ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS SEPTEMBER 11 – 17, 2011 All times/dates are PDT. Okay, I promised this would be my last preamble on the Bible. (I actually wrote about 30 feverish pages on this topic, which I’ll post in the “Platforms” section.) About 1,000 years after its birth, Israel lay dying. It had self-destructed. Godlessness, pagan worship, political chaos, greed, corruption and sexual immorality ran through its rotted veins. So God sent Babylon, the city of astrologers, to conquer it (despite Isaiah’s anti-astrology boasts). This conquest was actually a rescue – Babylon took the Israelites in chains back to the land of astrology, but there it healed them. They were given jobs, social position, were allowed to practise Judaism, to worship the very God they had abandoned in Israel, and even to have their own prophets. One of these prophets, Daniel, was eventually made chief over all wise men and astrologers in Babylon. Once the Israelites were psychically and morally healed, capable of fending for themselves, Babylon not only returned them to Israel, but helped them rebuild their holy city, Jerusalem, which had declined into rubble, and protected them from their enemies while they re-established themselves. The land of astrology not only “birthed” Israel through Abraham and Jacob, it returned to save them from extinction, to re-birth them, 1,000 years later. Here, circa 500 B.C., the events of the Old Testament end. The New Testament begins with the birth of Christ – famously “announced” by the Magi from the east. Tradition says these Magi were from Parthia, near ancient Babylon – the center of astrology. They do what astrologers do: they have followed a sign in the heavens, a “star,” to find Christ. The Old Testament prophet Micah (Mic 5:2) foresaw that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. But the astrologers go one better, they find the exact street and house by the “star.” (Mt 2: 9-11) The Magi practice three major functions of astrology: 1) timing: they know when Christ is born – no one else could tell even the century of birth – 2) character/destiny: they recognize and announce that this baby is the Christ, and 3) locational (where). They even tell Herod how old Jesus is before they have seen him. (Mt. 2:16) Obviously astrology is respected in Israel at this time – or at least deeply believed – for Herod, on no other evidence than the Magi’s say-so, believes the future “King of the Jews” has arrived – believes it so deeply he murders all the infants in Bethlehem and its vicinity. So. The first page of the Bible begins with an astrological reference (Ge 1:14-18, and “seventh” Ge 2:2). Then Israel is born from the cradle of astrology (as shown in previous columns), falters and almost dies 1,000 years later, but, at the end of the Old Testament, is rescued, healed and re-birthed by the land of astrology. Then the New Testament begins with an announcement – by astrologers – of what must be, for Christians, the greatest event on earth. Finally, the New Testament closes with Revelation, which confirms, as we’ve seen, that the agents and functions of astrology are more integral to God than his angels. I rest my case. Start Nothing: 6:45 p.m. to 11:49 p.m. Mon., and 10:11 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 Your workload remains heavy, yet you feel sluggish, perhaps want to quit. One cure for this is to focus your efforts on home-security-property or child-related chores; the other cure is to sleep more. By next week you’ll perk up – and by the week following you’ll be chasing an attractive person with romantic intent, or a career opportunity, with a creative flair. Both these (especially the latter) will go better if you tackle your chores now. Luck brings you “quiet support” Sunday/Monday. Your energy rises Tuesday to Thursday noon – tackle things! Sudden attraction late week! Taurus April 20-May 20 You ride a winning streak – especially in romance, adventure, creativity, speculation, joys from children, teaching skills. These bring lots of action and “talk” for the next two weeks. But a work wave is coming; get ready to ride it rather than delay and drown in it. It starts quietly, mildly Thursday, will intensify about a week later. Just start – you’ll do well. Intellectual, legal, educational, travel and publishing matters “unfreeze” now, will march straight forward to April. So begin projects in these zones. If you plan to move this month, try to do so before the 18th. Gemini May 21-June 20 The accent lies on home, family, real estate, gardening, nutrition, stomach, soul, security, retirement, ending and beginning situations/relationships. Civil servants, institutional workers, agents and therapists will help you. Plant seeds. This is not a favourable time for romance, gambling, adventure; it’s splendid for retreat, rest, finding a spa or hideaway. Be ambitious Sunday/Monday – you could be granted access to a confidential “source,” or find a good investment, especially something that needs work. Your optimism rises Tuesday/Wednesday. Retreat, rest Thursday onward. Cancer June 21-July 22 You’re busy, your gift of gab grows, and you’re restless, ready to travel – short distances. All this aids your social life. Be curious about people and what they’re “into.” Your love life, in “stasis” since last April, moves forward now to next April, so prepare for a significant seven months. If you’re flexible, willing, true love might come knocking! (Flexible, because the other person is stubborn.) Sunday/Monday are gentle, wise, loving. A Virgo might “point to love” – or to a creative opening. Be ambitious midweek (Wednesday best). Joy, hope, friends visit Thursday onward! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Chase money, buy/sell, ask for a raise, cultivate new clients. Collect, and pay bills. This is your best money month in a very lucky career year (to June 2012). Money and employment combine very well this week. A new money project might enter (or a constant, casual urge to shop). Communications become affectionate, easy Thursday to early October. (A short trip will please you.) Mysteries Sunday/Monday – research could lead to a financial opportunity. Your sexual urges could find a willing partner. Wisdom, gentle love, legal matters arise midweek. Ambition, Thursday onward! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You’ve been “unable” to communicate with a loved one or a romantic prospect over the spring/summer. Now to April, the lines are open. Connect now, confidently, as your charisma, energy and clout are high. You’ll tend to get what you want. Your income situation improves Thursday into late October. Relationships rule Sunday/Monday, bringing excitement, opportunity, new faces – and some competition or opposition. Be diplomatic. Deep stuff comes Tuesday to Thursday noon – large finances, sexual urges, lifestyle changes and commitments. You succeed with love, intellect Thursday onward. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Step softly, Libra. This is your last week of suffering your bosses’ or authorities’ impatience and temperament. Your energy and charisma remain low, so keep a low profile, rest, nap, and plan. Be charitable, deal with governmental, spiritual concerns. Your old charm begins to quietly return Wednesday night onward, and by next week friends will gather around – you’re going to attract attention and get what you want – but not this week. (That’s not entirely correct – you can get what you want in finances, research, intimacy and lifestyle commitment Thursday p.m. to Saturday.) Scorpio Oct.23-Nov. 21 Optimism reigns, wishes come true – seek joy, friends, new horizons. Love could be develop – so might a lucrative partnership or opportunity. All good now comes from mingling, nothing from not. Friendship and secrecy, or flirtation and intimacy, begin to blend together, especially Thursday into next week. Romance reaches a peak Sunday/Monday – major love is possible! Creative and risk-taking (speculative) urges surge also: seize luck! Settle into chores midweek. Thursday noon to Saturday brings exciting meetings, partnerships, opposition and opportunity. Be diplomatic, eager. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Be ambitious, especially Thursday afternoon to Saturday, when employment factors flow with luck. Only possible disruption to work might be a sudden strong, friendly/romantic attraction, Friday/Saturday. Earlier, Sunday/Monday bring ambition versus withdrawal urges to a head: one has to win. (Or, you can skirt the issue by sleeping, cleaning house, or laying foundations for an ambitious push later.) Romance, creative surges and speculative urges visit you Tuesday to midday Thursday. But it’s not the right time yet. Soon! Your social life improves Thursday into October. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The accent continues on higher learning, far travel, legal matters, cultural rituals, publishing, love, and the “bigger picture.” Intense relationship reactions, par for the course since early August, continue – but this is their last week. So if it’s love, enjoy – if it’s anger, forbear for one more week. Wednesday night starts three weeks of favour and affection from higher-ups, so start preparing your proposals, requests. Sunday/Monday are busy, talkative – read a paper. Rest, improve foundations midweek. Thursday noon to Saturday – romance, speculation, creative genius! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Mysteries continue. Your actions lead to consequences, commitments. Don’t let this frighten you – almost everything is good here, including the consequences. (Especially Wednesday p.m. to Saturday, when a real estate purchase, home renovations, finding a new regimen for the kids, changing your lifestyle or nutrition program, getting a health diagnosis, these and similar matters can improve your life considerably.) Earlier, Sunday/Monday are great for purchases – but beware high prices. Midweek’s filled with errands, talk, casual acquaintances – and luck! Soon, new horizons loom! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Exciting meetings, prospects, new horizons, relationships, opportunities and opposition – these continue. The money side of these opportunities enters Thursday into late October. This isn’t quick or “salary” money, it’s more that you’ll deal with large sums, or with people who own them – power players. In personal terms, an “open attraction” might become intimate. Be diplomatic with everyone, yet eager to join. Your energy and charisma soar Sunday/Monday. A momentous decision might be made. Chase money midweek. Buy, Wednesday afternoon. Travel, communicate Thursday noon onward. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/