ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 15 – 21, 2012 All times/dates are PST. Watch out: Mitt Romney’s a PISCES, and this sign is about to assume leadership roles. It’s a long, slow process, that will climax for Romney about 2021…still, he begins “feeling the magic” as early as this February. I don’t know his time of birth, but on his 2012 birthday (March 12) the Moon’s in SCORPIO, or in his ninth sign. This position can herald fame, or success in politics. However, Mercury’s retro on Mitt’s birthday, so the electorate’s uncertainty about him, and his well-documented “switches” both increase as 2012 progresses. This is a man who has loads of compassion, and sees two (or more) sides to every situation. But the federal election also occurs during a Mercury retro. (Thanks to V.L. for pointing this out). This could hint at a repeat: that incumbent Obama stays where he is. Or that a “retrograde force” (Romney) is dominant. Of course, Romney has to win the primaries. That’s all I’m saying. Speaking of striving for a special position, award, or life’s benevolence, we are all self-regulating. I have many times in my life, through various decades, tried to grasp a goal which has always seemed very close, logically attainable, and deserved. Yet it has always eluded me. Though I began with hope, consistent failure over many years has reduced me to swinging between resignation and anger, that God has refused me this one, ultimate goal – while granting it to charlatans, frauds and (deserving) others. Consciously, I felt that I deserved this particular success. I had worked hard and successfully accomplished every qualification for it, and had the natural talent. Why then did life thwart me so enduringly, consistently and often? It was hugely unfair. Between my efforts and success, lay only luck – or a huge, punishing karma from some past life. But in contemplating my life, I have noticed that in every instance where I approached this shining goal, something within me stumbled, made small but telling mistakes, hesitated, didn’t quite give an all-out effort. I realized that my subconscious, or the broad flow of my life, was veering me away from this ultimate attainment. Something in me either did not want it, or did not want to spend what you had to, to get it. So I prevented this attainment! I think the subconscious is itself karma, or isn’t even karma, but the servant of our unconscious, where desire and destiny are inseparable. The question, does or doesn’t God exist, or is God benevolent or malevolent, or simply uncaring, is moot. The fact is, our subconscious exists, and does regulate our actions, and therefore our destiny. Perhaps God is our sub-and-un-conscious, or works through it. So we do not live in some imposed prison of karmic rules; rather, we live in partnership with God, the subconscious, and karma. We punish ourselves for our wrongs, and reward ourselves for our rights; we are self-regulating. Start Nothing: 7:29 a.m. to 8:33 a.m. Mon., 10:32 a.m. to 11:29 a.m. Wed., and 1:50 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Remain ambitious. Soon (next week) pressure will turn to joy. Though the work you’ve taken on, or the job that’s soon to come, won’t “quit” until July, it will ebb in intensity by next week through mid-April. Forgo the social rounds this week. Your popularity and “welcome mat” will return next week. Sunday’s for relationships: steady as she goes. Mysteries, large sums and sexual attractions arise Monday to Wednesday morning. These flow smoothly, but a challenging practical aspect counsels caution. Wednesday to Friday are wise, mellow. Money luck Friday eve, hidden behind a “jolt.” Taurus April 20-May 20 You remain in a mellow, wise, thoughtful mood – great for learning, far travel, religion and life philosophy. The glitch is that your duties might interfere, or these great things take a lot of hard work. Can you live up to your potential? I think so! Work demands doing Sunday, early Monday. Monday to Wednesday morning brings lucky relationships and opportunities – and, about 20 per cent possibility of opposition. Be persuasive, attempt to work/play with someone. Depths, sexual and subconscious arousal come Wednesday to Friday. That work-versus-travel/learn trend peaks Thursday. Gemini May 21-June 20 You face one more week of finances, accountants, investments, sexual temptations, hunches and subconscious desires, and lifestyle decisions. Do your duty, but don’t chase these matters proactively. Half of you remains stubbornly romantic, especially about lifestyle, investments, sex, etc. – this clouds your judgement. Reliable answers begin to come next week. Sunday promotes romance, beauty, cinema, art. Tackle chores Monday to Wednesday – but avoid water Wednesday (e.g., laundry, plumbing). A promising yet challenging person or opportunity arrives Wednesday/Thursday: reject it! Cancer June 21-July 22 The accent remains on relationships, relocation, litigation, negotiation, opportunities and competitors. Usually I’d add, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. But you might be strongly on the path of separation or ending a project or personal link – and with reason. Wait until Friday onward to make any decisions – and especially, to agree, commit, sign, or form any bonds. Spend Sunday at home or with kids, repairs, garden, etc. Romance has a strange subtle potency these days, as Monday to Wednesday show. It’s a prelude. Soon, another, clear, love note will fill the decade ahead. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 It’s your last week of work, Leo – all week. Tackle chores with aplomb. Make a list, priorities first, and knock them off one by one. Friday begins a month of relationships, fresh, exciting horizons, and new opportunities. But it doesn’t get in gear (nor is it lucky) until the 23rd. By then, you’ll want to be free to chase excitement. Sunday’s for trips, errands and calls. You feel sluggish Monday to Wednesday, but you can accomplish big stuff in home or business foundation zones (e.g., product safety). Romance calls, but work is your best answer, Wednesday through Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Enjoy your last week of romance, Virgo. (All those members of the opposite sex who were nice to you this month, were “romance.”) If you still have a creative, child-oriented or similar project to launch or finish, do it now. If you run into a money barrier – e.g., can’t afford that private school for the kids – wait, then seek a solution Friday/Saturday. Strictly avoid speculative risk ALL week. Sunday begins this week with shopping or earning, selling. Travel, do errands, call and write Monday to Wednesday. Settle into home, rest, garden Wednesday to Friday. Romance, late week. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Spend this week recuperating, attending to home, family, property interests, retirement programs, garden, diet, etc. Security is your key word. Almost every sign has bad luck, or a barrier to face this week – but not you. So strive for progress in those family, home, etc. areas. You might also close out a period of your life, giving you freedom to grow, to love and live in the weeks to come. A month of romance, creativity, risk and reward starts Friday, but it delivers nothing useful or lucky before the 23rd, so wait. Your energy soars Sunday. Chase money Monday to Wednesday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Retreat, lie low and rest Sunday to dawn Monday. After this, your energy, effectiveness and charisma surge, to Wednesday. You could meet love Monday daytime – though this entire week accents friendships, casual acquaintances, errands, calls and visits – lighter stuff. Wednesday noon to Friday brings a money phase – sell, earn, but don’t chase money intensely, nor buy anything: risk nothing. A practical barrier prevents success. (The barrier is mildly hidden, because it’s in you, or entails the “environment” set up by governments or head office.) A down-home month starts Friday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 You’ve had some success handling money the last few weeks. But stop now: a purchase, a pay raise request, an earnings prospect – all hit a barrier, especially before Friday. The problem is, your hopes and your money aren’t on the same path (especially within you). This dilemma will disappear after October, but until then you shouldn’t trust your spending impulses: go slow, get a consensus before acting. Friday begins a month of curiosity, travel and communications – a nice light time. But it won’t benefit you until the 23rd. Your energy attracts admirers Wednesday to Friday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your energy, charisma and clout remain at a yearly high, Cap, but you face a daunting task this week: to persuade higher-ups, or to support and promote your own worldly or career position – generally, to handle a huge responsibility. You can do it – and will be happy doing it! Still, a caution: don’t think your personal needs (or personality) can escape bosses’ notice and a “test.” Approval rewards strivers. Be ambitious Sunday. Hopes, happiness and friends come Monday-Wednesday. Retreat, lie low Wednesday p.m. to noon Friday. Friday eve to Saturday, you succeed, easily! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 This is your last week of isolation, of lower vitality, of retreat and recuperation. Your energy and optimism will begin to climb by Friday, but don’t initiate anything important before the 23rd. Meanwhile, this Sunday supports a mellow, thoughtful mood, learning, foreign art, religion and love. Be ambitious Monday to noon Wednesday – at least, live up to bosses’ and parents’ expectations. You grow increasingly optimistic, social and flirtatious from noon Wednesday to noon Friday, but be careful. Keep an eye on legal and reputational boundaries. One good, last rest Saturday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Happiness, social delights, flirtations, optimism, future plans, entertainment and wish fulfillment – these continue for one last week, Pisces. But a long-hidden barrier reveals itself this week. (Thursday stands out.) This barrier is a complex, perhaps odd one. Your own interest in the future (or in popularity, fun) is getting in the way of your interest in the future (et al). Or, you might have deep-seated (childhood?) issues that interfere, or a lust that prevents broad socializing. All will be revealed, solved, before October. No matter your age, your life is just beginning! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. Tel: 604-727-3673. /30/