PrFont34Bin0BinSub0Frac0Def1Margin0Margin0Jc1Indent1440Lim0Lim1ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MAY 24 -30,2009 All times/dates are PDT. I see the U.S. government is fretting about an historically near-term bankruptcy in social security, disability security, and Medicare. In the 2009 Year Ahead I warned, "Don't rely on government pensions." Ironically, deflation might endanger pensions more than inflation.... If you are bothered by nerves (especially if you're a GEMINI, VIRGO, SAGITTARIUS or PISCES, the signs most susceptible to stress) try this: For a few months, mark the days on a calendar when your tension seems particularly high. Then review the results. You might find that your stress peaks approximately every seven days. If so, you then can predict when stress will intensify, and avoid important meetings, power tools, etc., during these days. (Many factors could distort this seven-day cycle - for instance, if you are selling your home, engaged in a lawsuit, starting a new job, or eating/sleeping irregularly.) To reduce stress, avoid television and caffeine; instead, work or garden outdoors (rather than merely exercising or playing sports outdoors). Meditation is often thought to reduce stress, but I suspect the opposite is true - it might cause a short-term (hour, half hour) decrease, but an accumulative long-term build-up. That would explain why "spiritual gurus" of the deep-meditation type often go into laughing fits - it's a valve to let off the increased "steam." You four signs, by the way (Gem, Vir, Sage and Pis) will feel a big relief from stress from March 2011 onward for fourteen years. I'm not promising you'll have no worries, but you'll have less stress. March 2011 brings good news for TAURUS, LEO, SCORPIO and AQUARIUS, too. Although it might be early 2012 until it fully takes effect, this 2011/12 transition brings the end of perceptual difficulties. For Leo, this means that 14 years of suspicion, illusion and disillusionment ends in relationship, marriage, contractual and similar areas. For Scorpio, the tendency to worry about home and family, the urge to make lovers "house mates" a general "neediness" in love coupled with constantly interrupted romantic flows, will be replaced by 15 years of solid, confident, successful embracing of true love! For Taurus, the 15 years beginning in 2011 will bring an expanding social life and the end of anxieties, illusion and insecurities in career (or regarding a parent). You Aquarians have been more spiritual, but also uncertain and indecisive during the last decade and a half - probably for the first time in your life. (There was a similar but less intense time of uncertainty in the 1960's.) After 2011, your uncharacteristic vacillation recedes, solidity returns, and money improves. Start Nothing: 6:18 p.m. to 11:58 p.m. Mon., 8:06 p.m. Wed. to 0:44 a.m. Thurs., and 1:18 a.m.to 3:17 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 The weeks ahead feature communications, travel, paperwork, details, errands and casual friends. These will frustrate or fail Sunday, but succeed splendidly (after a surprise) Monday. It's a busy, but not important week. Don't launch projects before May 31. In June, a wave of money will start rolling - look for work, seek new clients, chat up the old, sell items, etc. But a relationship or "luxuries" might tear a hole in your money pocket, so be alert, disciplined. Focus on home, security and parent-kid relations Tuesday/Wednesday. Romance, winning streak Thursday/Friday! Taurus April 20-May 20 The month ahead features money, earnings, buying/selling, possessions, sensual urges and rote learning. These fail Sunday, succeed Monday. Launch no projects before May 31. Your sexual magnetism will soar in June (but not this week, so wait). When it does, you might be presented with a subtle ethical dilemma, for a new attraction isn't love, and he/she will bore you in the long run. On the other hand, if you're unattached and honest about the future, no harm, no foul. Pursue your career over coming weeks - doors will open! Gemini May 21-June 20 Your energy, charisma, clout and optimism rise for the month ahead! But you'll also operate on the quiet side, either in romance, friendship, or in connection with the government or a longed-for "venture," such as building your retirement hideaway. Don't pursue these - or any new projects - before May 31. (Until then, you might hear from a former contact or agency re that "quiet side" stuff. If so, proceed.) Sunday will illustrate the two main barriers to your success. Study them - these are barriers you can well overcome. Monday, success! Cancer June 21-July 22 The weeks ahead bring rest, solitude and contemplation. (Despite this, June - not this week - will bring social affairs, perhaps a friendly romance, and the optimism of early May will return, gently.) You aren't quite sure of your future direction, so delay planning anything (and starting anything) until May 31. Until then, deal with neglected or ongoing governmental, institutional, health, security, charity, or spiritual tasks. Contemplate, but don't draw conclusions. You'll feel particularly tired Sunday/Monday - relief, in the form of energy, will arrive Tuesday onward. Money's "mixed" Thursday/Friday - take care. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The month ahead holds more excitement than you anticipate! Parties, flirtations, entertainment, fresh horizons, new optimism - expect the best! However, you could be disappointed, or grab "second best" if you advance this week. The same goes for money, and career initiatives. Wait one week. The present week will still please you! Don't mix friends and money Sunday. Monday can snap a money or sex expectation like a twig, yet this exhilarates you! (You always wondered what freedom entailed.) Be quiet, restful Tuesday/Wednesday. Your energy, charisma and clout rise Thursday/Friday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The month ahead features ambition, career, status and prestige relationships. You remain a little uncertain of what you want to do in the bigger picture - lifestyle, real estate/home, life philosophy, love in the biggest sense - these still puzzle you. But much of this will clear in June, a month in which many answers will arrive. So might love! Wait until May 31 onward to start any of those ambitious projects. Don't launch into a work sphere that is just about to slow down - study employment stats carefully. Joy, Tuesday/Wednesday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The accent lies on higher education, understanding, love, wisdom, far travel, publishing, law, philosophy, religion and cultural events. Don't launch new projects in these (or any) areas before May 31. The emphasis on wisdom and love will be important, perhaps a saving grace, as June will bring intense sexual urges, as well as almost subconscious desires to change your whole life. You'll be lucky yet impulsive in financial, debt and investment zones - be cautious. You remain indecisive about sex and money this week, but clarity (and happiness) come soon! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 The weeks ahead accent mysteries, investigation, research, lifestyle changes, large finances, intimacy, commitment and consequence, dreams and subconscious urges. Much of this will involve an important relationship (or two). This week, you cannot figure it/him/her out, nor can you launch any successful campaign or entreaty, so don't try. Be patient, watchful. June will bring results and answers - fast. (June might also bring a powerful attraction if you're single. It would bring you a good home, but perhaps not eternal faithfulness.) Relocation opportunities arise soon, also, perhaps "demanded" by/for employment. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Relationships fill the month ahead. This will include relocation themes, negotiations and public dealings, fame, challenges and co-operation, opportunities and barriers, exciting attractions and enmities. Be careful with attractions, as psychological enmity might lurk beneath the surface. You might become involved with a co-worker. Again, caution! Relationship problems impede you Sunday; relationship successes lie just beyond a surprise reaction Monday! Mysteries, sexual urges and financial depths flow into associations Tuesday/ Wednesday. Wisdom and gentle love fill Thursday/Friday. But sign nothing, promise nothing this week; wait until May 31 onward. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The month ahead holds work and pleasure, duties and romance, routine and creativity. Of these, work, will be more important. Tackle routine and neglected chores this week- don't start new projects nor buy machinery before May 31. Chores stymie you Sunday, but go well Monday if you avoid electricity and money demands. Relationships confuse but money luck expands Tuesday/Wednesday. (Avoid con games, though.) Accept a helping hand Wednesday, or give one. Your finances, not a bright spot 2008/09, improve mildly Thursday/Friday - but realize dangers exist through August. Wisdom, Saturday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Love, romance, games, sports, a winning streak, creative surges, joys with children, vacation, beauty and pleasure - these fill the month ahead! But initiate nothing this week. Patience wins (or finds late opportunities are better ones). Despite the happy accent on pleasure and joy, a sweet/sour influence will prevail on the home front during June, as domestic friction vies with affection. Be gentle! Romance meets a (sexual) brick wall Sunday, but embraces success Monday (if you aren't greedy or possessive). Tackle chores midweek. Relationships excite but confuse, Thursday/Friday. Saturday's sexy. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 The weeks ahead (especially Sunday, disappointingly, and Monday, successfully) emphasize your domestic and security situation - soul, diet, stomach, children, parents, property, retirement plans or funds, and foundations in business (e.g. premises, sales territory.) Don't launch anything in these arenas this week. In June you'll have an excellent chance to advance here - especially, to find/obtain a retreat, prepare for retirement, meditate or find spiritual healing, or ensure a child's future education. An institution, pension fund or government office might be involved. Tuesday/Wednesday bring pleasure, romantic notions. Tackle chores Thursday/Friday. Patience! timstephens@shaw.ca