ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
MAY 16 - 22, 2004 

	All times/dates are PDT.
	Long ago I predicted that societies and governments would learn to rule their people, not through laws nor police, but by "channelling" the actions of the citizenry by manipulating/forming their environment (as is done in architecture) I thought this would take a physical form. I didn't foresee that the first "architects" of behavioural channelling would be large corporations such as Verizon, Sprint, Telus and Bell (though government agencies have been quick to follow) and that the first wave of channelling would come via the telephone system. For large companies and the government the main driver for this phenomena is cost savings. For the consumer, channelling's main effect is withdrawal of contact. 
When you call most government agencies, large corporations, and, especially, telephone companies, you are not allowed to speak to a person, and not allowed to leae a message. The ability to exercise your personality is stripped from you. You're at most a rat in a maze. These telephone systems give you a choice of pre-designed alternatives. If your query, request or desire does not fit one of the pre-designed slots, you simply have no place to go. Thus, you are either channelled, or marginalized - rejected as an operable entity. Ultimately, you are rejected in either scenario, as an individual. This is very frustrating for eccentrics like me. 
	The saddest thing is that this dehumanizing of the individual is permanent, and will eventually be accepted. It's the edge of the future - and in time there will be no need of laws, as these practices of "restricted choices" grow. Written laws are a product of a literal society. As I forecast years ago, by 2239 - and for the 5,000 years following - society will no longer be word-based, linear, philosophic, religious nor "legal." Instead, we'll evolve into an imagistic-iconistic-behavioral-spiritual society. We can already see images starting to take the place of words - just look at your Windows or Apple desktop.
	I have watched my children's reaction to these new telephonic impositions. I thought they might react as they have to computers - find them natural, and in some unimaginable way live and thrive within them. What I saw was sad. Yes, my children accept these "you cannot contact us" impositions as natural. They don't protest them at all. They don't even try to find any way around them. They just give up. 
I don't know whether this behavioural channelling is a good thing or bad. I do think it's inevitable. To an old-type mind, its psychological consequences are terrible. But to the young, it might be fine. I just worry that it will leave a large part of our future generation isolated, useless, and impotent - a perfect pre-condition for slavery.

Start Nothing: 5:17 a.m. to 12:57 p.m. Sun., 9:52 p.m. Tues. to 0:47 a.m. Wed., 5:13 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. Fri., and after 11:58 a.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
Keep chasing money - especially Sunday afternoon to Tuesday night. You could score big - grab a bargain in computers, high tech or machinery, anything that runs on electricity. You might also start a new income project - don't build castles in the air, though. Be realistic, sober. Communications, travel and paperwork look good, lucky, but they ultimately frustrate you Wednesday/Thursday. You'll be most successful pre-dawn Thursday, and late Thursday night to pre-dawn Friday. Settle into home, security, property Friday eve, Saturday - luck's smooth, you could begin a major successful project here!

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Your energy, charisma and effectiveness surge even higher Sunday afternoon to Tuesday. You'll draw glances! Start important projects, ask favors, seek an audience with VIPs (or lovers). Communications, paperwork, travelling  and scheduling grow more hectic over the six weeks ahead. This Sunday-Tuesday communications can lead to a happy friendship or light romance, or open the door to an artistic, political or humanitarian social group. This new link will eventually boost your status in the world, so step forward! Step around money frustrations late week - act early Thursday and Friday mornings.

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Romance slows yet intensifies now through June. Your magnetism surges, same period. Use delays to soak up the sweet complexities of love. You might attract a former lover. If you're unattached and nostalgic, give him/her a call - the results could please! (Through September, 2004 is not a great year for marriage, but, though there will be ego conflicts, it is a good year for starting to live with someone - or for establishing a new home, if you're already married. Do these before October!)  Rest deeply Sunday-Tuesday. Chase money Friday/Saturday. 

Cancer   June 21-July 22
The celebratory atmosphere fades mid-week through late June. If you're young, parties end; if older, a social trend ebbs temporarily. Before it does, one last "festivity" occurs - and one cherished wish could come true! Seek others Sunday-Tuesday, let your assertiveness flow - call a VIP, parent or higher-up Monday morning. By Wednesday, you start a month of quietude, rest and relative withdrawal. This year, you'll love solitude; it brings peace and beauty. Channel your assertiveness (it's high, despite the "quietude") into career - only career. Your energy perks up Friday eve, Saturday.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Make a serious stab at a business, status or career goal Sunday eve through Tuesday - Monday morning's best, especially if a large monetary commitment is involved. (Joining a school for career purposes also counts.) You could set something in motion that leads to three weeks of talk and negotiations. Wednesday begins a month of optimism, social delights, entertainment and light romance. A wish, especially an old one, could come true. (Even your wishes need a bit of monetary sacrifice or relationship compromise these days - that's okay - be willing!)

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Through late June a wish will come true involving an investment, a sexual liaison/commitment, or a health concern. This in turn will generate what you really want: a lifestyle change. During the same six weeks people in charge can be indecisive, slow to agree to your proposals/requests. Their indecision reflects your own. Realize they strongly favor you and your talents - and come July, they might well give you the green light. So be patient, remain friendly - and work hard! (Wednesday begins four weeks of increased, but beneficial, work pressures.) 

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Give a lifestyle change, a research/investigation project, an investment or debt restructuring, a health concern or sexual commitment a big effort or a big, consequential "yes" Sunday eve through Tuesday. (Monday morning's best.) Wednesday starts a month of legal, international, philosophical, love, ritual, intellectual, educational, or media involvements. These matters are blessed and stressed - if you can jump nimbly through the obstacles/dangers, you'll profit! Your mood will be mellow; your understanding will broaden. You could fall in love! (Perhaps with the same old person.) Chase career/business goals Friday eve, Saturday. 

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Seal a deal, make a bid or truce, negotiate, start a project dealing with the public, or otherwise chase opportunities Sunday eve to Tuesday. (Monday's luckiest.) Be diplomatic, flexible. Wednesday begins a month of secrets, mysteries, subconscious urgings and hunches. Investments, finances, debt, sexual commitments, health concerns, lifestyle changes and investigations will draw you and profit you - plunge in, but keep one eye on the larger monetary/earnings "forces of change" that are slowly swelling. A mellow, loving mood arises Friday eve, Saturday. Avoid legal hassles Saturday, and through late June. 

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Sunday morning's for pleasure, beauty and love. But tackle chores this p.m. through Tuesday - you'll make good, solid progress. You might buy a machine to make home-related chores easier (best Monday). Don't start a big new work project - it will crumble later. Mid-week starts a month of relationship excitement, relocation, business, contract, public and negotiation opportunities. Be diplomatic, but dive in - others will respond with affection and receptivity. A new love could swiftly become deeply intimate. Already existing relationships face deeper intimate or financial commitment. Impulsivity rules - be realistic!
	
Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Romance, a recent atmosphere of pleasure and beauty, intensify Sunday eve to Tuesday, then fade for a month. So show your affection without delay! (Speaking of delay, both romantic, creative, speculative and career matters will slow down and tend to go in circles - but pleasant or lucrative ones - this week through June. In business and work, this is the time to "harvest" the systems, contacts, efforts you've already set up.) Despite the ebbing of romance, relationships stay exciting to late June - this can be "attraction" exciting or "hostile" exciting.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Take one last telling action involving your home, family, kids, property, security, gardening (etc.) or your soul, Sunday eve through Tuesday. It's better to finish things in these areas than to start. (Although circumstances might nudge you into a new start Tuesday, it looks crumbly and weak.) Monday's luckiest, could bring a splendid home-money combination. A great day (morning) to buy home video, home computer, etc. (Sunday eve's good for buying a home, period.)  Wednesday starts a month of romance, pleasure, creative surges and speculative urges. Children will enchant!

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Tackle important paperwork, communications, networking or computer chores Sunday eve through Tuesday. Finish rather than start. Travel, read, learn - be curious! Your busy activities (e.g., messaging, travel, curiosity) could take you to a romantic person, or uncover a creative/speculative (or simply pleasurable) way of making money Sunday eve or Monday morning! A month of physical rest, family, property concerns, nature's beauty, and contemplation starts Wednesday. However, you'll stay pretty active into early June, as trips, calls and paperwork continue. Friday p.m. and Saturday bring beauty, pleasure - and romance?


For a reading: 604-261-1337. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca.



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