ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS SEPTEMBER 3 - 9, 2006 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight. The eclipse this week (Thursday) possesses a silver - even golden - lining, which might play out over the months ahead, but will probably be seen quite soon. This lining lies in finances, lifestyle changes and sex for ARIES, in marriage/partnerships for TAURUS, in work/health for GEMINI, in romance/pleasure and creativity for CANCER, in home/family and property for LEO, and in travel, communications and paperwork for VIRGO. For LIBRA, the silver lining lies in earnings/purchases and casual sex; for SCORPIO, in personal clout; for SAGITTARIUS, in mysticism, retreat and government - in social life and wishes for CAPRICORN; in career for AQUARIUS. For PISCES, it brings wisdom about relationships, and legal, educational, publishing or travel success. The International Astronomers Union on August 24 voted not to sanction Pluto as a planet, and, in a fit of skepticism, also shut the planetary door on Ceres (biggest asteroid) Charon (Pluto's binary twin) and 2003UB313 (popularly called Xena, a planetoid slightly bigger than Pluto). I'll talk about Xena and Charon (and Ceres) next week, because the first two of these, I am quite sure, deserve to become the new planetary (okay, "planetoid") rules of Libra and Virgo, respectively. But first, poor Pluto. Its demotion to a planetoid has a lot of Scorpios saying: "What? Where am I, who am I, now?" (Since about 1950, Pluto has gradually been accepted by modern astrologers as the ruler of Scorpio.) I don't think an afternoon's vote by a bunch of astronomers can reduce Pluto's reality - and that reality, for astrologers, is quite plain. Here are a few clues: A chart drawn for the human discovery of Pluto (4 pm MST February 18, 1930, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) should describe the "effect" of Pluto as far as we humans, from our standing position, can perceive. (Just as, for instance, a chart drawn for the first moment we meet someone will show how we get along with them from that time forward, and whether he/she is to be our mate, friend, enemy, inspirer, business partner, etc.) Scorpio is the 8th sign, and rules the 8th house of death and rebirth. This was known long before Pluto was discovered. The Pluto discovery occurred when the Sun was in the 8th house. The Moon, and the lunar south node, were in the sign Scorpio, in the house of "home" or "land" (the 4th) - in other words, the "home" is Scorpio. Pluto itself was rising, i.e. prominent, while Mars, Pluto's old semi-ruler, was setting, i.e., falling out of prominence. There's more evidence, but that's enough for now. Pluto still rules Scorpio! Start Nothing: 7:24 to 11:15 a.m. Mon., 2:29 to 11:56 a.m. Wed., and 2:01 to 11:23 a.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Tackle overdue chores and other necessary duties, but don't bury yourself in them. Your career is quite favored through August 2007, but much more via major change, investments, research, negotiations, confidential discussions and planning sessions than through "slogging work." (Slaves are seldom promoted!) Remember this; remind yourself once a week, or write it in your day-timer. Despite all this, the few weeks ahead will bring a reward through work: flirtations with a co-worker, pleasant associates, a wee pay raise, whatever. Be ambitious Sunday! Hopes rise and fall Monday/Tuesday. Rest Wednesday/Thursday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Deep romance grows sweeter now through September, though I'm advising against it in terms of the "larger picture." Some exceptions: 1) friendly, light romance is fine; 2) romance isn't marriage; 3) in some cases, the cosmos might dump a romance in your lap as a reward for past good deeds. (In this latter case, if you find that, after a first happy interval, you have to chase him/her, beware.) The same influences affect creative, child-teaching, speculative and pleasure-chasing activities. Sunday's wise, mellow. Be ambitious Monday/Tuesday. Happiness' doorway opens Wednesday/Thursday! Gemini May 21-June 20 Avoid new starts - but do handle burgeoning problems - in home, family, real estate, gardening, agriculture, construction, renovations, and retirement, withdrawal and retreat actions (e.g., visiting a spa) now to December 2007. September brings luck, affection and smooth progress to these areas, and might even drop a reward in your lap. But look far, far ahead, consider all factors: do you want (the consequences of) this progress, this reward? Maybe. Sunday's secretive, sexy, financial. An unusual, attractive person bemuses you Monday/Tuesday. Be ambitious Wednesday/Thursday. Romantic intensity rises now to late October! Cancer June 21-July 22 The emphasis lies on siblings, casual friends, short trips, errands, communications, details and paperwork, which grow luckier, smoother and more affectionate through September. But don't let yourself be buried in these, for they're potential time-wasters. (The perfect antidote: promote profundity, deep meaning, long trips, meaningful discussions.) Relationships and opportunities offer grand luck Sunday - it comes if you can put others and their desires first. Five months of delays in work and health zones end now. Be wary of investment and sexual "opportunities" Monday to Wednesday noon. Wisdom, love arrive Wednesday/Thursday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 You'll get loads of work (or some special, important job) accomplished Sunday, if you just dive in. Exciting relationships are slated Monday/Tuesday, but they might be unstable, even argumentative - proceed with caution. Mild luck affects your income and purchases Wednesday through late September, but don't overspend, nor sacrifice something valuable (like your ethics, heart or "smell the roses" side) for mere monetary gain. Secrets, large finances, changes and sexy lures draw your attention Wednesday/Thursday - there are good things here! (For best results, act prior to 10:30 am Thursday.) Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your energy and effectiveness continue unabated! But the magnetism you've enjoyed transforms into charm, this Wednesday to September 30 - you'll be more graceful, look better, feel more affectionate, etc. It's a good time to attract others - but an even better time to be attracted. Sunday carries a romantic bonus - seek someone! (Or indulge your creative, musical, beauty-oriented side; or be with children.) Work's slated Monday/Tuesday; follow safety rules. Thursday begins six weeks of increased income, but also of potentially wasteful spending - bank it, don't create bills! Emotional attractions Wednesday/Thursday! Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 If you wondered when your social whirl was going to end, your answer comes this week, as retreat and withdrawal look sweeter than ever, and people begin to forget to phone you. But at the same time, you start to grow more assertive, sexually magnetic and determined. Odd combination! It could lead to lust-oriented situations during September. Recently I've been warning you to avoid "partnering" - that warning dissolves Thursday night into late October. In fact, you could attract a fairly perfect potential lover/mate! (Better in October than now.) Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Co-workers are about to "leave" your social scene, while potential partners enter it. You might be letting one of those co-workers come closer, deeper into your world. Be careful about this. In general, the social scene is, now to late 2007, the doorway through which difficulties (disguised as beauties) would like to enter your life. Still, you'll be feted this month - remain wise, and be happy! Communications, paperwork and short trips succeed splendidly Sunday. Be restful, care for your home Monday/Tuesday. Romance, creative and speculative urges come Wednesday/Thursday - respond! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 This way to the exit: September urges you to grow more ambitious - and, perhaps, to take chances with your ethics or morals, in order to chase a prize. But wisdom offers you a better path: retreat to contemplate your life, and how you really want to live the decades ahead. (This is very favored Wednesday noon to Friday noon - a time when one phase of your life subtly ends and another begins. You'll see this as winter and spring arrive.) Sunday brings money luck. Talk and travel cautiously Monday/Tuesday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Your minds awakens to ideas, ideals, social structures, the reasons why life operates as it does. Higher learning, religion, law, far travel, international affairs - these get a mildly lucky boost in September. Accept what comes here without chasing it. (For there could be a "honeyed trap" hovering around.) Thursday to October 23 tends to end or re-establish a career association or ambition, or replace it with a "new beginning." The new, the "re-establishing" will come September 24 onward. Be diplomatic with powerful people. Sunday's your lucky day! Money caution Monday/Tuesday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 You'll have some luck in investments, sex, intimacy, health and lifestyle changes this month, but let this luck fall in your lap rather than chase it - and don't base your "permanent direction" on it. If you're a baby boomer, get your immune system, diabetic, blood quality or gastro-intestinal tendencies checked. Ideas, far travel, perhaps a wedding or educational possibility will excite you Thursday to late October. Strictly avoid legal hassles. You're tired Sunday, but your luck runs high. Your energy and charisma rise Monday to Wednesday. Money luck Thursday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Relationships (despite my recent warnings) grow luckier in September. (Probably after this Tuesday.) Others will treat you affectionately. You might also be drawn to a beautiful place, or a contractual or "fame" opportunity. In all these, embrace what comes, but chase nothing - that should keep you out of any traps. This Thursday through October 23, lust, intimacy, large finances, lifestyle changes, commitments and health matters draw you strongly (though intermittently). Okay, dive in - unless your "first contact" with this person or situation came June 22 to September 6. Happiness Sunday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/