ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2008 All times/dates are PST. Mercury retrogrades this Monday to February 18. We should all avoid starting big or important projects in any area during this period. Almost everything in life has a "character," from a mouse to a mountain. This retrograde phase has an unusually benevolent character. It will bring pleasing discoveries, lucky second chances, and a mood of reconsideration or contemplation that leads directly to a deep, soft wisdom, a wisdom of revelation rather than of logic_. People have begun writing to ask, "When's the 2008 Love Forecast coming out?" I write this for Valentine's Day every year, so you should see it in mid-February_. There really is a silver lining to every dark cloud, even in the simple mathematics of astrology. Astrologically, a trine aspect occurs when two planets (or other points) are 120 degrees apart - cutting the 360 degree circle of the sky into one-third. The trine stands for harmony, luck, ease of accomplishment, and the smooth, fortunate flow of events. A square aspect, occurring when two planets are 90 degrees apart, indicates obstacles, difficulties, competing interests, incompatibility and friction, even failure. When the planet Saturn, for example, is in our career sign, squaring our Sun by 90 degrees, it "makes" career progress slow and difficult, indicates that bosses and parents are skeptical, and ushers us into two years of a fairly rough ride or testing period in our career endeavors. But when Saturn is so placed, it also trines both our sign of money and our sign of health, work and effort. So even as we suffer the "dark cloud" of career pressure or non-recognition, we gain a (Saturnine) steadiness and ease in earnings and in health and work efforts - unless we rebel against the career situation. The person who, when confronted by a problem, obstacle or bad sequence of events, throws his hands up and declares, "woe is me," will not get far in life. Many studies have indicated that optimists tend to win, in games and life. This is probably because the optimist, who simply believes that life and luck are basically good, and will return to good, keeps trying when difficulties gain the upper hand - this repetition of effort probably sooner or later sends the optimist into the "trine" area of life, perhaps much like a pinball always finds its way by bouncing off every possibility. You might say God has ensured progress, mathematically, to those who try. Plato, studying the angles and aspects of astrology (trines, squares, etc.) became convinced that math and geometric designs are God's "symbols," and the true basis of reality, the structure underlying Mother Nature. But when there's a great day outdoors, who cares about design? Start Nothing: 1:48 p.m. Mon. to 1:35 a.m. Tues., 0:34 a.m. to 2:08 p.m. Thurs., and after 2:21 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Friendships loom large in the weeks ahead. You'll be attracted to old friends, and you'll experience some enlightenment about them, a soft enlightenment: perhaps that they're older, vim and vigor lessened. But the heart is still there, wiser, gentler than ever. You might find a communication you forgot to send/complete. Better late than never. Start no new projects (especially social, group, organizational, political, or union schemes) before February 18. Relationships excite and reward Sunday/Monday. Be humorous, please someone with your hi-jinks! Delve deep Tuesday/Wednesday. Love, sweet mellowness Thursday onward! Taurus April 20-May 20 A former career (or community/political) role, boss, or "parental presence" might return to your life in the weeks ahead. These bring something good, so respond accordingly. DON'T start significant projects before February 18, especially in career, reputation, ambition, prestige or similar zones. You'd never be able to finish what you started, no matter how much effort or money you threw at it. Work goes well Sunday/Monday. Relationships present challenges in understanding and perception Tuesday/Wednesday, but a core friendliness solves everything: celebrate optimism. Depths, mysteries, sex Thursday/Friday - commit to nothing! Gemini May 21-June 20 DON'T start new projects before February 18 - you'd encounter insuperable delays, confusion and disappointment. Good things come if you focus on former, returning ventures or circumstances, especially in legal, educational, publishing, travel, cultural and international zones. (All 08/09 blesses and protects you in these areas.) An old flame might return, but a former teacher or favorite book is more likely. You might feel held back, January through April, by unresolved domestic issues. Patience prevents wrong decisions. Romance, pleasure light lucky fires Sunday/Monday! Relationships fill Thursday to Saturday - promise nothing! Cancer June 21-July 22 Old sexy contacts (not romantic ones) and former investment, financial, research, health, inheritance, debt, skullduggery, collusion, commitment and therapeutic situations might reappear. These carry a freight of goodness (except, probably, the collusion/skullduggery part - bad is bad, especially when performed under good aspects.) DON'T start new projects in these or any areas, before February 18. That sibling you might be seeking (or seeking an answer from) won't "respond" until May. Home and family warm your heart Sunday/Monday. Romance, creative urges and pleasure call temptingly Tuesday/Wednesday. Work, but cautiously, Thursday onward. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 An ex spouse or business associate, or a former (relocation, fame or contractual?) opportunity could reenter your life before February 18. The results would please you more than you think, in a quiet, deep, wise way, so embrace these "second chances." But DO NOT start any brand new project or relationship, especially in marriage, contractual, negotiation, relocation, fame and similar areas, before February 18. Travel and conversation succeed during an enjoyable Sunday/Monday - be curious! Rest Tuesday/Wednesday. Chase romance, pleasure or a gamble Thursday-Saturday, but don't stick your neck out. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 A former employment position, task, service worker (e.g., the carpenter you hired last year), health concern, or responsibility (especially involving kids, invalids or pets) could reenter your life in the weeks ahead. Good - deal with these, as they hold some benefit. But DON'T start any brand new project before February 18, especially involving health, machinery or work. Don't buy machinery (or fashions, or anything important). Your money luck shines Sunday/Monday. Travel, talk, paperwork and details fill Tuesday/Wednesday - check facts, figures! Retire to home and garden Thursday eve to Saturday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The past returns in romance, creative, speculative and pleasure pursuits, and child-oriented joys. An old flame could appear. These spheres are a source of wisdom, mellowness and blessings for you now through August 2009. However, DON'T start brand new projects (or relationships) before February 18, in these or any areas. Your energy and magnetism soar Sunday/Monday - someone's attracted! Ask favors. Demand your due. Money's lucky Tuesday/Wednesday daytimes, but neither evening. Make a to-do list Thursday, and stick to it through Saturday. An idea or suitor will resume soon. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Sit, relax, dream. Welcome nostalgia. You're in a pleasant hibernation mode. DON'T start new projects in any area before February 18, especially in real estate, home, children's affairs, parenting, security, retirement, gardening, agriculture, nutrition or dieting. These areas hold blessings and good progress for you through August 2009 - and they could bring benefits from the past now into February. (E.g., a place you always wanted suddenly comes up for sale, or a long-gone child returns for a visit.) A work project will restart soon. Your energy rises nicely mid-week. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Avoid wild goose chases before February 18. Facts, figures, messages, schedules, appointments and supplies - all can go awry. Have Plan B ready, make a list before you go on any errand, call first to make sure the store has the item, etc. DON'T start new projects, especially in mail order, communications and paperwork zones. You could benefit from things that return from the past. You might find an old, heart-warming letter, or receive a payment you'd written off, find a long-lost friend, etc. Hopes, popularity and flirtations fill Sunday/Monday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Now to February 18, DO NOT purchase anything new or important, nor risk your money (or reputation) on anything. Especially avoid buying software, computers, phone systems, or anything hi-tech. This is a good period, however, for paying overdue bills, and collecting on old accounts or favors. Your money luck is good. You might meet someone sensual from the past - sweet affection's obvious, but passion? One job delay ends, another begins. If unemployed, canvas people you've already applied to. Career action succeeds Sunday/Monday. Mid-week finds you happy, flirty and popular! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Before February 18, DON'T start big, important new projects or ventures, especially in personal, romantic, sexual, investment, or lifestyle arenas. You'd change your mind later, and suffer the loss or ignominy of having to switch tracks. Promise nothing, sign nothing, and accept no promises. The same period brings visions of an old flame, could return you to pleasurable company or former creative projects, speculative ventures or child-oriented situations. These ghosts of the past have a blessing to bring you. One romantic delay ends, another begins. Energy, luck are high! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Overdue obligations, taxes, intimacies and confidences, library books, applications and promises - these rise up to confront you now to February 18. Don't run from these - they're a blessing in disguise. (E.g., you answer that FBI agent's call, and suddenly you find out you aren't a suspect!) During these same three weeks ahead, DON'T start any new initiatives, in these or any areas. Mysteries, secrets, subconscious insights/hunches and financial and sexual urges rise to the surface Sunday/Monday - luckily so! Wisdom and affection imbue midweek. You're ambitious Thursday onward - step cautiously! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/