ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2004 

	All times/dates are Pacific Standard.
	Christmas Day, at least for North America, is largely filled with a void-of-course Moon. (That's what the "Start Nothing" times below are based on.) A v/c Moon is probably the worst time for starting any new project, but it is the best time for resting, dreaming and "chilling out." Void-of-course moons are Nature's own variable, cyclical Sundays, Sabbaths, Days of Assembly, etc. - a time of spiritual contemplation. So this Christmas should be a highly spiritual, thoughtful time for all of us.
	In fact, all of us will spend much of 2005 in deep thought about love, personality, creativity and learning, law and the international situation. We'll pause to assess our progress over the last half-decade. A new or former love could loom for many of us_. 
	Words from my December 21, 2003 column preamble: "Jupiter indicates strong job growth for the year ahead." Any economist will tell you, that sure came true. Another prediction in that column, "bountiful crops for farmers," also occurred overall, I think.
	From December 14/03: the stock markets have reached "a durable and strictly bound top." Since that December a year ago, the Dow Jones has declined four times, and risen four times - but it hasn't reached above that December/03/January/04 level.  
	From my "Year Ahead" in January 2004: "The stock markets might threaten to crash, especially in late March or April (and August)_down, then up again_some brave people will make a fortune." Again using the Dow, late March and August both brought new yearly lows, then bounced back up for nice gains. 
	On 9/11: "We're in for a long ground war." On the eve of the invasion of Iraq: "Iraq will become a long ground war."  
	One of my favorite newspapers, Canada's Financial Post, ran a story December 6 saying Stephen Roach, a much-respected head economist of Morgan Stanley investment bank, "fears an apocalypse could loom, sparked by the U.S. dollar's collapse_. On the heels of such a debacle, he says, the U.S. stock and bond markets, the domestic housing market, and ultimately the _ global economy could go into free fall." I erected a horary chart for the minute I first saw this article. The chart indicates the news is old. (I.e., Mr. Roach's mind is "re-running" the 1987 or the 2000/01 crashes, overlaying them on the present/future.) But this chart also indicates an intelligent, almost clairvoyant speaker (Roach) and holds an 8th house Saturn, hinting that a seed of restriction, hard times, and belt tightening is "hiding" in events, and will emerge to demand its due in its own good time - a later "apocalypse," I think, than Mr. Roach fears_.


Start Nothing: 9:16 p.m. to 9:52 p.m. Mon., 5:41 a.m. to 8:32 a.m. Thurs., and 5:30 a.m. to 8:38 p.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
At last, the hold-ups and confusions of the past few weeks end. You can shop now (Sunday night onward) for gifts or necessities. Importantly, delays end in legal, educational, far travel, cultural, wedding, publishing, advertising, and similar zones. What's "sprung" in these areas Sunday through Tuesday, could have "wealth" written on it! So might an agreement you reach Friday. Of these times, be wary Tuesday before 2 p.m. (PST). The month ahead holds a double-banger: your career grows important, and love grows, period. Chase money Wednesday. Avoid upsets Thursday.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Delays and mistakes end, especially in investment, debt, sexual, health, and "lifestyle commitment" areas. You could make growth-oriented, lucky investments or financial/lifestyle changes Sunday, Monday after 2 p.m. (PST), Tuesday, and Friday. Love blossoms in the month ahead - if an affair begins on one of the days just mentioned, it could lead to wealth. (Don't enter for that reason, though, unless you want a lifetime of "paying for it.") Beware haste and impulsiveness in finances Saturday through early February. Be restful Sunday/Monday. Your energy, magnetism and effectiveness soar Tuesday/Wednesday.

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Delays and mix-ups end - this particularly affects relationships, negotiations, contracts, marriage, relocation, permissions and dealings with the public.  A venture that you or another start in these areas Sunday, Monday after 2 p.m., Tuesday, or Friday - for example, forming an agreement, signing a contract, launching a public project - could lead to wealth. A wish might come true Sunday/Monday. Rest and contemplate Tuesday/Wednesday. Your energy, magnetism surge Thursday (abrupt dislocations) and Friday (seek success in love, relating, creativity, career, travel, publishing, law, education). Big changes, investments, intimacy and attraction lie ahead!

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Obstructions, missed tools, co-workers not showing up, supply shortages - these and other delays ebb now, leaving you free to pursue new projects in the weeks ahead, especially involving work, machinery, co-workers/employees, and health matters. Read Gemini's message for "wealth-creating days." Co-workers, pleasant for the short term, will grow testy next week through early February. The same period will double the work demands on you - and might lead to a change or adjustment in your career by late January. Meanwhile, the few weeks ahead promote relationships, agreements, contracts and relocation. Be flexible, agreeable, loving - and smart!

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Delays end in romantic, creative, speculative and teaching areas. Pursue at least one of these through February - especially this Sunday, late Monday, Tuesday and Friday, when you could create more of a success than you expect (and perhaps in an area you didn't expect). Your main focus in the four weeks ahead will be on work, employment, service people, dependents, pets, and health. Don't overdo these, for they hold no unusual rewards. Sunday/Monday are wise, loving. Be ambitious Tuesday/Wednesday. Popularity, optimism and flirtation fill Thursday/Friday - a wish comes true!

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
The four weeks ahead bring romance, beauty, pleasure, a speculative urge, creative talents, and the joys of children. You'll ride a winning streak! But impatience to taste life's pleasures could make you temperamental on the home front (or trigger your mate's anger) right into early February. Approach real estate cautiously - invest, if at all, before January 9. (December 19, after 2 p.m. December 20, all 21st, and the 24th, open a possible door to wealth in food/shelter things: furniture, real estate, hotels, cafes, farms, etc.) Friday brings career, parenting luck!

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
The month ahead accents home, family, nutrition, security, retirement, real estate and Mother Nature. You'll enter a sluggish "hibernation mode." Use this slow-down to heal family and your soul, and to contemplate your life - where you are, where you want to go; who belongs in your life and who doesn't; which projects/situations belong, which don't. You'll take two significant short trips, perhaps to make a deal, meet a mate, or "look over" a new domicile. Relationships, travel, education and/or legalities represent "riches" Sunday, late Monday, Tuesday and Friday!

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
The month ahead emphasizes paperwork, communications, siblings and casual friends, short trips, details. Don't scatter your energy. Make lists, stick to priorities. Your curiosity will rise. Delays end in money areas, and the action heats up for a six-week period. You'll make more, but you'll need to put a lock and key on your spending impulses. You could take a lucrative step Sunday, Monday after 2 p.m. (PST), Tuesday or Friday. (Friday especially favors an investment or a pay-down on debt, research, a confidential agreement, or intimacy with someone.) 

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Your indecision ends this week. You feel good about things. By next week, through February, your determination and assertiveness will be a wonder to behold. You're physically and emotionally attractive now to early January - this will help you succeed in relationships - marriage, business, public interfacing, etc. You could attract a significant, serious mate! Any career or relationship actions you take (or projects you start in these zones) Sunday, after 2 p.m. Monday, and Tuesday or Friday, could open a door to wealth! Sunday's romantic. Friday brings a lucky meeting!

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Your energy, charisma and effectiveness rise solidly over the four weeks ahead. You'll be handling matters that stymied you over the past month - governmental or institutional links, spiritual and charitable involvements, security-oriented investments, or background "deals" and heavy work obligations. Any of these could succeed powerfully Sunday, late Monday, Tuesday and Friday - and all of them will keep you busy to some degree through January. Take a deep rest, or put your projects on a solid foundation Sunday/Monday, then charge ahead Tuesday - for a month! Ask favors, start important projects.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
The month ahead causes a split - you'll be tired, ready for a nice long contemplative rest, but your social life percolates, people want you to attend, some want to flirt, etc. You'll have to balance these two trends. Get lots of rest. A group effort, committee meeting, political, entertainment, union, investment club or similar "gathering" could put you on the road to eventual affluence Sunday, late Monday, Tuesday or Friday. Talk, travel,  make contact with everyone Sunday/Monday. Rest mid-week; cater to family members. Romance, pleasure hit a lucky streak Friday!

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
A wish could come true over the month ahead. Your optimism and popularity will soar; flirtations will visit singles. Delays end this week in career, parenting, ambitious projects and dealings with authorities. These areas will intensify now into early February - you could gain a pay raise, or put yourself in line for a promotion, especially Sunday, late Monday (after 2 p.m. PST), Tuesday and Friday! (Friday's complex - your luck is hidden, or demands an "investment," or involves expanding your territory.) Don't "test" or otherwise displease authorities Saturday into February 6.


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


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