ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
JANUARY 19 - 24, 2003

	All times/dates are PST.
	Saw a January article by one of the big internet pundits, on CNBC or whatever, which began, somewhat red-faced: "9 of my 2002 stock picks were wrong..." You have to admire the guy's honesty.
	In the same vein, I should revisit my 2002 Yearly Forecast article, in which I said there'd be a speculative rise in the market ("perhaps even to 2001 highs") from August 2002 onward, then a winter or spring '03 correction. I was wrong. I withdrew that bullish forecast in May, and called for a new, improved despair. I said the Dow should eventually sink to 4500-6000 but that, on the way down, if it hit 7400, "I'd nibble on stocks." As it happened, the Dow hit 7400 in October, and those who nibbled have made a handsome profit. (Those who gobbled have since retired in golden castles.) In November, warned you to watch for a pull-back. It happened, late November through December, the DOW falling from 9000 to 8300. Now what?
I still think a Dow 6000 and below is possible, due to several factors. First, present valuations are terrible. If you bought a typical stock today, it would take that company 18 to 20 years just to earn enough to pay you back. Isn't that a little long to wait?  Consider that we rode a Dow bubble from 776 points in 1982, to 11,700 in the year 2000. At our present level, 8,600, I don't think we've fully deflated that bubble. (Even 6000 won't fully deflate it - by logic, the Dow should dip to under 1,000 - but I don't want to be a fear-monger.) We haven't fully abandoned the bubble for two reasons: 1) Jupiter in Leo until August has put us in a gambling mood; and 2) many large companies continue to hide their losses. For example, one of the biggest U.S. telephone companies recently reported earnings of over $ 300 million, when it actually lost over $ 1 billion. In a perfectly legal move, it counted its pension shortfall - money it owes - as a profit!
On the plus side, the planets say the industrial, transportation and telephony economies are about to revive (technically, April onward, but you should see this happening already). It's possible that the economy grows and profits rise so much that present stock valuations eventually make sense - so we'll never see a Dow under 7000. But I wouldn't bet my life on it. By June, restrictive Saturn moves into America's heartland, and by September lucky Jupiter moves into analytical Virgo. We'll abandon our gambler's mood for a twelve-month "reality check." Gold will dim, houses will grow heavier (as in sinking prices, mortgage weights.) I'd be cautious, ride the rallies. DON'T buy typical equity mutual funds, unless you like sticking your neck in a noose. 

Start  Nothing: 5:46 a.m. to 10:32 a.m. Mon., 1:34 a.m. to 1:23 p.m. Wed., and 11:48 a.m. to 4:09 p.m. Fri.

Aries   March 21-April 19
A happy month begins! Social delights, groups, optimism, wishes coming true, bright new plans for the future - all rush in. A powerful attraction looms, too - it's romantic Sunday but slightly different Wednesday afternoon to Friday, something less "sweet" yet more vibrant -a true attraction between equals, a "marriage vibe." If you're already married and faithful, this influence morphs into a business or public opportunity. Ride a practical horse Monday through Wednesday noon - proceed carefully, as many small frustrations exist. Reject investments, secrets, lust, and lifestyle commitments Saturday. 

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Tackle a property, family, agriculture/garden, soul or security matter Sunday, one that somehow involves the past, a past action. Progress looks great (and continues almost without your effort, into Monday or Tuesday). Monday kicks off four weeks of career emphasis - you'll meet more prestigious people. You'll also have to live up to the demands of parents, bosses, judges, etc. Start your "success campaign" Wednesday night into Friday noon. Seek new employment, or start making firm, quiet steps to negotiate a pay raise, to land new clients, to increase your company's production, etc.

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Write, travel, contact others, handle paperwork Sunday - success is certain! Your actions could trigger a very pleasing answer or small event by Monday. The month ahead features success in higher education, international travel/dealings, religion, philosophy (of life), advertising, publishing, social rituals, mellowness, and, perhaps, love. Be understanding, tolerant. Realize good partners are NOT going to enter your life before April - but that's no reason to not appreciate your attraction of the moment - especially Wednesday afternoon to Friday, when romance, creativity and pleasure soar! Take care of "home problems" Monday-Wednesday.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Other peoples' hesitation continues into mid-week. Then relationships - and the horizon in general - begin to clear. Be cautious about work - avoid starting a new project, new employment, before January 29. Monday kicks off a month of secrets, investigation, subconscious urges, high finance, investments, sexual lusts, lifestyle changes, health diagnosis. These areas have been "supercharged" since 1995, but by March they will settle down for decades. Sunday's lucky for money. Be cautious in speech, driving, Monday to Wednesday. Home, family, security zones bless you Wednesday p.m. to Friday. Romance whispers Saturday.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
You've had a challenging seven years in relationships. If single, you've met the eccentric and the stubborn. If married, your mate has grown increasing unpredictable. Yet it's been an invigorating time, too - and you just might have met your true mate! The month ahead brings both a climax and an end to this intense relationship period. So grab opportunities in relationships, love, public-fame, and business zones. But wait until after January 29 to take legal, travel, and document signing actions. You're impressive Sunday! Money problems Monday-Wednesday. Good communications Wednesday-Friday.

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
You "sail with destiny" Sunday - a superb time to visit a psychic, attend church, volunteer, or rest and contemplate. Monday starts a month of work and health concerns. These have grown very intense the last seven years, held many surprises and "switches." You'll return to normalcy here from March into the 2020's.  But one last surprise, one last change or significant action awaits you now into February - it could permanently alter your "financial platform." Use your rising energy to solve problems Monday-Wednesday. Money's lucky Wed. eve -Friday! Saturday's chatty.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Your hopes soar Sunday - you see a bright future, and the aspects say you should believe in it! But pull back Monday through early afternoon Wednesday - you're tired, and problems multiply. Don't compete/fight with anyone. ("Hidden events" will keep your hopes alive.) Though Monday also starts a month of heightened romance, creativity, pleasure and dealings with kids, it doesn't kick successfully into gear until Wednesday p.m. through Friday noon, when your energy and magnetism attract people, lovers and opportunities. Charge after something important. Your winning streak is just beginning! 

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Advance your career Sunday - meet VIPs, sneak into an expensive golf course, strut at your local restaurant, etc. (But go to church, too!) Your optimism, friendliness and general joy rise Monday to Wednesday, but events are problematical - ah, well, most of those problems belong to other people. Weariness sets in Wednesday p.m. to Friday - but your luck climbs to a profitable, productive high in governmental, spiritual, institutional and administrative zones. Your energy, charisma return Saturday. The month ahead emphasizes home, family, property, security - take daily naps, rest deeply.

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Wisdom, a mellow understanding mood, perhaps even love visit you Sunday. Go to church or find a philosophical discussion/book. (Or an atlas - I'm serious.) Your career comes front-and-center Monday to Wednesday: you can accomplish much, if you keep the larger (legal, ethical, international?) picture in mind, and try not to force co-operation from others. Your hopes soar Wednesday p.m. to Friday - flirtations, wishes - both come true! Make peace with someone you've slighted, and you'll "remake" a friendship! Retreat to a restful solitude Friday eve, Saturday. A busy month looms.

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Invest, change your lifestyle, investigate, or express your lust for someone - all these are lucky Sunday, and you have the "presence" to pull them off. Now, you might later wonder if you should have done what you did - but I'd do it anyway. Legal, media, far travel and educational concerns meet barriers Monday to Wednesday: go slow. Monday begins a month of heightened money focus. Chase that money when your career, ambitious goals and VIP relations hit a lucky streak Wednesday eve to Friday noon. Your optimism rises Saturday.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
You're under the weather Sunday, but a nice opportunity might occur - involves a sunny, generous, demonstrative person. Show love to your spouse, co-operation to your associates - don't fight. Results positive. DO NOT invest, lust, pry into secrets, gossip, nor change your lifestyle nor visit a psychic Monday to Wednesday noon: successes are few, problems deep. Monday starts a month of rising energy, clout, charisma and effectiveness for you - it begins in earnest Wednesday p.m. to Friday, when love, far travel, intellectual, legal and media concerns hit a lucky streak!

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Plunge into "waiting chores" Sunday (not new work/machinery projects) - you'll accomplish a great deal. Don't waste your time "being social." A month of quietude, relative solitude, of spirituality, rest, and contemplation begins Monday. Approach relationships with this "quiet" stance Monday through Wednesday noon, for they hold problems, disagreements. Your career, though, might hold a plum if you're diplomatic and don't push. Dive into research, investments, debt resolution, sexual intimacy, commitment, lifestyle change and/or health diagnosis Wednesday p.m. to Friday - results will please! Avoid opinionated discussions and legal matters Saturday.

www.astralreflections.com. E-mail: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337.

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