ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
JANUARY 23 - 29, 2005 

	All times/dates are Pacific Standard.
When writing the 2005 "Year Ahead" article, I mentioned potential dips in stock markets in February-March and May. (I use the Dow as a guidepost.) But I didn't refer to the health of the market. Overall, I feel gains for stockholders will be slim. As I wrote in early 2004, the markets' peak at that time (10,800 on the Dow) would form a sort of enduring ceiling. So far, that's held true. 2004's late bull run hit 10,800 again, then pulled back (to, as I write this, 10,500). 
In the 2004 forecast, I advised that the "brave and optimistic" would win. And they did, especially if they bought in April/May and August (the two "bottoms" I forecast). This year I'm changing my tune: in 2005, the cautious and conservative should win. I could be wrong, but I think the Dow will dip below 9,000 - lower than last year.
 Economically, I think 2005 threatens us with a recession, but 2006 brings it. This summer (2005) will present debt-drunk nations with a challenge, a "point of no return." If they ignore it and continue to spend too much, they'll have to face the music - a wee bit in 2006, but a big bit in 2009-11. Paradoxical as it might seem, the years in between, 2008 and 2009, should be good for the economy and great in general for anyone who wants to start a new business or launch a practical project. (2005 and 06 need much caution in starting new business projects.)
Oil's a funny one. You might have seen my April 2003 prediction (in the "Karmic Forecast" article) of an oil bubble for 2003/04. It came, and it burst, but it didn't burst much (30 per cent). The "oil bubble" astrological factors have all ended except one: Pluto remains in Sagittarius (oil's money sign) until early 2008. But Pluto can cause ups and downs, so I can't tell if oil will fall, rise or go horizontal. I suspect it will remain (on average) mildly buoyant to gently declining in 2005 and '06 - with a long-term rise in 2007/08, if, as I think, Saudi Arabia falls or restructures. I say "on average" because Pluto can cause big swings.
	George Bush will be inaugurated by the time you read this. His inauguration date shows Moon trine Neptune - oddly enough, a hopeful signal that inflation, debt and deficits might be successfully handled during his second term. The Moon hints that Bush will be better liked - and a kinder person - during his second term. At least one pundit will compare him with JFK. Still, Mars and Pluto (gods of war and death) sit in the house of death and in the sign of foreign shores - these "demand their due" nine months from Inauguration Day. 

Start Nothing: 1:17 a.m. to 3:21 p.m. Mon., 2:38 p.m. Wed. to 3:24 a.m. Thurs., and 1:07 p.m. to 2:13 p.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
A wish could come true this week or early next! It's likely a secret wish, or connected to a government agency, institution, large corporation, or psychic/spiritual organization. You'll meet people shy, indecisive, compassionate, nervous, and "deeply dreaming" (or psychic) new people. You'll be happy, popular, life will seem fresh and shining. But you need to choose between career and home, ambition and security. The tension caused by this "choice" could emerge as cruelty (or accident) Thursday/Friday. Be gentle! Mid-week is very romantic, but not good for a new love.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Focus on your work, career and reputation. Sunday/Monday, paperwork, errands and communications hurry you back and forth. But late Monday slows you down, and you stay quiet through Wednesday. This isn't the best time to impress the boss, as your thinking will be slow. This mid-week period might demand one or two choices: do you take a profound stance, or a casual one, toward love, education and life's bigger questions? Oddly enough, the casual is best for now - avoid deep commitments. Romance calls Thursday-Saturday, but deep themes intertwine here.

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Romance and creative, pleasure, self-expressive, teaching and gambling projects can go very wrong, or very good this year. These few weeks ahead, you're likely to pick the right, happy, lucky road - keep your philosophical bearings. Let creativity be intellectual, let romance be formal or wedding-oriented. Teach adults rather than kids. Travel afar to learn rather than just for pleasure. Tuesday to Friday looms importantly: you have two choices to make in sex, lifestyle and money. At the end of choosing, you need to diplomatically and gently convince another.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Mystery fills the four weeks ahead. Be cautious, deliberate, stay alert, follow your intuition - opportunities, some of them excellent, will come almost as feelings or "wispy" things. Your charisma and energy stay high Sunday/Monday. Monday eve's great for selling, but not for buying - high prices prevail. You've "pulled back," been emotionally distant for the past two years - mostly, others have accepted this with quiet grace. But now they want a response, they call, engage and try to persuade you. Paperwork, trips and calls fill Thursday (be diplomatic!) and Friday.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Relationships excite and challenge you over the weeks ahead. Be diplomatic, eager to co-operate. You might find love, even a future mate! But be wary (especially in early February) if others are awash in liquor or recreational drugs, or act overly evasive. (Shy, complex, poetic and dreamy people are par for the course 1996-2011; but evasive, secretive or addictive types need a wide berth. Don't marry one!) Your magnetism rises late Monday through Wednesday. Align your task with your duty - Thursday, too. A deep, secretive idea or passion quietly dawns.

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Have some fun Sunday, see friends, seek adventure. The rest of this week brings many chores. You're tired Monday eve to Wednesday, so alternate a nap with work; eat and dress sensibly. Tuesday could confuse you about your efforts, so save important tasks for Wednesday, when you'll work clearly and efficiently. Take care mid-week in social and romantic zones - it's difficult to bring opposing hearts together. Deep financial and family changes brew. Your energy rises Thursday; you'll attract helpers - and appreciation. Good money influences await you this coming weekend.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Be ambitious Sunday - contact VIPs, show your talents, raise your profile in the community. Your social side emerges strongly Monday eve to Wednesday - you'll be popular, optimistic. A wish could come true! But you also have to find a "middle ground" between (or a melding of) the opposing forces of career and home, ambitions and security - or face a pulling apart. Friday might "birth" an important series of communications regarding marriage, relocation, or a business opportunity. Be cautious, let things come to you, as your energy and charisma ebb Thursday/Friday.

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
The focus lies on home, family, real estate, security, gardening, agriculture, foundations and Mother Nature.  Contemplate who and what still belong in your life - and who/what is stale, should be abandoned. Your wisdom and understanding rise Sunday. Late Monday through Wednesday contrasts all those home and security issues listed in the first sentence, with your ambitions, or your need to face bosses, authority figures. You're your actions, appearances for Wednesday, when you'll perform admirably! Thursday/Friday are friendly but unpredictable. A new money scheme is hatching. Now, is it legal?

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Paperwork, communications, short trips, casual contacts, errands and a general busyness fill your life this week and the next few. Be curious, ask questions, seek variety - you'll be active and adventurous! Tackle chores Sunday. Wisdom and a mellow mood flow in Monday eve to Wednesday. Wednesday's best - you can take a creative or romantic step, and settle legal, management and government-related issues. But realize money and sexual issues are creating tug-o-wars. Keep your eyes open. Career and reputation need care Thursday to Saturday. If you're hatching something secret, be ethical!
	
Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Chase money, buy/sell, and start new earnings projects through the weeks ahead. You meet the same old scepticism toward your proposals this week, especially Tuesday and Thursday. But you're trying, and that is having a deep effect. After July, others will begin to yield to your loyalty and consistency. This mid-week prefigures that rewarding period - it starts a deep stirring of sexual, financial elements, stirrings of change and commitment. Plunge into these Wednesday - commit, invest, change! A quiet idea could lead to a family renaissance in years to come.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Your energy, effectiveness, sense of timing and charisma hit new peaks through February! Be seen, impress important people, start significant projects, ask for favors and co-operation - you'll get them! Temper your enthusiasm, though, with a diplomatic, co-operative approach Monday through Friday. Bright opportunities and exciting meetings could mingle with quietly closed doors and challenges from others. You'll win because you have the essential strength now - but win-win situations are much better - they're very available Wednesday! Perceive and allocate duties. A casual word might trigger a new "social search" for you. 

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Lie low through late February. Eat, drink and dress sensibly. Plan. Contemplate. Stay out of everyone's way, but communicate with institutions, "head office" and government agencies - fill out applications. Find a quiet, peaceful place. Luxuriate in your rest! This week, Sunday and early Monday bring pleasure, sweet feelings. Tackle chores Monday eve to Wednesday - you'll succeed Wednesday, but confusion might tangle Tuesday's results. All week, study the difference between romantic love and friendship love, and decide which way you'll go. A deep, monetary change is brewing in career, parenting.


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


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