ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2005 All dates/times are PDT. In January I predicted a "small, stubborn war" "about possessions" might break out in Portugal between August 05 and February 06. In the January 9 column I modified "war" to an "unusual quake, fire or industrial explosion." In August, the BBC World News reported the largest outbreak of fires in its history was sweeping Portugal. In a mid-August telecast, the country's President asked to his nation's employers to dismiss their workers so they could fight the fires. France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have sent aid. In those early days (January) I also said South Korea would, in 2005, be more warlike and aggressive than North Korea. I just noticed that the U.S. and South Korea are holding major war games on that peninsula, in full view of North Korea. I goofed a bit on my Iraq forecast. I thought there would be a movement or plan to withdraw but that increased violence would prevent it. There has been increased violence - evidently now Iraqi factions are openly fighting each other in Basra and Najaf. And yes, there is no withdrawal, but I got my constituency wrong. It seems there was no government plan to withdraw. Instead, the "withdrawal motive" has come from grassroots demonstrations by soldiers' mothers and families. Ah, well. Close enough? These forecasts were based on a long Mars stay in Taurus. This Taurus Mars will deeply affect SCORPIO, AQUARIUS, LEO, TAURUS and LIBRA through next February. For Libra, Mars signals a potential major change of partner (or of the partnership's "character") or of Libra's "public," of dealings and relationships in general. Many Librans will take a big sexual and/or financial step that changes their lifestyle. I urge you Librans to do this before October 24, or to leave it alone for the next 13 months. For Scorpio, this Mars creates deep, significant "flare-ups" of intensity in relationships. You might fight or pant with desire; you might form a working partnership, or bed a co-worker. Either way, diplomacy, and a "weather-eye" on your reputation are essential! For you Aquarians, this Mars creates home tensions or home construction/improvements - the "healthy" choice is obvious! You might visit a dry, hot land. If you're a farmer, heat and drought are a problem: reduce fertilizers. You Taureans love peace more than a Hobbit. But now to February, Mars makes you a "warrior" - and brings you intense sexual magnetism, new assertiveness and willpower. It also brings you face-to-face with your doubts, your past, and your secrets. Here's your real war: conquer these! Start Nothing: 8:39 a.m. Sun. to 0:52 a.m. Mon., 1:44 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Wed., and 0:31 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 The main emphasis lies on work, machinery, health and your duties toward dependents, kids and pets. It's a boring time, so just plod on through. (Though the tedium is relieved somewhat by sweetness and hope in relationships - but DON'T invest your future or bank account in a relationship, business opportunity, relocation, or contract before July, 2006, and to some degree, before December 2006.) You're making buckets of money now (through February!) so collect it, pay down debt, AVOID big spending. Mid-week's lusts and secrets lead to Saturday's wisdom, understanding. Taurus April 20-May 20 Romance, creativity, speculation, pleasure, beauty, art are the main theme for the weeks ahead. You're powerfully magnetic this half-year (August-February) and if you're female, you "burn" with energy. But you've been shy about speaking, and speech is the flower of love, the tool of creativity. Sunday, your words return, for two weeks. Speak up, write! By next week into early October, a mate prospect could appear. If you're not single, affections create opportunities, same period. Sunday's for love. Tackle chores Monday/Tuesday. Relationships hit barriers Wednesday, intrigue Thursday. Adjust, Saturday! Gemini May 21-June 20 Focus on home, soul, family, garden, nature, the end of some situations and the beginnings of others. (Sit and think: decide who/what is stale, atrophied, and who/what deserves more nurturing. Chuck and embrace accordingly.) Some home projects have been "more talk than action" - but now the action begins, swiftly, for two weeks. If you're single, someone sweet likely made contact recently. You can deepen this relationship now through late October; but if you do not reach "boudoir intimacy" by October 24, let this particular aspect go until December 2006. Cancer June 21-July 22 The emphasis lies on paperwork, short trips, friends, siblings, visits and calls, distribution and communications. Though these have been sluggish, they speed up for the next 16 days. Be curious, follow one thing to the next, see what's around the corner, read everything. You can make many valuable career contacts now through February; you'll socialize with bigwigs. Your home remains a sweet, prosperous place, but how is your home life? There's a difference. (That said, don't change it before July 2006; just contemplate.) Romance has a few bumps Wednesday/Thursday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Chase money to late September - but carefully this week, as some mild deceptions and dead-end alleys await. Don't step on any toes in your pursuit. (Remember that bosses and parents are temperamental now to February, though they will notice and reward your wisdom, broad thought and compassion. It's an odd thing in life, we always suspect higher-ups of being more stupid than us; yet if that's so, why are we down here?) Communicate, visit, follow your curiosity Monday (be pure of motive) and Tuesday (luck shines!). Rest, contemplate Thursday/Friday. Pleasure, Saturday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You're on top of your game! Stand up to others, start significant projects, steer your life, be seen and heard, seek favors. Your energy, charisma and effectiveness are seldom higher. (Yes, this is a time - 1996-2008 - of much upheaval and many challenges, but you are in the driver's seat, now especially, all September.) Money, earnings, need self-awareness Monday: are you stifling your life in order to pursue earnings? Tuesday, money is lucky, so make your moves, decisions this day. You've been shy. Now you can speak up eloquently. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Continue to lie low, rest, recharge your batteries. Plan, contemplate. Deal with government agencies, taxman, institutions, charitable organizations, and the administrations of large companies. Communications speed up with these entities now to late September. Expand your spiritual activities. (Visit a psychic or therapist September 6, 12, 13 [morning] 17, 19 or 23.) Avoid competition and the frenetic crowd. Some powerful changes brew in your (sexual, marital, business association) life August to February. Contemplate these now for later action. (Plan one action for September 12 through noon PDT of the 13th.) Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Organizations, social groups figure prominently. Your popularity has grown, your optimism swells, life is fresh and promising! A friend has a heart-lifting secret to tell you, but might consider discretion is better. Anyway, people admire you! Take advantage, especially Thursday, make new friends, join clubs, network, etc. - communications flow rapidly in these areas, now to September 20. If you're single, a co-worker (or someone in the same general field) could cause some intense feelings; so might someone who lives close by you. But these are light, flirty things. Enjoy! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 You're ambitious, career-oriented in September. (Or you should be, as parents, bosses and VIPs are watching and judging.) This week is a mish-mash of good luck and bad, little steps and little obstacles. Be nimble, eager and honest. Your hopes and popularity rise Monday (when you need to be astutely aware of your own motives and those of others) and Tuesday (when you're just lucky, so charge ahead!). But withdraw to rest, ponder and plan Wednesday eve to Friday. Your energy and charisma surge Friday night, Saturday - impress someone! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 In the six months ahead you'll start a hot romance, end one, or start and end one. If you're not into romance, read "creative," speculative (real estate?) teaching, pleasure, sports, or remodeling, landscaping or child-boosting projects for "romance." In these, don't push others (especially children) too hard. Don't expand beyond what you can support later. That said, these are much better than chasing career. This memorable time can widen your support, your base, in big ways. Act now through October 24, or after November 2006. Thursday shows the future! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 You might win a law suit, travel tickets, publishing contract or scholarship this week. But DO NOT initiate these things, especially Monday (subtly wrong direction). Tuesday brings luck and dawning clarity to these zones. Pressure builds, now to February, in a relationship and in your foundations/home situation. Might involve marriage, eating, property, children, sales territory, etc. Something's got to give, and September is the best time to change or adjust matters, while October is best (within the year ahead) to come to a meeting of minds. Act, don't delay. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Others will either oppose or co-operate with you this month. Which, is largely up to you, as people are responding to your attitude. In general, you radiate two major "personality characteristics" this decade: 1) you're unpredictable, stubborn yet friendly; 2) you feel either hugely ambitious, or burdened by the weight of duties and authorities. Using these the best way (friendly and ambitious) garners co-operation, even love! Don't invest, nor seek sex, lifestyle changes or secret knowledge Monday; do Tuesday. Wisdom, a broad view, perhaps love, come Wednesday to Friday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading with Tim: 604-261-1337. /30/