ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
MAY 23 - 29, 2004 

	All times/dates are PDT.
	In 2001, 02 and several times in 2003, I wrote here that the U.S. "War on Terror" - and latterly the war in Iraq - would be a ground war, long and slow, with much patience needed. That it would strongly involve governmental structures and politics. That Bush needed to cultivate world opinion/other leaders, because he needed them. And that the invasion date showed there was a hidden moral "badness" in the prosecution of the war (beyond the "accepted" violence of war). I looked dead wrong at first, when airpower surged in and both nations crumpled as quick as cardboard. And these conquests were accomplished almost alone, without any major allies except Britain. I looked stupid, perhaps, when I suggested where the Pentagon/CIA could find Osama, and how.
But I don't look so wrong now. My Osama advice was (I'm sure) ignored, and Osama's still free. And what looked like a quick victory in Iraq has evolved into just what I predicted: a long, drawn out ground war. The assault on Fallujah, as foretold by the April/03 eclipse, failed. That forecast of a heavy accent on politics - well, let's call this one self-evident. As predicted, too, much of the Iraq war has become a battle to win and keep the loyalty of countries and leaders across Europe and Asia - a battle that has suffered defeats with the train bombing in Spain, the withdrawal announcements from Spain, Poland, Honduras and Thailand, and the prisoner-abuse revelations. Poor Bush! I keep forgetting to say that he faces a long, sobering path until July 2005. If dishonest, he'll lose the November election...June 8 to 16 offers major clues about his challenges.  
	A reader has asked me to discuss cusps. People born within two or three days of the change-over date between different sun signs are said to be "cuspal." For example, in 2004 the Sun leaves TAURUS to enter the sign GEMINI on May 20 at 9:59 a.m. PDT. But any babies born from about May 18 to 24 will share the characteristics of both signs. Signs are like pools of different color. If Taurus were red and Gemini yellow, then between the two pools the waters would mingle and become orange. Similarly, LEOS are  stubborn, romantic and self-expressive; VIRGOS are flexible and self-deprecating. But Leos born on this cusp (about August 20-26) are the most gentle, stoic Leos, and Virgos born on this cusp are the most brash, romantic, stubborn Virgos. 
	Look at the horoscope column below. If your birthday falls within three days after the beginning or before the end of your sun sign, you're born on a cusp. Cuspal people are often complex personalities. The future of people born early in their sign is much easier to see than those of people born late. People born in the last day of their sign are often psychic.
 
Start Nothing: All Sunday, and before 2:07 a.m. Monday, 2:42 a.m. to 12:52 p.m. Wed., and 9:17 a.m. to 8:22 p.m. Fri.

Aries   March 21-April 19

The accent's on communications, short trips, paperwork, details, stories and curiosity. Nothing drastic bears down on you - it's a good time to relax into "easy busyness." Your home sector (family, real estate, business foundations, stomach, soul) does remain important, though. Early week brings delays, sobering realities, and possibly some powerful ambition to these home areas. You're serious, humor's lacking about this sector - avoid cruelty, draconian actions. In money and work, something lucky has just happened - consolidate it through Thursday. (Don't buy computers, electrical machinery.) Be philosophical about relationships Friday/Saturday.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Sunday's luck in love, romance, creativity, a gamble or "happy risk" results from a visit, call or email you performed in the recent past. Be firm, not cruel in communicating, driving and handling tools Monday. The entire week favors chasing money, but be diplomatic, flexible. Don't spend on computers, video systems, etc. - surprises lurk. Your deep desire to own might cause an abrupt falling out with your social group. (Think this one through, since it will recur for six years unless you solve it.) Love, romance and beauty fascinate you Wednesday-Friday.
	
Gemini   May 21-June 20
A recent agreement (or a discovery of an opportunity) revolving around land, family, home, agriculture, gardening, etc., can bless the first part of this week. Red tape, government funding, or a "retreat property" could be involved. However, Sunday's new discovery/opportunity will be "out of reach." Surprising events or disclosures might disrupt the closing of a deal Wednesday into Friday eve. Legal thorns might be disguised as primrose paths. You're very popular, effective and generally lucky right now. But keep love light - you need security more than romance this year!

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Happy socializing fills Sunday! You could touch base with someone sweet, lightly romantic. But not much is built on today's foundation, so remain philosophical. The weeks ahead bring quietude, rest, lower energy. Make some serious choices Monday/Tuesday. These don't need to be quick, abrupt nor impulsive. Quietly veer into them - your ambitions, social standing and prestige goals mingle with potential partnerships, customer contacts or "what the world offers." See these positively, not negatively - start to build. Careful driving and speaking/writing (legal aspects) Wednesday-Friday. Be home, rest Friday night, Saturday.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
A lucky stroke occurs in career, prestige ambitions, or relations with higher-ups Sunday - or perhaps you get a wee money boost. It comes from past actions - don't chase new opportunities this day. Wait until Monday/Tuesday, when your energy, charisma, and timing are superb. (Think deeply early this week, contemplate the hidden spiritual, ethical - or red tape - side of life. A demand that you build on an ethical, legal foundation underlies any bright surface.) Chase/earn your own money Wednesday-Friday - partnership finances (and sexual intimacy) are filled with unreliable outcomes.

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Be ambitious! - But be prepared to go it alone. Others will be stubborn, unpredictable, yet inspired. If you deal with a whole group, co-operation's easier. Sunday could bring an enlightening message, perhaps from far away, or sweet gentle love, or some other blessing. Enjoy it, absorb it - but don't build on it. You have a major decision to make about your future - it involves big finances, perhaps health, a lifestyle change, perhaps a sexual commitment or pregnancy. For best results, decide/act Monday 4 to 9 a.m. or Tuesday daytime/eve.
	
Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Relax Sunday - ambitious efforts will lead nowhere. Enjoy deep secrets, a "mystery revealed" - it's a powerful day for spirituality, meditation, enlightenment, etc. Your optimism, popularity surge Monday/Tuesday - love might be developing, now and in the weeks ahead. Realize you're more likely to sell yourself short than to demand too much in 2004. Early week, you need to act or decide in career matters, or about a specific ambition. A partnership, relocation, negotiation or public "link" is involved. Be realistic, not cruel. Love's "imperfect" (downright disrupted!) Wednesday to Saturday. Peace!

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Happiness pays a powerful visit Sunday - someone would make a good friend, part-time lover or full-time mate! Early week, you have to face some combination of work and intellect - or the cruel truth about someone or your own motives - or you might travel in connection with your job. You might begin a significant legal, educational, intellectual or travel project - but a somewhat sobering one, so be prudent. Mid-week into Friday, you face a sudden choice between investing and gambling in money, sexuality, or lifestyle. Don't chase a "mystifying person."

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
The month ahead holds splendid relationship, relocation, negotiation, contract, business, and public-oriented opportunities. But this week brings the difficult side of these. Some Sages will break up with someone, or receive a first strong hint - e.g., a door slammed for no obvious reason. If you value present links, tread diplomatically, especially Wednesday through Saturday! Earlier, Sunday brings inspiration about career, job, a machine purchase - but don't act on it. A powerful financial, sexual, lifestyle, health or "curiosity" urge needs a "growth outlet" Monday/Tuesday (and all May/June!) - avoid cruel actions.

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Love's (or beauty's, pleasure's, inspiration's) sweet hand brushes your senses Sunday. Emotionally, creatively and practically, this is a day for harvest, not for sowing. A significant new regime is brewing in key relationships early week. You might be breaking up, establishing, or changing partners. If real estate, children or business foundations are involved, you're on "destiny's path." Make lifestyle, intimate and financial changes Tuesday daytime. A mellow, understanding mood floats in Wednesday-Friday, but events are disruptive. Avoid Saturday's angry "delayed reaction" to these events. Tackle chores all week - safely.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
The month ahead puts romance, children's progress, creative, pleasure and speculative ventures on an intense, lucky track! But this week is rocky. Sunday's fine - chores mingle with a splendid feeling of security and nature's beauty. Work in the yard, or with kids. But avoid anything new (brand new lawnmower, new plants, etc.). Deep decisions, new starts have to be made in work, machinery and similar areas - for best results, do this Tuesday daytime, NOT Saturday (May 29). Life's mysteries arise Wednesday-Friday - careful, disruption, illusion affect financial and sexual zones.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Make some big decisions during the four weeks ahead. Don't stress about this - just go with your feelings. You'll feel sluggish and uninterested in the people or things you should abandon, and deeply supportive toward people/projects you should nurture. There's your answer! Sunday's sweetly friendly, romantic, pleasurable - enjoy, but don't build on it. A new project or situation is developing in romantic, creative, speculative, pleasure or child-oriented zones - this is serious, unpredictable - it could make relationships end or start Wednesday to Saturday. DON'T invest, seek intimacy, nor sign anything.

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

			
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