ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JULY 27 - AUGUST 2, 2008 All times/dates are PDT. We could all tell our own future with remarkable accuracy, if we were calm, evolved human beings. We aren't, partly because we prefer life to be exciting and/or fascinating (depending on our age) - what adventure is there in knowing how everything will turn out? We would lose half our hopes, and most of our fantasies. We already possess the power to anticipate our future with general accuracy, through logic and extrapolation - I'm succeeding in school; therefore I'll probably graduate. I punched my boss in the nose; therefore I'll probably lose this job. But we can also perceive our "unexpected" future, via our subconscious mind, which sees, gathers and collates much more about life than we file away in our logical, everyday consciousness. Scientists used to say we only used one-tenth of our brains. The truth is, we use all ten-tenths. The subconscious and other functions - continually in operation - utilize that disparaged nine-tenths. As we mature, we tend to tap into that portion more and more. Women, especially, are often surprised in their 50's and 60's by the emergence of strong psychic abilities. We use this nine-tenths when we shuffle the Tarot deck, or when the psychic reads our tea leaves. Mankind has created or tripped over many methods for foretelling (and backtelling). The diviner practices the art of fishing in that nine-tenths for squiggly little flashes of knowledge. The Tarot, I Ching, and others are complex divination tools, using symbols that the subconscious learns very quickly, and then uses to "speak back to us." There are very simple methods, also, such as the pendulum, which was popular in the 1960's and 70's. To construct one, simply tie a key or anything mildly heavy to a piece of string. Draw, on a paper, a circle. Draw an X through the circle, to divide it into four quarters. Label two opposite quarters (pie shapes) "YES." Label the other two "NO." Put your elbow on the table, holding the string between your thumb and forefinger, so the key is suspended directly over the center of the circle. Ask a question, such as "Should I go to Africa," while holding the string absolutely still. Focus on the question for a few seconds. (Close your eyes if you need to.) The key will, most times, begin swinging along one of the lines, to indicate a YES or NO. Sometimes, it will swing in a circle, indicating indecision or no answer. In actuality, your subconscious is moving your muscles imperceptibly to make the key swing. One thing: if you overuse any divinatory method for yourself, it will start reflecting your ego, your desires, rather than your subconscious' real knowledge - in this case the answers will be entirely unreliable. Start Nothing: Before 8:55 a.m. Sun., 8:25 to 10:12 a.m. Tues., 10:30 p.m. Wed. to 11:22 a.m. Thurs., and 11:59 a.m. to 1:59 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Romance, adventure, creative surges and risk-taking urges, sports, recreation, camping, teaching kids - all the heady pleasures of life call you! And you should respond, but lightly. Don't gamble your Dad's inheritance, or promise everything just to reach a romantic crescendo. Traps and subtle dangers lie in these waters for another 13 months - don't plunge in over your head. (The antidote: light romance, fun, socializing.) Handle paperwork and short trips, errands and communications Sunday/Monday. Home's peaceful, friendly and lucky Tuesday/Wednesday. Here come those romantic, gambling, pleasure urges Thursday to Saturday morning! Taurus April 20-May 20 Home sweet home calls you for several weeks. So do withdrawal, naps in the sunshine, retirement, gardening, Mother Nature, agriculture, real estate, security and similar zones. There's nothing wrong with these areas in themselves but realize that your need for these, or your sliding into them, forms a subtle dead-end this year through August 2009. Sometimes going off to become a forest ranger is a good idea, sometimes it's stupid. Same goes for buying a house, re-doing the lawn, etc. Be self-aware - and courageous! Ponder this Thursday to Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 You love to read, write, travel and talk - on the short side. You prefer anecdotes over lengthy, ponderous tomes, facts over ideas, flirtations to weddings, errands over long journeys, etc. The weeks ahead emphasize just such "short versions" of travel, talk, etc. But this year to August 2009, these short sides are 1) time wasters, 2) suffocating or fruitless, and 3) perhaps a trap (though you won't be caught long!). Focus on the profound, the formal - college, weddings, cultural forms, international journeys, legal commitments - here's where your salvation lies. Cancer June 21-July 22 For the few weeks ahead (and through next August, 2009) think "buy and hold" rather than "trading" (in stocks and everything, including mates!). Focus on increasing your value to an employer rather than angling for a short-term pay raise. Think change rather than supporting the status quo, research and investigation rather than accepting surface appearances. Soon (November onward) you won't be able to - nor want to - plod along in the same old way - major changes are looming, especially in relationships. Digging deep now prepares you, uncovers new worlds. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your energy, vitality, charm and effectiveness rise to a yearly high, Leo! Start significant projects, see and be seen, and call in favors (smile when they're begrudged). But aim your efforts in one direction: toward others, toward relationships, bonding, merging, negotiations, dealings with the public (and interesting strangers) and toward bright opportunities, new horizons, even relocation. Being independent, proud, will serve you poorly, even cause your reputation to decline. (Bill Clinton's a Leo.) Remember this Thursday/Friday, when your charisma soars. Other than money, your future looks happy, bright, Sunday/Monday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You'll feel tired and seek solitude over the weeks ahead (and to some degree being a hermit appeals to you all 08 through August 09). But resist the call. Nor is this a good time to meditate, deal with government agencies, or join charitable organizations. Be practical and pragmatic, not idealistic or "fuzzy spiritual." Help others through work, service and employment. Tackle chores despite your weariness, especially Sunday/Monday, when your "rep" as a hard worker might be at stake. Take a break Tuesday/Wednesday, when social delights and optimism rise. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 This week and the next few, balance social times, light, chatty interludes and friendly romance, future optimism and planning, with some deeper stuff - true love, deep romance, creative projects, teaching or raising children, beauty, pleasure, sports, and even a bit of self-indulgence. This advice holds true even into August of 2009. Thursday-Saturday) and the month following, should make this message clear. Any subtle dead-ends, puzzling disappointments or polite rejections, especially in friendship, are a clear message to seek deeper, more meaningful waters! Be mellow, thoughtful Sunday/Monday. Pursue ambitions Tuesday/Wednesday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Rein in your ambition this Thursday to Saturday - right through August 2009. The first moment you're tempted to collude, to slyly give others a wrong impression, to act unethically, or to push VIPs, parents or bosses (to give you "what you deserve" or to embrace your special projects) - stop, Scorpio - listen and look - inward. These are roads to crumpled personal fenders and other disappointments. (Remember Scorpio Hillary Clinton.) It's better to withdraw, to work on your security or career foundations. Someone's sexy Sunday/Monday - avoid investments. Luck, peace, arrive Tuesday/Wednesday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Through August 2009, be careful with distant journeys, higher education, legal matters, lawyers, religion, philosophy, statistics, insurance, media and advertising campaigns, cultural and social rituals, publishing, and avenues of profound thought. IF you're entering these from inherent fascination, okay - even then, be sure to take full account of details and the need for quickness, brevity. Be honest - if you're entering to satisfy a non-idealistic goal (money, marriage/status, gain, ambition, etc.) then you'll find your progress disappointing. There's a time to be free, Sage! Sunday/Monday bring fresh horizons (Monday better). Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Though you might be sorely tempted, especially Thursday to Saturday, don't invest nor make big changes in your finances or lifestyle, nor chase a lust-filled situation. Avoid digging deeply, research, investigation, dreams, the occult, crime, elective surgery, corrosive chemicals, big new health regimens, and "power plays" of any kind. This advice holds until August 21, 2009. Your best antidote: relax, take things casually, accept surface appearances. Buy and sell, but don't buy and hold. Tackle chores Sunday/Monday. Exciting (or more correctly, intriguing) meetings, new horizons and opportunities arise mid-week. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 You're blessed and protected through August 2009. Appreciate this, rather than fall in with people who lack ethics, luck, or offer a too-easy (and ultimately boring) bond. Remain gently independent, especially Thursday/Friday and the few weeks ahead. Reject unsolicited advice, and accent your own priorities. This is an excellent period to mull over your feelings and hunches and make major choices. The wrong choices, right now, would be: marriage, relocation, signing a contract, negotiating a new deal, seeking the public, litigation, or chasing "opportunities." Seek pleasure, inspiration Sunday/Monday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Through August next year (2009) you should forgo manual, hands-on drudgery, overly practical chores, and being a servant to anyone (including kids). Instead, accent your spiritual, empathic side; meditate, guide, lead, plan, hold confidential discussions, attend committee and policy sessions, and deal with the government, institutions and charitable organizations. These fit your personality nicely - so I could say, just flow with your own nature. Allow yourself to be shy and dreamy - you'd be surprised whom this attracts/impresses! Seek home, family and security Sunday/Monday. Surging creativity, romantic notions come mid-week! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/