ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4, 2006 All times/dates are PST. OIL, WAR, ETC: In my "Year Ahead" article, I predicted oil prices would fall in 2006. Jupiter in Scorpio should trigger more plentiful, therefore cheaper, oil. Well, the first part is on track: U.S. oil and distillates in storage have grown markedly since December. But Iran's nuclear intransigence and Nigeria's revolts have scared oil up the price ladder - about 10 per cent thus far. These "scares" should abate, but not disappear, after mid-February. The Nigerian revolt is at its peak, but an oil wipeout (and many deaths) could last into 2007. The Iranian situation might come to blows on or before October 06. It will abate after November 2006, but remain alive through 2007. The U.S. might feel "pushed to war" in the few days around March 6. Pray it doesn't strike, for a military campaign entered into at that time, though seemingly a "quickie," is likely to become an "unending campaign," sapping the U.S. economy and dragging down the stock markets. Might as well lard in all the doom and gloom at once: There's a possibility we will suffer a nuclear meltdown in '06, perhaps an accident a la Chernobyl. To put this in perspective, the chances were highest in December 2005, and this month just past, January. But "influence peaks" occur all 2006, especially in June, August, September and November. (The December/January peak brought the Iran nuclear showdown.) (On the benevolent side, 2006 could simply bring many more nuke plants to the drawing board - a "production explosion.") Despite these possible travails, I think oil will slip in price in 2006, that the growth in supplies will be stronger than the fear of disruption. I could be wrong, but I'm not buying a lot of oil stocks or oil/gas income trusts at present elevated peaks. In the long run, like everyone else, I believe oil will rise_.but I could be wrong! A reader from South Africa reminded me recently that, although I forecast lots of lovey-dovey for January/February, many of the couples she knows are having big fights. Well, yes, the same Mars that's part of the Venus-Mars romantic surge, is also in bad relationship to Saturn (cruelty) Jupiter (I'll do what I wanna do) and Neptune (suspicion and jealousy). Put those together, and you've got some big lover's fights. It's the same set of aspects, actually, that caused the recent stock market drops, Iran's defiance, the nuclear-oil scare, etc. And there could be more to come, as Mars doesn't leave its position until February 17. Even so, the main crunch was the week of January 15-21, so we should see slowly subsiding fireworks from here in. Start Nothing: 8:00 a.m. to 2:32 p.m. Mon., 8:06 a.m. to 2:46 p.m. Wed., and 10:32 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Your popularity and optimism are growing; social joys greet you, and flirtations follow you around, especially Sunday, early Monday, and Wednesday to Friday! However, your luckiest actions this week will probably be taken when you're more alone and quiet - financial opportunities loom Tuesday and Saturday. Life has a destined flavor this week, it could carry you to new horizons, new prospects and new friends! Still, any small, nagging doubts are reminders to delay relocation, wedding, or seizing big new opportunities (signing contracts, etc.) until after June 22. Love straightens out. Taurus April 20-May 20 Strive intently on career fronts, yet be diplomatic and flexible. Much depends now on your attitude, actions and hopefulness. Forget recent setbacks - they were, in a sense, a change of venue or circumstance that you can now work with to build even higher. Take forward action Sunday, and early Monday morning (before 8 a.m. PST). Life offers friends, affection, bright new horizons and hopes - and a possible meeting with a viable "mate" - Monday night and Tuesday. Wednesday's hopeful but brings little. Rest, retreat, contemplate Thursday/Friday. Your high spirits return Saturday! Gemini May 21-June 20 A sweet, mellow mood should be stealing over you for several weeks to come (especially this Sunday/Monday). The "worst struggles" are over in a background, communications, career or work situation. Your financial situation remains buoyant. Love could steal over you - so could lust. Distinguish the two, they represent two very different paths, and futures. Happiness and gratification are separate, too. Tackle career matters Monday eve and Tuesday - major lucky break possible! But back away Wednesday; be flexible. Friends, social joys, perhaps that light, sweet person enter Thursday/Friday. Retreat, rest Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Recently, many crises happened around you, but not to you. Keep your diplomatic mien, it's an armor stronger than steel. You're deeply attracted to a person or real estate opportunity who/that has "appeared" since last October. In February, the real action might begin in this affair. Be honest, ethical, especially if you're married. In business, realty opportunities, ethics and caution are needed also! A mellow, understanding mood steals over you Monday eve to Wednesday. Tuesday triggers luck in love, law, travel and learning. Be ambitious Thursday eve, Friday morning. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Opportunities and challenges, exciting and frustrating members of the opposite sex, love and war - these continue to swirl around you. Continue trying to keep your temper, remain diplomatic to higher-ups, and protect your reputation. Work provides a haven of calm, even affection - bury yourself in chores if you need a rest! You're still favored (through June) if you're in a lawsuit. Contemplate living in a foreign country, establishing a communications/publishing center (at home?) or schooling to improve your marketability. Act on these (or similar opportunities) Tuesday - change your life! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Like Cancer, you've escaped the main brunt of the crises and dilemmas and lover's quarrels whirling around for the last two, three weeks. (Think Iran.) Still, these could have affected your work, your peace, or your travel, study or media plans. You might be powerfully attracted to a sweet, intoxicating person (or a constant parade of them!) or to a creative or pleasure project. Past indecision around this attraction is about to end - by Thursday onward, you might take steps to make someone (or a situation) yours. Go ahead! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The weeks ahead hold romance, deep feelings, pleasure, beauty, a gambling urge. Yet everything you do, and every thing or person you're attracted to, dovetails with a mildly lucky desire for security. This combo could involve you in a romantic yet sexual affair (even an extramarital one) or tempt you to marry someone for financial security. If you're honest, ethical, all should be fine. Overall, it's better to be involved than alone. (In creative areas, you're drawn toward a speculation designed to increase your property, or a creative "sinecure.") Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You're in the midst of a domestic phase, so look to your home, kids, and also to your platform, your foundation, in career, work, finances, etc. Many struggles have occurred for years in home, for months in career, reputation, power relations (pecking order) and relationships. These might have run into a climax in January, but they'll "settle down" in February, and ease markedly by late month. Be willing, now, to change, to seek new, solid places to stand, especially Sunday. Love, creative efforts and gambles meet with luck Tuesday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 All things considered, it's better to love deeply than opt for "friendship," better to plunge into risk and chance than to carefully plan the future - until late June. Remember this Wednesday afternoon to Friday morning. Work remains hectic (to Feb. 17) but, at last, delays in earnings will end this week. Expect more money in February. Take a short trip Sunday. Luck strikes home, family, domestic, real estate or similar interests Tuesday - if a door opens, step through! Romance, pleasure call you Wednesday to Friday. Tackle chores Saturday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Chase money; make important purchases this week and the next two. Your memory improves. You might begin what you consider a casual sensual/sexual liaison - but realize the other person is very serious, probably infatuated. Being loved entails responsibility! (But you might also be in a deep, serious love affair that started some months ago - if so, the present time is simply an easy, sensual phase.) Chase money Sunday. Short trips, paperwork, communication are lucky Monday eve, Tuesday. You could meet a splendid new friend. Destiny will provide direction midweek. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy, charm and pizzazz impress everyone! (Well, everyone except that quietly stubborn person who sees only your flaws. If this, recently, describes your mate, it will pass in about 19 months.) Ask favors, tackle big things Sunday morning. Take advantage of your money luck late Monday through Tuesday! This isn't the best week to sign a contract, nor to convince opposing sides to agree, especially Sunday to Wednesday. A short trip, talk or news article could lead to "destiny's path" Thursday night, Friday morning! Domestic stuff Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Lie low, rest, contemplate and regain your spiritual center Sunday (and to some degree for three weeks). If you need to contact a government agency or institution, try before 8 am PST Monday. Your energy rises a bit Monday eve to Wednesday afternoon. You can take a successful step forward in legal, international, educational, media and/or cultural zones Tuesday. Chase money, buy/sell (but not luxury items) Thursday into Friday morning - this morning could lead you to a lucky long-term change in money direction - perhaps toward a pay raise. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/