ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 18 - 24, 2004 All times/dates are Pacific Standard. Several readers have asked what I mean by "VIP." It means "very important person." I use it wherever you might be dealing with a parent, a boss, an authority figure, or someone important to your more worldly ambitions - such as an important client. I don't mean the person has to be listed in Who's Who. Thanks to readers who wrote in saying cattle are ruled by Taurus (and/or the lunar north node in Taurus). This makes great sense - cattle have thick, Taurean necks, and are mellow, strong creatures. But anyone who knows a Taurean person can see that this sign's fortunes have been steadily rising/recovering over the last few months, whereas cattle (and their price) have been falling due to BSE. The troubles of cows, these days, look very Gemini to me: health problems, relationship problems, devalued worth on the market.... The "book" on Gemini says this sign is superficial, quick, bored easily, flirtatious and communicative. Much of this is true. Gemini will often flit superficially from light subject to light subject - say, at a dinner conversation. But underneath, he's observing your every move, every slight change in your brow. That Gemini who's skipping through light conversation is doing so, often, from an inner tension - or because it allows him to simultaneously examine other ideas while "keeping you busy." Many times, Gemini doesn't share these inner thoughts because a) he can't quite express them, b) they pass too quickly for him to share, or c) from a simple respect for your dignity. That respect for your dignity arises from Gemini's natural ability as a human lie detector. This sign usually senses much more about your mood, your thoughts, and your private life than you'd be comfortable with. He/she knows where the skeletons are buried. Sometimes he'll slip a reference into the conversation, but usually, being a social creature, this sign will opt to "support the surface chatter" ...Until he slips away. Gemini is very quick to leave a room of people, and does it almost without being noticed. He dislikes sameness, boring conversation, or repetitive tasks. This sign needs variety, fresh air and fresh faces. If you want to wilt a Gemini, lock him up. Scorpio, the human researcher and investigator par excellence, finds Gemini puzzling and sexy. When this sign is happy, his/her conversation turns witty. Mature Geminis are almost always happy when there are children to talk to. Capricorn is born old but grows younger as years pass. Gemini retains youthfulness even into old age, except when confined. Gemini loves Aquarians and Librans (and vice versa). Start Nothing: 7:58 p.m. Sun. to 10:24 a.m. Mon., 9:34 p.m. Tues. to 11:10 a.m. Wed., and 1:33 a.m. to 1:29 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Your hopes rise, along with your popularity and joy of living! January has given you a new determination, helped you turn a corner in your life. Now through late February, you "round the bend" of that corner - you can see your future clearly. Charge toward it! Friendships, career and your relations with parents and VIPs are favored. But home factors could be restrictive; you could see relocation, marriage, love or a mate as uncertain or limiting. But almost everything worthwhile in life is built on co-operation of some kind. Taurus April 20-May 20 The weeks ahead emphasize ambitions, career, prestige, and relations with parents, other authority figures. For seven years ahead, these matters will be much easier to handle than they have been for a long time. Jump eagerly into new career trends, especially if they involve a group, entertainment or public/social angle. Sunday's mysterious, contains valuable "hidden info." You're mellow, wise Monday/Tuesday - new friends, new investments and intimate relationships succeed! You could step into a whole new career horizon/project Wednesday afternoon (better after Thursday) to Saturday, and again in late February. Gemini May 21-June 20 An important week. Your hopes (and social connections) slide smoothly together with a mate, an opportunity, public dealings, a contract, or a relocation project. Your ambitions fit together, too, with a desire to stabilize your earnings/income (or to make a serious purchase). Put these all together, and you've got success! Your income, and love life, could be assured for years as a result. However, investment, sexual, lifestyle change or deep health factors might "fight" your income stability, or careless spending might erode your financial growth. Career changes late week. Cancer June 21-July 22 Tackle chores Sunday, partly so you'll be free of them Monday/Tuesday, when many relationships, exciting meetings and opportunities will arise. You could meet a stable, affectionate potential partner. The weeks ahead bring deep changes to your life, through sexual, financial, or health agents. You can zoom in on these changes Wednesday afternoon through Saturday, when you'll get a deep hint of what, how - and with whom - these changes loom. Early week, money is favored, especially if your career, a VIP, or a parent is involved. Travel, wisdom, love come Friday/Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Fresh faces, new horizons, new ideas and opportunities flow to you now to late February! You still have a bit of work to do Sunday to Tuesday - and there's a good stable investment or financial action waiting for you, also. But Sunday-Tuesday also carry the glimmer of a deep, swelling love. If you see it, nurture its profundity. If you share it, discuss wedding. Your creative, intellectual and travel projects hit a deep, "unobvious" success streak early week, also. Chase someone Thursday! Uncovered "secrets" lure you to profit Friday/Saturday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The four weeks ahead emphasize work and health. But this week, a social gathering could introduce you to someone cheerful, gracious, elusive and sweet. (This won't necessarily happen at night.) If you're single, this person could become a stable, loyal mate. If you're already involved, love deepens, stabilizes - talk with your loved one about a money, relocation, or intellectual project - or start it. A property, investment or family-change project meets success early week - pounce on it Sunday, about 5-6 p.m. (PST)! Tackle chores Wednesday-Friday. A new work project could begin. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Your "tied to home" phase ends mid-week. You escape a little early - Sunday - for a short trip or spontaneous meeting. But you're dragged back to property, family, soul and security matters Monday/Tuesday. Still, this whole week - and month ahead - triggers love, romance, and partnership success. That short trip or call Sunday could introduce a viable partner or opportunity. In business, seek an agreement. A midweek work/career action/promise will lead to a stable situation for you, perhaps for years, even decades. Romance, pleasure and speculation soar Wednesday-Friday. Tackle chores Saturday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 The weeks ahead thrust you in two directions. Part of you will grow sluggish, will seek security, comfort, home and property, soul and nature. Another part grows increasingly romantic, social, hopeful and charming. Both these paths are blessed and productive. You'll soon notice that seven years of stress and strain have lifted off your shoulders - you're about to enjoy the freedom and fruits that a calm outlook confer. Chase money Sunday. Sunday to Wednesday offer two special things: calm, stable love, and lucrative work. Be home Wednesday/Thursday. Romance, beauty Friday/Saturday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your energy remains high Sunday - tackle important ventures, start things, show people your style! The evening brings a romantic "moment." Romance looks good all early week, as the depth and inwardness, mystery and seriousness that's come into you this decade now lures someone on a subtle but powerful level. A real estate investment or debt rearrangement can put your family and finances in a stable, durable "safe place." These work best through Tuesday, and Friday eve, Saturday. Midweek promotes trips, calls, friendships, paperwork - these will grow for a month ahead. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Relax Sunday, think and plan - about family, real estate or retirement. Your vitality roars back Monday/Tuesday - seek favors, start projects, vie for attention! Through mid-week, your home and "red tape centers" are luckily in tune. It's a perfect time to apply for a government-sponsored mortgage or renovation grant, or for you rich folks to rent your office building to a government agency, etc. An affectionate friend "arrives" who could become much more (or who could open the door to an opportunity). Chase money Wednesday/Thursday - a month of "payoffs" is starting! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb.18 Your weariness and "confinement" dissolve. By midweek your energy and charisma surge upward - for a month. Friends and optimism fill Sunday. You might take a short trip, read/hear an important fact, or meet a casual friend - one of these points to your future (and your future status/career) in a significant, lucky way. This evolves further through Monday/Tuesday. (Rest, contemplate these two days.) Midweek helps you ensure or stabilize your wage picture, or buy a tool which will aid your income for a long time. Seek attention, be venturous Wednesday onward! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Money continues to flow. Be sure to save it. You have an unconscious urge to spend now through early February. This week offers two significant things: stable, enduring love, and a deep, lucky, perhaps "hidden" money-career link. But you might have to choose between love and friendship, between present pleasure and future prospects. Chase career Sunday. Social delights flow in Monday/Tuesday. Your tiredness midweek (Wednesday/Thursday) strikes a note for the month ahead: you'll be immersed in duties, charitable acts, contemplation and some sweet solitude. You're lucky Friday eve, Saturday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/