ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2005 All times/dates are PST. All of us will experience, now through February, a "heightened life." After Friday (NOT before!) Jupiter will be separating from Saturn for almost three months. That means luck will briefly escape restrictions of Saturn. (Saturn's restrictions are usually delay, practicalities, naysayers, skepticism, parental disapproval, economic exigencies, and plain old hard reality.) So our luck, and our ability to expand, rises. At the same time (January/February) sweet Venus dallies through CAPRICORN and makes an unusually long lover's tryst with testosterone-flaming Mars. For SCORPIO, TAURUS, CANCER, Capricorn, VIRGO and, less so, PISCES, these two months - January, February - could bring a thrilling romantic or creative climax. Scorpio will be bouncy, but get a few snarls from assertive prospects: hopefully, this turns to purrs - at least it will, if Scorpio communicates, talks, writes and drops in for friendly visits. Taurus faces the prospect of a bouncy, cheerful yet powerfully sexy attraction - someone who is exciting, yet challenging. This person could be a viable wedding prospect. Cancers - if they haven't already - might well stumble upon someone sweet, affectionate, poised, diplomatic, and very ready for love. Virgo faces the most purely romantic possibilities of any sign, and could fall deeply into that cloud of delights. Pisces makes friends everywhere, and as a result could easily notch up a few light flirtations. One of these, especially if he or she comes from Pisces' career area, could be a marriage prospect. However, there are "reality restrictions" hindering wedding prospects for you Pisceans this year ahead - so be realistic. We have to add Gemini and LIBRA to the "love list" here, for their sexual zones (rather than romantic sectors) will be lit up by this Venus-Mars glow - but both signs should beware of being hurt or compromised by extra-marital attractions, etc. The best way to avoid hurt and yuck is to be honest and ethical. For the rest of the air and first signs (ARIES, LEO, SAGITTARIUS and AQUARIUS) this Venus-Mars-Jupiter effect blesses practical endeavors - career, earning and investing for Aries; home, real estate, work (routine kind), tools and machinery for Leo (be careful with career, bosses, Leo); management, head office, routine work, machinery and earnings for Sagittarius; and career, management/head office for Aquarius (take care with home, family, Aquarius - don't lose your temper through February!). Venus-Mars might tempt some of you Air and Fire signs to fall in love with a boss, or an employee - not a very workable situation this time around! Start Nothing: 2:50 a.m. to 5:46 a.m. Sun., 10:46 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. Tues., 9:11 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. Thurs., and after 4:33 p.m. Fri. (thru Sat.) Aries March 21-April 19 Mellow times continue. You feel love, compassion, and you see with a broader view than usual. Long-distance relationships, far travel, higher learning (e.g., university) love and culture are favored. Money matters are about to shoot forward - be sure to save, reject spending, now through February. You could grow richer! (But you might still be dealing with a dilemma of choice between your own funds and "mutual money." For some reason this money dilemma arises from, or involves, pleasure, love, or love of a child - try to keep them separate! Taurus April 20-May 20 The emphasis continues on mysteries, depth psychology, research, occultism, sexual urges, important health and financial concerns. Something that "went sideways" in these areas over the last month, now returns for a successful "second try." You could recover a "secret contact" or recoup a bad investment. Your energy and effectiveness soar Sunday to Tuesday. Chase money Wednesday, and look for a major financial opportunity Thursday. (Though a family member might fight this.) Thursday starts four-months of favor by higher-ups and VIPS, but it also warns against starting a new career/business venture. Gemini May 21-June 20 A sensual (and perhaps "forbidden" or extra-marital) attraction might fade briefly, but it will return full-force January and February. Be wise! All your relationships have been turning on a big, slow wheel since 1996, and will, until 2008. That wheel takes a significant turn this week, centering on Thursday. A relationship that went "astray" might return for a second chance - good, unless he/she is a co-worker. Opportunities also return in relocation, contracts, and public dealings. Rest, retreat Sunday-Tuesday. Your energy, charisma surge Wednesday/Thursday. Expanding work curtails travel, or vice-versa. Cancer June 21-July 22 Since October, opportunities in business and love have beguiled you. This week nudges you away from these sweet prospects, but next week through February either takes this business or love relationship to a rewarding crescendo, or brings another one (perhaps from the past). In love, the one who promises romance will not be the one who agrees to marriage. The "marriage type" will (re?)appear in January/February. For now, get your work done, so you'll have time to chase another (or that business opportunity) next month! Don't gamble with money. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Romance, pleasure, beauty, a gamble or a creative project is on your mind. One of these went sideways in November, is now "ready for renewal." A wish might come true midweek! Thursday through December 31, someone sweet might appear in your life - or a business or "living" opportunity could arise through your career efforts or your daily communications. Talk, meet, call, write! Thursday also signals a deep change in love, in what you consider beauty, in the levels on which you create or take risks. You're going deeper, Leo! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 A mild, pleasant atmosphere has existed in romance, beauty, creativity, and to some degree legal, educational, travel, international or cultural ventures lately. You've grown mellower. Now romance, creativity, etc. fade for ten days - after which, they will grow to a January/February climax, likely an important one! This week, centering on Thursday, deep changes come to your "base" - your home, family, security, real estate, soul, attitude - and, by reflection, to your worldly status. Welcome and assist these changes - they prepare you for later success, especially in love. Avoid gossip Friday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Catch up on neglected correspondence, or take a trip that was put off earlier. Your methods and feelings are changing in areas of communications, casual friends and interfacing with others. You're changing your life philosophy, your cultural outlook. This week brings some of the bigger changes. A more sober view of the future is part of this. It's an excellent time (through August 2007) to lay the basis for a new social life, to prepare for retirement, for "home ownership" or parenthood. Don't mix friends and money. Happiness, Wednesday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Money you thought was gone starts to return. A major financial "transformation" is about to occur. Your home becomes a place of affection, luxury now to January 1 - but any romances started now would be too dynamic, too awkward sexually. (You'll have a better chance in January/February.) Once again, you can sense the conflict between your growing optimism and the growing burdens of career, business and status fronts. Work hard, but realize optimism is your most valuable possession right now. Siblings, casual friends, errands, calls, visits fill your days. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your energy and magnetism continue high, Sage. You have the "power" to convince others, to form partnerships and agreements that favor your interests. A deep change in your relationship outlook occurs Thursday, but its action is so slow and deep - you might not even see it until you look back in a year. Work remains hard and hectic (August/05 to February/06) but you recently began to see the fruits - and more will come in January/February: additional money is in the pipeline! See deep rather than commit deep Friday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Lie low, stay in the background. Watch, contemplate, plan rather than act. You'll know why by Friday or Saturday. Your energy is a bit low, so rest, sleep, eat properly. Romantic notions, beauty and promises of pleasure lighten your mood Sunday to Tuesday morn! (Soon, January, these might be more than notions.) Tackle work Wednesday. A subtle but deep change brews in your spiritual, management, red tape, head office and/or charitable zones. Flow with this. DON'T mix money and friends. Your income will rise mildly now to January 1. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 This week contains a nice little romantic surprise. You've been optimistic, friendly and popular lately, but you've experienced some doubts about your romantic appeal - the two weeks ahead will eradicate that doubt. On a more important theme, your plans and hopes for the future - and your social sphere - have been undergoing change since 1995 (and will, through 2008). That change has two crucial turning points: 2007, and this present week. The present change might be a foreshadowing, or might work out quietly over the months ahead. But it's there. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 A nice social trend ebbs slightly for the next ten days, then will ramp up to more than nice - splendid new friends, flirtations, light romance and popularity will fill your days, by January at the latest. But this week, tend to your career, status and reputation. These have been transforming for a decade; change comes again now, in a deep, perhaps subtle way. The old will climax; the new will arrive - immediately, or over the months ahead. Don't be discouraged by temporary setbacks - you will rise big-time in 2007! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading with Tim: 604-261-1337. /30/