ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIME STEPHENS AUGUST 8 - 14, 2004 All times/dates are PDT. Last week, I wrote that GEMINIS would receive "earth-shifting" news in September - not "earth-shaking, as some emailers feared. By this, I simply meant that some of this sign will change homes, some will buy a home or hear that their offer was accepted, or that their home successfully sold. Or, perhaps, a child will move away to university. Some will hear news of an impending baby, some the arrival or departure of a "live-in" relative, some will win a gardening contest, some will face deep change and sorrow, some will face deep change and joy. But it all centers around the home, children (possibly one parent) security, retirement, mother nature, and such themes. I shouldn't have said "news" actually, as most of you Geminis will have seen this building for months now (or have chased it for some time). But there will be one last, perhaps unexpected "twist" - a wrinkle or direction to the expected event which will let you know that destiny was also working with (or against) you, as an "unseen partner." The accent is on luck, one "bigness," on fulfillment of an opportunity or relationship around home, property, etc. - and on that twist, too. (The twist might concern income or health.).... VIRGOS face much the same September as Gemini, with two crucial differences. One, Gemini's luck will be specific, directed toward the home or similar areas, with a "destiny note" involving relationships or "other places. Virgo's luck will be general, will tend to flow outward from their own initiative (notice the implied advice, Virgo!) and should affect the whole life. Virgo's "destiny note" will involve the home, security, family, retirement, etc. Geminis will feel somewhat sluggish (or lazily blissful) in September, but Virgos will be filled with energy, charisma, sexual magnetism, and resolve. Man Virgos will feel a determination, conscious or unconscious, to change their lives in deep ways, to invest or commit themselves to intimacy, or to create a whole new lifestyle. That's the difference. Well, sometimes I blow it. A month ago I said stock markets might gyrate wildly Friday, July 16 - they declined a bit, but volatility was curiously absent. The aspect in force was Mars opposition Neptune - impulsive action meets fear and illusion. I ignored two aspects occurring hours later the same Friday - one, Venus trine Neptune, soothes fears and promotes beauty; the other, Mercury trine Pluto, is great for determined action and insight. It looks like they over-ruled. But the "unease" of Mars-Neptune still seems to be in the (stock) marketplace, as the Dow has declined steadily since then, and, as I write this, has closed below 10,000 for the first time since last May. Start Nothing: 5:46 p.m. to 7:33 p.m. Sun., 12:59 p.m. Tues. to 8:20 a.m. Wed., and 3:17 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Romance, pleasure, beauty, adventure, creativity, inventiveness and children ride a lucky streak all week! Your home grows more affectionate now into early September. Work intensifies for six weeks. But DON'T start new projects in August, especially work projects (unless you're desperately unemployed - if so, take it only until September). A former job or boss might call - accept, but don't build a future on it. Do not buy tools, computers, cars, etc. before September 2. Be curious Monday/Tuesday. Your family, property or security interests meet luck Wednesday/Thursday. Flirt with pleasure Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Steep yourself in home, family, gardening, security, retirement and relaxation - but DON'T start any new projects in these or other areas. An old flame might re-appear. He/she represents (or openly offers) sex, security, even a home and baby (eventually?) but is true love there also? Maybe. It could work! Despite the languid, down-home atmosphere, your social life sweetens now into September - have a picnic or garden party. Home/family tensions ebb, romance rises - steer clear of anything secret or verboten. Money puzzles you Sunday-Tuesday. Friends, love and luck call Wednesday/Thursday! Gemini May 21-June 20 You express yourself Sunday to Tuesday - and everyone listens (or reads your words). But you're either saying things difficult for others to accept, or you're making a grave error. Somehow, ego conflicts can result - except during the last ten hours of Monday, when your words/glances charm everyone. Pick your time! These days are dangerous for driving. DON'T start new projects before September 2, especially in real estate, home, family, security, retirement or related areas. Home frictions, and home hopes - both rise powerfully now to late September. Money luck Wednesday/Thursday! Cancer June 21-July 22 Rest, lie low Sunday to Tuesday. (You'll feel chipper Sunday, but luck's "wrong.") Your energy, charisma and good fortune surge Wednesday to Friday - a legal, work, money, love, or beauty "bonanza" could strike! Don't start big, important projects in any area before September 2. But do "harvest the past" - you're owed money, maybe travel, maybe love. Drive and speak carefully through late September - haste makes waste, or leaves a rude impression. During the same period your communications skills, if controlled, could take you a step up the career ladder. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your energy and magnetism peak - but that doesn't mean you're making the right decisions, nor that you can overcome adverse circumstances. Keep your eye on potential flaws; adjust for delays. Have "Plan B" ready. Start nothing new before September 2. Extra money will flow to you for six weeks - bank it, reduce debts. Don't spend on lawsuits, equipment, computers, cameras, cars - or anything. Optimism, flirtation and friends draw you Monday/Tuesday. Your "quiet thoughts" - or a government or administrative contact - opens lucky doors Wednesday to Friday in money or love! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Lie low, rest, contemplate. Deal with government bodies, institutions, head office and red tape. Re-acquaint yourself with spiritual realms. (But start no important projects, not even in these administrative areas.) Despite your low energy, your popularity and sexual magnetism both rise. Until late September, you might attract people who are tempted by power, lust or other dicey urges. Be honest; be good! Investments, lifestyle changes, major commitments call you - make these after September 1. Rest, avoid trouble Monday/Tuesday. Life opens the book of love, hope, and new horizons Wednesday-Friday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Hopes, flirtations, social joys and life's freshness buoy you this week and next! But you could face some difficult situations in love, travel or legalities Sunday to Tuesday. Be diplomatic, accommodating. For six weeks, others (even a loving, kind mate) will tend to feel they "possess" you. Some will support you; some merely want to use you. Sidestep "power junkies." DON'T start any new projects, especially in red tape or administrative zones, before September 2 - handle neglected tasks. Good fortune visits your business, status or career Wednesday to Friday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Important people note how you operate under pressure. That pressure will be amply supplied by the delays, mistakes and shortages that fill August. DON'T start major new projects before September 2, especially in social/public areas. If your boss urges you to start something, say you will, first thing - in September. Take care with relationships and tempers Sunday. Money, investments, debts, sex, and commitments need caution Sunday to Tuesday. A sweet, mellow, wise "luck" enters legal, travel, romantic, home/family and educational zones Wednesday-Friday. This starts a month of the same! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Don't start new projects in August, especially in career, prestige and community status zones. You might feel pressured or lured into new launches in these areas, but resist - there will be plenty of time and luck in September. Meanwhile, handle ongoing responsibilities - double-check for mistakes, as higher-ups are temperamental through September. Your legal, educational, philosophical, far-travel, and love horizons expand sweetly all week! But be diplomatic Sunday-Tuesday. Fortune blesses your research, health, financial, lifestyle, sexual and intimate concerns Wednesday-Friday! Your "net worth" grows a bit, the next four weeks. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Don't start anything in August. Instead, work to repair, shore up, or complete ongoing projects, especially in legal, travel, international, love and wedding, intellectual, media and similar zones, where mistakes and delays (and "blasts from the past") are most likely to occur. Sign nothing. An old flame might appear, but the cosmos likely only wants to end it with finality. Life brings financial, sexual, mortgage, lifestyle, investment, research or other deep events - accept what's good here! Practice "safety" at work Sunday-Tuesday. Relationships blossom, please and amaze Wednesday-Friday - be talkative, curious! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Something or someone from the past might appear, bringing back an old financial, sexual, research, occult, or lifestyle-affecting issue. There could be a "profit" here, or this might grow into a lucky September break-through! But avoid starting major new projects all August - stick with the old. Revere relationships - the person you please or praise now could be your entry to big things in September - and the one you alienate now... Be gentle with romance, creativity and children Sunday-Tuesday. Work, money and relationships are touched with a lucky wand Wednesday-Friday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Others display indecisiveness - but they might be reflecting your own misgivings. August is a poor time to start any important project, particularly those involving relationships, relocation, public dealings, contracts, agreements, litigation, divorce, marriage. These will intensify powerfully, with impulsiveness and luck, for the next seven weeks - but wait until September 2 onward to yield to that impulsiveness. Sign nothing in August! Concentrate on relationships and projects already started, or returning from the past. An old flame might appear, and really stir things up! Love, career meet good fortune Wednesday-Friday! For a reading: 604-261-1337. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. www.astralreflections.com /30/