ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 13 - 19, 2008 All times/dates are PST. The Pakistan elections have been delayed until February 18 - the very day Mercury goes direct after a three-week retrograde. Projects started under this influence usually point to new growth, clear sight and a fairly uncomplicated, successful road ahead. The election chart hints at military stability, a "blessed" beurocracy (federal civil servants and governing agencies) and a good moral, ethical, human outcome. However, Saturn indicates that some are not happy, not joining in the process, although they show a diplomatic, co-operative face yet refuse to disarm, and keep their real intentions hidden. (This, we'd usually guess, is the Al-Quaeda faction - but the chart hints that it is actually Pervez Musharraf who lurks in the dark and refuses to change his "hidden ambitions" - and from this will come some sort of downfall for him.) I wrote in my 2008 forecast that Barack Obama would have bad luck. I should more correctly have said he will face difficult karmic "payments" for actions in his past. This doesn't mean he won't be ordained as the Democratic candidate for President, nor that he wouldn't win the chief office - the bad karma will come willy-nilly - most intensively October to December 2008, with an emphasis on late November. Barack's Moon is either in Taurus or Gemini - it changed signs mid-day. This makes him a charmer - and that Moon is in the sector of career and government. However, that doesn't show anything special - one of every 12 people has a Moon in the ambition sector. His Neptune, planet of sympathy and perception, is near the orphan's degree of Scorpio, hinting at the early abandonment by his father. He likes to spend - money flows to him, and through him. Though he's charming and popular (and always will be) Obama, deep down, is akin to the writer Maupassant, who was nicknamed "the sad bull" by his friends. It is difficult for him to marry well. His planet of fame and popularity says, "the native's karma might be bound or interwoven with that of his nation_" Mentally, he is very attracted to travel, migration and daydreaming. There are several published birth times for Barack Obama - a similarity he shares with many U.S. Presidents. Some, such as Ronald Regan, even spread false times to keep astrologers at bay. If Barack was born around midnight, he could become the next President. In that case, his election will itself bring some difficult karma. If he was born at other times, and manages to make it to the Fed Final, I think this stroke of difficult karma will cause him to lose the November election. Perhaps atypically amongst politicians, his chart shows very little skullduggery and manipulation. Start Nothing: 3:41 p.m. to 4:23 p.m. Sun., 7:39 p.m. to 8:13 p.m. Tues., 6:05 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thurs., and after 11:46 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Chase your ambitions. Be more than reliable - be eager, talk to the powers that be, show spunk and enthusiasm. Aim high and big. This is your year for success - what you leap for now you might easily walk into by late year - but only because you leapt now. Communications with higher-ups, and with advisors, lawyers and scholars, are easy. After a rough daytime (rest and hide) your energy and charisma climb Sunday eve, and stay high through Tuesday - start things, ask favors and make appearances! Talk money mid-week. Taurus April 20-May 20 Your mellow mood continues. Higher learning, international travel, cultural or legal events go well. Money is racing through your fingers - close them, grasp! If you do, you'll find by March that you have a lot more than you expected! A former money source is highlighted all January. Some alluring investments, intriguing mysteries, research or detective situations, or a sexy person, draw your attention - luck and nice outcomes reside here. Rest, lie low Sunday eve to Tuesday. Your energy and magnetism rise Tuesday night to Thursday - chase something or somebody! Gemini May 21-June 20 Temptations, mysteries, dreams, life's depths and "deep opportunities" surround you. (Deep opportunity = investments, lifestyle commitments, change of venue or career, etc.) You can either act now (in which case you might have misgivings about how your actions will affect your future and your social life) or you can wait until after mid-February (in which case this opportunity will have fled - but another will take its place). Others treat you affectionately. Your magnetism causes flirtations. Aquarians are hunting for love. You're in charge Friday/Saturday, but buy nothing important! Cancer June 21-July 22 Relationships are about to get exciting (for a year and a decade or two!). You could be drawn to someone "prematurely" - wait until you know what lies beneath appearances. (Revelations come through February, leaving you wiser - and with a firmer plan of action - by late this month into March.) Avoid dark corners/alleys, and belligerent people - applies from the lowest biker's bar to the highest executive suite. Follow your ambition Sunday night to Tuesday eve - success waits! Your social side perks up Wednesday/Thursday. Retreat to rest, think and plan Friday/Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Plug away at tasks - your duties are increasing. Soon, you could be "indispensable." New opportunities and fresh relationship excitement will come next week (already streaks of these intrigue and please you) - but for now, work hard. Eat sensibly and protect your health. An old friend might return, carrying a bag of information and/or new vistas - this person never harmed you, and won't again, so welcome him/her. Take care Sunday with money, sex and "life." Make no commitments. Wisdom, love's moods visit you Monday/Tuesday. Be ambitious Wednesday/Thursday. Optimism visits Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Chase pleasure, creativity, romance, parenting joys, vacation, beauty and speculation - you're on a winning streak! (In less obvious, subtle, deep ways, you ride a winning streak right into 2024. However, until 2011, you still face surprises and abrupt "on-off" conditions in relationships - you'll win, taste romance, but more as an adventure than a stable condition.) Family members are affectionate; co-workers are talkative. Be careful with bosses and parents - they're temperamental all January/February. But they're also willing to give you "a stake in the business." Chase "deep worth" Monday/Tuesday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Nostalgia continues, especially about old partners and pleasures. You're in a bit of a dilemma all January, regarding love, a partnership, a moral, ethical or legal decision, a program of higher learning, international travel, or a cultural event (e.g., wedding, mitzvah). This could involve someone or something from the past. Probably, love will solve this dilemma by February. You already feel a small thread of romantic emotion. This week progresses from relationships Monday/Tuesday to intimate depths (or financial commitments) mid-week, and thence to the distance of wisdom. Nurture your family. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Attend to paperwork, communications, errands and short trips, details and contacts - clear these up, as you won't want to be bothered next week onward, when a cozy month of retreat and contemplation begins. Sexual temptations might return from the past this January; so might former investment, financial, debt, work or other practical situations. Your money picture looks good - not extreme, but good. Avoid romance Sunday; rebuffs abound. Plunge into chores Monday/Tuesday. Relationships and opportunities excite you mid-week. DON'T invest or borrow Friday - Saturday's okay for this - and for intimacy. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Chase money - buy/sell, ask for a pay raise, seek new clients, etc. Your efforts might or might not pay off in the immediate future, but they're an investment that will bring returns in the year (and decades) ahead. Your "fun," restless and travel-oriented side begins to emerge now. You have a succession of "good hair days." A relationship takes an exciting yet puzzling turn all January - attraction increases, but so might opposition, friction - pull out extra layers of diplomacy, patience and humor, especially Sunday and Friday/Saturday. Tackle chores Wednesday/Thursday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan.19 You're at the top of your game - energetic, charismatic, effective and decisive! Start important projects, ask for favors, present proposals and suggestions, see and be seen. Work is hectic, but not necessarily productive: think twice before charging ahead or starting projects in work, machinery, real estate, health, employee relations, or with service personnel or dependents. Other areas await you - luckily! Governments and institutions favor you before January 24, so take advantage. Talk about money - look for the flaws in an upcoming financial project. Rest Monday/Tuesday. Romance, speculation spell luck Wednesday/Friday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy and charisma are briefly stifled - which might be why you're indecisive about an intense romantic attraction. Romance will remain a "main item" through February, and your energy and charisma will surge back next week onward, helping you to grab satisfaction. But your indecision might hang around until at least February 18. This could mean the choice isn't (he/she isn't) a good one - or it could mean you just aren't sure where your entire life is going. The same influences can affect a creative, speculative or pleasure pursuit. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Get social - extend and answer invitations, mingle, laugh and enjoy yourself! (The fun atmosphere will ebb for a while next week.) It's a great week to examine your future and create optimistic plans. VIPs, parents and bosses favor you through the middle of next week, so present proposals, reports and projects before it grows too late. Show diplomacy on the home front - a problem here is not going to be fixed in January, but it will be before March, either in a good or a painful way - clues Friday/Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/