ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS FEBRUARY 12-18, 2005 All times/dates are PST. Happy Valentine's Day! I won't talk about love here, as I've written a full 2006 Love Forecast, which should be out by Feb. 14 or so_. An AQUARIAN reader wrote to say her store has been failing. A big advertising campaign proved fruitless and depleted her funds. Yet I had predicted career luck for Aquarians. What gives? What gives is my lack of clarity in terminology. So let's clarify: In astrology, the word RELATIONSHIPS includes marriage, relocation, being confronted by exciting people or chasing exciting prospects, enemies, fights, litigation, contracts, agreements, challenges, the competition, fame to some degree, and dealings with the public. In general, "relationships" means making contact with the world, facing the entirety of "not-self." In its broadest sense, relationship refers to the environment around you - or at least the portion you are interacting with. Your ability to negotiate, deal, attract others, etc., lies in this realm. Selling to the public falls under relationships, as every good salesperson knows. Relationships, for Aquarius, as I've noted since last year, are filled with skepticism, delay, slowness and lack of response from July 2005 to September 3, 2007. The advertising proved a dead-end, as advertising is "publishing," which I've also warned Aquarians away from, December 2004 through June, 2006 due to a south node contact. But what about the great CAREER luck I keep forecasting for Aquarius? The storeowner who wants to attract customers is practicing RELATIONSHIPS. When that storeowner wants to become Vice-president of the Store Owner's Association, or wants to rub shoulders with Ralph Polo or the President of Macy's, that's CAREER. Career is our desire to rise above, to gain recognition. Career is being the leader, wielding power. It's accomplishment. When you strive to fulfill the image a parent or teacher inculcated in you long ago, that's career. Of course it might be difficult to boost your career if your business falls apart - and this truly is the dilemma for some Aquarians in 06/07 - but you Aquarians will be more successful overall if you throw your efforts into career rather than business_. ECONOMY: I wrote in '04 that 2005 would threaten recession, but 2006 would bring it. Evidently, October to December of 2005, U.S. growth (GDP) fell to 1.1 per cent, and durable goods orders fell the most since 1987. The Baltic Dry Index, a gauge of raw materials shipped (to feed the machinery of the worlds economies) registers 2037 as I write this - a drop of one-third from last summer's 3000. Be careful, you market players! Start Nothing: 3:48 a.m. to 8:13 a.m. Mon., 7:21 p.m. to 9:09 p.m. Wed., and 8:59 a.m. to 9:11 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 This is your last week of popularity and social joys for a while, Aries - might as well enjoy it! Sunday's pleasurable - you could fall madly in love, or watch a friend fall in. Tackle chores Monday to Wednesday. Tuesday (and Wednesday late afternoon to suppertime) promise much success and accomplishment - show important people what you can do! Relationships draw you Wednesday night to Saturday dawn. If you meet someone new in this period, love is possible, but co-operation (and ultimately, marriage) isn't. Do not risk your money or body Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 The accent remains on career, prestige, your community reputation. Use this smooth, easy week to climb upward. (Take a deep rest Sunday to gather the energy for a long workweek.) Romance, creativity, pleasure and delightful children draw you Monday to Wednesday - best Tuesday, and late afternoon/suppertime Wednesday. Your heightened romantic magnetism (since last July) will fade Friday onward, which could be a relief, as a certain amount of temptation, guilt, or a burden might lift at the same time. Friday starts six weeks of increased income - save it; don't spend! Gemini May 21-June 20 Another mellow, thoughtful and easy week. You might have felt mildly "deserted" socially for the past half-year or so. (You might say, "No, the last 10 years!" - but that's something else, and it's been partly your doing, your withdrawal.) You were meant, if anything, to pursue links and friends in government, psychic, management, charity and institutional circles since last July. Anyway, this Friday through mid-April revives your popularity, returns your flirtation skills, deepens your magnetism, and revives your determination to pursue future goals. Tackle chores Tuesday. Love, beauty Thursday/Friday! Cancer June 21-July 22 Others remain amenable to your requests, Cancer, so propose partnerships, business deals, or love. Examine relocation prospects, and hone your public-dealings skills. Investments, debt, diagnosis, sex, intimacy, commitment, and lifestyle alterations are beneficially featured this week, especially Thursday to Saturday morning. Friday ends a six-month socialization streak, one that was pointed toward career contacts and mingling with important people. Until mid-April, your career efforts will succeed best in the background, via head offices, government channels. Don't start new projects unless you can finish them by late February. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Relationships continue to be the biggest thing on your horizon. On your side, skepticism, practicality, and down-to-earth hard-headedness will grapple with the dreaminess, impracticality, (apparent, only apparent) naivety, empathy and indecisiveness of others. Beware the pitfalls of alcohol, drugs, lust and false spirituality - these sirens lure you in relationships. Be loving, but wide-awake. Love, attraction and anger could climax Sunday. Chase money during a lucky Tuesday. You've endured a rough time in your career since last summer. Friday brings a switch: new friends, new prospects, now into April! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Tackle a sea of chores Sunday and Thursday to Saturday morning. Leave the big, important or difficult tasks until Tuesday (and Wednesday 2 p.m. PST to suppertime) when your energy and effectiveness are tops. Since last July you've had success with (and volatility in) investments, debt, sexuality, research, and lifestyle changes. Major love might have appeared. Friday replaces these trends with eight weeks of impatience and financial opportunities in your career zone. Don't argue with higher-ups, nor let lust or greed impair your reputation. Do invest in your career. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Romance, winning gambles, pleasure, beauty and charming kids fill your agenda! Love attractions surge to new heights Sunday - either you're involved, or you silently cheer on someone who is. Retreat Monday to Wednesday - your charisma and energy fall briefly. You can accomplish wonders with government agencies, institutions, charities and red tape Tuesday and late day Wednesday. Visit a psychic. Your energy and pizzazz return late Wednesday night to Saturday morning - get out, be seen, ask favors. But don't start new ventures unless you can complete them within 10 days. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Six months of attraction and friction, of love/anger, lead you, Friday into mid-April, to a cross-road: either you turn and totally reject a situation, opportunity or person, or you veer into binding commitment, intimacy and entwining of lifestyles. In business, the same scenario occurs: it's put up or shut up time. Chances are you will be indecisive, second-guessing yourself, right through March. If you're in doubt, let it end. Err on the side of caution. Say yes to an employment opportunity, though. You can see your future Tuesday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 You've probably worked long and hard for six months, Sage. Friday begins to lighten the workload - now through mid-April relationships perk up, opportunities sparkle in love and business (and fame). But don't expect a smooth ride. New relationships (and creative, pleasure-oriented and risky things) will remain volatile until early March; then you'll remain indecisive through late March. Yes, there's a sparkling, heightened attraction - but love could mingle with anger, opportunity with frustration. Be diplomatic these eight weeks ahead, be willing to "give half," to co-operate. Tuesday favors career efforts. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Chase money. You might finally "cave" to make a big purchase, investment or sexual embrace Sunday - realize the price is probably high. A mellow, understanding mood flows Monday to Wednesday - and your romantic, creative fires flare high. (Tuesday to 10 pm PST, and Wednesday 3 pm to 7 are best.) But Friday to mid-April turns down the flame a notch, to bring a more hectic work pace, machinery and health concerns. A month of travel, details, communications and paperwork starts Saturday. Complete rather than start projects - slowdowns loom in March. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy, pizzazz and effectiveness stay high. Ask favors; impress others. Usually this would be a superb time to start new projects, but delay and confusion loom in March, so only start ventures you can wrap up in a week - otherwise, complete ongoing projects. A relationship climaxes Sunday - go with destiny, if you can sense it! Investments, research, sexual intimacy, commitments and deep changes are unpredictable Monday, successful Tuesday, and good/bad (you decide) Wednesday. Friday ends six months of home-based tension/argument, and starts two months of romantic, creative fire! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 This is your last week of fatigue. Friday/Saturday begins two months of heightened charisma, energy, precision and determination - but be cautious and diplomatic, for these two months can also provoke impatience, and tension at home. You might end one money source, even your employment; or you might make more money from real estate or a domestic situation. March can take you back to a prior life or relationship situation. Meanwhile, accept a proposal, grab an opportunity Tuesday/Wednesday and be open to changes Thursday to Saturday. A "happy tumult" looms! www.astralreflection.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading with Tim: 604-261-1337. /30/