ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MAY 14 - 20, 2006 All times/dates are PDT. Okay, I blew the oil price forecast. I thought abundant supplies would lower the price, but political events (Nigeria, Iran, et al) have made oil climb about 10 - 15 per cent. Natural gas, however, not affected by the same international frictions, has seen its price fall by half since December 2005 - largely because supplies have been abundant. Iran, one of the reasons oil prices have been upward bound, is an Aquarian nation, with a Moon in Leo. This full Moon birth makes Iran impulsive, addicted to emotional climaxes and sensitive to insult. Iran yearns for compliments, praise and flattery; it becomes angry and "misbehaves" when these are withheld - a fact Europe and the West would be wise to note during the present nuke crisis_ A CAPRICORN wrote to say (in rebuttal to my description of Caps some weeks ago) that she wasn't practical, didn't demand loyalty, and was not an organizer of other people. On the contrary, she was selfless, always serving others, and filled with compassion for everyone. And, she averred (referring to a statement I'd made) PISCES did NOT deserve the title of "Ultimate Unconditional Lover." Pisces, she said, "are the most selfish, annoying, ungrateful" - well, you get the picture. I quickly looked at her chart - ah ha, a GEMINI Moon! There was the difficulty: Gemini and Pisces are "square" to each other, and often need a referee if they're confined in the same closet for long. To find your "square" signs, look at the horoscope messages below. Call your own sign # 1, then count down the signs - signs #s 4 and 10 are your "squares." (Return to Aries after Pisces.) The square (# 4 and 10) is actually a good aspect between parent and child, or boss and slave, but among equals it causes friction, dissension, and, often, power struggles_. From 1996-2008, Gemini feels relationship pressures from Pluto. Many Geminis have a) reached the end of their patience with everybody, or b) attained a kind of beat-up peace, or c) emerged into a deep, growing understanding of human interplay, and/or d) become famous. These Plutonic pressures will show most clearly in Geminis' dealings with their squares, Pisces and VIRGO, and with Gemini's opposite number, SAGITTARIUS. These four signs have all experienced Pluto's pressure since 1996 - it's been trying to transform Pisces' career, community standing, and parental role (Miranda Richardson); Sagittarius' spiritual role and inner understanding (Jane Fonda, Jake Gyllenhaal); Virgo's home, roots, parenting role - and his/her own parents (Henry, prince of England); - and, of course, Gemini's relationships (Nicole Kidman). Start Nothing: 1:15 p.m. to 7:59 p.m. Mon., 7:10 p.m. Wed. to 0:19 a.m. Thurs., and 2:21 a.m. to 3:39 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 You face one last week of dealing with possessions, buying/selling, earned income, sensual motives, memory and "rote" education. Accept things as they are. The time for digging deep or looking under the surface will come - profitably - in six months. You remain testy on the home front, yet sweet natured. This odd combination could leave everyone puzzled. Sunday starts sweetly, then turns to unexpected, doubt-inducing events. Love, contemplate and avoid secret actions. Monday helps all learning, cultural and travel projects. Wednesday's ambitions brew a rewarding achievement! You're popular, pleased Thursday/Friday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Your charisma, energy, effectiveness and luck ride high - take advantage, start new projects, get out and be seen, woo loves and business associates. Watch for one glitch - a possibility that someone is speaking against you, but secretly - or that you're getting into some shenanigans with someone who should be only a friend, not a lover or "power figure" (in financial, political or other areas). If you remain honest, closed-door meetings, government and institutional dealings, and charitable situations benefit you nicely all month. Save love for Wednesday, career for Friday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Continue to lie low, rest, contemplate and plan. Let others take the action, carry the baton. (Especially Sunday, when your efforts are challenged.) You could form a deep, subtle, yet reliable and beneficial relationship the first half of Monday. The deep, hidden, the financial, anything that can cause a life change (including sexual commitment) draws you Tuesday/Wednesday - most beneficially Wednesday. Completing a security-oriented or retirement investment is wise this day. Your mood mellows and your outlook expands Thursday/Friday. New friends await you. Saturday, a month of energy and success begins! Cancer June 21-July 22 Enjoy the social, cheerful, flirty, fun rounds of life while you can - the end of this week begins a month of quietude and recuperation. But your determination and assertiveness continue through early June, especially in career and dealings with parents and higher-ups - these will show you favor through the weeks ahead. You can almost do no wrong! (Almost.) Tackle chores Sunday/Monday. Avoid an investment "opportunity" - and don't react to doubts. Relationships excite Tuesday/Wednesday - and succeed Wednesday. Invest, or seek intimacy, Thursday (dicey) and Friday (good). Saturday's mellow, philosophical and lucky. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Early doubts become later success. Chase one last ambitious goal this week - you could trigger an opportunity by Thursday/Friday. (Probably due to Tuesday/Wednesday's hard work.) Your legal picture is complex: you're lucky, relations are cordial, even affectionate; yet you're sporting an Achilles' heel - so if you're in a lawsuit (or divorce action) look at your situation, find out what it is. If you're not in a suit, this influence aids you in applying for government funding, international access, special schooling, or a charitable handout. Saturday's quiet research yields rewards. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 International, legal, learning, travel, media, abstract, religious, cultural and love matters continue to be favored, especially Monday night through Wednesday, when pleasure drives, romance, creativity and/or a "gambling urge" add a vital spark to the proceedings! Be outgoing, gentle yet quietly assertive. You're favored to meet an intimate partner - or an investment/financial opportunity - at a social gathering, so get out, meet and mingle. Sunday/Monday favors changes affecting your home, kids. Work confronts you Thursday/Friday, and a month of career matters begins Saturday - Saturday brings a lucky meeting or doorway! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 One last week of "changes," Libra. This time, they're likely to center (beneficially) on your home, property, family relations and your soul, especially Monday to Wednesday. There might be some conflict with a partner regarding your ambitions, so include him or her, make it a dual project. In general, others treat you affectionately this month, and you're inclined to "partner up," so some new alliance(s) might be formed, in finances, and/or in intimate areas. Romance, creative urges and pleasure draw you Thursday/Friday. Saturday begins a month of culture and love! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You're probably tired of hearing this, but stay out of legal affairs unless it's your area of employment. Your workplace remains pleasant and rewarding this week and next. A co-worker would make a good project partner, would bring a skill or resources (money, contacts) that you don't possess. Sunday and Monday mornings are good for money and chores, but Sunday evening causes doubts about romance. Friends, contacts, curiosity, short trips, communications and paperwork go well Monday night through Wednesday. (Wednesday's best.) Settle down, rest and contemplate Thursday/Friday. Saturday - love's luck! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Work demands continue, but increasing romantic and sexual attractions (or fascinating research) provide you with nice diversions. Someone who has been a "bother" might transform, soon, into partnership material. Meanwhile, tackle those chores. Sunday/Monday grant you energy and effectiveness, so charge ahead. (Avoid gossip, careless driving and unsafe machinery Sunday p.m.) Chase money Monday night to Wednesday - Wednesday's best. Casual friends, siblings, curiosity, short trips, news media, communications, paperwork and details fill Thursday/Friday. Sink into a lucky home-spa-retreat-garden-family mode Saturday. A month of opportunity and freshness begins this day! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Romance, beauty, creative surges, pleasure, joys from children, sports and games, speculation and uncalculated risks (acting on pure, quick hunch) - these are still favored, especially Monday night through Wednesday, when your charisma, energy and luck surge to a new height! (Be cautious, restful and thoughtful Sunday and Monday before this energy kicks in.) Chase money, buy/sell, and seek new clients Thursday/Friday. In your home, family, and property zones, all May, you have a choice between affection and conflict. Make an enemy an ally! Saturday starts a month of work. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Domestic, property, security and retirement themes continue. Your hopes rise Sunday/Monday, as future prospects and a bit of socializing buoy your spirits. (Sunday to early afternoon is good for home decorating, or a family picnic.) Retreat, lie low, recuperate and plan Monday night through Wednesday. Contacts with government agencies and institutions, spiritual and charitable activities, and the search for a perfect spa, vacation retreat or retirement home go well Wednesday. Your energy rises nicely Thursday/Friday: you'll get your way via sympathy Friday. Saturday begins a month of winning! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Continue to be curious - read newspapers, hop in the car, phone and strike up conversations. The information that you now gain, you'll mull over in June, and this will lead to a plan or discovery by November or December that could lead to success! Ambition speeds your steps Sunday/Monday. Pause for friendships, hopes, a "wishing" session, and general pleasure Monday night through Wednesday - a wish might come true! Your passion runs high (or perhaps deep) all May - midweek could trigger a romantic or creative success! Retreat and rest Thursday/Friday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/