ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS APRIL 26-MAY 2, 2009-04-09 All times/dates are PDT. I don't think the upcoming August/September 2009 economic problem will cause as great or dramatic a fall in markets as the September/08 and February/09 ones did, but it will probably introduce a long, slow structural adjustment that will last into 2011. Despite this outlook, stock speculators will leap and grab with both fists from autumn 2009 into June 2010. They'll make money, if they think internationally, and carry a sharp knife. Mars revels in Leo these 8 months, October/09 to June/10, which can bring "heated success" to LEO, ARIES and SAGITTARIUS people: in law, learning, cultural involvements (e.g., weddings) marriage, far travel, publishing, religion and advertising for Leo; and romance, pleasure, adventure, creativity, speculation, sports, vacations, and teaching/raising children for Aries. Sagittarians receive the benefit of all these areas, from law to love, but perhaps not quite as directly as Leo or Aries. For GEMI NI, this October-June period will bring a flurry of activity, paperwork, writing, communicating, travelling - Gemini must avoid scattered goals, especially late December into January. LIBRANS will experience a surge in popularity, optimism, fresh horizons and opportunities, and social delights, from which there might emerge true love! For AQUARIUS, these 8 months will bring some opposition, challenge and feisty moments, with a mate or with strangers. But the period will also bring opportunities, adventures and strong sensual attraction(s). Diplomacy will be essential! For PISCES, October/09 to June/10 will intensify the work load, and heat up relations with a co-worker - for good (money co-operation, better pay, co-worker romance) or ill (fights, firings, overwork, etc.). The good is much more likely, because you Pisceans enter a very lucky year in January 2010 - lucky personally and for career. But practice ALL safety precautions at work, and protect your health, especially from rashes, temperature changes, and sharp edges. You VIRGOS also face intensified work (and health/safety precautions) probably due to the weight of your ambitious, financial, investment, or lifestyle projects. (These aren't mundane chores.) In your case, sexual liaisons need care. SCORPIO faces a hectic career scene - complete with impatient bosses - October to June. Be diplomatic, smile and do the job! (A surprising romantic success will take the sting out of this.) You TAUREANS must be on guard, these 8 months, for domestic friction. Don't be overbearing, or you could lose your own balance. Assume family or property burdens cheerfully. It's a good time to build a house! CANCER, you'll be running beside a wheelbarrow of money these 8 months. The question is, are you collecting it as you go, or letting it all blow out into the wind? Take care, save the extra that comes (for extra WILL come!) and reject unconscious spending. CAPRICORN, you face major financial, debt, investment, lifestyle funding, and "deep money" intensity October/09 to June/10. Your sexual urge will be strong. In both sex and money, reject impulse; plan carefully and ethically. Protect your health. Start Nothing: 8:42 a.m. to 2:02 p.m. Sun., 9:23 a.m. to 3:38 p.m. Tues., 9:45 a.m. to 5:56 p.m. Thurs., and 3:09 p.m. to 9:37 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Chase money. Pay bills, send invoices; seek lucrative clients. Maintain your patience, for this is a fractious week. Be cautious in all respects. You might feel like a good fight Sunday - but you'd lose. Careful with words and driving Monday/Tuesday; don't start anything you aren't sure of finishing. (A period of delay and confusion enters early May.) Your domestic scene flows smoothly Wednesday/Thursday. Romance or partnership opportunities stroll in Thursday night - but ultimate success will depend on a higher-up, or your status. Start building the latter, for future attractions! Taurus April 20-May 20 Energy, charisma, effectiveness pour into you! Get out, start important projects, be assertive! But avoid seeking favours or co-operation, as the human side is strained this week. Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday/Saturday contain muffled anger, perhaps about a secret event, a government agency, or someone simply resents your withdrawal. (Oddly, during the charismatic, energetic weeks ahead, you seem prone to enjoy life's more private pleasures. Best course: work on a private project, or split your time: half outside work, half inside pleasure.) Careful with money - buy AFTER 3:30 pm Monday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Lie low, rest, contemplate and dream. Deal with government agencies, institutions, charities, shut-ins, and faithful old friends. Though you're tired, the weeks ahead will be more than usually full of friends, well-wishers, and social obligations. You'll ride a nice wave of optimism and freshness. Paradoxically, a new idea, "friend," or goal formed Sunday, Tuesday eve, Friday or Saturday (morning) will falter, die in eventual anger. Don't invest Monday. Don't overtax your reserves, financially, emotionally or physically. Avoid starting big new projects - May will bring slowdowns and indecision. Affection, Thursday! Cancer June 21-July 22 The good social times continue. You're optimistic, witty, flirtatious and friendly - and life seems fresh, light! However, situations and events are not so benign this week, so enjoy your mood without making any major commitments. Sunday (early) could bring a conflict between your ambitions and your relationship(s), Tuesday a simple relationship challenge, and Saturday a conflict between your domestic, family, security, property needs and your relationship(s). A spouse might disagree, but in a deep, stubborn way that you might not even detect until later. You'll get your way Thursday! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The accent lies on ambition, career, prestige, status, and parent-kid relationships. It's not an easy week - a deep, "destined" conflict or struggle operates "underground" (or 4/5ths submerged, like an iceberg) - it might even escape your notice. Your legal, travel, educational, intellectual, publishing, international, cultural or love goals meet an implacable, growing "domination" by your health, work, or duty, especially Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday. So start these May 3, or 31onward. (To 2024, health/work are constantly, slowly changing and growing.) Happiness and affection greet you, Monday and Thursday nights! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 This is a beautiful, mellow, wise time for you, Virgo. You'll succeed if you act after 3:30 p.m. PDT Monday (career, ambitions) Wednesday (friendships, flirtations) or Thursday night (quiet affection, sweet solitude, research, planning). But a deeper current roils up the sea-bed , causes unseen difficulties all week (especially Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday) in (especially new) investments, debt, commitments, health and lifestyle changes - start nothing in these. This "destiny current" actually benefits you, is bringing a decade-plus of meaningful romance, pleasure, luck and a creative renaissance. So be glad! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Major changes loom, in finances, lifestyle, love, sex, health, relationships, family, property, and security. A new relationship that arises this week (in love or business) is likely to fail long-term, as your family duties, security needs or simply a "changing address" will crush it. (In any case, this person would undermine, rather than satisfy, your inner needs.) Despite this, Monday and Thursday nights bring relationship joy. Still, if you're looking for permanence, wait for an old flame to show in May, or for June's new love. Be ambitious Wednesday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Relationships consume your attention. Opportunities arise in various linked quarters: contracts, negotiations, dealings with the public, meeting new people, partnerships, relocation, exploration of new horizons, fame and contests. But be diplomatic, to avoid the flip side: challenges, enmities, litigation, etc. The good here is much more likely than the ill, partly because you're more than ready for a "new world." However, take care (especially Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday) in all work and health zones, including your duties to children, etc. - DON'T sacrifice your future (dreams) for a mere job. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Dive into chores. Protect your health. Eat, dress and rest sensibly. The eight weeks ahead could hold a major romance. But don't start one this week, when your possessive urges (toward money or someone) will fight against the free flowering of hearts. (Go lightly with an ongoing romance, too - don't demand sensual gratification.) If you're unattached, wait until May 3 onward, when a former partner might appear, or June, when a realistic love might appear. That said, Monday and Thursday nights offer joy and luck in relationships and travel! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan.19 The accent remains on love, romance, children's talents and charms, creativity, sports, games, beauty and art, speculation, and everything that makes you feel intensely, pleasurably alive! Don't ignore this side of your life now - it's as essential as ambition. Your domestic scene heat ups, inspires you, but don't start new projects (in anything!) before May 30. Domestic = home, property, family, security, retirement, sales territory, agriculture, mining, forestry, diet, etc. You'll easily conquer any domestic problems here. Work efforts succeed Monday eve, not earlier. Investments, love's intimacy succeed Thursday night. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Decide who/what is fertile, growing, and should remain in your life, and who/what should go. Dive into domestic, property, security, retirement, family and similar zones. Try to complete projects. Delay big new starts, as May will bring delays and confusion. All week, avoid planning sessions, secret discussions, gossip, collusion - all communications involving head office, government agencies, or institutions. Something dicey, dangerous or unethical lurks here, could negatively impact your reputation or career. Invest, chase pleasure, sex or romance after 4 p.m. PDT Monday, not before. Relationship affection Thursday night! Pisces Feb, 19-March 20 The weeks ahead are filled with good money luck, but be very cautious this week, especially Sunday/Monday and Saturday. Money projects, especially new ones, could be crushed by the scepticism or non-co-operation of associates, or you might enter a problem-riddled venture with friends. Avoid major purchases through May 30. Complete all travel, communications, paperwork, domestic and property projects now, or wait until June. (May brings delays and confusion, especially to these zones.) Romantic, creative, speculative and child-related pleasures hit barriers Tuesday, but meet success Wednesday/Thursday. Work succeeds Thursday night. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/