ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 18 - 24, 2009 All times/dates are PST. If Obama is sworn in (lifts his hand and swears) before 12:30 p.m. EST (9:30 a.m. PST) Tuesday, his presidency will tread water. Last week I wrote that the second half of January might bring a fall in the stock markets. However, Mercury retrograde at this time might bring a "mini-repeat" of the bull market of 2003-07. (In my first prediction of this bear market, I noted that it should be milder than in 2001-03. So far, that's proven true.) TAURUS, your new luck cycle (January 5/09-January 17/10) has already started, but don't "chase it" until February onward. Your 2009 luck encompasses ambition, prestige, increased community standing, relations with VIPs, bosses and parents, and business ownership or entrepreneurial ventures. In 09, even a little effort can yield big rewards. You might find that funding, finances, research, closed-door meetings, acting in secret (but honestly) are also involved, in a beneficial way. The people you deal with will tend to have a stack of money, or the ability to make it steadily. If you're job hunting, you'll naturally gravitate toward financially sound, even generous employers. (Yes, even on what appears to many to be the cusp of a depression. If they're right, then you should use 2009 to get yourself into a strong, secure position career-wise. Your parents are likely to be generous this year, so work on a practical or investment proposal to put to them. If you're a parent, you'll enjoy your role this year, as you get to be generous, cheerful, educational and proud all at the same time! ARIES, 2009 (January 5/09-January 17/10) hugely expands your social life. Your work remains hard and heavy for much of 09, but don't overwork to the point of neglecting your social needs. You could enter a new circle that brings fresh understanding, higher hopes, cheerfulness and practical luck - benefits that will stick to you for a decade - perhaps for your entire life. You've been attracted to friendly oddballs, psychics, therapists and shy people over the last few years - this trend continues. Your interactions with such people, which have often taken place in an aura of privacy, now move to a more public arena, in a beneficial way. If you're an artist, writer or other creator, your public acceptance/fame will rise. This is a great year to organize collective undertakings, to open an art gallery or start a political party, join unions, conventions, plan parties, to issue and accept invitations. You might not meet your true love in a social venue, but you certainly will encounter flirtations and frequent amorous opportunities (though avoid deep infatuation before September). An uncanny wisdom (or luck/divine protection) keeps you so "on track" to rewards. A major wish will come true. Start Nothing: 7:37 p.m. Mon. to 9:30 a.m. Tues., and 8:24 a.m. to 10:18 p.m. Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 Start nothing before February 1. Monday brings a month (and year) of dealings with groups, social delights, flirtations, entertainment, optimism and general happiness. But you'll continue to enjoy intervals of solitude, also. A special person "wants you alone." Your relations with head office, civil servants and advisors are harmonious and lucky all month. Bosses and parents are short-tempered, though, so tread lightly with them. Delve into secrets, research and intimate situations Sunday/Monday. Wisdom, mellow feelings, perhaps love, enter Tuesday-Thursday, but exercise caution in work and finances. Be ambitious Friday/Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Start nothing before February 1, especially in career, ambition, business and community standing, and relations with higher-ups. Despite this "don't start" advice, your luck grows in these ambitious zones - right into January 2010! The two weeks ahead might bring an overdue reward for past efforts, or a plum assignment attached to a former job role. If so, accept - just don't start brand new projects. (And stay far away from legal hassles, to February 4.) Your social life won't suffer - Sunday/Monday bring exciting meetings, and someone finds you charming Friday/Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 The year ahead brings a surge in far travel, education, publishing, intellectual efforts or cultural events. A major love affair is quite possible. Monday begins four weeks of uber-focus on these areas - but you still should NOT begin new projects or relationships before February 1. Meanwhile, goodies from the past might arrive - perhaps an old flame, an invitation to travel, contact from a former school or someone you'd mailed your manuscript to, etc. Tackle chores Sunday/Monday. Exciting relationships contain deeper frustrations mid-week. Sexy stuff and financial luck Friday/Saturday! Cancer June 21-July 22 Some good turns can come your way from the past, especially in investments, debt-riddance, sexual, intimate, lifestyle, health diagnosis, research and similar spheres. The month and year ahead emphasize these luckily - but don't start anything new (including in these spheres) before February 1. Remain alert for mistakes, misunderstandings and confusion. Be patient with delays. Someone important to you (or a former opportunity) could reappear Wednesday into mid-February - perhaps this Friday/Saturday, when relationships prove exciting. Romance, gambles and pleasure lure you Sunday/Monday. Tackle chores Tuesday-Thursday (best success Tuesday). Be safety-conscious. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Start no new projects, contacts, requests nor relationships before February 1. That said, the weeks (and year) ahead bring major luck in relationships, opportunities, fame, relocation, litigation, marriage/divorce, and negotiations - before February, these "lucky chances" will come from the past, whereas new starts will chase their own tail until everything's exhausted. Strive to finish an old or neglected chore now, so you'll be free when the real winds of good luck blow! Be home, restful Sunday/Monday. Romance, pleasure call mid-week, but don't gamble - results disappoint, long-term. Work succeeds, Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Monday begins a month (and year) of great luck in machinery, employment, repairs, dependents' affairs, and health. (In health, undisciplined weight gain could negate the good effects - but excellent nutrition will be easy to attain - all year.) However, start nothing new in these (or any) areas before February 1. Instead, protect ongoing projects from waste, confusion, delays and indecision. (If undecided, do nothing.) Relationships remain sweet and hot, especially Thursday night to Saturday! (An old flame might return briefly this week or next.) Guard home against economic winds" mid-week. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Monday begins a month (and year) of splendid, revivifying luck in romance, speculation, creativity, pleasure, teaching/raising children, vacations, travel and similar spheres. But in January, anything truly lucky will come from the past - new starts will meet confusion, indecision and delay so potent they'll defeat luck. Wait! Last year, your mind was on property, home building, family therapy - this "idea" returns briefly this week through mid-February. Pursue this if you want. Hammering nails is far better than arguing at home, which January tends to emphasize. A relationship might break. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Start nothing new before February 1. Monday begins a month (and year) of tremendous luck in real estate, home, family, food/shelter investments, mining, agriculture, gardening, soul matters, and retirement and security pursuits. But pursuing these too early (before February 1) will bring false starts, wasted effort and confusion. Others talk about work all January, and you're double-busy - but half that busyness is "all talk." Be self-disciplined! Romance (or romantic notions) remain sweet. A "forgotten" friend or relative could reappear this week or next. Your energy and charisma soar Sunday/Monday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Start nothing new for 14 days, especially in communications, travel and paperwork or reports. You might worry at first that these are piling up on you, but mid-week brings a pause, until early/mid-February. Into this pause comes a spending urge that's hard to resist - but do, or January's extra money will evaporate. (Any non-routine thing you buy today to January 31, runs the risk of being a lemon.) Your home and family remain sweet all month, and property, security and retirement matters meet mild good luck. Money's good, Friday/Saturday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan.19 Your energy and sexual magnetism remain high, but your focus turns now to money, earnings and purchases - an extremely lucky area for you in 2009. Still, exercise patience before February 1, as new ventures will tend to fail if launched before then. Avoid buying big new items (clothes to bulldozers) this week and next. Talk/thought that centered on money now turns to you - who have you become, what will you want in future? Someone you're pursuing sensually could ask the same questions. Happiness taps your shoulder Sunday/Monday. Friday/Saturday, you conquer! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy and charisma will soar over the four weeks ahead - your first taste of the grand personal luck, cheerfulness, social joys and "intellectual expansion" that all 2009 will bring! However, don't start new ventures before February 1, or you might spend a portion of your year chasing a goal, and a promising success, that never matures. Your money looks fine all January - spend a little on luxury! Steer clear of dark alleys and belligerent people, to February 4. Be dutiful Sunday/Monday. Happiness visits mid-week. Big luck, January 23-26! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 The four weeks ahead set the tone for 2009 (or, at least, show you what the year will be like) - contemplative, administrative, dealing with civil servants, head office, background matters, charity, spirit and psychic phenomena, study/research, and recuperation through rest. Also, your present hopes about money and affectionate attention from others will be characteristic of 2009. BUT don't take the immediate two weeks ahead as your indication, for these will be filled with temporary indecision, confusion, mistakes and delays. The first two weeks of February will be more "predictive." www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/