ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 15- 21, 2006 All times/dates are PST. Note the paucity of "Start Nothing" times this week - this indicates it's time for action. We'll start fast enough, but by mid-week one-third of us will be in an undecided dither, one-third will be charging ahead on a pumped-up rumor or fantasy, and one-third of us will just live our steady, un-dangerous lives_. OMENS: A reader reminded me last week that I had written a column, many, many years ago, about omens. My belief was, and still is, though I'm not in that frame of mind any more, that you can see omens in almost anything: the flight of birds, the odd placement of a wild flower, a casual remark that reverberates with more meaning than the speaker intended. Try seeking omens on your birthday and the two preceding days. The first day shows your future, the second day your inner spirit/psychological make-up, and the third, your birthday, hints at where you are in all senses. Birds are one of the easiest and most potent omens. To "omen hunt," take a solitary walk through nature or a neighborhood where birds will be flying overhead, and mull over your question: (e.g., "what will the year ahead bring me?"). At some point, when you feel calm, deep in the question, raise your eyes to look at the sky. If birds are in flight, count them. There might not be any flying birds, but your eye might go immediately to a small flock in a tree, or sparrows on the ground. In any case, count them. Do NOT look for additional birds - only those that occur in the first "eye frame" count. This should all take place in an inner calm - the day can be windy, but you need to feel slow and calm. If you aren't, just drop it for a few hours. Flying birds are stronger omens than stationary ones, and perched birds are stronger than those on the ground. Bigger birds are stronger omens than smaller ones. If you see 1 bird, (on Day 1) your year ahead will be active, you will explore new territory, begin a significant new project, perhaps start a sexual affair. Two birds indicate calm, peace, and a reliable money source. Love, if it exists, will be easy, sensual and polite. If you spy 3 birds, travel, short trips, and the purchase (or more-than-usual use) of a car, computer, phone, or paperwork is indicated. The year ahead will be serendipitous, a little lucky, with happy communications. Love will be light, friendly. If a 4, the year ahead will be a basing year, bringing domesticity, security themes, babies, kids, real estate, gardening, etc. This type of year can be dislocating, if it moves you from one base to another (most likely for Gemini, Virgo, Sage and Pisces, if this omen occurs before 2009). Love will be of the family or "cozy" kind. _I'll continue this next week_. Start Nothing: 4:35 p.m. Mon. to 1:49 a.m. Tues., and 2:12 p.m. to 2:49 p.m. Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 Romance will be slow this year ahead, but your career should thrive. It's time to take an exciting step forward in practical, ambitious, prestige career areas. (You can take a baby step towards this by working hard Wednesday and Thursday - and carefully Tuesday.) Romance can happen (Sunday/Monday and Thursday night to Saturday this week) but it's slow, or it occurs with a significantly older or younger person, or with your boss. This could lead to a wedding, if you're single. Steer clear of psychics and "dreamy friends" before Wednesday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Your home life will be conservative, slow and a bit restrictive this year ahead, but it will bring you pleasure. It becomes a good place to study, to connect with international sources (e.g., via the internet) to design advertising/media projects, to mastermind a legal or negotiation campaign, or to find the advantage over a competitor. You might see one of more of these "advantages" Sunday/Monday. (Monday's better.) Romance, a creative surge or a lucky gamble calls you Tuesday to Thursday. Don't gamble with your career before Wednesday - reject worry, collusion! Gemini May 21-June 20 Paperwork, travel, details, your car, phone, computer, writing, communicating, siblings and casual friends - these demand closer attention this year. Succeeding with these areas will help you control and organize your hugely expanding work duties. But insisting on them too severely (e.g., demanding that every report be rewritten four times) will "shut down" work success. Find a balance. Investments, research, tax plans, health diagnoses, debts, mutual money (e.g., marriage finances) and investigations all benefit from communication, paperwork and filing systems. You might have a sexy affair with a casual friend. Cancer June 21-July 22 Money shortages could severely restrict your creative, romantic, pleasure-oriented and speculative pursuits in the year ahead. On the other hand, in 2006 and 2007 you can finally settle down and get serious about money, start making it, negotiate favorable contracts, partnerships or associations, pursue long-standing money opportunities, and settle on a family budget. (You probably won't do all these, so pick and choose.) A former partner or sweetheart might re-enter your life this month. Take off rose-colored glasses before Wednesday: an investment or sexy "friend" - isn't! Avoid gossip, too. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 A former job, boss or employee just has, or soon might, return. This could help your career. But, now through February, be wary of hot-tempered bosses (and parents, if you're young) - be diplomatic, tone down any aggressiveness. If you're in a lawsuit, judgment comes now or in February. Law, media, advertising, higher learning, philosophy, religion and foreign-born people or international concerns can aid your career/business through next month. But all these (boss, law, foreign country, etc.) could produce unneeded anxiety - or unrealistic goals - through Wednesday. Seize "basic" success Monday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Lie low Sunday/Monday. All month, be aware of "romantic openings." (Especially Tuesday to Thursday this week.) An old flame might return anytime this month - or, even more likely, you might seek - and find - him or her. Nostalgia exists for all former pleasures and balmy places. F you're a parent, you dream of your kids, with more happiness than not! Communicate love, don't let affectionate opportunities pass by! But Sunday through Wednesday dawn, don't confuse sex with love - and don't mix lust with co-workers. Chase money, make purchases Friday/Saturday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Pleasure and affection invade your home this January/February. Outside social activities are more sedate all 2006 and part of 2007 - almost as if you were carrying your home outside with you. You don't want wild parties now: you want depth, certitude and comfort. You'll befriend (or attract) much older or younger people. If you're seriously involved with someone, you might set up house now (06/07). Married or single, you look fondly on real estate - the present month is one of the best times (before 2008) to find and buy. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Thursday onward, you'll enter a month-long domestic, real estate, family, gardening, contemplative, "back to basics" period. Before, Thursday, neither fret about this area, nor be fooled into acting on a "won't wait" opportunity in real estate, furniture, garden supplies, etc. It's no opportunity. In general, wait until February 3 onward to set your security goals for the year ahead. A friend could reappear anytime this January, or you could enter deep, affectionate conversations (with mate, if you're married). Good! Career/money favored Monday. Romance, social flirtations make you happy Wednesday! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 An old money source might return (or already has) in January. Money, income, purchases, are favored all January/February. A contract or verbal agreement could be involved in a semi-major money or career prospect - yes, chase it! All 2006, money could be essentially intertwined with the law, foreign people or countries, scholarship, publishing or the media. You might find intellectual activities too taxing, could find school goes more slowly, etc. - or you might actively pursue "old subjects" - history, anthropology, the classics, etc. - in these, you'll excel! Chase any of these Monday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your energy and charisma continue high - especially your "love charisma!" You are going to delve into many deeper, darker things this year (and 2007) - mysteries, secrets, occultism, psychic things, finances and debt, investments, research and investigation, health diagnosis. Don't let this "deep side" quash your dreams, goals, optimism and popularity, though - find a balance. But DON'T mix money and friends. (That will be particularly important this Sunday to Wednesday, and in February.) Before Wednesday, try to avoid either worry or inflated expectations in romance, money and creative endeavors. Love, Wednesday! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your weariness will end by late week, to be replaced by a growing energy, effectiveness and charisma! Resolve to get big things done from Thursday through February, as March will bring a general slowdown, especially in money affairs. Start important projects, ask favors, impress others, etc. Before Thursday, remain cautious, and lie low. Someone rejects you Sunday: note this for later. You can succeed in relationships Monday. Sunday to Wednesday, don't let your worries trigger temper at home. You'll learn secrets (or make one, in love zones) Wednesday. Wisdom comes Friday/Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Work duties will feel long and hard this year and 2007. Don't abandon them, as 2007 is going to offer you a major career bonanza, change, new career, or promotion - perhaps the biggest one of your life. Don't give up now! But work smart - back off Sunday, when duties and co-operators snarl, rebel and confuse. Then tackle things Monday, when deep currents support your efforts. Be wary of temper, exaggerated worries, and inflated expectations - and of unsavory people, temptations or situations - Sunday through Wednesday dawn. Later Wednesday, flirtations, glances excite! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/