ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 8 – 14, 2012 All times/dates are PST. Some readers will be upset by this preamble. Please remember: I am speaking generalities; every birth chart is different, giving differing results. And no-one is “just” their Sun-sign. Neptune is SCORPIO’s love planet. For the last 15 years, Neptune has travelled slowly through AQUARIUS. During these 15 years, many Scorpios wooed and even married Aquarians, not because the sign is compatible, but because their love planet was there. When Uranus – LIBRA’s love planet – was in PISCES (2003-early 2011) many Librans fell for Pisces lovers. When CANCER’S love planet Pluto was in SAGITTARIUS from 1996 to 2008, many Cancers fell for Sagittarians. These three “farthest” and slowest planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, spent most of the past decade (or more) in incompatible signs – this was a macro indication that the world was unhappy. In addition, these three “out of synch” planets affected TAURUS, LEO and VIRGO strongly in marriage zones. When six of twelve signs are attracted to incompatible love (and the other six are importuned by these six – e.g., Aquarius wooed by Scorpio makes for two entangled) the world is unbalanced. An uncomfortable emotional current runs through mankind. But the future looks very different: Cancer’s love planet, Pluto, moved into Cancer’s marriage sign 3 years ago; Uranus, Libra’s love planet, moved into Libra’s marriage sign in 2011; and Neptune, Scorpio’s love planet, will move into Scorpio’s romantic sign this February. All three planets will spend the major portion of the decade ahead promoting, rather than confusing, love. When the private emotional lives of a huge swath of humanity are turned toward happiness, this will also affect the stock markets, international politics, etc., in a positive way. When we wake up feeling happy and our spouse greets us with a loving kiss, we go out to work with a swing and a smile. We produce. When we’re in a conflict-marred marriage, all that’s left is greed. We saw the effects of that in 9-11, in the decade-long collapse of the Dow and S&P, and the U.S. housing bubble and bank malfeasance, all of which occurred during the 1996-2011 incompatible/unhappy phase of these three planets. So we should all rejoice that Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio now leave 7-to-15 year periods of emotional wilderness and enter 7-to-15 years of relative bliss, for their joy will buoy everyone’s condition, economically and emotionally. I haven’t mentioned the love/marriage planets for ARIES, GEMINI, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces, because they whiz around the Sun so quickly that they offer many swiftly-changing romantic and marital opportunities – in Gemini’s case, up to six a year! In any decade, the romantic ups and downs of these last six signs tend to even out. Start Nothing: 6:25 p.m. to 8:35 p.m. Mon., 0:24 a.m. to 1:44 a.m. Thurs., and 5:58 p.m. Fri. to 5:28 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Ambition still rules, Aries. Impress your boss, start important career or business projects, work hard, seek promotion – or, in the other sense, promote yourself in the community, advertise, raise your profile, attend prestigious events. Some surprises await you Sunday/Monday, especially in home, real estate and other foundational, security zones. (But in crisis there is always opportunity – ditto here.) Romance, affection and beauty face you Monday night to Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are packed with luck in work (and indirectly, career) – accept, perform, seek employment. Taurus April 20-May 20 Casual relationships (including siblings) are unpredictable Sunday/Monday. Take care with speech and driving. Family, property, security and retirement concerns flow in a steady, mildly productive current Monday night through Wednesday – a good time to iron out rough edges or settle prior uncertainties. This entire week brings mellow feelings toward others – a perfect background for the strong and lucky romantic vibes that fill Thursday/Friday. If single, you could meet the one you’ll love. If you’re attached, children, creative, pleasure and speculative ventures win and please! Gemini May 21-June 20 Mysteries, nuances, sexual liaisons, investments, dealings in secret, research, detective work, power plays, collusion, debt and similar depths are lucky in the short term (e.g., Thursday/Friday) but face an ultimate barrier if you dive into them before January 20. If you make a commitment or a lifestyle change now, it will succeed splendidly for awhile, but ultimately wrestle you into disappointment. So take care, be “light” – protect rather than expand. Romantic feelings are safe, sex not. Protect your health. Money’s unruly early week. Property, home, gardening reward late week. Cancer June 21-July 22 Your energy and charisma fly high Sunday/Monday, so impress people, and enjoy yourself! But be prepared for some surprises, even irksome people. Chase money Tuesday/Wednesday – all’s smooth, productive, though you’ll need long-range vision/wisdom Wednesday night. Communications and travel succeed Thursday/Friday – either can lead to love, affection, understanding with others, resolution of conflicts – even financial and career success (Thursday). You will begin a love, domestic, property, or social project. A new friend will arrive. These might not be immediately apparent. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Lie low, rest and contemplate Sunday/Monday. As this is a work month, you’ll probably face some overdue chores. Well, tackle them. Your energy, mood and effectiveness improve strongly Monday night through Wednesday, and you accomplish easily. Chase money during a very lucky Thursday/Friday. You might begin a new employment or job project. You’re also enamoured of someone, but your fascination might only last a month. Be cautious in driving and speaking Saturday night. All week, focus on work efforts, health, nutrition, diet. Be helpful. Your career and status are headed upward! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Love, romance, creative and speculative urges, talents, teaching children, pleasure and beauty fill this week and the next. February will begin one of the major relationship phases of your life (lasting to 2025). If you’re single, this would be a good time to contemplate who, what type of person, you want for the decades ahead. Sunday/Monday accent your wishes, optimism, buoyant friendships and popularity. Love could reach mushy heights – or one splits, one forms. Retreat midweek. Rest, contemplate. All’s well. Your energy and charisma soar upward Thursday/Friday – take a chance! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Some relationships or projects end now, some begin. Concentrate on your security, family, real estate, soul, stomach, nutrition. Unhappy Librans often have digestive problems. Not that you’re unhappy – but present times do push you to make significant alterations in these same areas: security, home, diet, etc. A tug-o-war might arise between outside ambitions and home circumstances Sunday/Monday: tread cautiously. Your hopes, popularity and general joy rise midweek. Retreat to rest, contemplate and plan Thursday/Friday – contact government or institutions for lucky results. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 This week brings communications, travel, paperwork and the details of daily life. Y0u might run into legal, moral or travel dilemmas Sunday/Monday. You’ll be able to convince a mate (about money, future plans, socializing, even love) but not a co-worker, Sunday. Be careful with machinery. Follow your ambitions Monday night through Wednesday – quiet, productive days. Your optimism soars Thursday/Friday, as friends call, strangers smile, and a wish could come true. Almost everything’s favoured, love, friendships, even work. Don’t start a realty or reno project. Retreat Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Keep your focus on earnings, buying/selling, possessions, and rote learning. This is a good time to memorize anything, such as a foreign language or school facts. Avoid big finances, debt, investments – and sexual forays – Sunday/Monday. A lot of potential disappointment lurks. (One good thing, Sunday morning: work and pay.) Your outlook brightens Monday night through Wednesday as intellectually compatible friends/lovers – and understanding – waft your way. Far travel, education are favoured. Your career and worldly status are splendidly lucky Thursday/Friday: charge ahead! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your energy, effectiveness, timing and luck fly high, Cap, so start important projects, seek attention of important people, ask favours, and charge forth generally. However, be cautious Sunday/Monday, when others oppose your desires and intentions. You’d win any struggles, probably, but why make enemies? Life’s mysteries and depths rise to the surface midweek. You can make progress with finances, research and, personally, by being intimate. Legal, intellectual, learning, far travel, cultural, love and similarly “elevated” zones hit a streak of super luck Thursday/Friday – go! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Continue to lie low, rest, contemplate and plan. Be charitable. Your energy and magnetism are at a yearly low, but they’ll bounce back up in two weeks. Meanwhile, this is a great time to shore up your foundations, especially Thursday/Friday. Those two splendid days urge you to chase any/all foundational things: buy a home, invest, improve your health or seek a diagnosis, undergo therapy, change your lifestyle, or share intimacy. Earlier, machines, chores and health need caution Sunday/Monday. Monday night through Wednesday brings calm relationships, quiet opportunities. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 A wish, particularly about a relationship, love, an opportunity, relocation, litigation, negotiation, or dealing with the public is very likely to come true this week, particularly Thursday/Friday. Two qualifications: 1) it might not be the same wish you anticipate; and 2) these two days could also lead to a fight instead of joy, if you act too independently or competitively. Then again, a fight could dissolve into respect, laughter, even love! The remaining week is nothing great. Be cautious in romance and pleasure Sunday/Monday. Tackle chores midweek. DON’T invest Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. /30/