ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS OCTOBER 1 - 7, 2006 All times/dates are PDT. The next 12-month luck cycle begins in November. But first, let me brag. I told you in December that oil prices would dive in 2006. But, as I red-facedly explained back in January, oil prices would be held up by political concerns. Natural gas, though, would dive. And it did. It's at two-year lows, and at one-third its 2005 peak price. Two big hedge funds last month announced they had lost half their value (so if you bought it at a dollar, you'd lost fifty cents) due to declining natural gas prices. The problem? As I foretold, an abundance of supply (right after all the prognosticators were telling us we were swiftly running out of it). I also said we'd have an abundance of oil, and we have. OPEC says demand is soft and there is more oil in the pipes than ever, despite China's thirst. So when the world calms, the price of oil might fall also. But any calm, I think, will only be the one before the storm in Saudi Arabia in 2008/09. So, back to the upcoming luck cycle. It lasts from November 23, 2006 through December 18, 2007. For most of this period, luck will be pure, simple, and reliable - unlike 2005 and 2006, which held the weakest luck phases in many, many years. In 05 and 06, luck fought restrictive practical situations, rather than co-operated with them. The practical, restrictive trends were stronger, so luck was pretty slim all-round. In the year ahead, our luck has two distinct phases: from November 23, 2006 to September 1, 2007, we will find luck in starting anything practical - even if we start "impractical" things, such as love, we'll find they have a beneficial practical outcome. The second phase lasts from September 2, 2007 through December 18, 2007, and is much like the last two years - luck struggles with an overpowering "closed door" from life's practical zone. Now, if you start a project in the first period, it should succeed, and continue to be successful even during the second phase. But if you start a project in the second phase, it will probably never succeed. Timing is everything! (Though the first phase lasts to September 1, 2007, don't wait until that day - or even late August - to begin. Give yourself a running start!) Keep this column for the next few weeks, when I'll discuss every sign's luck cycle, because I might not repeat these dates for every sign. Keep these additional dates in mind: October 28 to November 17, 2006, and in 2007, February 13 to March 7, June 14 to July 9, and October 11 to November 1. Don't start anything brand new during these periods; but if something lucky returns from the past, grab it! Start Nothing: 8:16 p.m. to 8:24 p.m. Sun., 1:13 p.m. to 10:33 p.m. Tues., 1:33 p.m. to 10:32 p.m. Thurs., and 1:05 p.m. to 10:04 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Relations with others will be imbued with affection and humor through late October. You'll see or hear some secrets during the same period. You might try to talk yourself into someone's intimate graces. You could succeed in this, but perhaps at the expense of your reputation - or of real love. Your Luck remains high in investments and involvements with other people's money - if you can call it luck. It might be a case of "promises, promises." There's a barrier of skepticism - it might be your own, rejecting risk, romance. Taurus April 20-May 20 The recent hectic pace and possible antagonism (about work? from a co-worker?) continue through October, but they now mingle with an atmosphere of affection, enjoyment and mild good luck. It's possible an enmity can be solved now; even more, a co-worker romance might start. This month also brings rather important, even uplifting communications with a crucial ally, spouse, or partner. You might reach an optimistic commitment around October 22, but this will be changed late month, and could re-emerge as something much luckier by November/December. Don't rush to sign! Gemini May 21-June 20 The Sun, Venus and Mars inhabit your love sign. You could fall right in! Even you old skeptics will see someone's allure. October 22-24 brings a climax, an ending, or a beginning. (Or everything, as when you finally realize you're in love with someone an hour after breaking up.) This is also a super creative period. (This decade - 1996-2011 - your mental creativity, intuitive imagination, are tops.) A brightly intellectual person could snag your heart, but be very difficult to "hold." Charge ahead Monday (intellect), Wednesday (career) and Saturday (friends). Cancer June 21-July 22 The emphasis lies on your home, family, property, garden, Mother Nature; on nutrition, childbirth, rest, physical, mental and emotional recuperation. It's your "hibernation month." Recent stress and friction in the home remains (to October 23) but it mingles now with affection, beauty, and sweet moments. This is a great time to decorate or renovate (without spending large sums, as the monetary return will be non-existent). Life's mysteries, lust, large finances are an "open door" Sunday night, Monday. No plan Friday/Saturday? That's okay - just tackling a chore will bring accomplishment. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Be curious. Ask questions, read, hop in the car to go see whatever strikes you (that other town, that old factory, that possible new friend/connection, that store or movie) stake out your chair at the coffee shop, talk, get on the internet, etc. What you learn now can later support or be the seed idea for something good (December onward)! But this is NOT a good time to first meet love, an investment or creative project. The value's in the information, not the situation. Monday, Wednesday and Friday/Saturday intrigue you! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Chase money, earnings, buy and sell articles this month - but don't purchase large investments until late November onward. Your sensual side, while not exactly rising, is nice and strong all October, so a friendly love affair, an "interlude" is possible with someone you like but don't love. (Major love chances come in 2008, and continue, more or less, into 2024 - especially 2011 to 2024.Even the "less" will be more harmonious, a bit luckier, than the best of 1996-2007.) Tackle chores Monday/Tuesday. Unusual excitement (or dreams) midweek! Deeper stuff Friday/Saturday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Your energy, effectiveness, charm and timing surge! Be poised: don't fall onto the floor laughing, or commit some other embarrassing faux pas, just because super energy courses through you. Someone is powerfully attracted, but a 500-pound barrier stands in the way. He/she's married, or lives in a far city, or one of you is poor, whatever. Respect this barrier: it's keeping you from incompatibility. Whoever/whatever appears December into 2007, 2009, or in 2011, could be far more "workable." Still, this week's lures are hard to refuse - for them! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Rest, lie low, especially Sunday night through Tuesday, when weariness is natural and healing - if you yield to it. The next three weeks are filled with red tape, government and institutional interfacing, contemplation and planning. Be spiritual; be charitable. You will have to work to complete an important (but not enjoyable) chore; tackle it Friday/Saturday. Despite the temporary downturn in your magnetism, you'll be communicating quite a bit, and might share secrets with a Gemini. A secret love affair could tempt, especially mid-week (and early next week, October 10/11). Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 A wish could come true in October, Sage, especially one involving love, flirtation, a creative, speculative, entertainment, social, or "popularity" situation! However, this fulfillment is going to have responsibility tied to it. Do you accept, or not? If the responsibility is financial (or "practical" in that it involves a big commitment of time, money, property, etc.) you might be better off waiting for another wish. If your wish fulfillment involves secret understandings, hidden agreements or actions, walk away. That said, you'll be happy and optimistic! Beauty, romance arise Friday/Saturday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 For the few weeks ahead, tackle your ambitions, prestige situations, and relations with higher-ups, parents and VIPs. An atmosphere of "ending" or "establishing" in career areas continues, but now productivity, favor from higher-ups, and small but effective strokes of luck mingle: a potent combination. You'll discuss future employment or machinery needs with someone (or study them) - probably during a key meeting early next week (October 9-11). Your popularity, already nicely buoyant all year, rises mildly, and helps you to sway others. Your "dream" could be accepted as policy, mid-week. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Mental acuity, enlightenment, understanding, "big picture" ideas, cultural events, law, higher learning, far travel and profound communications fill the weeks ahead, Aquarius. Love is in the air, if you're single. This is a wise love, without temptation. (If you're married, love covers all your family.) It's a great time to begin any project in the areas listed in the first sentence - but don't start them with a practical or financial end in mind. Practical projects must wait until at least November 18, preferably November 24, and best, December to start. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Delve into life's depths and mysteries in the few weeks ahead, Pisces. Dreams, occultism, your subconscious, large finances, sexual intimacy, lifestyle changes, investigation, detective work, research, power plays, extreme curiosity, commitment and consequence - these fill your life for awhile. You could be attracted to a verboten love/lust situation. Before you leap, consider who would be hurt (besides yourself). Avoid a big financial, lifestyle or practical commitment before late November. Instead, investigate at present. Lie low, rest Monday/Tuesday. Your energy returns Wednesday/Thursday - you could intuit a major secret! Money comes Friday/Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/