ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
JULY 15 – 21, 2012  

	All times/dates are PDT.
	Two rights: in the 2012 Year Ahead I predicted “farms suffer from burned ground…Forest fires proliferate.” And that “(both) Koreas will feel like the rug’s been yanked.” The first two are self-evident: the droughts with record-breaking 100 + F heat across the U.S. and eastern Canada reduced much farmland to desert. We have also experienced one of the worst forest fire seasons in history, though the summer is only weeks old. (The heat should reduce somewhat after July 3, but remain an issue – argued about, post-mortem’d – to late August.) Regarding Korea, the North lost its leader, and the South cancelled or lost its first military pact with Japan since WW II, making it more vulnerable to China. My prediction that the U.S. would begin an upward economic path in June fits an early indicator: in June, the U.S. stock markets had the biggest monthly rally since 1999….
	But a few rights don’t excuse a couple of wrongs: several weeks ago in a preamble about the U.S. and Israel, I posited that the number “9” was revered in Judaism, and reviled in Christianity. Some cranky types wrote accusing me of anti-Semitism – a conclusion they could only have reached by assuming that I favoured Christianity over Judaism. (In fact, the article was critical of only one group: Christians, for their intolerance.) Perhaps the preamble wasn’t crafted carefully enough, for which I apologize.
	But my real error was this: I fished the number 9 from my memory, and via a mistaken method: long ago, I had numerologically reduced the Christian Satan mark of “666” to a 9 (6+6+6 = 18 = 1+8 = 9), which in pagan numerology is the number of wisdom, understanding, compassion and higher mind. (Revelation says that 666 is not only Satan’s number, but is also “the number of man.”)
      “18,” by the way, not 9, as a couple of writers pointed out, is the most revered number in Judaism. I argued, in my defense, that 18 = 1+8 = 9. But I lost that argument: in Judaism, and the Kabala, you cannot reduce numbers using the ordinary numerological method, because each number is actually a letter/word, and the letters can be combined, but not reduced. So in numerology, 1+8 = 9. But in Judaism, that is like saying A + B = (some third letter). Can’t be done. 18 remains 18, and 9 remains 9. I would argue that the reality remains the same: the Jewish 18 encompasses many qualities of the pagan/numerological 9 – wisdom, compassion, etc. But the conclusion’s the same: I goofed…. 
	Speaking of numbers, Jacob had 12 sons, comprising the 12 tribes of Israel, but he also had a daughter, Dinah, who instead of engendering a 13th tribe, was simply raped and forgotten. (Though later about the time of crossing the River Jordan, one tribe split into two, giving 13 tribes – perhaps an echo of Dinah.) Centuries later, Christ had 12 disciples. But many scholars believe there was a 13th disciple, Mary Magdalene. No rape depicted here: instead, she was called a prostitute and rejected. Is it any wonder we call the number 13 unlucky?
	Next week: back to Saturn’s effect on each sign.


Start Nothing: 3:56 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. Mon., 9:24 p.m. Wed. to 3:13 a.m. Thurs., and 10:17 p.m. Fri. to 10:24 a.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
Start nothing significant – project or relationship – before August 8. Stick to ongoing involvements, and reprise situations that return from the past. You might hear from an old love in the weeks ahead. He/she might have worked in your field, or you originally “backed away” due to a health problem. You’re eager to either find a partner/mate, or to fight others, over the next six weeks. (The two could be one.) Travel, emails, news, friends, siblings fill Sunday/Monday. Retreat to home midweek: relationship problems are intense. Romance calls Thursday/Friday. To work, Saturday.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Start nothing new before August 8, especially in home, real estate, kids’ interests, furniture purchases, landscaping, building, etc. Stick to projects already in the works. Double-check lists, plans, etc. A mini-explosion occurs midweek, as health or work situations fight each other. E.g., two different bosses give you conflicting commands, accident potential is high with machines, or you could struggle with a conflict between your ethics and your duties – etc. Your ally is calmness: be mellow, let others quarrel. Earlier, Sunday’s for money. Love’s swift, real Monday night.

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Start nothing new and significant before August 8, especially in communications, travel, sibling relations or paperwork. Want that job or government permission? Apply later. Your romantic courage heats up through late August and your attractiveness is high. You might call someone from the past. This romantic trend could be the “cure” for 2011’s rough break-up (if you went through one). You shine Sunday/Monday. Tuesday/Wednesday spark quarrels or unexpected jolts in monetary, sexual and romantic spheres. Practice letting go. Your real friends show Thursday/Friday. Home, Saturday.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Your energy sails high, but don’t start anything important before August 8, especially in spending or earning areas. A former money opportunity (or a forgotten bill) can reappear in the next three weeks (July 19/20?). Chase clients who haven’t paid, or old, former money sources.  All July, your relations with government agencies or head office remain smooth and affectionate. But friction rasps your home: be diplomatic. Rest, nap Sunday/Monday. You’re in charge Tuesday/Wednesday, but fireworks erupt in relationships, home and career – a crisis will solve something! Talk, Saturday.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Start nothing important before August 8, especially in self-promotion zones, or projects intended to boost your personal fortunes. Nurture ongoing projects and relationships, avoid the new. You will be uncharacteristically indecisive over the next three weeks. Your hopes, optimism, and social joys rise Sunday/Monday. Midweek (Tuesday/Wednesday) features a knock-down, drag-em-out struggle – you can sidestep this, and let others flail around, or you can step into a legal, travel, moral or work conflict – your choice. My advice: rest, withdraw, nap. Your energy surges Thursday/Friday.

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
The accent remains on popularity, flirtation and light romance, wish fulfillment, especially Monday night to Wednesday. Avoid “future planning” – and start nothing important before August 8 – deal with ongoing and past situations, even in romance. A neglected duty returns, demanding that you take care of it. Sunday/Monday (Monday not so much) encourage your ambitions, and boost relations with higher-ups. Show your best side! An explosive situation needs caution, diplomacy Tuesday/Wednesday. Retreat, rest and contemplate Thursday/Friday – all’s smooth. Your energy soars Saturday.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Start nothing important before August 8. Protect ongoing projects from delays and mistakes. A former lover or friend might “appear” soon. In general, your emotional happiness is expanding. Your will power and determination are high to late August (but don’t train them on a new project or relationship before August 8). Intellectual, far travel, cultural and love matters are gathering steam – and luck – and will soon burst into success. Step carefully Tuesday/Wednesday: home, career, relationships might explode into a “no holds barred” situation. Social joys come Thursday/Friday.

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Start no new projects nor relationships before August 8, especially in career, business, status zones, or in dealings with authorities, parents or bosses. (These areas flow smoothly Thursday/Friday.) Protect ongoing projects from delays, shortages and mistakes – double-check instructions, have a “Plan B” ready. Be willing to temporarily assume a past role or job. Sunday/Monday hint at your luckiest area of action for the year ahead. Your mood’s mellow Tuesday/Wednesday, but problems arise in communications, travel, work, health and/or government zones. Happiness, Saturday!

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Depths, mysteries, intimacy, big finances, research, dreams, health diagnosis – these still have one week to run. They do run – into trouble or conflict Tuesday/Wednesday, if you’re too hopeful, romantic or risk-oriented. However tempted you are, take no action to change things now, and start no new ventures (especially in legal, travel or educational areas) before August 8. Instead, reprise past projects/relationships. Opposition and “relationship joy” come Sunday and Monday (weaker). Your intellectual, mellow, loving side emerges Thursday/Friday. Soon, an “ex” might appear.

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Don’t start new ventures or relationships before August 8, Cap. Stick with ongoing projects, especially in research, big finances (e.g., mortgage, investment) and intimacy (as a goal). One exception: if a former “unreachable” investment re-appears, seize it. These (finances, sex) flow well Thursday/Friday. But for three weeks, don’t dabble in the stock market, don’t even deal with the stocks you already own. Tackle routine chores Sunday/Monday. Friction, even fireworks possible in relations, home and career midweek – step lightly, diplomatically. Saturday’s mellow, wise.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Start no new projects nor relationships before August 8, Aquarius. Recently-formed links, and ongoing relocation, litigation, negotiation, advertising and similar projects stall or meander uselessly (like trying to turn a vine into a tree). A former partner might reappear, this week or the next two – perhaps Thursday/Friday. Yes, renew it if the problems that first separated you have gone away. You might relocate to a familiar place. Your romantic prospects remain strong. (Sunday/Monday lean this way.) Avoid legal hassles through late August. Protect health, work midweek.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Don’t start any new projects nor relationships before August 8, Pisces, especially in work, health, machinery and similar zones. DON’T buy new tools or machines. Sunday/Monday accent your home – it remains affectionate, and any recent renos please you. But don’t start renovations or landscaping before August 8. You feel romantic Tuesday/Wednesday, but both days are filled with unexpected conflict – you might have a lover’s quarrel, or could find a sudden crisis drives someone into your arms. Difficulties revolve around sex, duties, health, money. Tackle chores Thursday/Friday.


www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-727-3673.


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