ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS SEPTEMBER 10 - 16, 2006 All times/dates are PDT. Re: The International Astronomers Union's decision to demote Pluto from planethood, and to keep Ceres, Charon (Pluto's binary brother) and 2003 UBS 313 (popularly named Xena) off the list of official planets. The new Pluto-less list seems to leave western astrologers three planets short: ARIES and SCORPIO now have to split Mars between them, TAURUS and LIBRA need to continue sharing Venus as their ruler, and GEMINI and VIRGO must fight over who really reflects Mercury's personality. Maybe - for here astrology and astronomy diverge. Astrologers over the last 60 years have indelibly demonstrated Pluto's connection to Scorpio, whether a bunch of scientists in a hotel convention room think so or not. That leaves Gemini and Virgo, and Taurus and Libra, as signs that still share a planet. Despite the IAU's vote, I think we might have two candidates for astrological planets in their "banned" list. Forget Ceres - it's still an asteroid. That leaves Charon and Xena, both "planets" in the same vein as Pluto was. I think Charon should be given a serious chance as Virgo's new ruler (not Gemini's) and Xena (2003 UB 313) as Libra's (not Taurus's). Here's why: Xena was discovered October 21, 2003, while the Sun was in Libra. Xena, the warrior princess of television fame (she was not a mythological heroine) is portrayed by actress Lucy Lawless, a double Libra name. Lucy/Xena is seductive, full-breasted, yet male in her violent heroic pursuits. (Libra rules the mingling of male and female.) Xena is much too violent and active to rule mellow, staid, loving Taurus. That leaves Charon. Charon was discovered on 22 June 1978. Charon will be visited for the first time by a human probe in the summer of 2015 - just as Jupiter (planet of exploration within our solar system) enters the sign Virgo. Charon is Pluto's binary brother. Pluto rules Scorpio - Virgo's "friendship" or "sibling" sign. In mythology, Charon was the ferryman who carried the souls of the dead across the river Styx and into the underworld. Like Virgo, Charon was very particular, insisted on the rules and would not carry anyone who wasn't properly buried. (That makes him an unsuitable mythological ruler for Gemini, a sign that constantly skirts the rules.) In myth, Charon carried a double hammer. Virgo is a double sign. Now, there's the matter of orbits: Charon takes about 247 years to travel around the zodiac. Xena takes 560 years! That means Librans have a 5-century cycle. In a later column, I'll discuss what this might mean. (And how the 12 signs might need revision.) Start Nothing: 1:52 to 11:30 a.m. Sun., 1:58 p.m. to 1:59 p.m. Tues., 9:00 a.m. to 7:53 p.m. Thurs., and after 5:31 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Do what's necessary, no more. Don't become anyone's slave (and that includes your children!). Chase money or buy/sell Sunday afternoon and Tuesday morning, but be financially cautious Monday, when items might be flawed. You travel and communicate easily and swiftly mid-week, but don't express an opinion Thursday. Home sweet home beckons Friday/Saturday, but a work snafu or legal barrier might keep you away. Now to late October, relationships of all kinds intensify. September signals affection with co-workers, while October will bring "pure attraction." But both months need diplomacy! Taurus April 20-May 20 Romance lifts your mood. You're vibrant, attractive Sunday noon (sleep the morning away) to Tuesday. Even after this, you keep a nice level of energy and spirit the whole week. Sunday night, especially, seems made for love. Remember my caution: don't step too deeply: keep a sense of perspective, and refuse to chase a bouncing ball. Love that deserves you won't run from you. (Means reject coy people.) Money concerns turn out luckily Tuesday and Wednesday p.m., but neither morning. Expect messages that hint of alienation late week. Gemini May 21-June 20 Lie low, rest and contemplate Sunday noon to Tuesday noon. Your home and family - and Mother Nature - will be supportive, restful. Your energy and charisma surge nicely Tuesday noon through Thursday - and beyond. Spend money and make money Friday/Saturday - but don't involve computers, electronics, or any high tech (including car, other engines). A relationship is coming to one of its annual "strained phase" - it might pass, or it might cause a work or home adjustment. In two years, these "strained phases" will disappear. Meanwhile, your romantic courage is rising! Cancer June 21-July 22 Short trips, communications, paperwork, reports, details, errands, curiosity, casual friends and siblings fill this week. People like you now! You could start a casual, friendly love affair, but you might later wonder why you "tied yourself down." Friction or tension enters your home until late October. DON'T set up housekeeping with a "casual lover." Something more real will arrive around November. Turn that "home energy" to renovations, repairs, landscaping, construction, etc. You're popular Sunday to Tuesday. Rest, withdraw Tuesday eve to Thursday. You're magnetic, effective Friday/Saturday! Work changes loom. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Chase money, but do nothing unethical for it, and drop any financial goal that has you jumping through too many hoops. (More than one is too many.) Now through 2007, "buy and hold" on the stock market; don't be a "trader." Short trips, communications, details, paperwork and casual meetings proliferate - by October these will yield a nice little bit of luck for you, so charge ahead! Be ambitious (not profligate) Sunday eve to Tuesday noon. Friends, popularity and happiness visit mid-week! But retire to solve a romantic/creative puzzle Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness continue high. Start significant projects, seek favors; be there "in person." Others find you charming all September; you'll attract love, or love's opening gambit. Respond - it will benefit you, in more ways than are apparent. Until late October, money will flow swiftly to you - and through you, unless you save. Reject unnecessary purchases. Sunday noon to Tuesday afternoon brings wisdom, fine cultural affairs, higher learning, legal and travel opportunities. (Sunday and Tuesday are best). Be ambitious mid-week. Your popularity spikes Friday/Saturday, but you sense "deeper needs." Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Continue to lie low, rest, withdraw from the bustling world - contemplate and plan. Visit your soul, see a counselor, meditate, attend church, be charitable, and deal with red tape in business and government. Despite your lowered energy, your mind is active and sharp (through October 1) and your personal, sexual magnetism is rising (through October 23). That magnetism will serve you better when your birthday period starts (Sept. 22 onward) - for now, it gives you courage and will power, two good attributes to use in ambitions, security quests, and research. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Social delights, popularity, flirtations, light romance, optimistic plans for the future - these fill September, but take what comes without chasing it. Enjoy without building upon what happens. Work, duties, and involvements with tools (including cars) will intensify through late October. Be "double" safety-conscious. You'll be dealing with red tape, large organizations, and you might be entrusted with a "secret mission." Make sure collusion isn't part of the deal - honesty and integrity maintain your long-term value in the world. Relationships excite Sunday to Tuesday (careful Monday). Mysteries intrigue mid-week! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Relations with higher-ups and VIPs, ambition, prestige and career directions receive two mildly lucky little boosts in September, but don't chase nor build upon them - just accept your good luck. (Chasing would cause them to crumple or fade.) Until late October, you'll grow more social, hopeful and flirtatious. This starts with a one-on-one situation, with a romantic or partnering intent, but it soon spreads to encompass a whole group. (E.g., you could start a love affair, and be drawn into his/her group of friends.) Life's exciting, uplifting - more so, later! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Legal, educational, travel, cultural, love, publishing, advertising and statistical involvements flow easily and with mild luck all September, but don't try to deepen your position in these - if anything, turn toward the "small." E.g., in advertising, excuse yourself from the concept; instead, handle procurement, copy, visuals, etc. Through October, you'll grow more determined, assertive and impetuous in career, prestige situations and dealings with VIPs. Be diplomatic - "showdowns" could spell "endings!" Romantic, creative, pleasure urges arrive Sunday (great night!) to Tuesday. Tackle chores mid-week. Relationships are "all or nothing" Friday/Saturday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Mild luck lifts your financial, investment, sexual, intimate, research, health and investigative interests - accept this luck without trying to build upon it. Chasing it, attempting to deepen your rewards, could cause them to evaporate - or could nudge you in a subtly wrong direction for future efforts. If in doubt, take the money (or the sweet interlude) and let the "promise" go! Through late October, avoid legal hassles. You'll be determined, assertive and effective in higher learning, far travel, cultural venues, advertising/publishing_and love. Home's sweet Sunday. Romance, creativity midweek! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Relationships prove pleasant, affectionate. You might be offered love, or seek it. Good, but stop short of any lifelong commitments. Be wary, also, in contract negotiations, relocation, litigation, and public dealings - it's not that others are acting in bad faith, but that conditions might be adverse "down the road." The antidote: a healthy independence. Now to late October, secrets, mysteries, investment urges, financial involvements, sexual and intimate commitments and consequences intensify. You'll be courageous, even aggressive. That's okay - stay honest! A sudden attraction, and a career challenge, September 15/16. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/