ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
OCTOBER 28 – NOVEMBER 3, 2012 

	All times/dates are PDT.
	All signs, please note the “Start Nothing” periods – they are very long this week. 
	What use is astrology? Surprisingly, in many ways, not too useful – and dangerous to the will, the intuition, and the naturally lived life. The essential problem is that many who practice astrology (me included) attempt to perceive and control life consciously. After many years, we learn that just reacting to life might have been more successful. The cosmos, even our little human corner of it, is just too complex and magnificently layered to be controlled by logic or astrology.
      Here’s a small, mild illustration: this morning I woke and realized the Moon was in the zodiac’s best degree (of 360) for wealth and monetary success, from about 10 a.m. to noon. (It’s here for two hours every 28 days.) So I started investigating all sorts of sources: went to my investment site, to recent real estate offerings, called people, tried to make up my mind. I just couldn’t “feel” which investment was best. Finally, I did almost nothing. Now, if I’d woken and known nothing about astrology, I might at least have done something useful during those two hours – and perhaps even struck it rich! I call this the “anticipation problem.”
      I long ago learned to avoid running home to draw the chart of a new woman I’d met, because many instances had taught me that when you do the chart you almost never win the girl. It’s simply the difference between, on the one hand, desire, intuition and assertion working naturally together in a seamless, successful flow, versus intellectually studying the situation – and her chart, her “representation” rather than she herself, and asking all sorts of questions: is this compatible, or – and that, is that compatible? Should I worry about this aspect? So on one side, action steeped in the warm arms of nature; on the other, dithering and intellectualizing while wrapped in the cold arms of examination: a sure-fire way to fail in love.
      It’s almost as if Nature dislikes being examined too closely, and especially dislikes those who attempt to stand above her. There used to be a theory that creative people, writers and artists, were “punished” by God, because they were trying to usurp his role (of creating). I don’t subscribe to this theory, but there’s a whiff of truth about it. I suspect the real truth is that creativity takes one “out of life,” just as astrology does. Emile Zola, the French novelist, once went walking nude in the streets just after finishing his latest work – he had forgotten that he wasn’t dressed. Tolstoy remarked that he felt lost and disoriented when he finished a work. The real problem with creativity, if it is a problem, is that it takes you out of life, suspends you somewhere in a land without connections, even to loved ones. Then, when the fine trance ends, the creator is alienated. Astrology, in a sense, performs the same “removal.” Many of us would be wise just to live. (And many wise people do!)


Start Nothing: Before 11:15 p.m. Sun., 2:01 p.m. Mon. to 11:40 a.m. Wed., and 2:21 a.m. Fri. to 0:43 a.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
The accent remains on lifestyle changes, health diagnoses, research, investments, debt, resources owned in tandem with others, sexual desires, agent work, therapy, psychology, occultism, dreams and subconscious urges. You stand at the fulcrum of your life this week and the next two – from here, you can make changes that will turn your whole life. You attract attention Sunday, but with little result. Possessions, spending, earning, and sensual bonds draw you Monday/Tuesday. Caution best. Errands, trips, communications fill midweek. Family, Saturday. Be cautious all week.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
The emphasis remains on relationships, negotiations, agreements, dealings with the public, relocation, potential fame, and opportunities in general. This zone is mildly lucky (more correctly, mildly protective toward you) for many months to come. Now to 2014, the worst thing you can do is withdraw or become independent and self-centric (i.e., reject relationships). Remember this Monday/Tuesday, when your energy surges, but “working in tandem” yields more rewards than independence. Rest, Sunday. Chase money, Wednesday onward: it’s the birth of profit! Practice work safety.

Gemini   May 21-June 20
The weeks ahead emphasize work, health, and dependents. Unchanging tasks bore you; you thrive on variety. However, there might be little workplace variety now to late 2015, so plod onward. (Most of 2013, 14 and 15 will not focus on work – just Novembers.) In general, this area is benevolent, protected to 2015 – and even beyond. You might find your work has a direct connection to investment, debt, or another’s resources; that research aids your progress; and that your actual work changes in a deep and meaningful way. You’re weary Monday/Tuesday; you bounce back Wednesday-Friday.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Your home life grows more affectionate for three weeks. Romance, love of children, beauty, art, crafts, pleasure, adventure, vacations, speculation, sports and winning fill the month ahead. Events will proceed slowly but grow deeply in this zone now to late 2015. Love’s very likely! Sunday puts pressure on you, from authorities, bosses or parents. Your hopes climb Monday/Tuesday – popularity, social joys, light romance and entertainment bring a celebration atmosphere. Avoid illusion (and alcohol) around work, health. Retreat, contemplate Wednesday to Friday. You shine Saturday.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
The accent rests on home, security, hibernation (deep naps) children, garden, nutrition, retirement plans and life’s basics, now to late November. This area is protected, beneficial, yet slow and a bit restrictive, for several years ahead. You might start working at home, or find your home causes work. (Both okay.) A gentle, affectionate mood buoys Sunday. But work, ambition, and dealing with higher-ups fill Monday/Tuesday. Be cautious here, especially of your own motives. Celebration, happy friends, light romance and optimism greet you Wednesday to Friday. New (quirky) love possible!

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
The weeks ahead bring communications, errands, short trips, and casual but “heavy” friends – and details, reports, paperwork. This whole area will be beneficial but slow until late 2015. A casual friend might become a lover, even a spouse. Sunday features depths, mysteries, sexual urges and financial desires: but nothing significant happens, so make it fun. (E.g., see a seductive film.) A wise, gentle mood steals over you Monday/Tuesday – but avoid illusion and “tempting goals.” Your ambitions, career, and relations with higher-ups fill mid-late week. Drive carefully Saturday.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
You’ve been energetic and magnetic the past few weeks, and travel has brought you to a potential mate (if you’re single: potential business partner if you’re attached). But deep talks and affection have been missing. Now through mid-November you are likely to draw serious sensual attention and happy talks. Otherwise the month ahead emphasizes earnings and purchases – things will be slow but supportive here, to late 2015. You might buy property. Sunday’s exciting but yields little. Monday/Tuesday: sex, finances. Wednesday to Friday brings love, compassion, travel, higher learning.

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Your energy, charisma and effectiveness are high and strong, Scorpio – take advantage. Start projects, seek favours, propose methods, systems, see and be seen. You are feeling (perhaps very slightly) more sober, serious and cautious – this will last for three years. So start projects carefully, with planning and foresight. You’ll get done what needs doing. Despite your heightened charisma, love partnerships might elude you. This is a “warning” not to marry (nor form a business partnership) before February 2014 (hints Monday/Tuesday). Finances, sexual urges arise Wednesday-Friday.

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec 21
Retreat, rest, contemplate and plan for the next few weeks, Sage. Seek spiritual elevation, show charity (or apply for it if in need) and deal with government and large corporations. Despite weariness, you are facing a strong social, hopeful and communicative trend, and you’re still feeling romantic and feisty. Don’t wear yourself out. Sunday’s for pleasure. Tackle chores Monday/Tuesday, but don’t expand your “chore role.” Relationships come front and centre Wednesday to Friday: this could bring a new partnership prospect, as well as some challenges. “Unquiet depths,” Saturday.

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Social joys, popularity, optimism, light romance, entertainment and group events fill the weeks ahead, Cap. Rest Sunday. Deep romance, creativity, self-expression, adventure, beauty and pleasure (and gambler’s risks) attract you Monday/Tuesday, but be careful, wary of your own motives. Tackle chores Wednesday to Friday – and practice safety Thursday. Saturday brings relationships, but mostly in the form of challenge, snarkiness and hidden enmity. Be diplomatic, distant. Higher-ups favour you now to late November – success looms IF you avoid secrets, gossip and collusion.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
The weeks ahead accent career, status and prestige relations. The pressure is on, higher-ups are watching, perhaps testing you – but you’ll pass. This entire ambition zone will evolve very slowly over the next three years, but it’s also buoyant, protects you, for the year and a half ahead. If seeking employment, approach government, large corporations and institutions. You legal, higher learning, cultural and far travel interests meet good luck now to late November. You’ve been socializing more than usual in October: this intensifies for three weeks, and could spark a love affair.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Now to late November, a gentle, compassionate mood slows through you. (Yes, slows – that’s a slow flow.) Higher learning, publishing, far travel, legal affairs, weddings and other cultural rituals prove satisfying, productive. These matters will move slowly for several years, but they will also be protected, beneficial. In them, you might find a doorway to your future (e.g., enter college) or a link to a great group. Your finances, investments grow nicely – or present a sweet opportunity – to late November. Bosses and parents, already testy, now get vocal – grin and bear it!


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


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