ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS NOVEMBER 18 - 24, 2007 All times/dates are Pacific Standard. Guess I was right when, last June, I said interest rates had peaked. Since then, the U.S. 2-year bond has declined from a yield of 5 % to 3.6 % -- a fall of 28 %. Five-years are at 3.8 %, 10 years at 4.2. Canada bonds are similar. Europe is holding steady. VIRGO, your upcoming LUCK CYCLE (December 18/07 to January 4/09) features love, romance, joys from children, teaching and raising children, beauty, self-expression, creativity, the arts, inspiration, speculative urges, sports and games, and the urge to take a chance on life. Any/all of these will prove both lucky and unusually significant. This is your year to expand, to take that leap into a grand new world! Because your luck planet is also your security planet, any of these - romance, for example - can lead to a new, solid basis of living. The twists and turns, upheavals and relationship frustrations of the past are over - for at least 36 years! 2008 not only sprinkles your days with beauty and passion, it opens a door to permanence. Whatever you create now, fall in love with, take a chance on, or develop as a talent, can "grow your life" in a new, happier, more successful direction for decades. Follow your pleasure - it will lead your steps up a long, winding staircase to elevated views and joys! Your new KARMIC CYCLE, VIRGO, will last from December 18 2007 to August 21 2009. These 20 months promise a smooth, productive path in the areas you love: details, nutrition, health, cleanliness, hands-on work, service, care of dependents, machinery and tools (including computers). The past 18 months have tempted you toward withdrawal, independence, even self-pity, as you were forced to confront the results of any "sins" or ethical wanderings you committed during the past two decades. But that "payback" period ends by December 18/07. From here on, for the next 9 years, you will grow, in heart, mind and conscience, toward a sweeter, cleaner, happier self-concept. Still, now to August 2009, for the best progress, and to avoid potential swamps of illusion and temptation, you should give a wide berth to an area that is usually counted as a blessed one: meditation, retreat, spirituality or spiritual searches, psychics and charitable agencies. You can wander into odd illusions, unproductive imaginings and dead ends in these. You can also travel a time-wasting, rocky path if you become entangled in government interfacing, with civil servants, red tape, institutions, large organizations or corporations. Avoid these, as well as warehousing, management roles, delegating tasks, policy committees, assembly lines, nurses and caves. Be logical; let "intuition" take a back seat - for 20 months! Start Nothing: 11:26 p.m. Mon. to 3:24 a.m. Tues., 0:39 a.m. to 4:18 a.m. Thurs., and 10:53 a.m. Fri. to 3:29 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Others have begun to treat you with a renewed (or simply new) affection. If you make an approach, at the very least you'll get an appreciative response, in business or love. Despite this, you're just into the first lap of months of possible domestic discord (October/07 to May/08). Two mitigating factors: it might merely be a mood thing, so some hammering or landscaping could lighten it; and there will be a January/February relief. Extremes are possible: peace treaties or love's war! Endings and new beginnings loom. 2008 will tell. Taurus April 20-May 20 Work and co-workers are pleasant, enjoyable through the rest of November. All winter, you might socialize with a) civil servants, b) confidantes and advisors, c) old faithful friends, or d) dangerous people. The choice is yours. Interesting conversations began last week, and continue through December. Hopes about other people's money or "big money" can come true, but there is a delay, perhaps connected to head office, an institution or government red tape. Sexual desires will soon intensify, but examine your morality before you proceed. You feel popular, loved Sunday! Gemini May 21-June 20 Your "slavery" will lighten soon - jobs, duties ebb by half mid-week, when a month of opportunities, fresh relationships, new horizons and fresh breezes arrives! But before that happens, work hard and faithfully Sunday/Monday - higher-ups are watching your performance. Your efforts could trigger a nice money reward! Generally, now to May/08, money flows your way - but it will also flow a-way, if you overspend. Resist the temptation. (Save your money for 2008's great investment opportunities.) Your romantic, risk-taking and creative urges have begun to awaken - chase them Wednesday, not Tuesday. Cancer June 21-July 22 By mid-week, a month of work will begin. Use Sunday/Monday for some rest and quiet contemplation. Your eyes have been opened in mild, subtle but broad ways the last few weeks (and years!) so think over what you've learned, your personal history, how you've come to this place. Be ambitious Tuesday/Wednesday - success is almost certain! (But don't be too rough, or overwork too much, Tuesday.) You'll feel good, hopeful, social, even as your "work month" begins Thursday/Friday! Your temper and "warrior side" are prominent through next May - be gentle! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Expect new plans centering around your home, kids, gardening, security, etc. Despite this, deep and significant home-centered activity will cease soon - by midweek onward, when a more romantic, creative, speculative and pleasure-seeking zeitgeist sweeps you up in its spell. This new - and lucky! - and expansive and benevolent! - whisper of joy and life's sweet promise will blend well with the mild wanderlust that has started to call you. That doesn't mean the new domestic plans are for naught - you'll fulfill some version of them within two years. Mysteries, intrigues Sunday/Monday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your money situation has improved slightly, recently. This will continue through November. You're free to buy a luxury item - treat yourself, or a sexy someone. The last few weeks have been busy but unimportant. Mid-week begins a month of domestic focus, a "hibernation" time of physical sluggishness and contemplation. From Thursday onward, study where you've been and where you're going. Then decide who and what should stay in your life, who/what is stale, and should be left behind. Relationships attract, confuse and challenge, Sunday/Monday. Things are ending, not beginning. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Money ideas or conversations arrive, but the significant money action is almost over. You might put yourself in line for increased earnings with Sunday/Monday's hard work, but the emphasis, now through May/08, will be indirect: performing for higher-ups, increasing your profile on the career scene - perhaps dealing with authorities due to a partnership/marital fight. (It's more serious than a squabble.) Don't fight Tuesday - conditions are ripe for a donnybrook, and your position's weak. Work matters out Wednesday, when all relationship matters succeed if you're eager, diplomatic! Change things Thursday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You've become a bit more talkative, confident and social lately. This continues all November. Make sure you don't express hard or sharp opinions, especially at the workplace (and especially this Tuesday). You'll be working with your communication skills (or simply your broader, larger intelligence) all winter into next May. This can be a rewarding process, especially in January and February. Expect international, cultural, educational or legal themes to grow important in your work. Sunday/Monday highlight romance, creativity, gambles and pleasure. Work succeeds hugely Wednesday! Relationship excitement "creates options" Thursday/Friday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your month of weariness and drudgery ends mid-week, when a cycle of heightened energy, interest, effectiveness and charisma starts. Secrets swirl around you all November, but you're starting to enjoy a nice new popularity, especially at work. August through December, and again March to May, you tend to move your romantic and creative urges into secret areas, which brings a good relationship closer, but can tempt unhappy Sages toward unethical bonds. Home is a mixed bag Sunday/Monday. Romance encounters friction Tuesday, but it contains hints of future excitement Tuesday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Relationships remain volatile through December. Love/hate, anger/excitement, the urge to build, the urge to end - these vie for your heart. They can lead to friction Tuesday, to constructive joy Wednesday. But now isn't the time to make a final decision - that will come most easily and aptly March to May next year, when this "push-pull" will return, but with a huge difference. (The difference? You'll be immensely more confident, lucky, expansive and decisive then!) Enjoy the friendliness of early week - by Thursday you enter a month of relative solitude. Aquarius Jan 20-Feb. 18 You'll hear discussions/news about career projects, but the significant action in this zone is fading. (You might seize one last-minute raise in pay, promotion or expansion of duties Sunday eve or Monday.) Don't argue about work, health, or with service personnel Tuesday - though this is a great day for "editing your job description." Plunge into travel, paperwork and friendships Wednesday - you can make some valuable, lucky contacts. A month of joie de vivre, of popularity, optimism, flirtation, entertainment and friends starts Thursday! 2007's biggest wish might soon come true! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your charisma, intuition, effectiveness and energy soar Sunday/Monday - go forth and impress the world! Beware money missteps (including arguments) Tuesday. Your money and career luck surge superbly Wednesday, so go all out, seize your chances, make your bid! (A parent or boss is probably ready to favor, support, or aid you - he/she "sees your destiny" and approves!) Communicate, travel Thursday rather than Friday. Take a deep, secluded rest Saturday. October-December 07 and March to early May 08 bring passion, romance, beauty, creative surges, and money inventiveness. Life is grand! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/