ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JULY 25 - 31, 2004 All times/dates are PDT. The Sun has entered Leo, sign of romance, chivalry, kings and rulers, managers, flowers, gold, Hollywood, glitz and self-expression. Leos love to gamble; they possess a naïve joy in life, a faith that their belief, their trust, will be rewarded. Leo is the most "living" sign. Whenever I feel the grey clouds of apathy or monotony drift over me, I welcome the sight of a Leo, bubbling with the desire for life. If I'd written this in the late 1980's or early 90's, almost no one would have believed me - certainly few Leos would have. From 1984 through 95 this sign underwent great challenges and upheavals - most of them involving relationships, home, and "soul." Only Leos who were alive and conscious in the 1939 to 1956 era - generally the years of WWII and Korea - can remember an upheaval of equal intensity. During both periods, this sign grew grim and humourless, angry and defensive, as it engaged in a struggle with destiny. But those hard times have passed, and Leo's troubled frown has slowly smoothed into a smile. It might take awhile yet (for Leo is slow to heal and slow to forgive the deepest injuries) but that smile will steadily grow to a beaming grin of natural, bright joy. Watch the Leo in your life - the bloom will unfold! Most Leos have enjoyed more money this year, and will until late September. This money isn't simple, though - Pluto, the planet that most deeply reflects destiny, has carved many cliffs and sudden drop-offs on Leo's money path. These dangers exist right into 2008. In a wee echo of the 1984-95 period, Leos have recently (since April 2003) faced temptations, delays, boredom or hard times in family, home, real estate and general food/shelter areas - and will through December 2004. During this time. Leos should not invest in real estate, hotels, agriculture stocks, furniture stores, etc. This picture will change dramatically in 2006, when Leo's domestic situations, real estate and food/shelter concerns will glow with luck and abundance. The wise Leo will wait until then. Many Leos meet true love in 2007. Since this is also a "9" year, this romance might well lead to a wedding. A love that forms during the first 8 months of that year will possess a strong durability. That's important, because 2007 will also hold at least one big surprise in sex and/or money - not a bad surprise, as long as you Leos remain "aware." Ensure that you don't fall in love with someone who's already married, and know and be comfortable with the finances of your amour - keep your money separate. (This advice actually applies for seven whole years - from the present through March of 2011.) Start Nothing: 3:48 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. Mon., 8:06 a.m. to 8:57 p.m. Wed., and 4:21 a.m. to 8:54 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 This week brings you a ticket to adventure - romance, pleasure, beauty, sports, self-expression - you choose! Mysteries and secrets arise strongly Sunday/Monday - so do deep desires, lusts or an urge to invest, to commit yourself. Be careful: the pitfalls are hidden, subtle and large. Your best mate is "the same but opposite" of the one who attracts you sensually Sunday. Love, wisdom and learning replace lust and secrets Monday night to Wednesday. Chase career Thursday, ask VIPs or your parents for a favor, a "chance." You could get it! Taurus April 20-May 20 In the weeks ahead, you'll contemplate life, love and your projects - who and what should stay in your life, and who/what should be discarded as stale or unworkable. Before you act on your conclusions, though, realize that you might change your mind later in August. Still, the next two weeks bring one definite family, domestic or property change, caused by anger, conflicting temperaments or the urgency of a project. That's okay, just don't do anything that will bind you to another, especially Sunday through Wednesday. Spend this week making money! Gemini May 21-June 20 Travel, communications, curiosity, friends and casual contacts fill the month ahead, yet secluded places draw you, too. You might return to old haunts. Clear up real estate, domestic or security tasks (especially involving travel or paperwork) by early August, before they sink into delay and confusion. (Don't start a big new property purchase or sale - or a major family adjustment - until September.) Be friendly, but keep your cool inner stillness. Beware dead-end jobs Sunday/Monday. Relationships help and hurt Tuesday/Wednesday - chose carefully. Chase intimacy or investments Thursday. Love, soaring thoughts Saturday! Cancer June 21-July 22 Focus on money, earnings, buying/selling, and possessions - money continues to flow in, but remain wary of spending. You're feeling healthier, your memory's good, and someone is quietly attracted to you. (See where this goes Thursday, when relationships offer lucky results.) Still, these are sober times. Spend your days building, rather than partying. Siblings, casual friends and co-workers continue to "get in touch." Tackle travel, paperwork and communications quickly, as they slow down and begin to run in circles in a week or two. Sunday's about love - and moral choice. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Don't get involved in a real estate or family situation/project Sunday/Monday - forget notions of security, retreat or withdrawal. You've just entered one of your bright times for personal radiance - get out, see and be seen, line up important interviews, contact significant people. Usually, I'd advise starting big new projects now, but details, money arrangements, communications, travel, paperwork and business will enter a slow-down, chaotic phase in early August to September 2. So avoid starting anything you can't finish in a few days. Romance, pleasure enter Tuesday. Money/work are lucky Thursday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Rest, lie low now through August 21. You have much to contemplate. Make plans or decisions this week, as August brings indecision, second-guessing, a fuzzy inability to see conditions clearly. For the two weeks ahead, your career and VIP relations continue to be protected. You've been tempted to invest in a "retreat" or a private financial deal. If you're going to do it, do it now (very early - predawn - Sunday morning, before 7 a.m. Wednesday, or anytime Thursday) or wait until September. That other temptation, lust, is best ignored. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The weeks ahead feature fun, entertainment, rising popularity, light romance, flirtation, optimism and joy! A wish could come true - perhaps in marriage, relocation or business agreement areas this week and next. Some Librans will meet the right mate! Your career and general duties have weighed on you mightily for the past year. These lighten briefly. August will bring praise or an "open door" signal from a higher-up. But August will also delay and confuse administrative, management and government-related tasks, so clear these up now. Make NO money agreements Sunday/Monday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your energy and charisma surge Sunday/Monday - use them to approach others. All 2004, your best pathway is toward others; your most destructive path is independence. The month ahead features prestigious situations, ambitions, and relations with bosses, parents, judges, etc. You'll gain if you keep you head low and work hard. A hot wire of temperament runs through these people until August 10 - don't trip on it! Investments, sweet intimacy, lifestyle changes, research - these continue to be favored for two weeks. Chase money Tuesday; pursue friends, money and happiness Thursday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 A mellow month of love, wisdom and mental expansion has begun. International travel, foreign cultures, higher learning and higher truths lie ahead. If single, you might marry, propose, or meet a future mate. The sooner the better - after August 9th (and really a few days before) confusion, delay and indecision enter all matters involving marriage, agreements, business, relocation, career, status, ambitions and social approval. Through 2009, unpredictable emotions and tensions will arise on the home front: consider this. Your energy, charisma soar Monday night to Wednesday - welcome someone's interest! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Depths, mysteries, subconscious urgings, research, diagnosis, health, finances, debt and investment, sexual intimacy, commitment and lifestyle changes - these arise importantly over the weeks ahead. Usually, you are very good at processing these deeper areas, lifting them up to the realm of logic, then acting on that logic. But your thinking and knowing side will "gum up" in August, making conclusions hard to reach - or erroneous. Legal, travel and educational zones will slow, also. So try to complete matters in all these areas now, or wait. You win, Thursday onward! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Until August 9, a new or ongoing association or opportunity takes the spotlight - the atmosphere is vibrant, sweet, good yet feisty, in love, business, relocation and dealings with the public. But after August 9th, either an important former association, or an important matter in your major present relationship(s) will return. This could be an old flame, but it could also be a lucky investment opportunity or business chance you missed in the past. Be wary in career Sunday/Monday. Joy arrives Tuesday/Wednesday! Pursue a secret plan, dig for data, Thursday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Toss laziness aside. August 9 to September 1, your work efforts will be frustrated. So "pre-do" chores, quickly and fully. Relationships, and your plans regarding relocation, business agreements/contracts or public dealings, will enter an indecisive, confused zone in August. So as much as you can, sign documents, shake hands or otherwise wrap up negotiations now. (Tuesday and Thursday are best for this.) Home life and realty dealings remain lucky this week and next. Someone new might enter your sphere now. Be ambitious Tuesday. Social joys come Thursday/Friday. Rest, Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/