ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MAY 8 – 14, 2011 All times/dates are PDT. Awhile ago I pointed to two places in the Bible that seemed to support astrology (Matthew and Ezekiel). There’s another, Luke 21:25 – Jesus says “There will be signs in the Sun, Moon and stars.” But in Deuteronomy 4:19 Moses warns: “the sun, the moon and the stars – all the heavenly array – do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshipping....” Those who do must be stoned to death. It’s not an outright condemnation of astrology per se: the command is “don’t worship,” not “don’t study” – but where does “using astrology” lie, in study or in belief/worship? In Leviticus (and elsewhere) God says anyone who practices divination (i.e., fortune-telling) must be stoned to death. No leniency, no excuses. Same book, Moses dressed Aaron in the very first priest’s uniform (sewn according to God’s description) and “put the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate.” The U and T, scholars say, were “yes” and “no” divination stones! By1 Samuel 9, Israeli priests had evolved into “seers;” the public paid them to answer questions about the future, lost animals, etc. These priest-seers were the ancestors of the great prophets. Today, some Rabbis practice numerology and occult studies such as the Qabbala. But why weren’t all those priests stoned to death? Does this mean that, though it is never flatly stated, only God’s priests can practice divination? Or does it mean motive is the determinant of good and bad divination? If I intend only good by studying astrology, Tarot or divination, am I then permitted (by God) to do so? Or, if only priests can practice divination, where are the priests in this age of pederasty? A further problem: the Bible, though purportedly God’s word, is written by man, and man can make mistakes or have changes of heart and understanding. In Deuteronomy, God says that religions which practice child sacrifice are “detestable,” yet in Judges the Jewish hero Jephthah promises God he will sacrifice whatever first appears in his doorway when he returns from battle, if only God will let Israel win the battle. Israel wins, which shows God’s agreement. When Jep returns home, his daughter runs through the door to congratulate him. To obey God, Jep must kill his daughter. Jep, of course, was foolish to make the promise – but he was also, perhaps, culpable, wanted to kill a family member (for who else was likely to appear in the front door of his house?). Was God, who let this sacrificial murder proceed, merely letting this sin have its natural consequence to punish Jep for his dark promise? (I believe so.) But on whose hands does her blood lie? Only Jephthah’s? So the Bible’s complex about everything – astrology included! Start Nothing: 11:52 p.m. Sun. to 2:35 a.m. Mon., 9:52 p.m. Tues. to 6:59 a.m. Wed., and 7:52 p.m. Thurs. to 8:56 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Continue to chase money. This week is relatively smooth, unhurried. Sunday holds a few frustrations if you wander afield after outside goals or adventure. Instead, stay home, garden, repair, or soak up nature. Romance, creative surges, pleasure and beauty surge Monday/Tuesday – you’re a winner! Tackle chores Wednesday/Thursday, buy machinery, seek health cures, employment or employees – you’ll succeed. Relationships face the deep, slow pulling apart you’ve noticed in recent years, but Saturday shows the cure. The problem is your ambition: the cure is another’s – support it. Taurus April 20-May 20 Your energy, effectiveness and charisma rise nicely! Don’t expect everything, as you’re in the trough that comes just before the big luck wave swells. That trough lasts to June 4 – five more weeks. Then 53 weeks of great, life-changing luck begin! Don’t waste your present energy: you can solve problems that would usually stymie you, can accomplish unusual feats. Focus your abilities on solving whatever has held you back. The main thing: to clear the way for big, lucky things June onward. Home’s sweet, good Monday/Tuesday. Romance, creativity midweek. Work, Friday. A good week! Gemini May 21-June 20 Continue to rest, plan, pray, meditate. Be charitable, deal with government agencies, institutions. Wishes can still come true, but consider this: wishes that lead to freedom are much more viable than those that lead to depth, darkness, lust, security, investment. Soon, you will get a chance for these deeper things (June 2011-June 2012) but over the entire rest of this decade, these deeper things will “disagree” with ethics, law, friendship, lighter laughter – and the lighter will win. This also means light romance will conquer deep romance. Buy nothing Sunday. Success, all week! Cancer June 21-July 22 Your energy and charisma step up a notch Sunday – conquer problems, seek solutions. Chase money Monday/Tuesday – and chase friends, contacts, information Wednesday/Thursday – luck accompanies you in both endeavours! Be home, pay attention to the needs of children, parents Friday/Saturday. Take a rest after a lucky, active week. Wishes can come true this week and next, especially in career and social arenas. But realize your career is changing deeply (and in many cases suddenly) over the next 8 years: in-depth research, investment, power plays, secrets play a bigger role. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Chase ambitions, and the people who can grant them. You’ll be tested, but you’ll win an “A!” Rest Sunday, plan and prepare – but careful with fire, hot irons, and ethical/legal temptations. Your energy and charisma soar Monday/Tuesday – get out and impress people, especially bosses, VIPs, parents and authorities. Chase money (e.g., ask for a pay raise, seek new clients) Wednesday/Thursday. These are four successful, satisfying days – by Friday/Saturday you’ll be ready to socialize, dream, wish and enjoy your optimism – though it will be a sober optimism. Until 2019, love succeeds! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 A gentle, compassionate understanding flows over you. You might fall in love. Actually, someone is likely more impressed with you than vice-versa, Wednesday/Thursday. Still, you might fall in love. Something is working powerfully to change your life – it could be sex, could be finances, a move, a secret, an urge – Charlie Sheen is a Virgo, and a hero, because he is embodying the Virgo urge right now. Behind-scenes actions, government and administrative chores succeed Monday/Tuesday. Charge forth and chase a major goal Wednesday/Thursday! Money needs care Friday/Saturday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Most trends/occurrences are split into two streams: open relationships, and the more private, behind-scenes interactions. E.g., you are meeting challenging but lucky people or bright, obvious opportunities – these can quickly turn to intimacy, mutual financial funding, investment, detective work, or lifestyle commitments. Look for friendship on the surface, bonding underneath. Soon, this “deeper side” will increase – and by June onward, for a year, it will grow very lucky. But for now, the luck resides in the meeting, the seeing, relocation, pursuing new horizons and opportunities. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 This month doesn’t exactly offer you the prize with a flourish of easy luck, but it does give you a real preview of the luck to come, June 2011to June 2012. The prize involves a relationship. It could be an opportunity in business, new life horizons, love/marriage, fame, contract negotiations. It will arise because you impress or please someone, because you’re diplomatic and focused on another’s needs and desires. (You’re an expert at that.) This week, study your ethics Sunday: right, wrong? Your ambitions meet luck Monday/Tuesday; your hopes meet “a friend” Wednesday/Thursday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Lots of work faces you – you might as well plod through. Recent romantic, pleasurable, creative or child-oriented ventures remain active, lucky. The year ahead (starting in a week or two) will expand your duties, so pack in some last-minute pleasure and relaxation now, while you can. You might, in the six weeks ahead, stumble upon a creative work situation – grab it. A co-worker romance might develop. Cautious Sunday: traps exist. Wisdom, gentle love flow Monday/Tuesday. Be ambitious Wednesday/Thursday – success accompanies you! Your mood’s happier than events, late week. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You’re riding a minor winning streak, but it’s good practice for the “big wave” that’s coming June 2011 through June 2012. That time will bring “benefits with responsibilities” in romance, creative projects, speculative ventures, pleasure, vacation, and children’s talents. These very things fill May, so enjoy life, relax, and pursue love! A relationship gives you friction Sunday. Life’s depths, lust, finances, meet with luck Monday/Tuesday. Gentle love, understanding fill Wednesday/Thursday. You feel ambitious Friday/Saturday, but use a light touch if others react unexpectedly. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The focus lies on home, family, recuperation, nature, garden, soul, stomach, security, real estate, retirement, endings and beginnings. This period isn’t ultra-important at the moment, but it will become the source of your luck from June to June 2012. So keep your eyes open, your thoughts ticking. Chores might frustrate Sunday: proceed cautiously, especially around power tools. Relationships might be competitive Monday/Tuesday, but they’re also lucky, even loving, so plunge in! Investments, debt, sex, intimate commitments, lifestyle changes proceed well Wednesday/Thursday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Romance has a few snags Sunday – go slow. Tackle chores or buy machinery, tools Monday/Tuesday. If unemployed, look for work, especially Tuesday afternoon. A whole grab-bag of opportunities faces you Wednesday/Thursday. Go forth, seek, be curious, ask. Be diplomatic, too. Relationships surprise, reward. The news might disappoint in financial, health and/or sexual areas Friday/Saturday. Investments made Friday won’t work; those made Saturday might. Generally, this is a light, busy, smooth and satisfying week. Money’s still lucky in an income way, but not for long – act now! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/