ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS SEPTEMBER 19 - 25, 2004 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight Time. Though I'm continuing to describe the year-ahead luck cycle (October 2004 to October 2005) for the signs, remember that during the present week, you should race toward luck, and toward conclusions or extensions of lucky projects you began in the September/03 to September/04 period. The "complicated" new luck cycle won't arrive until Friday. I'm running behind on these new luck cycle forecasts, so starting next week, probably for two columns, all your "weekly messages" will be about this new year ahead. CANCER, the end of September starts a year-long expansion of your duties on the home front - kids, cooking, building, renovating, etc. Normally, this would be an excellent year to purchase a new home, or move residences. But for almost two years ahead - until late June, 2006, various restrictions (chief among them your own doubts or your strong urge to conserve) put a damper on major real estate dealings. Only go ahead with a new home purchase if you do not care about a profit down the road, and a new place virtually "falls into your lap." A new home, condo or even bare lot that you purchase anytime before July, 2006 might be difficult to maintain financially. In addition, it can prove an emotional weight on your marriage, or, if you're single, it could work against your marriage prospects. That said, luck might drop a great home/family bonanza upon you - if so, accept it gladly. Until that happens, though, concentrate on your career, worldly ambitions and the outside world. On the good side, you'll feel happily buoyant and supported on the home front - this gives you all the freedom you need to charge after your ambitions outside the home. Do so! LEO, during the 21 months ahead, wisdom calls you toward profound things: other cultures, international travel, higher education, legal affairs, publishing, religion and philosophy, being wed or submitting to other social rituals, broadening your understanding and tolerance. But during the 12 months ahead (October '04 to October '05) the flow of events, the necessity of circumstances and the possible urgings of casual acquaintances lure you toward the "surface side" of life - toward paperwork, details, short distance travel, cars, computers, emails, newspapers and magazines (rather than books). These more detailed, superficial things can expand mightily, but they'll clutter your life and waste your time. You might be tempted to keep a relationship casual rather than steering it into profound areas. If, during these 21 months, you hear yourself saying: "Let's just be friends," take a deep, inward look at yourself and the general direction of your life. True love might already be waiting patiently for you, Leo - if so, accept it! Start Nothing: 5:24 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Sun., 9:19 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. Tues., 12:41 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. Thurs., and 11:25 p.m. Fri. to 3:55 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Continue to seek more employment, to build your inventory of tools, cars, computers, or to fix the same, or to improve your health. At the same time, throw a glance toward love - your romantic quotient is growing. By Wednesday, you enter a month - and year - of relationship excitement. Far travel, legal affairs and intellectual pursuits (and mellow love) fill Sunday/Monday. Your career could "take off" for elevated levels Tuesday to noon Thursday! Don't say "wrong thing." Popularity, social delights and exciting meetings rush in Thursday eve, Friday. Your horizons brighten! Taurus April 20-May 20 Make one last leap into love, romance, a creative, speculative, pleasure, beautification or child-teaching project. Life's mysteries, and your investment, sexual, intimate or health pictures are subject to some frustrations Sunday to Tuesday morning, so proceed carefully. Love, wisdom, travel, legal and intellectual affairs bring joy, success (and again, love!) mid-week. Wednesday begins a year of increased work efforts. But wait until Thursday afternoon and Friday to start employment, business or career projects - your prospects are favored, your family's onside, and higher-ups are attentive! Real estate's profitable, too. Gemini May 21-June 20 "Seal the deal" in real estate, family matters, therapy, food/shelter businesses or investments, and retirement or buy-out scenarios. Disruptions affect partnerships, agreements, relocation, paper signings and legalities Sunday to Tuesday morning. But Tuesday noon to Thursday noon offers great success if you invest, sign documents, negotiate funding or apply for a mortgage. Seek or give business, security, or intimate commitments. (If cold feet or a "wrong feeling" comes Wednesday, take it seriously.) Wisdom, mellowness, tolerance flow in Thursday/Friday - and a year of love, pleasure, creativity and child-raising joys begins! Cancer June 21-July 22 Tackle chores Sunday to Tuesday morning. Take care with machinery, driving - be safe. Relationships, meetings and opportunities await your co-operation Tuesday to Thursday noon - and your co-operation will net rewards and success! Don't let a nagging chore or a "too casual" attitude detract from your relationship luck this mid-week. Pursue investments, mortgages, debt reduction, sexual intimacy, lifestyle changes, and growth-oriented commitments Thursday afternoon through Friday. Valuable secrets appear! This late-week period begins a whole year of "complex luck" in home, real estate, food/shelter, family, security and retirement concerns. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Plunge after any money source - pay raise, sales, lucrative clients, etc. This week brings the end of a 56-week ladder to wealth. Whether you cimbed it or not was partly up to your optimism and faith - but it's not too late! Work hard at making money Tuesday to Thursday - you might grab a last minute rung on that ladder. Be creative, hopeful! Exercise caution Sunday to Tuesday morning - your "gambling urges" could hit the jackpot - or bring loss. Relationships and exciting opportunities confront you Thursday eve, Friday: plunge in! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Make one last advance in home, family, real estate, food/shelter, security, retirement or similar areas, especially Sunday to Tuesday morning, when friction and abrupt action could be part and parcel of your success. You're successful Tuesday noon to Thursday noon also, but this time in a smoother way - you could be surprised at your luck, in life and love! Thursday starts a year of strong focus on (and complex luck in) money, possessions, and "rote learning." Life will proceed more smoothly, calmly, but without this last year's huge potential. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Fifty-five weeks of seclusion, low worldly luck, dampened charisma, of increased spiritual, health or governmental involvement, ends mid-week. You're about to rise into one of the luckiest years of your life - but one that will also demand deep self-awareness and strict self-control. (More on that next week.) Be cautious in driving, speaking, with tools and paperwork Sunday to Tuesday morning. Sink into quietude, let things end, re-examine your past year Tuesday noon to Thursday noon - this is the sweet end of your seclusion! Romance, beauty, pleasure, creative surges come Thursday/Friday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Face money concerns Sunday to Tuesday morning - see problem areas, skirt them, put a plug in that leaky bank balance. Tackle paperwork, call and visit, travel and satisfy your curiosity Tuesday noon to Thursday noon. Life's fresh, bountiful! You've expanded socially for 55 weeks. The people you've met will bless your life for the decade ahead. Make some last-minute connections, friends, and conversations through Thursday noon, then quietly withdraw to rest, reflect and contemplate the future. A year of quietude, of relative seclusion and spiritual growth, begins late week. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Make one last optimistic leap to gain your career, business or prestige ambitions Sunday through Thursday noon. You could cap off 55 weeks of fortunate actions in this area, or start the ball rolling toward even more success down the road. Use your personality Sunday to Tuesday morning (show up, contact people, persuade, etc.) - but be diplomatic, realize some "sore spots" exist in some relationships! Chase money, ask for payment, a raise, etc., Tuesday noon to Thursday noon. A whole year of optimism, cheerfulness and socializing begins late week! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Tie up travel, legal, media, educational or "social agreements" this week. This are filled with luck - some of which you will discover later. Take a restful, cautious stance Sunday to Tuesday morning - your energy and charisma will be low, so stick to research, phone calls and background work. Your energy and magnetism soar back Tuesday noon to Thursday noon - ask favors, show up in person, grab opportunities - make your own luck! Chase money, earnings, purchases and possessions Thursday afternoon and Friday. A year of expanding career and ambition starts Wednesday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Make financial commitments, investments or debt reductions. Show someone you care in an intimate way - make a sexual or lifestyle commitment. Get a health diagnosis. Dig into a research or investigation project. In one of these, you could strike pay dirt, especially Tuesday noon to Thursday noon! (Earlier, Sunday/Monday, enjoy life's freshness and social delights, but avoid impulsive decisions, money actions or commitments.) Your energy and charisma surge Thursday eve to Saturday - luck's with you in relationships, opportunities, meetings and public dealings. A year of "expanded understanding" starts mid-week. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Join forces, merge, co-operate, marry, mate, agree, sign, relocate, deal with the public, pounce on business or other opportunities. Chase the far horizon. Seek new meetings with new people. All these are lucky to Thursday. Be ambitious Sunday to Tuesday morning, but exercise caution in career, in dealings with higher-ups - don't argue, step on toes, etc. Diplomacy brings you what you want, not force! You're happy, popular, social and optimistic Tuesday noon to Thursday noon - get out, meet and greet! Retreat a bit to rest, reconnoitre Thursday eve, Friday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/