PrFont34Bin0BinSub0Frac0Def1Margin0Margin0Jc1Indent1440Lim0Lim1ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS DECEMBER 13 - 19, 2009 All times/dates are PST. We should strive to finish tasks and wrap up outstanding affairs this week and next. A slowdown looms (December 26); it will stymie new starts, relationships and projects into mid-January. (Yep, it's Mercury retrograde.) This particularly applies to career for ARIES, legal matters for TAURUS, investments, intimate embraces and lifestyle changes for GEMINI, and opportunities, relationships and relocation for CANCER. For LEO, the slowdown affects work and machinery (don't buy any). For VIRGO, romance, risk-reward and creative projects. For LIBRA, the slowdown involves real estate, home, domesticity, kids and parents. SCORPIO faces delays and glitches in communications, paperwork and travel. (Double check everything twice, especially figures.) SAGITTARIUS will experience delays in money, earnings and purchases, CAPRICORN in personal(and legal, ethical and cultural) decisions. For AQUARIUS, the slowdown affects spiritual and charity zones, government relations, and dealings with institutions or "head office." PISCES faces delays in social, political and all group-oriented affairs. This upcoming Mercury retro (again, it doesn't become "strong" until Boxing Day onward) will also bring the past back - you'll hear from old chums and enemies, find old alliances and disputes are reborn - at least for awhile. Old flames might be on the winter horizon for Taurus, Virgo, and Cancer, and a bit less probably (but not less affecting) for Pisces. Mars too goes retrograde very soon - December 20. This will have a less noticeable effect than Mercury's retro. It will tend to make males less assertive until early March. (However, it might turn inward, creating deep-seated anger.) Some lovers might experience temporary declines in sexual interest. If so, don't push it, for the results would not please anyone! Former "hot stuff" relationships might return for Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Libra and Aquarius. In Aquarius' case, a former enmity might reappear - it can be easily solved with friendly overtures. Speaking of violence, I told you Obama would be more warlike October to June. And here's the troop surge. If you want to start a successful war, Mr. Obama, start it June 5 or 6, when the Sun is conjunct Rigel, the star of victory. D-Day and the stunning 1967 Arab-Israeli War are two examples of this fine fightin' day. (Bobby Kennedy was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan this day, also: and that war continues.) Start Nothing: 5:18 p.m. Sun. to 4:25 a.m. Mon., 4:02 a.m. to 2:32 p.m. Wed., and 12:07 p.m. Fri. to 2:39 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Last week of a benevolent cultural, legal, educational and far-travel influence, Aries, especially Monday/Tuesday, when a new project might begin here. (In general, though, this week is a good time to complete projects in these areas.) There's lots of talk, maybe paperwork, in ambition (and meeting authorities) zones, but no real action yet - that (action) begins next week into January. Still, you'll definitely feel like the action's begun Wednesday eve to Friday! Don't risk your money or reputation Sunday. Drive carefully this day and Monday morn. At week's end, Saturday brings a surprise! Taurus April 20-May 20 Life's mysteries continue to rise to the surface. Sex, intimacy, subconscious desires, intuition, research, lifestyle changes, financial manipulations (investments, debts, net worth) are still emphasized - and very well starred, Monday/Tuesday (and ill-starred Saturday). You remain in a year (to late January 2010) in which your career is favoured, changes to or investments in your career are tremendously favoured, and schooling, travel or legal affairs to forward your career are deeply favoured. This week, the "change" portion is luckiest. Be diplomatic Sunday. Mellow love, Thursday/Friday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Relationships, mostly good ones, continue to crowd your horizon, especially Monday noon through Tuesday, when, if single, you could fall in love (or "in attraction").Best "partners" these days: Libra or Aries. For every Gemini, these two days are excellent for agreements, betrothals, contracts, relocation and fresh new horizons! But a competitive, belligerent attitude will attract those who out-power you, or leave you vulnerable to attack, especially Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. Be modest, willing, co-operative, for your own sake. Sexual and financial success await Thursday/Friday. Cancer June 21-July 22 One last week of chores, drudgery, health concerns - might as well just dive in and get them done, especially when a load of chores confronts you Monday to Wednesday. The good news - you make great headway, if you simply start. A plodding, steady pace best, for projects that are rushed invite upsets. (Be careful driving and with tools, electric circuits, Sunday/Monday and Saturday.) Soon (next week) fresh horizons, relationships and opportunities will flow in - you get a foretaste of this Wednesday eve (tough) and Thursday/Friday (easy, enchanting!). Grab the money now; a source will dry up soon. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The streak of romance, pleasure, beauty, risk and reward, speculative fever runs another week. Make your leap now, especially if you're male - determination, resolution tend to waver a bit next week onward, ultimately to early March. Beware jumping before you look Sunday, early Monday, and Saturday, especially in sexual and financial zones. Study a potential love partner as an "investment" also, an emotional, psychic, social etc. investment: foundations good? Cosmetics? Good support system? Etc. But yield to romance's madness Tuesday! "Deep work" late week. Relationship change Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You are ending a cycle, and establishing a new one. Decide who and what stays, who/what goes. You can accomplish this readily Monday/Tuesday. A significant change, possibly to your lifestyle, possibly to an intimate or financial (investment, debt, net worth) situation, could arise and be very successful Tuesday - be brave, enact, pursue it! Wednesday might show a "new world," but it's - not a false one, but one which will never be. Romance, creativity and a speculative mood flow in Wednesday eve (tough) and Thursday/Friday(mildly good!. Expect relationship surprises Saturday. Libra Sept.23-Oct. 22 Wrap up any communications, paperwork, errands or necessary trips still outstanding - next week will bring a slowdown lasting into mid-January. You'll handle these activities with great efficiency Monday/Tuesday. Tuesday also brings a possible heart-warming co-operation (or mutual attraction) with a partner, potential partner, associate or simply an Aries type. (So does Thursday, but most of the potential occurs early morning.) Communicate! Protect your money Sunday. Settle into a domestic scene Wednesday eve through Friday. Rest, veg out. Saturday's romantic, but disputes are possible. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Continue to chase money, especially Monday/Tuesday, when your luck's high in this area. (The main luck focuses on earned income, or money involved with machinery, tools or health.) Your charisma and energy rise Sunday, but if you don't find romance early in the afternoon, relax, forget it. Protect yourself against "romantic boomerangs" Sunday, Monday morn, and Saturday - unexpected disruptions could occur. Be cautious about starting anything Wednesday. Tackle paperwork, errands and communications Thursday/Friday - accomplishment's easy, and this area will "go in circles" next week, month. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your energy, charisma, effectiveness and timing remain high - you'll impress people this week, especially Monday/Tuesday! Use these two days more to complete projects and gain usually difficult solutions, agreements, accomplishments, etc. You could start a brand new, significant project now, but it would be, as the Chinese say, like "conquering an empty city." (Or as we say, splendid but fruitless.) Earlier, Sunday, retreat, rest and putter around home. Wednesday's a write-off, but it does knoll a (silent) bell about future money. Chase money Thursday/Friday. Don't laugh at someone Saturday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You're social and hopeful Sunday. But drive alertly (Saturday the 19th also). Retreat, rest, build up your health and deal with government, institutions and administrative bodies all week, especially Monday/Tuesday, when you encounter smooth progress, even mild affection. (E.g., a civil servant smiles.) Your energy returns Wednesday afternoon through Friday. Wednesday isn't lucky, but you can accomplish much Thursday into Friday noon. Do so, as whatever you tackle these two days would not work if you left it to late December or January. Shop early Saturday; avoid electronics. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Wishes come true this week, especially Monday/Tuesday! You often wish a bit of disruption would shake up stale situations; that will certainly happen. But other wishes have a good chance, too: You might meet someone brisk, sexy and wilful (Tuesday best). Harmony and agreement arrives with spouse, business partner, or love reaches a new plateau. But retreat, rest and contemplate Wednesday eve to Thursday. If a duty or neglected responsibility comes to you, don't put it off, or you could be overwhelmed late December into January. You're impressive Saturday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 This is your last week of striving, pressure, career ambitions, dealings with VIPs, authorities, and bosses. (And of smiling along with competitive, snooty people.) Don't delay in pushing ambitious projects, especially Monday/Tuesday, when your luck runs high on the money/work front. (Ask for a raise Tuesday; sooner or later you'll get it.) In general, complete and wrap up this week and next, rather than start new projects. You feel mellow, understanding Sunday (if you escape a morning tantrum). Social delights and optimism fill Thursday/Friday. Retreat, rest, avoid rebellion Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 905-372-8996. /30/