raising kids, creative and speculative ventures. Sunday/Monday are mellow, but "ethics" conflict with secret urges, the law might nix an investment. Be ambitious mid-week. Friends and hopes are frustrated Thursday, lucky Friday! Rest Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Don't overspend on furniture, renovations, gardening, educational programs, kids' allowances, etc. April is a bad time to start money related projects. But if you've been trying to sell a property for a long time, or you made an offer long ago, you could hear "acceptance words" this month. You feel a deep urge to change your home, family or security set-up - but new projects are not favored until May. You might return to an old family set up. Temptations, finances need caution Sunday/Monday. Love, wisdom flow mid-week. Career luck Friday! For a reading: 604-261-1337. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. www.astralreflections.com. /30/