ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2008 All times/dates are PST. Here are some extreme guesses: UTS, the oil sands holding firm, will go broke. RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) will go broke. Utility (and former de-facto monopoly) BCE (TSX) will disappoint all investors, performance-wise. I picked the last two because there is some evidence of skulduggery in their accounting departments. Now through the year 2024 I would be wary of all companies whose name begins with M or O (and possibly D) - they are about to face extremely marked new conditions. Some will do fabulously, some will die. I think that's too big a gamble. "New conditions" also applies to firms beginning with S, H or Y, but these have more chance of being transformed in strong, healthy ways. Strains also affect companies beginning with A, P and L. But the pressures could either crush A, or raise it to huge new heights, whereas P and L are likely to be generally, steadily "victorious" over these pressures. All, though, face restructuring in some form and to some degree over the decade and a half ahead. This letter method isn't infallible, but it seems to work half the time - so it becomes a good filter, or "second opinion." For example, if you want to invest in two seemingly equally healthy companies, and one starts with one of these letters, then pick the other company. Oddly, cities beginning with these letters will generally thrive. To look backward, firms that began with E,C,X,J,U,Q,T,Z,G or N, had the most negative times in the past 12-13 years (ending, technically, November 26, 2008). So we have Citigroup, GE, GMC, Chrysler, Tyco, etc. Coca-Cola, a relative winner, shows this letter method can mislead you. (Note that two of the biggest recent failures, Lehman and AIG, are part of the new group of letters. This fits, as we are in a transition period affecting both groups of letters, throughout 2008. It also hints that credit stricture - the venom that benumbed these two companies - is part of the new economic paradigm.) Another factor you can often rely on is hubris. Whoever said "pride goeth before a fall" was perceptive. Think of these boasters: Enron, Potash Corp, Conrad Black. When I see a local business person featured in magazines and newspapers, I think: "They're about to suffer" (economically). When corporations begin an unprecedented round of image-enhancing advertising, it often presages a fall (or more correctly, broadcasts that there's something rotten in the corporate kingdom). Before you invest in anything, google a long-term chart of the Dow Jones Index, since 1900, or since at least 1973. Look at which side of the mountain we're on. Think: "risk." Have a good day. Start Nothing: 8:28 a.m. to 9:26 a.m. Sun., 11:17 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Tues., 9:13 a.m. to 12:11 p.m. Thurs., and 11:17 a.m. TO 11:52 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 You start this week with energy and effectiveness. Therapy, confidential talks, helping family members or friends with their emotional or financial problems - these are some of the tasks that life might bring now. Your humanitarian side is enlisted. Love is possible! Get any investment, debt, and business commitment actions done this week, particularly Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. But make sure you can see the future clearly; don't leap into a big thing on impulse. Thursday-Saturday bring irritations ad challenges in communications, travel and paperwork - try to see others' viewpoints. Taurus April 20-May 20 Rest, lie low, contemplate and plan Sunday to noon Tuesday. Your energy reserves (and charisma) are low. Still, this is a great little period for envisioning your future, joining humanitarian groups and causes, and seeing/flowing with destiny. The entire week accents relationships. As during the last several, others hold the power - and aren't reluctant to use it. So be other-oriented, schmooze, praise and be diplomatic - but DO NOT start a brand-new love affair. (The person would always expertly undercut you.) Midweek brings an energy boost. Be financially cautious Thursday-Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 The accent remains on work, service, health, machinery and duties involving dependents. The pace remains hectic, but you'll start to notice a definite abatement of chores next week. Meanwhile, enjoy the camaraderie shown by co-workers. Meet for lunch, share office rumors, etc. Social joys uplift your mood Sunday to noon Tuesday. Flirtations, optimism, and (barely) wish fulfillment bless these days! Retreat to rest, plan and contemplate Tuesday noon to Thursday noon. Your energy, charisma and effectiveness return Thursday eve onward - so do problems. A long enmity might end sweetly! Cancer June 21-July 22 The emphasis continues on romance, love, joy, beauty, the pleasure of the moment, successful speculations, creative projects, and charming children. You might be a little hasty here, so be gentle, especially if you're male. Unexpected luck has filled your career, status and prestige sphere - working's almost fun! Charge ahead with your ambitions Sunday to Tuesday noon - it's almost as if destiny extends a helping hand. Social delights, flirtation, optimism and wish fulfillment arrive mid-week. Retreat for some rest, contemplation and planning Thursday afternoon to Saturday. Co-operate, don't be thin-skinned. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Remain focused on home, family, property, security, retirement, gardening, soul, therapy and similar concerns. A hectic pace, and more friction than usual, has filled these zones since early October - after this week, calm will return. (So be patient just seven more days.) You'll soon be launched on an intensified romantic and creative streak, that in turn will lead to a year of love and marriage opportunities - but not yet! Rest now, so you'll look good when adventure arrives. Sunday-Tuesday features success with cultural, legal, educational, media and travel interests. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Communications, errands, short travel, casual contacts, paperwork and details continue to draw your attention. You can look into the ultimate information source and see the shape of your future Sunday to Tuesday. This is also a good time to invest (or research investments) to obtain health diagnoses, or to discuss significant lifestyle changes with your mate/family. Dig deep, be curious - you could find a golden key! Mid-week brings wisdom, far-sightedness, and success with intellectual, travel, legal and international affairs. However, you can be fooled about health, employment and machinery. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Continue to chase money, and to avoid spending. Others might not come through with their side of financial promises, or others might be happily spending your money. Within a week, these "drains" should cease. Relationships confront you in a good way Sunday to Tuesday. Work and co-workers please you, and (Tuesday) a bit of romance might enter a casual friendship, or you might receive a meaningful glance, email. Love and business veer into deeper waters mid-week: enter for gain, but avoid romantic and/or speculative notions - they spawn illusion now. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness continue high, so start significant projects, seek favours, display your talents. You've been attracting the opposite sex in some way, but by next week that will downtrend to mere "sensuality." (The sex might get better, but the soul spark ebbs.) So act on a "possibility" now, if you want to, especially Tuesday eve, Wednesday. If you find yourself instantly infatuated with someone this week, beware - deception lurks. Jump into chores Sunday-Tuesday - you'll accomplish lots! Be wary with investments and intimacy Thursday eve to Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Continue to lie low, rest, be charitable, deal with government agencies and your own head office, plan, attend closed-door discussions, contemplate, meditate (not so easy at present) and generally let the world go on without you. Romanic notions and quiet pleasures fill Sunday noon to Tuesday noon. Your creativity's high, and family members and "support troops" are talkative and friendly! Tackle chores Tuesday-Thursday, but avoid paperwork, communications short travel and casual contacts; they yield mistakes, fuzzy conclusions. Relationships grow important Thursday afternoon to Saturday - step cautiously; don't push others. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan.19 Wishes can come true this week and next, especially wishes centering on property, family, security and "an end to" an undesirable situation. Sunday-Tuesday can hold significant developments in these directions. Romance, creativity, pleasure and successful gambles fill Tuesday noon to Thursday noon - but beware lazy assumptions about money, trusting your memory, or "possessing someone." Tackle chores Thursday noon through Saturday, but practice safety precautions, drive carefully, etc. A money secret, or contacting the government about money, could make you happy! An ally is on your side for one reason: friendship. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb.18 Be ambitious, start important projects, display talents, schedule appointments with higher-ups. Be aware that these higher-ups still feel impatience and temperament toward you, but you can a) go beyond that this week, or wait until next week, when this fractious influence dissolves. Communication is important to your progress this month, and Sunday to Tuesday noon gives you the gift of gab. A meeting Tuesday morning could spark affection. Retreat Tuesday noon to Thursday noon - nap, recuperate, attend to basics, home, repairs, etc. Romance lures Thursday-Saturday, but offers little. Don't gamble! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 The accent remains on cultural events (e.g., weddings, bat mitzvahs) love, legal, intellectual and foreign affairs, higher education and your belief system. Usually these are accompanied by a mellow mood - but this time, you could find that either excitement or friction forms part of the atmosphere. Avoid legal hassles. Chase money Sunday noon to Tuesday noon - everything points toward success! Communicate, travel and perform paperwork chores mid-week, but watch for unintended meanings in your words, and for (unrealistic) doubt of your ideas and skills. DON'T get tricky with taxes! w Email: t For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/