ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS DECEMBER 25 - 31, 2005 All times/dates are PST. Notice the long list of "Start Nothing" times below. Almost the entirety of Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday are Moon Void-of-Course, or "start nothing" periods. I've explained several times over the years what "start nothing" means, so I'll leave that alone. Suffice it to say that, as these periods seem to be nature's "Sabbath," a time for reflection and rest, this last week of 2005 lays it out plainly: relax and contemplate. One of the hardest things to do, for a workaholic society such as ours, is to avoid acting during inauspicious times. All our training goes against it - we're taught that the greatest good is to plow on through difficulties until we turn looming failure into success. Well, that's a good idea if success ultimately results. But if failure will be the ultimate end, it's a huge waste of time - and resources. One of the most frequent business readings I do involves the small entrepreneur who has struggled - sometimes for decades - to succeed with a dud project. It sometimes gives them their survival income, and nothing else. Sometimes it grinds them down into bankruptcy. Frequently, such projects were begun during a Jupiter-Saturn square or a Moon Void-of-Course (the "start nothing" period mentioned above) or when the south lunar node was in the sign ruling that business. I'm as guilty of this blind "forward action" obsession as anyone else. I can't stand having nothing to do, I continually have to have some project, and my (dumb) motto seems to be, better a bad venture than no venture at all. As example, I started a media project under a Jupiter-Saturn square: it failed. I bought three sheep under a Void Moon - all three were eaten by coyotes. In the 1980's I bought a townhouse project when the south node was in my real estate house: lost over a quarter million. In each case I was convinced, at the time, that astrology didn't apply to me! My holiday present to you is a gentle warning: Jupiter squares Saturn through November 23, 2006. It means this isn't a good time to launch a business. Yet you'll find, if you read my 2006 "Year Ahead" forecast article, that I have de-emphasized this danger. Why? First, I don't want to sound constantly negative. Second, some people WILL succeed in this year ahead - even hugely. But most of those will succeed because they began a project before this Jupiter-Saturn square began. If you launched a venture before September 24, 2004, or between July 17 and October 24, 2005, then continue to push it (all else being equal!). If not, wait wisely until December 2006 for big, big launches - that month, to August 2007, will bring smooth growth conditions! Start Nothing: 7:52 a.m. to 6:04 p.m. Sun., 11:27 p.m. Mon. to 0:44 a.m. Wed., 7:01 p.m. Thurs. to 3:35 a.m. Fri., and after 1:09 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 You've spent a good month wool gathering, socializing, dreaming, philosophizing. Now ambition is beginning to creep up on you. By next week (through February) you'll see rewarding results for your efforts. VIPs, higher-ups and parents will approve of your skills and efforts - soon. (Plan to ask for a promotion in February, after a month of hard work in January.) Money continues to flow for the eight weeks ahead - bank it, spending can bankrupt! Monday/Tuesday show you both the upside and (mostly!) the downside of 2006's investment and sexual prospects: careful! Taurus April 20-May 20 This is one of your favorite times of year, through January. You feel mellow, understanding, you enjoy culture and life's beauties (particularly this Friday/Saturday). This winter mellowness could bring love, a significant, important love, or success at school, in a legal action, or with foreign travel/contacts. Flow with this through January, then get ambitious with it, push for results, in February. Higher-ups like and trust you this week. Rest Sunday, your health needs it. Monday/Tuesday show you the best and worst of 2006's relationship prospects: take note! Invest Thursday. Gemini May 21-June 20 You might make a very favorable investment over the next 65 days. It might be something you first saw in November or December. But this week swells your urge, January makes it lucky, and February becomes your "last chance" for awhile. In a realty transaction, I'd make the offer now or January, with a last "escape clause" February 1, and a closing mid-February. The same period lights up your sexual urges, and blesses your research drives. An interesting time! DON'T invest (nor seek intimacy) Sunday to Tuesday. DO, Friday/Saturday! Cancer June 21-July 22 A relationship prospect that intrigued you the last two months arises again this week (particularly Friday/Saturday) and grows strong and sweet January through February. If eligible, you could be about to enter a meaningful affair, at the very least! Good luck also imbues public dealings, negotiations, agreements, contracts, business partnering, relocation and efforts toward fame. Don't worry if something just won't fall into place during January - it will in February. Be cautious Sunday through Tuesday - cruel remarks, fender-benders, refusals litter the day. Tackle chores, health concerns Wednesday eve, Thursday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Tackle chores, employment, and health concerns. (Friday/Saturday are excellent for these.) You could be launched on a two-month project soon (maybe an extension of a November/December initiative). Be eager about this - it's a good project, with affectionate co-workers and the boss's favor. Soon, you might buy a car or other machinery. (February's best.) Your biggest theme, through the year ahead, is your own personal seriousness (or workaholic trends) and your expanding domestic, realty, or "security" interests. The good and the bad of these appear Monday/Tuesday: note it for future reference. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Romance, pleasure, love, creative surges, teaching and joys from children, and an overall winning streak - these accompany you now through February! You could experience a major love affair. If you're embroiled in a nasty lawsuit, you might solve it these two months ahead - I don't know how, but affection or creativity seems to be involved. Sunday to Tuesday will bring the best and the worst of communications, travel, law, learning and media - themes that face you throughout 2006. Mid-week brings deep home changes. Love, romance, creativity Friday/Saturday: plunge in! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The accent lies on home, domesticity, kid-parent roles, food, Mother Nature, rest and contemplation, especially Friday/Saturday. Accept a slower pace. This whole area is blessed with affection, serenity and luck through February. It's a "minor" good time to buy real estate or purchase furniture, decorate, etc. Don't go too far out on a limb, as larger economic or practical conditions might run counter. The whole year ahead promotes money expansion for you, but difficulties also exist. Watch Monday/Tuesday for major clues. DO NOT invest these two days! Travel, call Thursday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Short trips, communications, media, details, paperwork, news, casual friends and curiosity fill the weeks ahead - and bless you right into the first days of March! (Chase these Friday/Saturday.) If single, you might have a friendly romance. (If married, your wit is showing.) Pick love over anger. People are becoming more attracted to your growing cheerfulness - don't suppress it! The year ahead brings personal expansion, more money, bigger career duties/burdens, and a possible "showdown." The best and worst of these show themselves Monday/Tuesday: take note for future decisions! Make money Thursday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The emphasis lies on earnings, buying/selling, possessions, memory, rote learning, and casual sex. These are blessed Friday/Saturday - and actually for the whole 70 days ahead! Ask for that pay raise; buy that luxury article. The year ahead emphasizes 1) slow, deep, steady (perhaps restrictive) conditions in abstract thought, higher learning, religion, far travel, law and media; and 2) deep, glowing and blessed conditions in spirituality, charity, contemplation, management, government and institutional contacts. The best and worst of these show Monday/Tuesday: take note for future reference. Do big things mid-week! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your energy and charisma rise strongly now, especially Friday/Saturday, when everyone looks at you, even on the street! A soft, gracious, poised magnetism radiates from you this whole winter, right into early March. If single, you'll attract romance. Married or single, you can use your personality now to deepen all relationships - but don't use it for "career climbing." The year ahead brings you increased popularity (and happy dreams, wishes, goals) and serious lifestyle/financial/sexual choices. The best and worst of these appear Sunday to Tuesday: watch, study, ponder! Rest mid-week. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The month ahead emphasizes rest, contemplation, spirituality, red tape, management, retirement plans, and contacts with government agencies and institutions. These proceed splendidly Friday/Saturday - and right into early March! It's a good time to visit a therapist, counselor or advisor, to get a wider view of your life, and to plan your long-term future. The year ahead (2006) will bring two main themes: powerful career luck (favor from higher-ups) and sluggish enthusiasm (or downright opposition) from others. The best and worst of these possibilities appears Monday/Tuesday: ponder your best course. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your sweet hopes and fond wishes have a good chance to come true this Friday/Saturday - and right into early March! Expect social delights, flirtations, popularity, and general joie de vivre! (All this despite the heavy career vibes you're slogging through.) The year ahead emphasizes two things: hard, limiting work (or health) and joyful, freeing expansion of your mind, a larger view, success in travel, education, publishing, cultural (religious, philosophical, ritual) venues and love. The best and worst of these possibilities appear Monday/Tuesday: study events, people, and pick your path. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/