ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MARCH 13 - 19, 2005 All times/dates are PST. The tsunami that hit S.E. Asia last December was accompanied by one of the biggest star explosions ever recorded. It occurred on the other side of the Milky Way, but its flash was so strong (100 million times the energy of our Sun, say astronomers) that it lit the Earth with ten times the brightness of the Full Moon (albeit for only one-tenth of a second, which is probably why you didn't see it). The tsunami occurred December 26; the star's light bathed us on December 27. Is there any link? Well, obviously not a causal one. But there is a link in co-incidence: the two occurred close in time. I believe astrology is just that: the study of "coincidences" or of repeating patterns. Still, mostly because it's easier to envision and grammatically less awkward, I personalize the planets and attribute "cause and effect" to them, as with Pluto in the paragraph below_ I promised to look at the "Pluto Effect" on PISCES and VIRGO. With GEMINI and SAGITTARIUS, these two signs have undergone unusual transformative upheavals since 1995, and will continue to do so through 2008. These pressures and upheavals, which have worked through much of the "tear down" phase of this Pluto effect, will tend toward the "building up" or regenerating phase now through 2008. (Pluto rules death and rebirth, so he mashes up whatever he touches, then rebuilds or "rebirths" it in a new, fresh way. So he will do with our lives 1996 through 2008, if we're one of these four signs.) Both Pluto and Uranus cause change and exert pressure on us, but the two effects are very different. Uranus acts with sudden surprise, and causes stress and tension. If you can't sleep at night, that's Uranus. If you ever notice that you're nervous when alone, but calm down when with friends, that's Uranus. Uranus loves friendly interaction. But Pluto works on our subconscious, causes deeper change, and pushes us toward solitude. Uranus is a lightning bolt; Pluto is a bulldozer. For the last two years, not only has Pluto worked on these four signs, so has Uranus - but in conflicting ways: Uranus' friendship fights Pluto's solitude, Uranus' alertness fights Pluto's deeper obsessions. And you four signs have to handle both! 1961-68 was a similar period, but more defined, less scattered. But there's good news! For Virgo, this whole change process brings money this year, communication and understanding in 2006, and a new, deeply satisfied sense of home - for some a new home - in 2007. And, to cap it off, deep love in 2008. This is what Pluto has (probably) been aiming for through all the past decade of upheavals: a rebirth of your core, your sense of home and belonging, your intimate tie with Earth and Universe. Next week: Virgo and Pisces. Start Nothing: 10:30 p.m. Mon. to 5:44 a.m. Tues., and 11:19 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 This is your last week of weariness, frustration and wrong decisions for awhile - well, actually, the wrong decisions might last into April 11, so don't make any major, life-affecting choices, nor start big new projects, until April 12. Meanwhile, this week holds great progress and great barriers. The progress might peak Sunday and Wednesday, in money, buying, friendship, networking, relationships and agreements. The barriers look strongest Monday and Thursday, in legalities, red tape, government or charitable dealings, travel, education and love. Be willing to change everything but your ethics. Taurus April 20-May 20 Flirt, visit friends, be optimistic, dream and hope - some of those hopes will, sooner or later, come true! (Especially hopes about your career, community status and parenthood - though the last might involve adopting or step-parenting.) Don't start major projects now through April 11 - soon, indecision will enter. This week brings luck in career, ambitions, relations with higher-ups, romance, socializing and entertainment, especially Sunday and Wednesday. But it also confronts you with barriers or the need to change, in marriage, partnerships, major finances, sexuality and research, particularly Monday and Thursday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Don't start any major new projects before April 12. This week will begin to delay results and decisions. Plug away at career, prestige and status projects, but be willing - very willing - to change plans, formats, or your attitude/approach to conform to a partner, peer, or public demands. Your mate, competitor or ally might try to control your career. These trends come to a head Monday and Thursday, but affect the entire week. Love, inspiration, creativity, intellectual pursuits, far travel, legal affairs and religion flow well Sunday and Wednesday. Seek! Cancer June 21-July 22 Don't start new projects before April 12, especially those involving career, community status or relations with higher-ups. These areas will turn backwards soon, and might bring back a former boss or duty. Others might try to spur you to action, but they'll stop soon. This week, success accompanies you in social life, investments, intimacy, lifestyle changes (and inspirations about them) home, family, property and domestic matters, particularly Monday and Wednesday. But problems might arise (probably Monday, Thursday) with work, machinery, co-workers, service people, and legal, educational or ethical areas. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Mysteries, sexual attractions, the urge to change your life, deep curiosity, research/investigation, major financial involvements and consequences, perhaps health concerns - these continue. But life - perhaps in the form of your own romantic or gambling urges - might put pressure on these interests this week, especially Monday and Thursday. For example, your gambling urges nudge you to change an investment, or a deep romantic notion could overpower a "marriage for security" situation. Good. You communicate superbly with someone alluring Monday, Wednesday - but should you? Don't start new projects before April 12. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Don't start new ventures before April 12. Relationships - and prospects - continue to excite and lure you. Most of these would lead to an adventure rather than a "whole life." Besides, your home, family, real estate interests, perhaps even your own subconscious, tend to squelch sudden love attractions or "far and away" adventures. (2008 onward, relationship excitement and adventures will have much broader support by life - and everyone.) These "home" barriers are most evident Monday and Thursday. Work and money successes await you Sunday and Wednesday. You might be promoted! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Your home continues to be fractious. You might be rising, deep inside, toward real wrath. If you wait a week, the reasons for anger will end. (Yet, not really oddly, you'll feel much freer to express your anger, so the real fight could be still to come!) Don't start any new projects before April 12. The immediate week ahead puts a good wind behind your romantic and creative sails Sunday (sexy) and Wednesday (mellow). Take care with communications, car, and travel, especially if work or tools are involved. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Don't start major projects before April 12. You have one more week of sweet romance, of pleasure, beauty, creative surges and gambling instincts. (Love is a gamble; so is raising kids.) Your need for money or possessive attitude toward someone could squelch romance or other pleasurable adventures - that's not necessarily a bad thing. Some things get a green light and a lucky boost this week, especially Sunday and Wednesday: retreat, government aid, home/family, sex, and the deep alteration of a relationship (to end it, make it more secure, whatever). Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Money continues to flow swiftly, but the gusher (whether to you or from you) is almost over. Don't start new, important projects before April 12. The emphasis on your home, family, security, Mother Nature, continues also. You're tempted to overrule or be dictatorial in this arena this week, especially Monday and Thursday. This isn't a bad thing, except that it might make enemies (which isn't comfortable if they're your kids or spouse). You're faced with great opportunities in travel, friendships and communications Sunday and Wednesday. A former passion brews, waits. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your will power and determination remain high, but the pace of development slows. By late week through April 11, you'll start growing indecisive about real estate, home, family, work and similar practical areas. So don't launch any major projects now. In career and income arenas, good luck accompanies you this week, particularly Sunday and Wednesday. But your attempts to communicate, write reports, travel, or otherwise handle the details and minutia of life start to be frustrated by the taxman, government or company regulations, etc. Well, just shrug and adapt! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Continue to pursue money objectives, but realize that a crunch looms this week (perhaps most evident Monday and Thursday) - a conflict between your hopes and financial realities, or between friendships and money realities. All things considered, take the hopes and friendships, for they will win out (and carve a path to success) in the long-term. Don't let greed extinguish a relationship, or prevent your walk to fame (if you're a young artist). On the plus side, your intellectual, travel, love, and religious interests get a nice boost Sunday and Wednesday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your energy, charisma and timing remain tops - but results are slowing. You could feel extremely ambitious this week, or you could feel that life is pushing your down, demanding that you change your career or ambitions, or that you kow-tow to unsavory people, or accept rules you don't like. Take care, Pisces - be flexible, try to rise upward - resentment would not be wise! Life offers a great bit of luck Sunday and Wednesday, in spiritual, charity, management, government and red tape areas - and indirectly, in finances, sexuality, lifestyle changes. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading with Tim: 604-261-1337. /30/