ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2006

	All times/dates are PDT.
	A reader, F., wrote me two weeks ago with an unusual fact (the veracity of which I let rest upon his shoulders). He wrote that a newspaper stated four of the major stars in this year's World Cup were born in the same week, same year. They are: Renaldo (Brazil) September 22, 1976; Michael Ballack (Germany) September 26, 1976, Francesco Totti (Italy) September 27, and Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine) September 29, 1976. 
	If there were, say, 400 players in the World Cup, and their ages were spread over 20 years (19 to 39) the average would be 20 players per year. As there are 52 weeks in a year, the chances are about 1 in 3 that a player would be born in a specific week (or a 0.385 probability). However, there is probably a bulge of players around the middle of this age group - perhaps three-fourths of all players are 24 to 34 years old. So 400 x 75 per cent = 300 players, divided by 520 weeks, or about a 0.577 probability of a player being born in a specific week. (About every second week would birth a World Cup soccer player.) If there were 800 World Cup players, we'd expect a birth every week, and so on. If there were 2400 World Cup players, we'd expect 4 born in any week. (I have no idea how many players the World Cup hosted.)
But evidently these four gentlemen are "major stars." Hmm. Well, if there are, say, 30 major stars, the odds against 4 of them being born in a single week of one year are phenomenal - perhaps (I'm no mathematician) a few million to one? 
So what gives? Let's try astrology for an explanation:
The Brazilian player might have been born in the last degree of Virgo, or the first of Libra; the other three are Librans. All four have Mars - the indicator of sports champions - in Libra. Uranus - the planet of lightning-like reactions - and Libra's planet of sports, games and gambling - lies extremely close to each player's "north node" of karmic blessings. Each player has Pluto, the planet of obsession and concentration (and destiny) right in front of their Sun. It was an unusual week.
A reader recently wrote to ask: "what if I was born during a Mercury retrograde period?" (Like the one we just went through in July.) Retrograde planets in the birth chart (almost everybody has one or more) indicate areas in which we often chase multiple situations, because we can't quite perfect one. (E.g., a Venus retro will often have many lovers.) Mercury retrograde in the birth chart is supposed to be good for investigators, because their mind goes over and over things until it finds clues, flaws, etc. Here's a clue: each of those star soccer players was born during Mercury retrograde.


Start Nothing: 6:54 p.m. Mon. to 6:08 a.m. Tues., 2:08 a.m. to 4:13 p.m. Thurs., and 12:22 p.m. to 10:19 p.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
You start this week (Sunday/Monday) with a choice: opposition in relationships, or exciting attraction and opportunity. So make love, not war! (Besides, you're in a romantic, pleasure-loving month.) Intimacy, sex, lifestyle changes/commitments, large finances and possible health threats arise Tuesday to Thursday. Be careful with these before 7 p.m. Wednesday - the practical side would fail, partly due to unrealistic expectations, even "con artistry." Wisdom, a mellow mood, far travel, legalities, cultural events and/or gentle love enter Thursday night to Saturday. One you love is jittery, but your confidence shines.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Delays have ended in almost every area of your life (except a few mild "half year" delays in career, socializing, large finances and lifestyle changes). You're in a recuperative mode until late August. The emphasis lies on home, family, security, property and sales territory. Yet you're growing restless also, as a creative, romantic, pleasure-oriented, risk-taking streak rises now through September - careful with this: it could tempt you to risk more than you can afford to lose. A short trip, postponed earlier, arises now or next week. "Secret vaults" Friday/Saturday!

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Money delays end, so press your advantage! (Ask for a raise, resume purchase negotiations, etc.) A sensual situation "revives" - but don't try to build your future on this. You're restless, talkative, want to travel, meet friends, read the news. Good - go; be curious! Friction - and subtle traps - threaten your home all August/September. Be cool, light here - gentle with kids and mate. Delay renovations, landscaping, to 2008, if feasible. (DON'T buy/build real estate.) Sunday/Monday are for love, creativity. Tackle chores mid-week. Relationships, opportunities, co-operation or opposition arrive Friday/Saturday. Be diplomatic!

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Chase money. Buying/selling, learning, memory work, casual sensuality and duties connected to your possessions go well, but slowly. Someone wants a piece of your action (has, since summer/05) - this isn't necessarily bad, as you could be "natural partners." Travel, communications and paperwork intensify - you'll be busy, but ask yourself: to what end? It's possible (probable) that all this "busywork" will be more a time waster (and an "opportunity waster") than anything else. Everybody treats you pleasantly. Rest and contemplate Sunday/Monday. Creativity, passion lure you mid-week. Tackle chores Friday/Saturday. 

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Your energy, charisma and effectiveness soar! Delays end, especially with head office, government agencies and charitable organizations. Part of you wants to chase money, or plunge into purchases now (especially of travel tickets, educational items) but remember - until 2008, you should chase investments, rather than "spending." And attempt to raise your net worth, rather than your weekly income. (In stock markets, avoid trading, lean toward buy and hold.) Sweet messages, some about security, finances, or containing "secret temptation" meanings, arrive Sunday/Monday. Be home mid-week. Romance, creativity, joy soar Friday/Saturday!

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Lie low, rest, pamper your health, contemplate and plan your future moves. (Future = December onward, when all the best things happen for you.) You're feeling sexy, lusty, tempted to change your life in deep ways, to investigate a situation, to research or dig deep, or to invest in a large way. My advice: wait. (Until December onward best, but at least until September 8 onward.) There are elements you can't see, which have the capacity to enmesh you in a subtle trap. Friends, hope, future plans are your "saviors!"

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Optimism, flirtations, friends, social delights and entertainment fill your days - maybe not like fireworks, for a sober note has entered. Rather than frivolously enjoy your days, you want your social contacts, your plans and optimism to lead to security, a home, a family, a place to stand (or to retire). So you're socializing more with parents and/or kids, or with other generations. Do not be persuaded by a spouse, partner or significant other now to September 8 - they might mean well, but the results will NOT benefit you.

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Avoid a "party time" approach now through September, especially at work or with higher-ups - it would lead you astray, into a dead-end or subtle trap. (Through late 2007, you'll fare better in private creative or romantic situations, than "running with the crowd." Feel love; pour out your heart!) The general emphasis in August lies on career, status, ambitions, prestige, relations with VIPs. But a gentle, affectionate and understanding streak brings "mellow moments" during the first half of the month - far travel, higher learning, legal matters are favored to August 12! 

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
The accent lies on religion or your life philosophy, on higher learning, legalities, advertising concepts, far travel, cultural events and social rituals. These might feel like a burden this year and next - but in 2007, the burden becomes a road to major success of some kind! Now through September, walk on eggshells in your career, business and ambitions, and in relations with higher-ups. They're temperamental. You can handle that. But if you push (demand recognition, promotion, etc.) or if you change jobs, you'll be "asking for trouble." Be content!

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Read the first sentence of Sagittarius' message (religion, etc.) - you should avoid intensifying your involvement in the areas listed there, through the end of 2007 - but especially this August/September. Strictly avoid legal hassles. Relationships flow affectionately this week and next - even with strangers. It's a great time for negotiations, contracts, seizing opportunities, examining relocation options, and dealing with the public. These interactions will (if successful) veer quickly and deeply into commitments, funding - and, in love, consequence and intimacy. Be ambitious Sunday/Monday. Have fun, socialize mid-week. Retreat and rest Friday/Saturday.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
This month, the accent's on relocation, dealing with the public, possible fame, relationships in love and business, opportunities and gaining permission, co-operation versus opposition. This entire zone might seem heavy or burdensome - for example, others drag their heels, are slow to agree - but by December, into August/07, these areas could help make your dreams come true. (All projects will be more successful during that period. So those who drag their heels might be doing you a favor!) Investments, lust, secrets, research and commitment call you August/September: it's a bad call!

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Many chores confront you now through late August, so pile into them. The recent spate of delays is over, so you can charge ahead on almost all fronts. However, now through 2007, and especially this August/September, you'd be wise to give a very light touch to contracts, negotiations, litigation, partnerships, and relocation. For any one of a hundred (unforeseen) reasons, these activities could draw you into a subtle trap. Be wisely independent! Creativity, romance, risk-taking, speculation and children's affairs bring a streak of joy this week and next!

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


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