ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS NOVEMBER 7 - 13, 2010 All times/dates are PST. I see Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp are headlining "The Tourist." It will be interesting to see if two Geminis can make the screen glow... Say what you like about immigrants, those in Toronto are providing services at one fifth the cost charged by the soft-handed, fat-cat "downtown boys." The other day I took one of my small companies to an accountant, Todd Paymytoll (I've changed all names, so my editor won't strangle me) to have the annual corporate tax return done. I brought all files and bank statements, the GL, etc., etc., and showed Todd that the company had only one transaction all year: a $ 150.00 cheque. The only other items were monthly bank fees. Mr. Trowbridge wanted $ 1,500 to do the return. "For 20 minutes work?" I said, jaw dropping. "Oh, it's more than 20 minutes," he said. "We have to open a file." Finding that a little steep, I drove home and took everything to a little basement tax and accounting service in the Muslim district, run by Mr. Ahmed. Final fee: $ 250.00 - $ 1,250 less than Todd with the Anglo-Saxon name. A haircut by the woman in the sari down the street costs me $5. It's not haute coiffure, but it's perfectly passable. On the very same city block, around the corner in a strip mall, a "Canadian" barber/stylist charges me $ 25.00. I went to ask advice from a lawyer recently - actually two lawyers. The first, a "downtown boy," Craig Paymee, wanted $840 up front, wouldn't even look at me before he received the cheque. (That's actually untrue: he quietly watched me write it.) That was his fee for an hour. Then he expounded a few generalities, waved away my documents, drew a diagram illustrating why the attorney general would not bother chasing a crooked lawyer, and sent me on my way after half an hour, almost a thousand dollars lighter. I wish I had stopped payment, but I didn't, probably because he was a lawyer. Next I went to Naveed Ahmnewhere, barrister and solicitor, in the heavily-immigrant-seeded east side, with the same question. He invited me in, listened, asked questions, gave me concrete suggestions, named forms and courts, and gave me a good hour of his time. At the end I asked "How much?" He paused, thought, and said, "How about $ 200?" There are four cultures in this country. One is inflationary, corrupt, thieving; it speaks softly, sweetly and has no compassion. It breeds the power mongers at the center of our governments, it owns the good neighbourhoods and runs the large companies. The second is the worker culture, the third the welfare culture. The fourth is the immigrant body - either an antidote to the first culture, or destined to become it. Start Nothing: Before 1:27 a.m. Sun., 4:35 a.m. to 5:36 a.m. Tues., 11:57 a.m. to 2:32 p.m. Thurs., and after 10:33 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 The accent lies on secrets, research, other people's money, investments, debts, power plays, playing your hunches, lifestyle changes, deep health issues/diagnosis, commitment and consequence. In many ways, the "information stage" of this influence is over. Now it's pure action, negotiation, taking the plunge. All month (and into early December) beware of legal hassles. Don't state your opinion too forcefully. The same period favours international travel, education, symposiums, etc. Someone who was ready to make an agreement might withdraw: this process actually began in October. Taurus April 20-May 20 The emphasis remains on relationships - and these are growing increasingly "consequential," as they start creating sexual, investment, or other life-affecting choices between you and another (or others, as in an investment group). You'll discuss these at length, with "love." Yet your "partner" in all these has been growing more and more indecisive or evasive. Now, he/she/they will actually pull back or right out for the rest of November, despite a willingness to talk. Be patient: by December, they'll be "on board" again, and you'll glide (or bounce!) toward success! Be ambitious Friday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Quietly, steadily plow through chores. Work, machinery, health, dependents form your main focus. All's well - though boring. Relationships intensify all November - this could be love or hate, or both. There will certainly be words, you'll be surprised at someone's talkativeness (writativeness?). Love is more likely than hate, as an unexpected romantic mood steals over you, likely toward a past amour. Relationships demand diplomacy, but offer (quite limited) opportunity Sunday/Monday. Sex, lust, finances lure, unluckily Tuesday, luckily Wednesday (after dawn). Gentle love Friday/Saturday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Romance, games, sports, creativity, speculation, charming kids, beauty and pleasure fill your days. You ride a winning streak! But a change takes place here, especially if you're single. A person who seemed like a lightweight is ready to move into deeper territory with you, while somebody you thought was more solid, alluring (and possibly "fertile" as in home, babies, etc.) grows more evasive, even retreats. My advice: wait for the evasive one. He/she is merely taking a wise "think session" for a few weeks. Work matters heat up all month: do it: 2011 will bring huge career luck. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The emphasis lies on your domestic scene: home, kids, parents, the essentials of survival. In business, shore up your foundations. Love grows intimate, supportive -or you look elsewhere. (All November, your romantic instincts perk up. This week onward, you'll start to grow hopeful about someone chirpy, cheerful, perhaps met in a group.) A message from the past flows toward you -or you travel to a former haunt. Sunday/Monday are romantic, but not hugely. Tackle chores midweek. Thursday eve through Saturday promoters relationships: be diplomatic - a good friendship awaits you! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Overall, this is an easy week, Virgo. Communications, errands, paperwork, details, casual conversations and acquaintances fill November. But Sunday/Monday draw you away from social areas: you need to shore up your foundations in some arena - get more sleep, repair the basement walls, fix a phone system, etc. Romance, beauty, an appetite for risk buoy you Tuesday to Thursday - enjoy! Tackle chores Thursday eve to Saturday, especially those communication tasks. Your domestic situation heats up - you might make a significant move (careful!) or realty purchase (okay) before 2010 ends. Libra Sept.23-Oct. 22 Chase money, buy/sell, find new clients, seek a pay raise. A certain allure settles over you now to late month; it mildly attracts others, makes it easy for you to charm, persuade. Your communications intensify; you'll be writing, talking, meeting and travelling. These activities link to partnership - e.g., you meet a viable mate while travelling, or you talk more with your spouse, etc. A very important trip might occur, bringing you wisdom, legal, educational or publishing success, taking you to a future mate, etc. But note: BIG relationship opportunities, meetings await you in 2011. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness remain at a yearly peak, Scorpio, so push ahead with valued projects, and/or start new ones. Two secondary changes happen now: 1) your monetary, spending picture, which went from first to second gear last week, now goes to third. For four weeks, your spending (and earning) can be heavily tied to investment or the net worth of your partner. Usually I'd recommend purchasing an investment now, but conditions are unpredictable, so be careful, alert. And 2) love, partnership quietly sink into a private, intimate, indecisive mode. Be patient! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Rest, lie low, remain in the background. The less you are noticed, the better. Usually Nature ensures this, reducing your charisma for awhile. But this November a "false energy" inspires and drives you, even sparks flirtations. It could get you in trouble, so think twice before you plunge into action, argument or a big gamble! (Positively, you might rescue someone.) A love affair might start - but it has a volatile, probably unhappy future. If you're unattached, wait for the first half of 2011, when romance potentials will soar! Shop Wednesday. Sweet acquaintance Saturday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your social buoyancy continues, but for the rest of November it will serve your ambitions more successfully than your heart. VIPs, bosses, even parents favour you now to November 28, while the same period only aids 1) love that is already established (making couples more private, intimate) and 2) clandestine or verboten affairs. Retreat for a rest Sunday/Monday. Contemplate, plan. Your energy surges Tuesday to Thursday afternoon - charge ahead, make your mark, start important projects. Chase money late Thursday to Saturday - there's more of it! Possible sensual joy late Saturday. Aquarius Jan.20-Feb. 18 Chase your ambitions, fulfill duties, be an exemplary citizen. Your reputation is being tested, observed, made. You'll feel more hopeful than usual now to November's end. Your popularity and social entanglements will rise. You might meet an attractive, intellectually lively, charming talker at a social function. But it's not his/her brain you're interested in. You might make two, even more, new friends, good ones - Sunday/Monday, or the rest of this month. But retreat Tuesday to Thursday afternoon - rest, plan. Your energy, charisma surge thence to Saturday. Love's possible this night! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Life has grown mellow, thoughtful lately (well, pretty mellow, as adventure or tension has generally filled this year - and to some degree, the last seven years). Your ambition zone heats up for the remainder of November - quick action, prompt responses are expected of you, bosses and VIPs are impatient. This trend is heavily-laden with the possible fruits of success. Those impatient bosses are also generous; you can translate effort into money! An almost casual discussion could lead to a bigger "account" for you, or to "recapturing" an investment. Your lust rises. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/