ASTRAL REFLECTIONS APRIL 20 - 26, 2003 BY TIM STEPHENS All dates/times are PST. Okay, come on, it's pretty hypocritical for Canada, France, Germany, the U.N. et al to now proclaim the Iraqi war a good thing, and "wish we were there, guys," and all that. It's rather amusing watching these sly guys slink back to the American side. On the other hand, singularly amongst these nations of multi-layered motives, I can understand Canada's position. After 9/11, thousands of Canadians bussed to New York to hold a sympathy rally in Times Square. Canada sent the first troops into combat alongside Americans in Afghanistan - long before the British arrived. Both were an expression of friendship, a simple urgent rescue sentiment. But in his war-rally speech after 9/11, when Bush listed all his nation's friends, the word Canada was not to be heard. It was a deep and telling affront. It was scorning your wife for the mistress. It was your best friend not picking you for his team in the baseball lot. It was being told that, when the chips are down, your name's forgotten. And it probably was a deep turning point in Canada-U.S. relations. Shortly after that speech, a Canadian aristocrat said Bush looked "nervous and afraid" on September 11 - a major put-down in the land where beer, bears and brawls are the mark of manhood. After that first remark, Bush-bashing grew like wildfire. Canadian political staffers publicly called Bush a moron and cabinet ministers voiced such epithets as "those ****** Americans." It wasn't a moral judgment, it wasn't a political judgment, it certainly wasn't good sense. It was merely anger. The anger of hurt. Now someone should apologize and make up. Not the Canadian business people who are already denouncing their government for the sake of a buck. No, I think...I think America should apologize. Because it's bigger. Because the insult came from Bush. Because Canada was truly browned-off. That said, give America its due. The conquering of Iraq was accomplished with a surprising minimum of bloodshed and destruction. (Ironically, the number of Iraqi dead roughly equals the toll from the 9/11 attack.) America has severed a tyrant who committed genocide and tortured many. American soldiers (hopefully) have brought the basis for freedom to 17 million Iraqis. Ironically too, Bin Laden's 9/11 venture has wrought far more disaster upon his own cronies than he ever anticipated. (For millionaire Laden's true cronies are the Saddams, the crown princes and dictators of the Middle East, not the poor masses.) Start Nothing: 6:02 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. Sun., 5:40 a.m. to 11:58 p.m. Tues., and 11:18 p.m. Thurs. to 8:02 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 The month ahead features spending, earning, possessions, memory, and casual sensuality. These zones are blessed for the two years ahead, so any moves you make to increase your participation can pay off nicely as the months go by. (E.g., seek a pay raise, increase your client base, etc.) Act now, Monday, not next week. Remember, investment, large finances and debt growth are well avoided for 20 months. Your physical allure grows into mid-May - you'll attract a "serious suitor." Social delights grow too, Wednesday/Thursday -- and into mid-June! Rest Friday/Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Your energy, verve, charisma, clout and sense of well-being surge to a yearly high now through late May! But I haven't mentioned effectiveness - because April 26 to May 19 will also bring indecision, especially in money, earnings, spending, sexual, romantic, artistic/creative, teaching, speculative and raising children zones. DON'T start new ventures in these areas (and don't buy "beautiful things") before May 20. Continue to work with on-going situations/projects - protect them from mistakes. Good things from the past might come - including an old flame. For eight weeks, avoid career "temper." Gemini May 21-June 20 Lie low, rest, retreat, avoid competitive situations now through late May. You'll feel tired, befuddled, indecisive. Your intellect, however, will be excited by new hopes and horizons now to mid-June. You might want to marry, or travel afar. Avoid legal hassles. This is NOT a good time to tackle projects needing co-operation, personal clout, accurate details, or timeliness. You will benefit from just floating back, from contemplation, meditation, red tape, charity, spirituality, institutions. Now to mid-May, you'll feel a sweet social link, or enjoy a flirtation. Invest Monday. Cancer June 21-July 22 The month ahead features social delights, optimism, wishes, plans for the future, flirtations, light romance and entertainment. Join groups for fun; network in your career. This general arena is blessed for 20 months ahead, so plunge in now (Monday best.) From Friday through May 19, though, you'd be wiser to steer toward old friends, former flames, or on-going social plans, rather than trying to initiate new ventures. An old wish, perhaps a forgotten one, will come true. (If Monday, it could signal a revived relationship.) Understanding, mellowness come Friday/Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The month ahead accents ambitions, career, prestige, dealings with authorities, and parenting roles. These are blessed until December 2004, so plunge in - but into ventures/projects which are already started, or which might return from the past. (E.g., an old boss might telephone, offering a former good position). Monday is best for new or old work projects. Relationships surprise you Wednesday/Thursday - and will for the next eight weeks. Love or anger can spring up - anger could be love's disguise. Weddings, contracts, love, far travel, education attract until mid-May - think first! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The month ahead emphasizes love, weddings, foreign countries, far travel, education, media and publishing, law, religion, philosophy. This area is blessed for you now through late 2004, so you can safely wander in - but until May 20, you might be wiser to wander into projects already started, or loves from the past, former foreign haunts, etc. If an old flame appears, he/she has a message of wisdom for you. (Whether spoken or not). Monday/Tuesday are romantic, creative. Work mid-week. Relationships attract, mystify Friday/Saturday. Your finances improve, now to mid-May. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Deep changes and consequences await you in the four weeks ahead. Many of these will simply "happen" - will be the result of former choices, or might occur from an accidental meeting with an old flame, or be triggered by an old investment choice. In finances, sex, lifestyle changes, research and commitments, don't be afraid to remain indecisive - DO be afraid to commit impulsively. This week starts two months of romantic courage, and, for singles, marriage urges. You might mate. All Librans gain from co-operation, reaching out, partnering, until mid-May. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Marriage, partnership, co-operation, opposition and challenge, opportunities, contracts, litigation, relocation, dealings with the public, fame - notice that all these are really one thing: "you and them?" In the month ahead, you'll feel very indecisive about these areas - for instance, should you marry, sign that contract, litigate, move to Africa? The entire you-them area is blessed for 20 months IF you accent them, not you. So do relocate, co-operate, reach out. But until May 20, reach out to past people and opportunities. Work's happy, four weeks. Home's tense, eight weeks. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The month ahead steers you toward work, dependents, niggling details, health and physical labor. (Start chores Monday.) These areas not only demand doing, they also bless you, for 20 months. Some old, incomplete or former tasks return until May 20 - these are the most important. (Avoid starting new jobs, ventures, and DO NOT purchase new machinery, Tuesday through May 19.) Romantic sweetness, artistic talents, happiness with children arrive now through May 16. For eight weeks ahead, you'll be restless, want to travel, chatter, waste time - drive and talk slowly. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Romance, talents, beauty, vacation, speculation, raising and teaching kids, seeking the pleasure of the moment (and of love) - these fill the month ahead (and bless you until 2005). Until May 19, the best comes from the past: old flames, old art works, former talents resurfacing, former gambles paying off, etc. (Don't start new gambles, loves or creative ventures.) Bosses, parents and authorities favor you until May 16. Money flows to you for eight weeks, but you'll also be prone to spend unwisely - bank it! Rest Sunday. Your charisma surges Monday/Tuesday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Many Aquarians e-mailed me to question/complain about my "karmic forecast" for the 20 months to December 2004. I advised against changing careers but wrote that those who retired or sold a business would be lucky. Readers called this a contradiction. Well, it isn't. Changing careers or switching firms is not the same as retiring. The crux is this: any "prestige" career started now will be disappointing. But retirement, kids, home, real estate - these will bless. One important thing: a "survival job" is fine - no worries here - change or start. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Writing, talking, driving, trips, paperwork, details - these are accented for the month ahead. They're also confused, but subtly blessed. Details might go awry, schedules be broken, phone lines be crossed - but somehow it favors you. For instance, you could take the wrong freeway exit, and wind up somewhere better. Still, don't tempt fate - don't start new ventures in communications, media, travel or paperwork. This week starts one month of money luck, and two months of money planning. Until mid-June, protect your physical person - avoid dark alleys. You shine, Friday/Saturday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/