ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MARCH 4 - 10, 2007 All times/dates are PST. The Mercury retrograde period ends at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, freeing us all to shift into forward gear, to start new ventures and form new relationships - and, finally, to make wise purchases. Act quickly, for Jupiter, the planet of great good luck, remains "helpful" only until April 5 - then it, too, turns retrograde in motion. We can take strong steps forward now to April 5, but from this day to August 5 we should further projects already begun. (The best ones will have begun before September 2005, or mid-November 2006 to the present.) In August we'll face another opportunity to start lucky new projects. One note about the present Mercury retrograde: even though it doesn't fully end until Wednesday night, you'll do well if you charge forward with any new plan, project or relationship that strongly occurs/comes to you Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday daytime. This could be a person, relocation or contract opportunity for ARIES, an idea, educational, legal or travel opportunity for AQUARIUS, an investment, intimate, sexual, research or investigative impulse for PISCES, a money-earning opportunity for VIRGO; for TAURUS a job opportunity, for GEMINI a love, vacation, child-oriented or creative urge, and for CANCER a domestic, realty or security venture. This lucky opportunity could arise in communications or travel for LEO, in personal drives for LIBRA, in healing, spiritual or governmental zones for SCORPIO, in friendship, socializing, politics or group sessions for SAGITTARIUS, and in career, prestige zones for CAPRICORN_. On another note: the era that began in November 1983, and ends early in the 23rd Century, promotes stable power bases, and to some degree, draconian or undemocratic regimes. It shows a gathering of power into stable plateaus - the exact opposite of the 1736-1983 era, which featured competing powers constantly in friction with each other, culminating in the two world wars. Already we're starting to see the political manifestation of this new influence. Bush in America, Tony Blair to some degree, Canada's Harper and Russia's Putin, are all democratic leaders who show a preference for undemocratic rule. An American journalist (sorry, can't remember her name!) called this new zeitgeist "managed democracy." Long ago (before the U.S.S.R. fell apart) I predicted we'd see a new political system that is neither democracy nor communism; this "managed democracy" comes closest. The bad news, for freedom lovers: this state of affairs lasts another 200-plus years (to the 2228). The good news: 2229 will toll the end of politics, period. (Laugh if you want!) From 2008 to 2022, totalitarian-leaning systems begin in hidden earnestness. Start Nothing: 10:56 p.m. Sun. to 1:25 a.m. Mon., 11:51 a.m. to 2:17 p.m. Wed., and 5:51 p.m. Fri. to 2:37 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Lie low, rest, contemplate and plan (plan after Wednesday, not before). You might spy an opportunity, or an attractive person or place, Monday into Wednesday noon. Yes, do pursue this, even if it's a new person, place, etc. - though you might not see it, this probably has "roots" in the past, light, subtle ones. Life holds various surprises, of a deep, almost "unannounced" kind, Wednesday night through Friday, in sexual, financial, lifestyle zones. DON'T invest. You remain attractive to lovers. In two weeks, recent friendly overtures will be returned. Taurus April 20-May 20 Hopes, social delights, flirtations and entertainment bring happiness. But romance meets barriers Sunday. (That romantic prospect might be finishing a major life cycle, so he/she wants to discover/build security before daring the oceans of love. This is so strong that you'll have to adapt, or leave.) Wednesday afternoon through Friday brings exciting meetings -- "workable" ones until 4 a.m. Friday, unviable ones after that. Saturday's deep urges will, eventually, disrupt present loyalties, ambitions, but lead to luckier ones. (Study these urges well: they contain your future.) Work succeeds all week. Gemini May 21-June 20 Continue to smile and do your best on career fronts. Certainty, assertiveness, even impulsivity replace recent delays and mistakes in career, legal, travel, media and educational zones. You can safely charge forward in these Monday onward, even though the "technical delay" doesn't end until Wednesday night. If love (sudden attraction) comes to you Monday to Wednesday, seize the moment! Your popularity is getting a nice, mild boost. A travel, education or publishing/media dream might come true now through February 2008. Tackle chores - safety first! - Thursday/Friday. Saturday's attraction won't last. Cancer June 21-July 22 A wise, gentle, loving mood continues to flow over you. Recent delays end, especially in financial, intimate and health zones - however, you could be too impulsive/aggressive in these areas (to early April). Be steady; contemplate before acting. Your career prospects look good until late April - approach bosses before March 17 for the best results. April's career duties might involve moving large sums, planning future directions or aiding in big transformations. You can make very wise legal, educational, love and travel decisions this March/April. Pursue domestic, realty goals Monday-Wednesday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Recent delays and indecisions end, particularly in financial, sexual, relationship, relocation, public and contractual areas. These zones intensify through early April - love/hate or lust/anger situations could arise! So could, for some Leos, relocation overseas! Be careful, gentle and diplomatic. Well-meaning advisors and/or your own sweet outlook will aid you. Legal, educational, travel and cultural venues bring luck, mild joy until March 17. If you make a proposal in these areas (e.g., send a school application or issue a legal writ) the results should please you by mid-late April. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your energy and charisma remain high Sunday, but problems persist on deep, perhaps hidden levels. Proceed cautiously. Chase money - even new money projects/ventures - Monday to Wednesday morning. You might land a great real estate investment! Recent delays and indecisions end. Short trips, communications, reports and paperwork fill Wednesday eve through Friday - take care in these, especially Friday. All week, open yourself to relationships and opportunities. Investments, sex and research reward you through March 16. Work, health and machinery issues "heat up" through April 5 - investing in these is wise. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Though you're deeply in a work, machinery, service and health cycle, your heart is beginning to awaken in powerful ways. Romance, courage, open attraction, partnering urges, sexual desires - you're riding all these waves now through late April. Others treat you affectionately. Something significant could occur, whether a love affair starts or not! (And a love affair is not unlikely.) Recent delays end. Your charisma and energy rise Monday to Wednesday -you'll attract attention. Be careful with money and personalities Thursday/Friday - a "harmless move" could have disappointing repercussions later. Scorpio Oct. 22-Nov. 21 Delays and indecision end, especially in creative, romantic, domestic and real estate areas. (Technically, the period of delays, mistakes and "don't start anything new" ends Wednesday, but you can initiate projects Monday onward.) You're happy yet dissatisfied Sunday. Rest, contemplate, deal with government, and make applications Monday to Wednesday noon. Your energy and charisma soar Wednesday eve to Friday, but this will probably help you conquer problems rather than give you lucky wings. (You might impress a romantic prospect these few days.) Now to April 5, domestic friction is possible. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec.21 The general emphasis lies on (and wise decisions occur in) home, family, nature, gardening, rest, hibernation, diet, soul and security areas. End stale situations, relationships; nurture fertile ones. Recent delays and indecisions dissolve now, especially in these areas just mentioned, and in travel, communications and paperwork. During the weeks ahead, a romantic note enters - sweet but slender until late March, then full, sonorous late March through April. Romance will blossom most readily with someone you meet in transit, or with whom you have a casual, quick conversation. Happiness comes Monday/Tuesday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Delays and indecision end, especially in communications, travel, money, earnings and spending. In those last - earnings, spending - the pace quickens now to early April. More money than usual will flow to you - but if you don't save, it will flow right through you. Fight an almost unconscious urge to spend. Your home is comforting, beautiful, family affectionate, through March 17 - bask in it! This week and next could bring a proposal or new start, in real estate, family matters or gardening/agriculture, which becomes a larger, lucky project in April. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The main emphasis lies on money, earning, buying/selling, possessions, and casual sensuality. Weeks of indecision and delay end in these areas. Weeks of personal indecision dissolve now also. In the two months ahead, you can make some of the wisest decision of your life regarding earnings, employment, purchases and possessions. Communications go well before March 17 - and a travel, communications or paperwork project you start in this period could become bigger, better in April. Your magnetism, assertiveness and will power rise now to April 5. "Wise love" possible Monday-Wednesday! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Indecision ends! You can now start important projects, ask favors, seek key interviews, and impress others. Your effectiveness soars. Others pay attention. Start nothing Sunday, sexual, intimate, health, financial, investment and lifestyle changes Monday to Wednesday noon, and everything else Thursday onward. (Careful Friday, though, when co-operation is lacking.) Chase career, prestige and business goals Saturday. Your money picture brightens through March 16 - income projects started before the 17th will yield benefits in April. Look after your physical fitness through April 5, but don't over-exert, nor seek violent confrontations. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/