ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS SEPTEMBER 11 - 17, 2005 All dates/times are PDT. Okay, forget it. I'm not going to talk about Katrina. Okay, one comment. It's accepted universally that there was a long, long, long delay in getting aid and food to the New Orleans survivors of Hurricane Katrina. (And what WAS Bush doing Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday? Smoking pot? And what were the army generals doing?) Many commentators have raised racism as the reason for the delay, since the marooned people were black and poor. I think elitism might be truer. But I suspect national depression is the deeper cause. A depression that has been brewing since 9/11, and probably follows the same timeline as the obesity epidemic. In an emotional depression, feelings of futility cause indecision and slow reactions. It's as if Katrina, like a gargantuan sorceress, blew into America and unleashed the huge, insidious beast of uncaring. In Katrina, America lost its enthusiasm, even to rescue its own citizens. But let's not blame Katrina. It was just the messenger, the storm that opened the door to America's soul, and found - a sluggish response. Typically, beneath uncaring there boils rage, impotence, grief and despair - and guilt and self-loathing. So these might exist, quiet and huge, beneath the well-fed American personality. The grief, rage and impotence are easily attributable to 9/11. But the guilt is more subtle. Perhaps it's the self-loathing of obesity, of knowing that one weighs 800 pounds, and sits on an 80-pound African or Asian and keeps eating up all the food and energy. After awhile, the heart's got to sigh with the sadness of success, the loneliness of that 800 pounds. It makes me sad to see it, because I'm part American. (I was born in Boston and raised in South Carolina, before being taken away as a boy. So I feel a strange recognition whenever I look at this great nation.) On a more astrological note, Louisiana's 30 April 1812 birth chart shows present-day Pluto (death and destruction, and the ruler of the letter "K") on the state's Moon (residences, water, homeland, money, food, security and "the populace"). This is a one-in-250 year "hit." (The chart for New Orleans - 10 February 1718 - shows no trauma whatsoever, so it must be wrong.) The Mississippi birth chart shows a more direct hit by Pluto on that state's Jupiter, Neptune, Mercury and Uranus than on Louisiana's Moon. I think Mississippi will actually, eventually, benefit from Katrina - perhaps in legal, international, and educational ways. (A university to be built? International tourism?) Many new "religions" will crop up. Alabama's birth chart shows a bigger and more direct hit from Pluto/Katrina than Louisiana, which I find hard to explain. Start Nothing: 9:52 a.m. to 11:57 p.m. Sun., 11:22 a.m. Tues. to 2:02 a.m. Wed., 1:23 p.m. Thurs. to 2:24 a.m. Fri., and after 7:01 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 You might move into deeper areas (of commitment, sex, funding, lifestyle sharing) with a lover, spouse or business associate/partner during the four weeks ahead. Though I have warned you against marrying or forming partnerships over the past 8 months (and to late June 2006) this doesn't apply to the fruits of partnership (those sexual, intimate, financial and lifestyle paths mentioned above). This hints that it is better, overall, to stick with an "old faithful" partner than chase any new ones. Your career, VIP relations, are very favored Monday/Tuesday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Your romantic, pleasure-oriented, creative, speculative and child-teaching skills/luck soar, especially Monday to Tuesday noon, when "success links" exist to travel, cultural events, higher learning, law, mental/gentle love and foreign-born people. Friday/Saturday bring a social/romance climax of feelings and events, but adjustments, diplomacy might be needed. Now through early October an attractive "prospect" appears - a member of the opposite sex, a business or relocation opportunity, a creative opening/inspiration, etc. However, ONLY chase the exciting new people/opportunities/inspirations that appear AFTER September 17 - earlier ones have a failure stamp on them. Gemini May 21-June 20 The accent continues on "food and shelter" - home, family, real estate, security, retirement, quitting some activities/relationships and laying the foundations for new ones. You might be accumulating furniture, renovating, etc. You can make excellent changes, and take strides forward in these domestic/security areas - and in investments, financial maneuvers, emotional and physical intimacy, research, and health diagnosis - Monday to 11:22 a.m. Tuesday. Change is the key now in everything. If you don't embrace change, Wednesday/Thursday could show you the down side. Be ambitious Friday/Saturday. All week, DO NOT fall in love. Cancer June21-July 22 Life has been busy, friendly, filled with talk, trips, errands, paperwork, casual socializing. Now a deeper tone enters, one of affection, even love. Two kinds of love attraction occur now. The healthier one, Monday/Tuesday, is challenging, exciting, with someone who is your foil, your opposite. The other, a romantic or social one, comes Friday/Saturday, but this one has some problems, and would probably hold some disappointment in future. Be careful Wednesday/Thursday - an investment, loan, or "intimate come-on" has both good and bad luck around it. Your career future looks bright! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your home grows more affectionate now to October 8. This period is good for cosmetic renovations, decorating, buying kids' clothes, holding dinner parties, and for mates to snuggle together, and for investigating recreational properties that you could drive to in 8 hours or less. These projects are best started after September 17, as you would "stamp" them with an overly realistic (dampening) attitude before then. Money activities stay strong, fast all week. Tackle (income earning) chores Monday to Tuesday noon. Diplomacy needed Wednesday/Thursday! Secrets, sex, finances lure you Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your energy and charisma continue high. Seek favors, see and be seen, show important people what you can do, start important projects (Your last chance, this month and next, before December 2006!) You communicate with charm now to early October, but don't talk anyone into a love, wedding, legal, far travel, publishing, educational, or earning situation before September 18 - you wouldn't like the results. Do pursue romance (or creative, pleasure, gambling, beauty projects) Monday to Tuesday noon. They're lucky! Tackle chores Wednesday/Thursday. Relationships climax Friday/Saturday: in a good way? Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 You're still weary, so proceed cautiously, avoid fights and competition, and get lots of rest. Be charitable, meditate, plan your long-term future, and reacquaint yourself with God. You'll read, see or hear secrets, and psychics aid, but avoid gossip. Your money picture improves now to early October - but one restriction remains this week, a strong one, so don't start any money projects before September 18. Your domestic situation - and real estate, family programs - are starred very benevolently Monday to Tuesday noon. Beauty, romantic dreams mid-week. Protect your health Friday/Saturday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 A wish could come true - or you could hear news that hints of a wish being fulfilled in future, Monday and the first half of Tuesday. Talk, travel, handle paperwork these two days. Be cautious, slow Wednesday/Thursday: good luck and bad are mingled (mostly, lucky relationships, bad money). Romantic, creative, "beauty" feelings flow over you Friday/Saturday - but this would be a bad time to start a new affair. Stick with "old faithful" for a few days at least! (Your physical charms are starting to radiate, and will into early October.) Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Continue to chase career, business, and prestige goals. You impress bigwigs, even if you don't see evidence of it. You might be attracted to someone "behind the scenes" now through early October - if this starts this week it will fail due to your ethical nature. Even if you think you want it/him/her, your "soul" will make your approach half-hearted. Next week onward someone better appeals, or you'll chase a higher attraction: spiritual, charitable, etc. Chase money Monday/Tuesday - luck's high! Settle into home, soul Friday/Saturday. Visit a psychic, counselor Friday morning. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Education, far travel, publishing, love, cultural events and rituals, these flow smoothly this week and next. Your popularity increases now to early October - this isn't a rah-rah thing - instead it brings sweet threads/moments of affection. You'll be touched by how pleasantly some people treat you. (If you aren't, test it - join a new group.) Your energy and magnetism soar powerfully from Sunday midnight through Tuesday, and a series of lucky aspects urge you to use this short period to start big projects, meet with important people, etc. Be loving, compassionate. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Now to early January, your career is in a creative, progressive phase. However, don't start a new career initiative until after September 17. (Before then, partners, spouse, others will not co-operate with you.) You will learn two significant secrets (last week to late September). Investments, finances, debt, sexual loyalties/urges, lifestyle changes, investigations, these are the main course for you this week. Communications help you navigate this area - read the newspaper, talk to friends. Your inner and spiritual world offer great success Monday through Tuesday noon. Chase money Friday/Saturday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Many conversations can take place with spouse, associates, potential lovers for the two weeks ahead. A mildly lucky, affectionate influence promotes cultural, love, intellectual, media, and international contacts now through early October. However, DON'T start a new project in these areas before September 18. (It would fail, due to the "mechanics" involved. This could mean that your friends or social group would not approve of this project.) The general accent is on relationships, and the need to cooperate. A wish could come true Monday/Tuesday! Your magnetism rises Friday/Saturday - someone's attracted! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading with Tim: 604-261-1337. /30/