ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MAY 1 - 7, 2005 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight Time. It was common, in the 50's, 60's and 70's, to label certain people "phony." It meant they were flagrantly insincere. And were so smoothly and thoroughly insincere, that they continued in this manner the whole day long - perhaps eternally. Such people incensed those who called them "phony." I noticed that adults never called anyone phony to their face; instead, more maturely, they labeled them behind their backs. When we were youths, though, in a temper tantrum, we'd call anyone who opposed us a phony - "You phony!" we'd yell, regardless of their sincerity or the rightness of their stance. Real phonies always puzzled me. Did they know how they were regarded? Did they know what they were doing? Did their own speech ring hollow in their ears? Did they miss noticing the chasm between how they were acting and what everyone else considered a normal way of acting? Were they unaware of that everyday human intimacy, respect and fellow feeling that most people quietly shared? Or were the phonies acutely aware of this chasm separating them from others? Were they agonized by it, but could find no way to bridge it? Did they want to act normally, but could not? Did they know others called them phony behind their back, that others mocked and resented them? Did they see all this but put it down to the envy of others? Did they love their phony personalities and revel in them, and consider them a mark of superiority, even of destiny? Were the phonies overly proud? Or did they feel so guilty about something that, in a gigantic effort to hide it, they manufactured a surface personality - which, of course, everyone else sensed was false. Was that it? I forgot about the phony problem for many years. Then my ex-wife called. For years she had played the bad man's role in our relationship: refusing financial support, treating the kids as if she were their best pal but repeatedly canceling their dates, etc. Lovers, freedom and work were higher priority than her children. With the righteousness of the wronged I watched her slow decline into loneliness. Then, a month ago, when the eldest was going to Europe on a class trip, my ex-wife unexpectedly called (first time in about a year) and contributed $ 500 spending money - an astounding generosity. I forgot my anger and thanked her for it, really thanked her. I could hear a dawning hope for self-respect entering her voice. A few days later she left a phone message. Her voice was recognizable, but now the tone was totally phony - it was heigh-ho hearty, upbeat, slap-you-on-the back, swaggeringly, vigorously jovial. I blinked, and then realized: she was searching for a personality, for a way to wear her newfound generosity. That she wanted to be this new person. Maybe behind every phony, there's a soul searching for new life. Start Nothing: 9:47 p.m. Sun. to 7:43 a.m. Mon., 1:21 a.m. to 11:36 a.m. Wed., and 6:22 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Chase money all week. But be most cautious on the two days - Friday and Saturday - when money, earnings, buying and selling are most likely. Don't follow will-o-the-wisp hopes or fanciful promises in money arenas, and don't mix friends with finances. You've handled a lot of burdens in the domestic arena for two years - this week, especially Friday, you might try to talk over this situation or seek a "verbal" solution/agreement. Don't bother; barriers exist - and the whole burden will lift naturally this summer ahead. Hopes and happiness visit Sunday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Your vitality rises; your allure deepens. You'll attract people who can love with you, do you favors in practical areas, and support you in starting significant projects. It's prime time to start things. Work (the rolling up your sleeves kind) employment, machinery, diet and exercise might seem to be the most fertile fields for your efforts - but management, delegating tasks, contemplation and a background role will prove more fruitful as time passes. In hands-on efforts (and dieting) fate rules you; in delegating, you steer fate. Flirtations, social joys arrive Monday/Tuesday! Gemini May 21-June 20 Sunday's mellow - study, write, travel, but don't chase love. Live up to your duties Monday/Tuesday - all flows smoothly (though a deep relationship change lurks - it might be years off, or be devolving slowly as the years pass). Your optimism rises Wednesday noon through Friday suppertime - but don't grow overly hopeful about your popularity, future plans or sexual magnetism. Overconfidence about these will turn to various doubts by Saturday - but the worry's exaggerated too! Rest, contemplate, be charitable, handle red tape, and stay away from legalities this week. All's fine! Cancer June 21-July 22 Your career remains active (especially Wednesday-Friday). Discuss options and plans with higher-ups. All year, your efforts to enhance career, prestigious relationships and community reputation will repay you - with calmness, confidence and a smooth path, if nothing else. (And doing so will keep you from an unwieldy over-expansion on the home, child, pregnancy, and realty fronts.) Now to June 12, DO NOT provoke nor enter any legal hassle. In general, this month brings joy, optimism, wish fulfillment, flirtations and popularity! Investigate deeply Sunday. Think, discuss and love Monday/Tuesday. Joy, Saturday! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Until mid-2006, don't be drawn into short trips, time-wasting conversations, paperwork and superficial relationships. Stick to the profound in love, law, and life - travel afar, enroll in college. This whole week (and most of May) put pressure on you to perform - be ambitious, show higher-ups what you can do, ask for a promotion, etc. Look Sunday - opportunities exist! Life's depths beckon Monday/Tuesday: investigate more than commit, in finances, sex and life changes. Until June 12, sex and finances could spark a fire - impulsivity burns! A mellow mood enters Wednesday-Friday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Every life meets beneficial surprises. Now to May 15, if you remain alert, investigate what excites or lures you, dig deep into odd situations, mysteries or "sensed opportunities," you could be struck by a few beneficial or "freeing" surprises! Be diplomatic and flexible - another person could be very unpredictable. New relationships contain the seeds of a "new life." From May 16 to June 12, mystery, sexual and financial depths could disrupt or run counter to your desired direction; this could effect a sudden, necessary change in your life's focus. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Deep changes, mysteries, inexplicable desires, and major financial matters float to the top of your attention this week and next. Practical or ethical impediments might have prevented you from approaching a person who filled your dreams over the last month. Lust might make you commit, now - does it outweigh sense? You'll work hard for six weeks - but avoid over-work, accidents and heart-stress now to May 15. Keep lines of communication open with a spouse or other loved one, through mid-June - be flexible, open and welcoming. Sunday's romantic. Tuesday's productive. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Rest deeply Sunday. Relationships of all kinds will excite you these few weeks. They'll open or point to opportunities - they could also offer competition, even opposition. Be diplomatic, flexible and wiling to join. That will be easy this week, as others treat you affectionately. Your romantic urges heat up now to mid-June. If you're single, you could come as close to true feelings of love as you've felt in many years! (Monday/Tuesday give strong hints.) Tackle chores Wednesday noon to Friday. (Routine only, Friday daytime.) Avoid non-ethical workplace "connections." Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The three weeks ahead emphasize work, health, dependents, pets, diet and nutrition. Tension rises on the home front, especially around two dates: May 15, when a family member (or a car, plumbing, or computer failure) could suddenly disrupt life; and June 2, when you could insist on "your way." Be wise - channel this domestic energy into repairs, renos, gardening, etc. Start Monday. (Don't overspend on renos, nor over-fertilize the garden.) Romance hibernates - especially Friday. If you're in love, dig deep to explore the depths and solid places of your love. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Romance occupies your heart over the weeks ahead. You'll be able to talk a mile a minute now to early June - this will help you pursue someone. But don't rush - you could unintentionally say something rude, or show impatience. Be careful in traffic and around tools, particularly on May 15 and June 2. Romance might be replaced by creative, speculative, child-teaching/raising, vacation/pleasure, sports or beauty involvements. In these, your skill levels rise. For success, start any of these projects Monday. You might discuss a significant realty or domestic venture. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Get plenty of rest. Nap, take nature walks, garden, work on your home, stock the kitchen. Contemplate your life thus far - where do you want to go in future years? Start basic preparations to achieve that goal. Decide who and what are helping you grow, and who/what are holding you back. Think twice more, with kindness, then act. The six weeks ahead will bring a hectic money situation - much more will flow to you, but you'll have an almost unconscious urge to spend and waste - bank it, be cheap! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Mars enters Pisces for six weeks. You'll be assertive, even aggressive, even feisty. You'll be determined. You'll exude sexual magnetism. (Especially Monday/Tuesday!) This surge of focus and willpower comes as the rest of the zodiac is prompting you to travel, write, talk, and do a lot of short, small things. It's a great time to start significant projects in these zones. Concentrate on collecting money until May 11. After this, start income projects that could pay off in June/July. But be cautious - Friday shows why. A Scorpio wants you. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca For a reading by Tim: 604-261-1337 www.astralreflections.com /30/