ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 22 - 28, 2005 All times/dates are PST. Last week we were looking at omens, specifically birds. The best days to look for personal omens are the two days before your birthday, and your birthday. Try to be in a place where birds fly frequently. (But not in a migration path in autumn!) Do this only when you're calm and absorbed in the process, when it's easy to keep the "answer seeking" - and only the seeking, only the question - in your mind. If, when first looking up, you spy 5 birds, romance, a gamble or "lucky" risk, creative projects, pleasure, vacations, and dealings with children will be significant in the year ahead. Love will be of the romantic, unrealistic kind - though that's not necessarily bad! If you see these birds the day before your birthday, they refer to your "inner world" - i.e., you're in a creative, romantic "mind set." If on your birthday, the 5 birds hint at "where you are" right now - for example, you're in a romantic situation or someone has his/her eye on you. 6 birds point to domestic bliss, hard work, and health concerns. Love will be sensual but might be tawdry, or face a crucial but not bond-breaking spat. 7 birds speak of face-to-face relationships: competition, opportunity, war, marriage, business partnerships or breakthroughs, fame, notoriety, negotiations, contracts, litigation, challenge, hand-shakes. Your life could go way up, or way down, depending on how you handle challenge. 8 birds indicate deep changes, probably caused by accident, illness, death, inheritance, tax regimes, investments, debt or mortgagers, extramarital attractions, sex and intimacy, pregnancy or childbirth - all the heavy stuff. Life's mysteries will come close to whisper to you; your subconscious will burst to the surface. Occult studies, dreams and "coincidences" grow prominent. 9 means far travel, university, publishing, religion, learning, perhaps a wedding. 10 indicates career, prestige, striving ambitiously, dealing with important people. 11 hints at a broad social circle, friends, popularity, dealing with public desires, art, entertainment, concerts, etc. 12 is a number of retreat, contemplation, rest, quiet, spiritual contacts, psychics, charity, government, institutions. 13 means "beginning again on a higher level." This is the 13th or "shadow house" in astrology, and the card of death and rebirth in the tarot. It might mean the present situation has to end. It can be a wonderful omen, full of green growth. Start Nothing: 0:53 a.m. to 2:28 a.m. Sun., 1:53 p.m. Mon. to 10:38 a.m. Tues., 7:24 a.m. to 2:31 p.m. Thurs., and 11:57 p.m. Fri. to 3:09 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 The four weeks ahead bring you popularity, optimism, social delights, flirtations, and brand new plans for the future. (Which is good, since 2006 will forever alter your life - mostly in beneficial ways that expand your views, learning, higher thought, and international "contacts." Mid-week shows hints.) Since November (believe it or not) higher-ups have looked on you with favor and indulgence. But lately you've felt mildly directionless, unproductive. By next week, your direction will return - prepare mentally for a possible big breakthrough, promotion or "new start" in career! (Hints Friday night.) Taurus April 20-May 20 An important romance continues - or one could start Friday night! You'll soon (in February) be able to make the decisions that have eluded you about love - good decisions, that will please you and another. But a new theme enters now for four weeks: career, prestige, your reputation in the community. Relationships of all kinds (including romantic ones) will boost your ambitions and results, so cultivate them above all. A tendency to stay at home, to withdraw or to seek security (job security?) will "fight" your career success. Act accordingly! Gemini May 21-June 20 The four weeks ahead emphasize love, a mellow attitude, higher learning, international travel or contacts, religion, life philosophy, publishing, ideas, society's traditions, and cultural events. Co-workers will help you succeed in these things, but siblings and casual friends won't. Machinery glitches, static-prone phones, computer snafus and coughing cars can also slow you down. Your finances, investments, sexual intimacy and research efforts have been smooth and lucky for the past month, but you've felt directionless, undecided. Friday night brings yet more luck here. In February, you'll decide, commit, and benefit! Cancer June 21-July 22 Investments, large debts, investigation, research, dreams, subconscious urges, sexual intimacy, commitment to a lifestyle or person become important over the four weeks ahead. Your creativity, your boldness and sense of play will benefit these areas. "Holding what you have" will impede bold steps. E.g., a focus on keeping your possessions, on day-to-day money, will prevent a venturesome investment. The same applies to sex - here, you must decide what love is. Relationships and opportunities have been lucky but inconclusive for the past month: in February, you'll decide what and who! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 You've begun a month of significant relationship developments. Expect opportunities and opposition, conflict and attraction. Romance might sizzle at your work place, might involve your boss - be wise, careful. Three weeks ago I warned you to lighten up toward your mate - to avoid being overly serious. You've experienced ten years of indecision and mysteriousness from others (including your mate) so your present skeptical outlook is a natural reaction. This year and 2007 will pit your seriousness against their evasiveness in a climactic struggle. Only love can avoid "complicated results." Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The month ahead emphasizes work, health, dependents and machinery. Rest midweek, to prepare yourself for future efforts. You've been happily distracted for the past month (at least) by a romance, a creative, teaching or speculative project, or a pleasure foray - yet you've been indecisive, reluctant to commit everything to a new love or other adventure. Well, Friday night could be your lucky "tipping point!" If not, February will end the indecision and delay - by then, you'll know whether to lighten up or plunge deeper. Your "fond questions" will be answered. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 It's been difficult to make final decisions or commitments in domestic, family, real estate, gardening, house-fixing and similar areas, even though these zones have rewarded you mildly all January. In February, you will make those decisions, and they'll work. (But be sure to make a solid start early in February - DON'T delay until March!) (Late Friday night, you'll see exactly the right thing to do.) The four weeks ahead bring love, affection, a sense of adventure, speculation, creativity, joyful children and pleasure forays. Woo someone! Chase money Monday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness rise nicely Sunday to early Tuesday, so ask favors, make appearances, get things done. Start domestic or social, romantic projects Sunday night (after 7). Two themes fill the month ahead - your family, nature, your home become more important, but you also feel attracted to people in the outside world. It's a perfect time (especially Sunday and Friday nights - not days) for a home or garden party with good friends and one new special or romantic friend. Chase money Tuesday/Wednesday. Avoid heart-hunts Thursday to Friday afternoon. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 You've been indecisive this winter about money, a job, friends, or a future goal. You'll make your decisions, fortunately, in February - perhaps as a result of new information, or a short trip you take - so don't feel you have to rush. (Friday night contains some great clues - and great shopping - if you ask, research, or "look around you.") The weeks ahead bring casual friends, paperwork, short trips, calls. Your mind's alert. Be curious - something hidden will be revealed. An institution or government agency will bring you luck this year. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You face two significant developments now through late February. One, your financial luck rises in earnings and purchases. Friendly coworkers and bosses help you find the upward money path. But you need to watch money agreements, investments and the whole area of "mutual money" this week, especially Sunday and Thursday/Friday. And two, your sexual, creative, venturesome and romantic sides, already strong this winter, now bring about the events and meetings they've been nudging you toward for the last few months. Money or love - seize one of them Friday night! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness rise solidly over the few weeks ahead. Take advantage, impress others, ask favors, present proposals, start important projects! (If they involve law, foreign travel, publishing or higher learning, defer new starts to July - or better yet, wait until December into 2007.) Your inner life remains active and sweet - you could soon (Friday night) solve spiritual problems, or yield to a secret attraction. Two things happen in February: one, you'll make decisions bearing on that spiritual or tempting hidden attraction, and 2) home strife ends. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 The weeks ahead nudge you into retreat. Your energy ebbs, your contemplative side blossoms. But conditions are a bit paradoxical, as you radiate social affection, and this draws others to you. Beware of over-committing yourself to clubs, groups, lectures, promised trips, etc. Your body and mind need rest. Dress and eat sensibly. This week is an easy one. You feel wise, mellow Sunday/Monday - far off places, cultural events, foreign films, religion, etc. fascinate you. Be ambitious, reliable mid-week. Your optimism correctly envisions the future Friday night, and a flirtation pleases! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/