ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JULY 2 - 8, 2006 All times/dates are PDT. All signs: Mercury turns retrograde this Tuesday, so start nothing new before July 28. (The last two weeks of "don't start" warnings were for slightly different reasons.) A reminder: one of the classic indicators of a market rout (and commencement of a bear market) occurs this August. You might want to put protective measures in place. VIRGO, the 18 months ahead (to mid-December, 2007) urge you to seek advice, to negotiate, to sign contracts, to relocate, to form relationships, to deal with the public, to marry or partner, and generally to go out from yourself, toward others, toward opportunities, toward the horizon. (If you're one of my private Virgo clients and I've told you to avoid partnerships in general, these 18 months "neutralize" this, forming one of the periods when partnerships look better.) The last 13 months of this period (November 24/06 to December 18/07) will go a long way to solve the upheavals and puzzles of the past decade. Since 1996, you've been pressured on home, property, security and retirement fronts, and might have moved, lost a home, or seen a family disrupted. 2007 brings huge luck in these areas. It will be the time to find your special place on earth, and to put down roots there. (Two hints: it might be within several hundred miles/kms of your birthplace, and for real success, act BEFORE September 2007.) 2007 will bring healing, emotionally - and, in many cases, financially. By 2008, you'll be ready to charge into the new life you've been granted - romance, risk, creativity will flood luckily in! LIBRA, a great moral weight (or a cloud of ennui, temptation, self-pity, or general dissatisfaction) lifts off your shoulders now to 2023. Your life, soul, outlook and mood brighten from here onward, to a 2015 peak. For a smooth, easy path during the immediate 18 months ahead, do things yourself - don't depend on others. Reduce your reliance in/dealings with red tape, management, administrative agencies, civil service, institutions and advisors. Avoid steeping yourself in meditation, spiritual goals, withdrawal or solitude. It's a good time for employment, tools, machinery, health regimens, and caring for your dependents: tending to these somehow makes your whole life flow more beneficially. From December/06 through August/07 the communications gifts that had deserted you return: you'll gab, write and travel. 2008 begins a powerful decade of change in your family, real estate and security concerns - this same year urges you to buy property, expand your family or otherwise "find new roots" - the long-term results will be lucky! Start Nothing: Before 10:06 a.m. Sun., 12:17 p.m. to 10:13 p.m. Tues., and 12:54 p.m. Thurs. to 7:14 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 An old flame enters the horizon. Your general emphasis lies on domesticity, nature, gardening, security, retirement and foundations in business and love. Things that are logical do not always look logical, and there is a reason behind everything that looks irrational. Remember that Sunday to Thursday, when you might be unusually attracted to someone, or waver powerfully back and forth between two relationship options. The simplest answer is: go with whatever's most friendly. My 2005/06 "warning" about marriage is now over, for 18 years. Wisdom, love, compassion enter Friday/Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Start nothing important before July 28. You're restless, curious - it's a fine week to sit with a coffee, to gab and read and travel. Your money picture looks healthy - treat yourself to a luxury or two. An old domestic, security or property situation returns briefly, could re-ignite frustrations or cruel comments. Be gentle, and accept nothing less from others. A subtle, 18-month cloud lifts off your employment sector now - for two decades! If you're seeking, contact old bosses, situations in July, new ones in September, lucrative ones in December. Gemini May 21-June 20 Start nothing significant before July 28. You might renege on a "promise" (perhaps a money or purchase commitment) before then - back out if you're uncertain. Others find you affectionate and attractive now, in a sweet rather than rugged/assertive way. You could be very confused about a relationship, love, a person with a drinking problem, a venture (or relocation) involving a far away place, or an educational program. Either wait (until August) for clarity in this, or do whatever would raise your status in the world. Relationships excite you Friday/Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Your magnetism, energy, confidence and skills rise and remain high - but turn your attention to old tasks, loyalties and projects. Ventures begun now (to July 28) will attract delay, confusion and disappointment. This is a terrible time to buy anything important, including machinery - but a great time to collect funds that are due, especially after Wednesday. Tend to home, family and security issues Sunday to Tuesday. Midweek brings romance, luck at cards and finances - and perhaps an old flame or a new "sexy" friend. Tackle chores Friday/Saturday - you're effective! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Start nothing big or important before July 28, especially in "personality," red tape, governmental, communications, paper work and social/political arenas. In any of these, someone or something could return from the past - that's good, July 7 to 9. In general, you need rest - and lots of it. The I Ching states: "when exhaustion occurs, chance takes over." (Few westerners read the less popular Shu Ching, but we'd make fewer mistakes if we did.) Until Wednesday, your emotional engine races with attraction - but this car has no steering wheel! Friendliness wins. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You might run into former friends, even rejoin a former social circle, in the weeks ahead. Old hopes and old dreams return - study them before you chase them, especially if they appear before Thursday. A good and a bad relationship (or opportunity or relocation horizon) arises this week. The bad one involves uncertainty, secrecy and giddy feelings. The good one shines with friendliness, inventiveness, openness, and might involve a bright, eccentric person. Chase money (but buy nothing important)Sunday to Tuesday. Friends, travel, curiosity fill midweek. Home/family bless you Friday/Saturday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Don't start projects or relationships, sign contracts, nor buy anything important before July 28. An old friend or flirtatious person might reappear this month, perhaps at a social function - if this occurs between July 7 and 22, this person could be "mate potential." (If before July 6, doubts, drugs or illusions lurk.) Your hopes rise about relationships in general. International travel, higher education, law, religion/philosophy and cultural rituals bless you now to July 18. This is very much a time for love with a light touch. Remember your career! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Don't be thrown by alternating temptation/elation and panic/despondency in your domestic situation, or career or in relations with a boss, authority or parent - or with your general community reputation. Decisions around this might flood you before Thursday. Other than this, July is a mellow, wise month for you. Far travel, exotic people, religion, higher learning, law, cultural affairs go well - but stick with the ongoing or reprise "old stuff" here. Don't start any new projects before July 28. Rest, research Sunday/Monday. You shine Wednesday/Thursday. Money luck faces you Friday/Saturday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 An old temptation will return this month. It's likely a sexual, financial, or lifestyle lure - and it might be a good one, worthy of your effort. If a pleasant, affectionate person is involved, if graciousness prevails, if there is a strong streak of learning, travel, law, culture, social structure or "truth" in it, it's probably good. A frothy indecision (yes/no/yes/no) or low-level anger should be a red flag - exit! In any case, stick with the old or ongoing before July 28 - start no brand new projects - or relationships. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Start nothing new before July 28 - especially in relationships, contracts, negotiations, relocation or dealings with the public. (Even running a store is "dealing with the public"). These same areas could yield benefit if you stick with ongoing dealings, or with people or opportunities returning from the past. (An old flame or ex partner could appear.) Avoid impulsive investments, sexual forays or changes of/in your home. (No renos, even if they ARE an "old idea.") Your work place and co-worker relations are pleasant. Temptation comes before Thursday; a good friend later. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Work and health are your main theme, but relationships are quite fired-up now - worries mingle with elation through Wednesday. Others oppose and attract you, and you spy beauty in someone sweet. If you're happily married, your spouse teases (or shows temper) and your kids are unusually charming. Briefly, it looks like a former relationship is going to re-ignite. But what really returns, next week onward, is an old task, unfinished chore or former employment. Start NOTHING important before July 28 - reprise the past instead. Luckiest goals? Money and friends! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Don't start new projects or relationships before July 28, especially in areas of work, health regimes/exercise/dieting, creativity, teaching, beauty and romance. (Former interests might return from these areas - e.g., an old job or - more likely next week - an old flame. These are fine - and so are ongoing projects/loves - but these ongoing ones need to be protected from "new directions." Not a good time to edit your writing.) Worry and assertiveness affect work, machinery and "secret" zones through Wednesday. Love, creativity and pleasure "keep you safe." Career luck fills Friday/Saturday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/