ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
AUGUST 13 - 19, 2006

	All times/dates are Pacific Daylight.
	Two eclipses loom in the month ahead - a lunar (Full Moon) September 7, and a solar eclipse (New Moon) September 22. Sometimes the patterns in astrology are so "pat" they make you stop and stare. The September 7 eclipse occurs the same day Mars leaves Virgo and enters Libra. The 22nd eclipse arrives the same day the Sun leaves Virgo and enters Libra. Both these - Mars and Sun - have been stirring up a "karmic test" for us (all August through September 18) by contacting the south lunar node in Virgo.
	Maybe these eclipses mark a temporary end of these tests. Maybe we'll know, soon, if we passed. Both occur during positive, even lucky aspects, so the outcome should be beneficial. The first eclipse, September 7, "finishes" or brings to a climax our personal involvement in details and analysis and sexual temptations, and as a human society, our involvement in terrorism, interest rates, stock market fears/rumors, health cures, hospital drives/construction, natural gas (maybe oil), grain harvests, sanitation, optics, astrophysics, film, pornography, drugs and alcohol, spiritualism and perceptions.
You will be strongly affected by this eclipse, probably within days, if you were born - any year - around September 8 (diplomacy, relationships, relocation favored) March 6 (relationships difficult/disappear - but personal feelings/intuition, personality projection favored) June 6 (home, real estate and security difficult, career favored) and December 8 (career difficult, real estate, security and home favored). 
The second eclipse, a solar one, is not a climax but a beginning - yet what a strange beginning! For it takes place at the very end of a sign (Virgo) which points to things that end almost as soon as they've begun. This eclipse is good for spiritual matters, psychics and astrologers as well as metaphysicians, philosophers, and anyone who investigates things beyond everyday consciousness. But it indicates abortive starts in practical affairs, banking and agriculture, and generally all the items listed for the September 7 eclipse (terrorism, interest rates, etc.). This is a forest fire and heat-wave zone of the zodiac, but since we've already have an abundance of these, it might mark their end.
If you were born in the last day of Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius (see the birth dates for your own sign in the weekly messages below) you will be strongly affected by the September 22 eclipse. Be cautious; wait for clarity and certainty before beginning any ventures. (Best timing: wait until December/06 onward to start big things.) 


Start Nothing: 5:14 p.m. Sun. to 3 a.m. Mon., 6:51 p.m. Tues. to 7:07 a.m. Wed., and 5:30 a.m. to 2:03 p.m. Fri.

Aries   March 21-April 19
An additional "force" enters, injecting extra luck into love, romance, creative and speculative projects, teaching, beauty, vacations and pleasure. You're a winner this week! (Especially Sunday, when your charisma and energy shine, Monday, when a money opportunity arises, Wednesday, when destiny brings you just the right news, email, conversation or trip, and Friday eve through Saturday, when home, property, investment, family and security matters are packed with luck!) Seek love now; be affectionate, show your passion. This lucky streak continues into early September. Don't "overwork" during this time.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Domestic influences intensify - in your favor. A new note of affection and communication livens your home. You might finally get started on renovations, a child-related project, or other fine things. These might seem slow to evolve, but they should have tremendous "staying power." Continue to be wary of deep romance, gambling and risk (all the way to December 2007). You're tired but lucky Sunday. Your energy and effectiveness increase Monday/Tuesday, but wait until Wednesday or Thursday to begin projects - money and (your) work carve out a "destined" success path!

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Short trips, communications, paperwork, details, casual friends and errands fill your days now. These were "merely important" the last two weeks - now they become affectionate, beauty-filled and pleasurable - and remain important. You could start a friendly, light romance. Be curious, ask questions, and "see for yourself" rather than relying on another's report. Your domestic scene remains a bit tense, so getting out for a week or two is a good idea. Don't let property and security matters limit your movement - nor your ambitions - this summer right into December 2007.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Don't let people waste your time. A higher-up could be talkative, or send you on unimportant tasks. Be nice, but widen your view beyond people's prejudices or their everyday concerns. The general accent is on money, earnings, purchases and buying/selling (day trading, etc.). This area is slow but steady, and luckier than you think the rest of August! The same applies to casual sensual contacts - slow, steady and luckier than expected (but remember, you should be seeking life's profound relationships now!). You've met a potential financial partner, probably last week.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Your charisma, energy and effectiveness remain top-notch! Tackle big things, persuade others, start significant projects - but not practical or financial ones unless you can be more optimistic, less "sober" than you feel - what I mean is, you have tremendous luck in practical areas now, especially real estate, but your own skepticism might thwart it. Believe - in happiness! Until December 2007 (but especially this August/September): DO invest, DON'T "purchase." Think long-range, not short. You're wise, mellow Sunday, though impulse rules financial, sexual areas. Be diplomatically ambitious Monday/Tuesday. Happiness visits Wednesday/Thursday!

Virgo   Aug. 21-Sept. 22
You feel sexy, assertive, determined - but you should be soft, diplomatic and flexible. It's easy to plunge into a major sexual affair, investment or lifestyle change, or a significant commitment to another (all August, but especially this Sunday, August 13). These aren't bad in themselves, but you might be aiming at them for the wrong reasons, which in turn could prompt bad choices. Be self-aware; reject any self-mythologizing_ Otherwise, all is well. Rest, contemplate, contact government agencies, visit shut-ins, contact old friends, be charitable, and reconnect with your spirit.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Wishes can come true now! But avoid wishful thinking about partnerships, marriage and relocation - all these detract from your mojo, can slow or impede you - or worse, draw you into unsavory or defeating situations. This warning applies through September 7. (And is emphasized August 13 - though, oddly, relationships go well this day.) Otherwise, life is fun, flirty, filled with entertainment and social joys! Attend picnics, reunions, concerts, etc. Be careful with finances, investments, intimacy and big commitments Monday/Tuesday. Love and travel mid-week! Chase career, ambitions Friday/Saturday - your luck rises!

Scorpio   Oct.23-Nov. 21
Be ambitious, talk to higher-ups or parents, present proposals, show your talents, and show everyone you're serious about moving up! Your luck intensifies on career fronts this week, as bosses begin to look on you favorably, at the same time that they face new projects/business. Be eager, but shy away from being too social, too talkative at work: be cheerful and serious. Sunday's good work could correct a recent wee catastrophe. Take care with relationships Monday/Tuesday. Finances, investments, sex, intimacy and commitments are blessed Wednesday, late Thursday, and Saturday. 

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Religion, philosophy, ideas, law, international travel, higher learning and cultural events - these have blessed you (though slowly) for the past few weeks. Now a benevolent influence imbues these areas with increased love, luck and affection. A potential mate could appear. But DON'T aim your romantic (or creative or marital) arrow in the direction of ambition, a higher-up, or a "status link." This applies until December 2007, but is particularly apropos Sunday and Thursday - and all August. (These two days, and Wednesday, trigger valid attractions.) Sex, finances are lucky Saturday!

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
In legal, international, scholastic, religious or cultural zones, tackle problems but start no new projects now to December 2007 - the temptation to engage these difficult areas grows particularly strong for the next four weeks. The general accent now lies in powerful but "hidden" areas - finances, investments, lifestyle changes, deep health (and diagnosis) sex, intimacy, commitment, pregnancy, research, dreams, the subconscious and the occult. Additional luck and activity enters this sector for four weeks - of these, the present week is luckiest, so go forth! Domestic concerns succeed Sunday. Lucky relationships Saturday! 

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
The accent remains on relationships, opportunities and challenges. Be eager but diplomatic. Affection, luck and renewed curiosity enter this zone now to early September. This could put negotiations over the top, trigger a good relocation opportunity, enhance your dealings with the public, or bring you face-to-face with an exciting person! All good - but don't let "talk" (or curiosity) lead you into the deeper areas of this - step back from deep commitment, seeking pregnancy, from funding, investments, even from searching for the "hidden story." Romance, other possibilities soar Wednesday!

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
The general emphasis lies on work, health, dependents, service people, machinery and tools - the gritty drudgery of life. Ah, well, just trudge along - in 9 days your duties will lighten. Even now, a mild luck and affection enters this area, making things easier and your workdays brighter. A co-worker flirtation might arise now to early September. But take care with partnerships and new people now through September (and in general to December 2007) - don't commit yourself to a sexy, hot-headed, impulsive or determined person. Saturday's romantic, creative and happy!

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


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