ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JUNE 14 – 20, 2009 All times/dates are PDT. I’d like to live through one Mercury retrograde period without making a mistake. (Mercury retrogrades are those three-week periods during which I advise you to deal with the past rather than starting new projects.) I thought I was going to achieve that ambition last retro, but looking back, I made at least two mistakes: 1) in the June 7 column (written in May during the retro) I wrote that companies or nations starting with O or M (e.g., Opel, Madagascar) or S, H or Y might face difficult karma now to March 2011. Actually, companies beginning with O, M, H, S, or Y might variously face good or bad karma – all I know is that their karma will be highlighted. 2) In the same column, I said we should all be careful in November 2010, when “actions are dicey, results fateful.” That’s true, but…. In that November, Pluto, the planet of death and rebirth, of deep change, lust, high finance, research, nuclear power/bombs, outer space, depth psychology, the criminal underworld, unconscious motives and destiny, joins the lunar north node of good (not bad) karma, of solutions, smooth paths and general moral ascent. So on a macro level, involving all society, we might well see good things happen. I decided to check out the theory by looking at events the last time Pluto and the north node joined in the sky – in February 1994 (as it will in November 2010). I can’t pin all the following events down to a specific month as the time line I’ve googled doesn’t give them. But in that year (when planet and north node were in the same zodiac sign) the following occurred: the Rwandan massacre (800,000 killed by, basically, machetes), the NHL and National Baseball strikes, North Korea was suspected of nuclear weapons production (does anything change?) Black South Africans gained the right to vote, the IRA entered a peace agreement, the England-France Chunnel opened, Los Angeles suffered a massive earthquake, Jupiter was hit by a huge comet, creating 2000-mile high fireballs, and NAFTA began. An eventful year, but the events were rather evenly divided between good and bad. And that’s the point. After watching the nodes for some years, I’ve softened my original view that the north node is always good, the south always bad. That’s often the case, but not exclusively. (Hindu astrology counts both north and south nodes as bad – which seems unsupported by events, also.) Another common problem with karma is the chicken-and-egg phenomena. Sometimes it seems like the punishment precedes the crime. This is a puzzle best left to God, although Christ hinted at the answer when he said we had to be good in our thoughts, also. I.e., we might attract “bad karma” simply by entertaining the temptation to transgress our moral high ground. Next week: SCORPIO’s (and perhaps SAGITTARIUS’) karmic outlook. Start Nothing: 6:17 pm Mon. to 0:52 a.m. Tues., 2:35 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. Thurs., and 5:02 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 The accent continues on communications, short trips, siblings, casual friends, details and paperwork. Variety is your spice right now. Until October, old friends will return, but forward motion in socializing, networking, legal, cultural and international affairs, far travel, publishing and higher learning. For success in these, stick to projects already begun. This week, all these affairs, especially the social ones, will bless you mid-week, when your energy and charisma soar. But hidden affairs, gossip, government contacts, institutions, charitable and spiritual involvements will meet disruption. Chase money – successfully – Thursday/Friday. Taurus April 20-May 20 The emphasis remains on money, possessions, rote learning and sensual contacts. You feel social and optimistic Sunday/Monday – good, meet, greet, and talk up the future you envision. Your energy declines Tuesday/Wednesday – lie low, rest, avoid projects that demand a charismatic or emotional “presence.” Social faux-pas are very likely. But this time – mid-week – is very lucky for career, meetings with higher-ups, closed door discussions, parenting and planning future ambitious moves. Your energy and pizzazz surges back Thursday/Friday – start things, seek favours, and make romantic moves – you’ll make a great impression! Gemini May 21-June 20 Your charisma, energy and effectiveness continue high and strong! See people in person, ask favours, insist on your own way. Start projects. But realize that now through mid-October, though you remain lucky in far travel, international affairs, higher education, publishing, legal and cultural involvements, and love, new projects in these zones will be difficult to launch. And on-going projects might suffer some delays (although they will surge back to success October to next January). Most successful: projects from the past, in these areas (culture, love, law, etc.) – especially mid-week! Cancer June 21-July 22 Continue to lie low, rest and contemplate. Your work success over the next four months could be dependent on old or already-started projects, so delay brand new work, machinery and preventive health ventures now (e.g., exercise, sanitation). On the plus side, investment, deep health and surgery, depth psychology, therapy, lifestyle changes, research, secrets and intimate commitments meet a rush of luck and inspiration this week, especially Tuesday/Wednesday, when one or more of these factors could send your reputation or career up a notch! Wishes come true Thursday/Friday – be optimistic, flirtatious! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Visualize, fantasize, be optimistic, look far into your future – a present wish could come true someday! And a former wish could come true now, perhaps mid-week, particularly if it involves a relationship, relocation, far travel, fame, romance, a creative or speculative venture, or simply pleasure! However, relationships are under stress at the moment (a long moment, 1996 to 2010!) where they involve lust, large finances, investments, debt, shared money, and lifestyle choices. This stress is heightened Monday and mid-week: where you motives are pure, success reigns. Otherwise, barriers enter. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Parent-child and boss-employee relationships take center stage. So do your reputation and ambitions. Until mid-October, ongoing or former work projects are more likely to succeed than brand new ones. Relationships offer much to you Sunday/Monday, but you’ve been made wary by someone’s past unpredictable behaviour. That’s fine; but recognize this person’s big heart. Work, health meet both luck and unexpected reactions from others mid-week. Look beneath the surface. Life might hand you a key to “riches!” Love, wisdom bless you Thursday/Friday. Saturday night begins a month of delights! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Gentle love, understanding and wisdom continue. You might be sexually attracted to a person who inspires or teaches. This week climaxes this month-long tendency, especially Tuesday/Wednesday, when exciting meetings “just happen,” and Thursday/Friday, when your sexual urges burst to the surface. That Tuesday/Wednesday period also contains a rush of romantic luck, and a romantic dilemma. If you put sexual desire (and intimate desire, for you often sublimate lust into a “live together” urge) aside, you’ll find Wednesday ends with romantic joy! Lifestyle changes, investments and research succeed late week. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Sex, secrets, subconscious urges, large finances, investments, shared monies, therapy, depth psychology and physical diagnosis, research and investigation, death and rebirth, chemicals, tropics, swamps, commitment and consequence – these form the important “landscape” this week, as they have all month. You can grab a lucky plum here, especially mid-week, if you work hard – the result seems more likely to be financial than sexual. However, the opportunities continue Thursday/Friday, also – but in relationship zones: to succeed, be open, forward, romantic – show your attraction to someone! Saturday begins a wise, gentle month. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Relationships continue to occupy center stage. Be diplomatic, eager to join. Others not only hold the aces/power now, they also have better ideas or a better feel for a situation than you do. (In six months this will be reversed.) Communications, short travel, friendliness are the road to success this week, especially Tuesday/Wednesday, when you might receive a well-starred proposal, in business or otherwise! But accenting your domestic side, and/or insisting on security, can cleave you and others apart. Work goes well Thursday/Friday. Buy a machine, car, computer Thursday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 This is your last week of work, health and general drudgery, Cap. Your money luck is complex – the whole week shows some odd, almost hidden problem in earnings or buying power, which is somehow connected to communications or mobility. (E.g., do you have a comfortable commute to work, or, if you’re a salesperson, have your communications “fallen down?”) On the other hand, strong good money luck hovers around you mid-week, too – but it might require your accepting a burden. I’d grab it, especially later Wednesday. Romantic vibes fill Thursday/Friday! Aquarius Jan.20-Feb. 18 Love, romance, pleasure, beauty, speculation and creativity continue, Aquarius. Plunge in, for next week brings a month of chores and duties. Money, earnings and purchases might present difficulties or delays Sunday through Wednesday morning – your drive for pleasure (or over-spending on such) seems to be the glitch. Those romantic, pleasurable and creative drives meet splendid luck mid-week, particularly if friends, travel and/or communications are involved. Your domestic interests flow very well Thursday/Friday – an excellent two days for repairs, construction, retirement planning, family healing, etc. You might find love next door! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness rise nicely Sunday/Monday! Well, effectiveness might be a little difficult Sunday, as others are sceptical or give only grudging support. This influence, existing since 2008, will end November 2009. From 2003 to 2010, you “become acquainted” with every flaw and restriction you possess. That can make you pretty trim and effective by 2010, just when your personal and career luck will soar! Tuesday/Wednesday highlight your flaws but also your hidden strengths, and the strengths win (by Wednesday daytime) especially in domestic, security and property sectors. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. Readings: 604-261-1337. /30/