ASTRAL REFLECTIONS FEBRUARY 19 - 25, 2006 BY TIM STEPHENS All times/dates are Pacific Standard Time. Thanks to a helpful stockbroker, for pointing me to the long-term chart for the Baltic Dry Index. This index is important, because it shows the volume of raw materials (excluding oil and liquids) being shipped worldwide. It gives us one crucial pulse of international business activity. From 1996 to 2003, the index was essentially flat, fluxing between 800 and 1,800. In 2001/02 it fell by half, coinciding with the Dow's fall to 7300. In late 2002 the index rose sharply, from 1,000, to hit a late 2004 peak of 6,200 - and the Dow rose from 7300 to almost 11,000. In 2005, the year I said business would slow down ("but no recession") the index fell from 6200 to 2500 - about a 60 per cent loss. It fell further in early 06, to 2,000 (2200 recently). The question is: does this shipping index continue downward, or does it spike upward again? I'm inclined toward "down," because the same Jupiter-Saturn aspect that dealt it a 60 per cent downdraft in 2005, is in effect again - mildly now, but strongly from March/06 to November/06. The long "flat line" of the dry index from 1996 through 2002 gives the lie to the stock market of those days. Business leaders had grown corrupt - profits were hugely overstated, stock analysts churned out fraudulent reports, etc. During this time, the Dow doubled, while actual business did not increase at all. Quite the con job! Then the militant Muslims delivered the 9/11 shock that woke everyone up, and markets fell precipitously in 01 and 02. After this, stock markets did accurately reflect business conditions from 2003 to late 2004, rising as international business also rose. But since late 2004 business (i.e., shipping) has fallen about 60 per cent, yet U.S. stock markets have not moved downward to reflect this slowing in trade, maintaining their 2004 heights. Europe and the Nikkei have risen, and smaller, commodity-based markets (Canada, Brazil, etc.) have soared - in the face of evidence that the very commodities they sell (ex oil) are being shipped at half the 2004 levels! In my "Year Ahead" forecast (newspapers, not the online version) I wrote that 2006 would bring poor economic conditions, but that the stock market meltdown would wait until September 2007 (when I see another, deeper shock). If the stock market is as prescient as pundits claim, a stock decline would occur in late 2006 or early 2007 to anticipate the 2007 problem. Yet these markets have not reacted to the huge business decline of 2005 shown by the Baltic Index. So when the decline comes, is it early for the 2007 economic shock, or late for the 2005 decline? Either way, I'd be careful, cautious, and I'd sell winners. Next week, I promise - no more stock market stuff! Start Nothing: 2:02 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. Mon., 6:05 p.m. Wed. to 0:16 a.m. Thurs., and 4:58 p.m. Fri. to 2:14 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Slow down. Take a breather. Seek shelter. A month of lowered energy, rest and contemplation begins now. The ten days ahead are great for making plans, studying situations, contacting government agencies, institutions and charities, psychics, counselors and people who need your help. If you have any projects that need to be completed in the next five weeks, finish them now, as March brings confusion and delays. Investments, secrets, lifestyle changes succeed Sunday night. Your career potential rises with smooth ease Thursday/Friday: seek, apply. Mild happiness flows to you Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 You'll meet old/former friends and flirts soon (March) - a whole social group might return! But all this leads to "inconclusive ends." Strive to complete any important projects this week, as March brings confusion and delays. (No matter what happens, you'll feel happy! Remember the weight on your shoulders the last six months? Do you feel it lifting off?) Legal, travel, love and educational affairs proceed smartly toward a good destination (Thursday/Friday)! Relationships and opportunities are illusive Sunday, yet super lucky this night if you can get beyond the doubts. Gemini May 21-June 20 Complete projects - start no big, new ventures before March 25 (except this Thursday/Friday, when you could take a lucky plunge into research, intimacy, or an investment). Remain alert now through March - career, business, prestige and community matters might be under pressure. Higher-ups will give confusing directions, you might miss important meetings, projects could be delayed by supply shortages. Have a Plan B! Your determination, courage, sociability and sexual magnetism rise now through mid-April. You'll attract either a lover or a friend (or both) - the best ones after March 24. Cancer June 21-July 22 A mellow, understanding, gentle month begins now. You've met at least one appealing person in the last few months - get to know him/her over the weeks ahead. Attraction might turn to love, perhaps Sunday or Thursday/Friday! You're in the best romantic year in decades, though there must be a (financial?) sacrifice if love is to flower. Complete projects now - start nothing. An atmosphere of delay and indecision enters March 2 to 25. If you want to travel afar, set out before March to new destinations, during March to former haunts. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The month ahead features mysteries, big finances, investments, intimacy, deep desires, lifestyle changes, commitments, subconscious urgings, diagnosis, investigation and research. Act on the last three (diagnosis, etc.) anytime, but handle other matters on that list before March 1. Delays, confusion and indecision hit March 2 to 25. In general, strive to complete all money projects before March. Sunday might provoke temper or impulsive action early, then doubt or illusion. If you can get beyond these, grand luck awaits in property, home, intimacy and investment zones! Work proceeds superbly Thursday/Friday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Relationships loom in importance for the next four weeks. If you have any answers to give, give them now. Or opportunities to grab, do it now. By March, confusion and indecision will affect these, promises might be broken, directions changed. So act quickly! In general, complete rather than begin projects, even now. Sunday's weird - financial mistakes and a sense of doubt bother you, but great luck can come from a short trip, a newspaper or tv show, etc. - get out, be curious! Love blossoms Thursday/Friday: speak up; show you care! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The weeks ahead emphasize work, drudgery, employment, dependents (kids, pets, invalids) tools and machinery. Confusion and delay will hit these areas March 2 to 25, so try to finish projects in February, and don't schedule work on your house or car for March. You're in a good year for income and money generally. Sunday contains superb money luck attached to employment, but don't gamble. Be careful in traffic, and with what you say or write Tuesday/Wednesday. Home, family, gardening and property matters proceed very well Thursday/Friday. Romance, Saturday eve? Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 The weeks ahead feature romance, love, creativity, speculation, pleasure, beauty, charming kids, and risks that pay off. (Sunday's spectacular for these - get out!) But a period of indecision and delay also enters this arena, March 2 through 25. You might meet an old flame, or you could be puzzled by an ongoing affair - or you and someone could spend long hours dallying in the gardens of love, going nowhere but enjoying it. Don't start new love affairs (or creative projects, educational programs, vacation plans, etc.) even now - complete things. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The weeks ahead emphasize your home, family, security, soul, garden, food intake. You'll be a bit sluggish, so get plenty of rest, indulge the tendency to dream and contemplate. Get out; soak up nature's beauty. In the ten days ahead, strive to complete projects, rather than start any, because March will bring confusion, delay and indecision to those who push too much, too hard. After supper Sunday, meditate, plan, or contemplate your future - it's a huge, wide one! (You'll see this in December and 2007.) Chase money Thursday/Friday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Travel, details, paperwork, calls, emails, written reports fill the weeks ahead. Try to launch (and or complete) any absolutely necessary actions in these areas this week - March will bring delays, mistakes and confusion, especially in travel and communications. Your work pace is starting to speed up. You'll be working hard right into mid-April, so get lots of rest. Sunday might stress you early, but later, especially at night, you meet happy, great friends, or you dream of your future. Make a wish - it's lucky! Your energy, charisma surge Thursday/Friday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Money, money, everywhere, for the next few weeks. But March will bring confusion, delays and mistakes with money, so try to complete projects now, get bills mailed, buy stocks, make any important purchases before February ends. (Sunday contains career and money luck - pounce! Thursday/Friday are best for red-tape related financial dealings - insurance, securities, pensions, etc. February 27/28 will "demand" a monetary adjustment.) Now through mid-April, your romantic "instincts" surge - you could yearn to explore far jungles, chase Kong away from Naomi Watts, or merely chat up Handsome next door. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your energy and charisma soar now through late March! But effectiveness will be in short supply in March - indecision, impulsiveness followed by delay, frustration and mistakes hit everyone. Confusion will affect your relationships, opportunities, agreements, and home life. Promises will be broken. So strive to wrap up agreements (get that signature!) and complete other projects in the ten days ahead. Push for answers, favors, show up in person - you'll be welcomed, and make a favorable impression! Sunday eve offers luck, love and travel. Life, love, hope and laughter fill Thursday/Friday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/