ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS NOVEMBER 20 – 26, 2011-10-26 All times/dates are PST. ALL SIGNS: Mercury retrogrades November 23 to December 13, so don’t start any major or important projects before December 13. As the retrograde occurs in SAGITTARIUS, it could throw some marriage, relocation, and contract plans awry. Many estranged couples, or friends/lovers who lost contact over time, will be reunited during this retro. This is not a good time for any sign to begin a higher learning program, to start a lawsuit, or an international expansion…. Thanks to reader L.M., who alerted me that my 2011 “Year Ahead” prediction of a North Korean famine caused by floods, did come true. Evidently floods wiped out 80 per cent of the corn crop, after a harsh winter destroyed other crops. N.K. has appealed for international food aid…. AQUARIUS, the period from this November to July 3, 2012, strongly intensifies your sexual urges, and could bring a love affair—okay if you’re single, not so much if you’re married. (This period also prompts a powerful sensual urge in LIBRANS, so there’s a clue to your possible “conspirator” in love.) This does NOT benefit nor encourage a marriage theme, and you might find the person who knocks your loins for a loop isn’t a good long-term partnership prospect. (The truth of this is partially hidden, might come out in deep discussion.) This same period also encourages investment and debt action – don’t be impulsive. (A VIRGO might be a good guide through the financial “what if’s.”) You’ll talk a lot about a lifestyle change – you’ll talk (sotto voce) about all these things: sex, finances and changes. Surgery might occur. PISCES, November 2011 to early July 2012 presents you with crucial relationship developments and decisions. Attractions intensify. A love/hate link might occur. Whatever form a bond takes, it is likely to be highly sensual. Everybody’s sensitive, quick to take umbrage, so be the diplomat. In business and practical zones, you could form a very lucrative association. Money and earnings opportunities will arise – at least twice in these eight months. (Again, as with love, you might encounter push-back – or “bark-back” – rather than sweet acceptance, so again, exercise diplomacy.) Use this time to increase your earnings prospects as much as possible, for as soon as this period ends, a year-long, splendid real estate phase begins. The more you save, and the higher your earnings in mid-2012, the more you’ll be able to buy “up.” This accent on intense relationships does not necessarily mean you will be joining with your future life mate, though – the operational signal here is from Mars, and the word “permanent” is far down the line in Mars’ vocabulary. Think of these eight months as an adventure, and you won’t be disappointed. Start Nothing: 2:21 p.m. to 5:16 p.m. Sun. 3:04 p.m. to 5:58 p.m. Tues. 3:05 p.m. to 5:57 p.m. Thurs. 4:06 p.m. to 7:04 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 A month of far travel, higher learning, legal affairs, cultural involvements, of wide vision and the “big questions” begins Tuesday. (It starts in earnest, more deeply, Friday onward.) However, a general slow-down and “backtracking” influence begins now, so the travel should be to former places, the higher learning will succeed best if it is review or research, etc. Don’t be determined to break new ground; test the ground you’re on first. Lots of work confronts you now to next July. Until December 13, limit these chores to routine or neglected ones. Start nothing new before then. Taurus April 20-May 20 Don’t start anything new before December 13, especially in finances, investments, debt, lifestyle changes, or intimate commitments. Don’t begin new funding partnerships. Instead, deal with past or ongoing projects – protect the latter from mistakes and unforeseen contingencies, supply shortages, etc. Have a “Plan B.” Your romantic nature heats up through next June. If you’re single, the three weeks ahead bring a sweet, gentle, inquisitive, supportive person. At the same time, now to late December, your sexual, intimate urge heightens. Result: quick closeness! Be honest, moral. Gemini May 21-June 20 Start nothing before December 13 – instead, focus on past or ongoing ventures, particularly in relationships, relocation, litigation, agreements, negotiations, contracts, and dealings with the public. Tuesday begins a month in which all these matters will be emphasized. Your thoughts/desires might turn to an old flame or “ex.” But this link holds dangers: domestic friction, urges to end it, his/her “domination attitude,” etc. On the other hand, a great opportunity, perhaps to find a retreat, or land a government or institutional link/permission, could arise from a past contact. Cancer June 21-July 22 A month of work and health concerns begins Tuesday. Stick to routine and ongoing chores. DON’T start a big new work, employment or machinery project – or anything important – before December 13. Buy no machinery, TV or computers. You’re restless, but you’ll be fine, happy, if you channel this energy into work, errands and “phone lines.” You might revisit a former home, or reconnect with a family member. Your home needs care (electrical?) Sunday/Monday – kids too. Romance beguiles midweek. That month of work begins seriously Friday/Saturday. Bosses are tense, but you succeed! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 A month of romance, pleasure, adventure, creativity and speculation begins Tuesday – you’ll ride a winning streak! But stick to former or ongoing attractions – brand new loves, though they can flame and pulse hot, will, long-term, be busts. As if to nudge you the right way, an old flame will return, in actuality or in your thoughts. Start nothing new, in business or love, before December 13. (And DO NOT start a new creative work – its ending would elude you.) Settle into home midweek: all’s fine, kids are sweet, friends happy, thoughts good. Romance grows Friday, teeters Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Tuesday triggers a month of domestic, security, real estate, foundational, gardening, nature, nutrition, stomach and soul concerns. All these matters face delays, indecision and “backwardation” now to December 13. During these few weeks “manna from the past” can occur. You might face a splendid opportunity to “redo” your home situation, to re-align children’s direction or education, or to purchase a residence (perhaps in a foreign country) that you have already seen/wanted. But DON’T begin brand new projects; don’t purchase a newly-glimpsed home, start new renovations, etc. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 An active, busy, communicative, restless, travel-prone month begins Tuesday (and more solidly, earnestly Thursday night). Unfortunately, a period of delay, indecision and confusion also begins this week, lasting to December 13. DON’T begin important projects before then, especially in travel and communications – e.g., avoid a new mail-order venture, installing new telephones or office equipment, etc. Travel only to revisit, not to new places (except for rest, e.g., a week on the Cuban beach). A former friend might return – it’s not a big thing. Chase money Wednesday/Thursday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 The month ahead emphasizes money: earnings, buying/selling, possessions, and memorization or rote learning. Until December 13, start nothing new in these (or any) areas. Guard against mistakes, slowdowns, supply shortages and missed meetings. Have a “Plan B” ready in money areas. Contact former clients. A sensual relationship might begin. While pleasant, even deeply gratifying, this bond is unlikely to last unless she/he reappears from your past (now to mid-December). Lie low, rest Sunday eve to Tuesday eve. Your charisma and energy surge midweek. Work safely Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Sunday to Tuesday bring you optimism, hope – and for good reason. Tuesday begins a month of higher energy, charisma and popularity. This would usually be a great time to start important projects and make your mark on the world. But until December 13 the only long-term success will involve projects or relationships resurrected from the past. Ongoing ventures are also fine, but be patient with them, and protect them from delays, supply shortages and “new ideas.” A former mate might appear soon. Rest, recuperate and contemplate midweek. Your energy surges Thursday night onward. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 A month of quietude, rest, contemplation, of sweet solitude, begins Tuesday. (Take hopeful, ambitious action Sunday night to Tuesday.) Your timing is great – just as you slow down, so too does the world – until December 13. (In other words, you’re not missing anything important.) Before that time, start nothing major in any arena. This is a splendid time to get a physical, to revisit a hospital, institution, large corporation or government, to re-apply for aid or permission. Hopes and friendly meetings arise midweek. Retreat Friday/Saturday: your home (and heart?) need care. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The month ahead brings friends, parties, entertainment, happiness, optimism and wish fulfillment! However, until December 13 only ongoing people, things and projects – or those reprised from the past – will succeed. Don’t start anything new before that date. A former lover, flirter or affectionate friend might return. You’re attracted to former groups – give them a call. You could start a short, hot fling with someone from your past. Is it fair to him/her? Monday/Tuesday are mellow, gently loving, wise. Be ambitious midweek – bosses like you! Happiness, friends, Friday/Saturday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Tuesday starts a month of ambition, prestige and status concerns, and relations with VIPs, bosses and parents. Start nothing new, especially in these zones, before December 13. Protect ongoing ventures and projects from delays, confusion, mistakes, indecision, supply shortages and missed appointments. Have a “Plan B” ready. Don’t believe promises, especially from Virgo or Gemini. A position, client, VIP or employer from the past could hold the ticket to success. Monday/Tuesday are mysterious, sexy: dig deep for answers. Wisdom, gentle love arise midweek. Be ambitious late week. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca.