ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS APRIL 8 - 14, 2007 All times/dates are PDT. Watching the skein of national movements and moods is fascinating. The 9/11 strike on the WTC caused an anger that had no clear focus, and a stock market fall. Those together prompted investors to cry out, and regulators to attack the companies that had been practicing fraud. (Well, okay, they've attacked about one per cent of them to date - mainly because most public companies practiced some form of deception, and they can't throw the entire business culture in jail.) The anger that could not be turned on Al-Quada (because they couldn't be found, nor held to one battlefield) drifted onto a closer enemy: the public companies mentioned above. But this anger without an object caused another phenomena: depression. The governing class, seeing that the depth of the problem confronting the west was so vast, complex and elusive, essentially gave up, behind a fa‡ade of bluster and determination. So it threw a few corporate figureheads in jail, created Homeland Security, which did little, and started shuffling public relations cards. The governing class did almost nothing; one had a strange feeling of a vacuum, a silence. This silence roared with portent when Hurricane Katrina arrived. The impotent, unconscionably delayed and flaccid reaction to Katrina's devastation, and the corrupt response by FEMA, spoke loudly of a weakness, lack of focus and heart where national decisions are made. Depression. Bush did what he could in frustrated response to this melancholy: he lashed out at Iraq, an easy enemy. But his refusal to end the Iraq mess, his "staying the course" looks like the stubbornness of a man who doesn't want to think (for in depressives intellectual exercise is the first faculty that grinds to a halt). I'm not saying Bush is or was clinically depressed; but he's a figurehead who expresses the mood of his nation. Even the much-vaunted, buoyant consumer confidence (which has surprised every economist with its duration and strength) might have been a hedonistic expression of despair. (Similar to, though much less severe than, the outbreak of "pleasure living" in the decline of Germany during the Nazi era.) If the zeitgeist I'm describing does exist, when does it end? I think the West in general will lighten up when Pluto leaves Sagittarius in 2008. But this end of lassitude could be marked by a sighting of the enemy, and a heightening of action. Not since the 1760/70 period (the American Revolution) has the U.S. faced the kind of opposition - and clarity of struggle - that arises from 2008 through 2022. I think the first obvious events will happen toward the end of 2008, into 09. Start Nothing: 6:35 p.m. to 8:36 p.m. Sun., 2:57 a.m. to 4:23 a.m. Wed., and 6:50 a.m. to 8:39 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Sunday shows you, subtly and deep down, what you really believe, and who you really love - or definitely don't. Monday brings terrific luck in legal, educational, far-travel, publishing, media and cultural zones, especially if you take an ambitious approach - but Monday/Tuesday also erect barriers in governmental, administration, spiritual, bureaucratic and "spa" areas - so aim your efforts carefully. (E.g., your travel tickets come, but your passport might not.) Happiness, popularity and hope bless you, Wednesday/Thursday! Rest, retreat Friday/Saturday. Secrets end, open communications begin, nice friends come, mid-week to late April! Taurus April 20-May 20 Pamper your health and retreat from people's attention. You need to contemplate. You might be taking a big step this year, into financial, childbirth, mortgage, sexual, research, health or similar scary, happy things. These steps will benefit and mature you - still, you should be comfortable with what you're doing. Luck here makes a naive dream die. Use this "down time" for seeing, planning. In the few weeks ahead secrets, mysteries and gossip come to you; and your money picture improves. Enemies, civil servants and advisors befriend you, through Mid-May.) Gemini May 21-June 20 You're happy, popular, and social! A flirtation could trigger happy consequences, especially if you meet someone Sunday or Wednesday through next week. (Monday/Tuesday's person could turn out to be "an adventure in lust" but a poor candidate for life mating.) This year, you're likely to a) marry or make a major change in your biggest relationship; or b) relocate; c) sign a life-changing or bank-account boosting contract; or d) feel a big boost in public dealings (even fame). These get a lucky boost Monday/Tuesday, but a career aim fails. Cancer June 21-July 22 Avoid lust, ethical shortcuts. Remain ambitious, contact higher-ups and initiate projects. (But avoid new starts on the "implementation" side - e.g., automation, hiring employees, doing "hands-on" work - in these areas, you have already started enough to busy you for months.) From mid-week through April, you'll be talking more with VIPs, parents and bosses. Now to May 7, civil servants will favor you and your proposals. (So apply for government funding, permission, etc.) This nice trend might force you to choose between two "duties" or two loyalties around May 4 to 7. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your wisdom and mellowness are showing. You face an excellent two weeks for far travel, legal affairs, cultural events, religion and higher learning (e.g., college) - and for love, creativity and speculation, especially Sunday/Monday. Take a risk to improve your life - love, for example, is a big risk! But avoid the "gamble" of investment, lust, etc., the same two days - and Friday/Saturday. Do what's pleasurable, avoid what's deep, dark, power oriented. Midweek through May 7, your popularity will rise, affectionate friends gather 'round! Exciting meetings occur Wednesday/Thursday. Be light, diplomatic, eager. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Everything deep, dark and mysterious, consequential and life changing, stands before you now and next week. Make those changes, welcome consequence, dive in and grasp life's vibrant heart! Sunday's thoughtful - you see how things lie. Domestic, real estate, security and retirement themes are very lucky Sunday/Monday. But your path to luck might contain a relationship disagreement, break-off or competition. Still, you'll feel invigorated, alive, romantic! A "show down" could occur by Friday/Saturday. Listen, find common ground. Bosses, parents favor you through May 7 - propose, ask! You'll discover data, secrets soon. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Relationships, opportunities and opposition, confront you this week and next. Be open, listen and seek common ground. Your conversational talents soar to their peak this year - use this (or cheerful emails, etc.) to solve disagreements, seek allies - to make love! But all 2007, also, make lists, get organized - you're doing a lot of running around with little result. Travel's lucky all year (especially Sunday) but restlessness could interfere with your job standing - watch this Monday/Tuesday and Friday/Saturday. Romance, beauty arrive Wednesday/Thursday. Some Librans will bond soon, and marry later! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Dive into work - keep a steady, unruffled pace. All's well, there's nothing untoward or urgent. Your efforts, this year, will pay off in solid money rewards. Money's lucky Sunday/Monday - shop, buy/sell, seek a pay raise, etc. - but, through Tuesday, avoid speculative investments, debts incurred for pleasure (e.g., a vacation loan) and don't mix money and love (especially with irresponsible youngsters - it's not fair to them). Wednesday reverses this advice, through early May - investments, finances grow lucrative and lucky! (The same period favors lust, intimacy, healing and pregnancy.) "Work news" soon! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Romance, speculation, pleasure, love, charming children, beauty, sports - life is good! Soak up all the pleasure you can - this is rejuvenating, a long cool drink after the desert of alienation you've felt for the last decade - and it signals a broadening, lightening life to come, from 2008 onward for many decades, no matter what your station in life! (Lightening = less weight on your shoulders.) Midweek to May 7, relationships grow affectionate, others treat you with a willing receptivity. Also mid-week, two weeks of romantic talk/travel start. A Gemini's involved! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Plug along on domestic, real estate, security, gardening/agri, and retirement fronts, Cap. Despite Sunday's weariness, Sunday/Monday offer great luck in all these areas (e.g., real estate). Your energy and clout rise Monday/Tuesday. Still, Sunday to Tuesday runs into a communications or travel glitch - or you could be subject to gossip, or be unable to obtain the data you need. Listen, don't depend on data: march ahead on your instincts Monday daytime. Your money luck is mostly good Wednesday/Thursday. Mid-week through May 7 boosts your "job happiness" - and health. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Money starts flowing, to mid-May - but be careful, bank it, don't spend. Midweek triggers a romantic streak, through May 7 - you might notice someone studying you Wednesday/Thursday, or perhaps you'll see you're bolder, more forward, and this captures someone's eye. The restlessness, travel itch and communications flurries continue - and intensify - through April. Make lists, especially of errands - try not to scatter your efforts. A wish, particularly a social one, could come true Sunday/Monday. But you'll be tired Monday/Tuesday, so take life easy. A "Gemini" romantic wish might be squelched. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Continue to chase money, buy/sell, seek a pay raise or lucrative clients, etc. You'll soon be making and receiving money messages, be rushing out on money errands, etc. - the paced quickens! Your determination, courage and sexual magnetism grow now to mid-May. Your home becomes a sweet, affectionate place, to May 7. This whole year transforms your career, your position in the world - almost certainly for the better. One of the many streaks of career/status luck comes Sunday/Monday. Be ambitious, determined Sunday; friendly Monday. But reject a partnership proposal. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/