ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JUNE 22 - 28, 2008 All times/dates are PDT. You might notice that all the "Start Nothing" periods this week add to less than 2 hours - usually they would encompass much more. In the week of June 8, "Start Nothing" periods ate up almost 37 hours. But that was in the middle of the Mercury retrograde period, which always signals that we shouldn't start anything anyway. And this week of very slim "Nothing" periods is the first surge after the three-week Mercury delay period has ended. Is there a connection? You tell me_. In any case, it's a signal to charge ahead! Every Mercury retro period (yes, I know it's over) some readers write about their special cases: If my new job starts during the retro but I interviewed before it? If I had the idea about this project before the retro but - ? If I decided to repair my roof before the retro but - ? The answer to all these questions is basically this: If you did physically begin a project before the Mercury retro (in this case, before May 26) - that is, hammered the first nail, wrote the first paragraph, made the presentation (or better, a slew of them) then you should have, during the retro period, a) preferably, if the project is still young, given it a three-week hiatus (in our present case, until June 19) or b) carried on, but with an eye to mistakes, delays, etc. If you interviewed for a job before the retrograde period, but the job began during the retro (e.g., May 26 to June 18) then don't consider the job to be permanent - keep your eye open for a promotion, lateral switch, or different opportunity elsewhere. Though the job might last for years, it will not be your best direction or position. That applies even if you earlier underwent "job training" with the firm for the position. Hope this helps you to decide in retrospect_ I've been writing for some months about the new Pluto phase, 2008 to 2024. Pluto often signals difficulty or struggle - in the 1984-1996 period these struggles mostly affected TAURUS, LEO, SCORPIO and AQUARIUS. From 1996 to 2008, GEMINI, VIRGO, SAGITTARIUS and PISCES took up the torch of struggle. From 08 to 2024, ARIES, CANCER, LIBRA and CAPRICORN will carry on the struggle. (Pluto, even when carrying a bag of luck and prosperity for anyone, also brings upheaval. This planet hates to leave you as it found you. Scorpios have that same character trait.) But here's the thing: if you have faced struggles, opposition, puzzles and upheavals in any area for the last 12 years, now is NOT the time to make huge changes in your life to cure them. Because time, whether it's evident now (or, more likely, will be in 2009) HAS cured those problems_. Start Nothing: 12:04 p.m. to 12:32 p.m. Mon., 7:16 p.m. to 7:49 p.m. Wed., and 11:13 p.m. to 11:50 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 The accent lies on home, food, property, kids, gardening, agriculture, security, retirement, contemplation and the basics of life. In business, foundations, sales territory, premises, structures - and survival, bottom line - gain importance. Last week gave you a clue that your career future was changing. (That's not dire - indeed, 2008 could bring you the best career transformation/opportunity in your lifetime thus far!) Use the weeks ahead, then, to make sure you have a strong, sturdy base to launch yourself from. Base = education, healthy family support, etc. Family members are affectionate! Taurus April 20-May 20 The weeks ahead feature short trips, communications, details, paperwork, mail, news media, casual friends/siblings, errands and curiosity. All this will enjoy a sweet, affectionate patina until July 12. Contact others - you won't be rebuffed! (Apropos of this, 1997 to 2003 confronted you with a lot of upheaval and stress in career and/or from your parents if you were young. If you're still reacting to this with mistrust or a "once burned twice shy" syndrome, it's time to emerge from that old stance and live again - the world wants you!) Gemini May 21-June 20 Chase money for the weeks ahead - you'll find enough to buy a luxury item or two. Trust your memory; trust appearances - they reflect reality well enough. You'll feel healthy, at ease, talkative and friendly, and sensual interludes could arise if you're single. Love, wisdom, higher education and far travel occupy your thoughts Sunday, early Monday. Be ambitious Tuesday/Wednesday. Optimism creeps in Wednesday night, and stays for a visit through Friday! Flirtations and social delights fill Friday! Rest and contemplate Saturday - you could find a valuable "key" or lucky lair! Cancer June 21-July 22 Your energy, magnetism, effectiveness and luck soar now to late July! Don't waste this time - start significant projects, tackle concerns that previously you might have considered too daunting, ask favors, see and be seen. This is your power time! However, limit your spending before July 1 - you can overpay, or be pursued by debts. You'll attract the opposite sex, as you radiate a subtle charm now. Sunday brings intriguing lures. Wisdom, love, cultural, travel, legal and intellectual matters pull you - somewhat luckily - early week. Be ambitious Thursday/Friday. Happiness, fun Saturday! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Take a restful, contemplative stance until late July. You have a lot to ponder until July 1, especially about education, foreign travel, legal matters or a cultural prospect. Don't be rushed into anything. The month ahead is a good time to act on investment, debt, finance, security, domestic, therapy, governmental, management and institutional, charity and spiritual matters - but it's a poor time to seek attention, praise or romance. Shy away from anything that demands a vibrant or charismatic presence on your part. Wisdom, love and understanding float in Thursday/Friday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 A somewhat frustrating month just ended. (You were ambitious yet held back.) The weeks ahead bring optimism, social joys, flirtations, entertainment, and general happiness. You're in an expansive, security-building, adventurous year filled with romantic possibility - the month ahead increases your options, peels away restrictions and opens doors to these potentials, largely through the social and business contacts you form. (So do form them! Call, ask, write.) But realize that now to November 26, you might have one last big adjustment to make in family, home, retirement or property zones. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The weeks ahead emphasize ambition, career, prestige, community standing, and parenting roles. You'll be favored. Bosses and VIPs will take your proposals seriously. Recent delays end in legal, communication, travel, educational and media zones. What you anticipated accomplishing in these might need to be scaled down, but charge ahead, because you'll get to your goals swiftly and easily. Your optimism and social life remain buoyant for 9 days - it's still possible you'll meet a partner in a group Sunday, or Thursday-Saturday! Show your receptivity. Investment and intimacy lucky Saturday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 The weeks ahead feature understanding, a broad view of life and the world, gentle love, far travel, quiet happiness, cultural, legal, intellectual and publishing pursuits. These will go hand-in-hand with luck and affection, at least to July 12 - so contract negotiations and partnerships will yield results. Recent financial, intimate/sexual, lifestyle and health (diagnosis) delays have ended, so you can accomplish swiftly on these fronts - but let them be secondary fronts. Tackle domestic, security and property matters Sunday, early Monday. Romance, pleasure, and a winning streak arrive Monday to Wednesday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Delays and indecision end in relationships. At last you can get together with a loved one, or reject someone firmly, sign a contract, make promises and accept them. Do these over the next few weeks. Now into August, relationships veer luckily into deeper areas. Attraction becomes intimacy; intimacy becomes commitment. In business, synergies lead to negotiations, these to agreements, and agreements to funding. Opportunities are everywhere - accept them - go "over there." There's no rush, as you have almost three months; but don't delay, either. Luck and desire accompany you! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Delays have ended in work, health and machinery zones - you can proceed luckily, quickly and sure-footedly with these for the weeks ahead, but let them be your secondary consideration. More important, now to late July, are relationships, opportunities, fresh new horizons, and possible relocation. Others will hold the essential power, but they will also be affectionate, generous, so be diplomatic, a "true partner." Obviously or subtly, even subconsciously, you lately began redoing your life entirely, from the soul outward. Think of this when making agreements, choosing prospects and horizons. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Romantic, creative and pleasure interests straighten out. Delays end - so might a fond reunion with an old flame - though relationships continue at peak intensity. A speculative venture, if you "picked it up" in the last three weeks, is a loser - drop it. If it began before May 20, it might resume forward motion at a fair clip. Work, employment and machinery issues, dependents' welfare, health and necessities - these are emphasized - luckily - over the weeks ahead. Knuckle down to the job facing you. Your energy's good Sunday/Monday. Protect money Monday-Wednesday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Delays and indecision have ended, especially in domestic, property, security, relationship, marriage, relocation and contractual zones. Pursue these areas in the next few weeks, but only to wrap up minor things. Your main focus for the next four weeks will be on adventure, romance, creativity, speculation, children's development, beauty and pleasure. You'll win; you'll touch happiness! And you'll attract someone, Monday-Wednesday! Partnership strains of the past could reappear now through November, but more to "complete a struggle" than to begin new wars. Ambition's wand touches you for six months. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/