ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JUNE 8 - 14, 2008 All dates/times are PDT. Last week I wrote about the Moon's nodes and eclipses. I promised to do little mini-forecasts of the "effect" of the next eclipse (a solar eclipse) on August 1, 2008. To recap, I don't usually bother with eclipses, as I watch the slow crawl of the nodes instead. Watching the lunar nodes is like being on a train, clacking through a country, gazing on the landscape, and seeing mankind go about his activities. Watching eclipses is like standing in a room, seeing a sudden flash of light (or, in the case of the eclipse, darkness) and from that trying to interpret or construct everything that is happening and existing for all the surrounding miles and months. Eclipses always occur when the Sun and Moon cross the nodal track. At present, the north, or "good" node is in Aquarius, with the "bad" node in Leo - both until August 22 (Pacific Time) 2009. So the eclipses will occur when the Sun is in Leo and Aquarius. Eclipses always mean birth, but often when birth occurs, it replaces something else, which has to "die off." The flower dies when the seed is born; a new president can't be installed until the former one leaves office. When the eclipse occurs on the south nodal track (in this case Leo, August 1) often the death or "loss" side of the birthing tends to get noticed.. In the brief descriptions below of the August 1 eclipse, I emphasize the birth aspect, but you can interpret what might "die off" at the same time. (Contrarily, the Aquarian eclipse, January 26/09, will emphasize the birth aspect.) For LEOS, this eclipse means new birth, a rejuvenation of personality, and, oddly, a new youthfulness. (But what has to die off?) Many older Leos will find themselves befriended, during the autumn/summer months, by younger people. For AQUARIANS, it signals the end of one relationship, and the start of another (likely with the same person!). For CAPRICORNS, the August eclipse portends a change of lifestyle, sex partner or investment; for PISCES, it means a change or renewal of work/health conditions. For ARIES, a new romantic atmosphere; for TAURUS, change in the home. For GEMINI, a different car, computer, or way of communicating. For VIRGO, a change in seclusion or governmental relations; for LIBRA, new social conditions, new friends. For SCORPIO, new career conditions. For CANCER, new money venues, change of a possession. For SAGITTARIUS, birth of an educational, religious, intellectual, legal or travel project. The last primary, June 3, if needed, will boost Obama. But the August 1 eclipse occurs right on his Sun: which could foreshadow dangerous times at the Democratic convention. The lunar south node runs over Obama's Sun on election day. Start Nothing: 8:41 a.m. to 7:01 p.m. Sun., 12:42 p.m. Tues. to 2:55 a.m. Wed., and 2:16 a.m. to 1:53 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 Start nothing important before June 19. That said, you'll be busy this week, with travel, paperwork, errands, siblings and casual relationships. Exercise your curiosity - you could learn the answer to a question that has always puzzled you. Sunday's pleasurable - your heart swells with affection or beauty. Charge into chores Monday/Tuesday - and protect your health from minor complaints. Relationships assume importance Wednesday/Thursday, just as glitches, misunderstandings and impulsive door-slamming are likely. It's not love that's at risk - it's friendship. Friday morning heals hurt feelings. Sex, big money and mysteries Friday/Saturday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Start nothing - focus on the past, and protect ongoing projects from mistakes and confusion. Otherwise, turn your attention to money, buying/selling and possessions. Check your memory bank for forgotten items. (Making a list often helps jar the memory: so does relaxing.) Rest, putter, and interface with children Sunday. A romantic atmosphere enters Sunday night to Tuesday - there will be ups and downs, and your hopes will be surprised. Tackle chores - but carefully - Wednesday/Thursday. Take safety precautions around electricity and unpredictable people. Relationships excite Friday/Saturday - your career luck runs high! Gemini May 21-June 20 Your vitality, charm and magnetism are firing on all cylinders - every day is a good hair day! But don't start any new projects in any area. Protect ongoing ventures from mistakes and delays, and reprise old projects/loves. You'll attract the opposite sex, but you're in an '08 trend that leans toward extramarital attractions. Consider whom you're attracting, and - way, way deeper - why. Travel brings joys, despite mix-ups. But watch your wallet, papers, etc. Rest Sunday night through Tuesday - connect with kids, study your security. Romance soars - maybe stressfully -Wednesday/Thursday. Cancer June 21-July 22 Start nothing important. Protect ongoing projects from mistakes and misunderstandings. Dealings with government agencies, head office, institutions and suppliers (especially if warehousing is involved) might go awry, but there's a good reserve of pleasantry or affection - no one gets upset or draconian. Money continues to pour in - or out. Stem major outflows. A sweet friend might contact you late Sunday. Take care of emails, letters, messages and errands Monday/Tuesday - make a list, double-check it. Be near home Wednesday/Thursday; deal with kids, security, gardening. Romance - and lust - are possible Friday/Saturday. Leo July 23- Aug. 22 Start nothing. Reprise past projects and social connections. And protect ongoing ventures - especially earnings or financial ones - from mistakes and communication mix-ups. Your magnetism, impatience, wisdom and hopefulness are all powerfully strong this week and next - an unusual combination. Others are attracted. Actually, it's mutual - but don't be drawn into a brand-new "important" relationship (e.g., love affair, business commitment). You're "on top" Sunday. Chase (old) money Monday/Tuesday - pay outstanding bills, collect accounts. Communications, errands and short trips call mid-week. Drive and speak carefully - surprises lurk. Be home, Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Start nothing new before June 19, especially in career, business and status zones. (Despite this, your prospects look good. A higher-up shows friendly affection.) Rather than hide a secret desire, reveal or abandon it. This applies to money, emotions, lust, a desire to change your lifestyle or to be a detective - any of these, kept hidden, could "hurt" you during June. Your energy and charisma rise Monday/Tuesday - collect on old favors, but make no promises. Chase money mid-week - you'll have luck, but an associate's or competitor's unpredictable actions won't help. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 A former love might be in the picture - and/or a former country, idea, educational program, travel project. These treat you well this week, could bring you beauty, affection or valuable secrets. But don't start any brand new projects - and protect ongoing ones from mistakes and missed schedules. Sunday's fun and flirtatious. Retreat this night through Tuesday - rest, contemplate, handle overdue (but not new) government, administration, charity or health tasks. Your energy surges back Wednesday to early Friday - you might attract someone - but work duties or machinery can cause disruptions. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Others show you respect Sunday, but how can you use that? Oh, well. This night through Tuesday brings delights, hopes, entertainment or socializing, and good humor. But retreat Wednesday to Friday morning: rest, contemplate, complete any outstanding obligations (especially involving taxes, government or charitable/spiritual organizations). Safety hazards with electricity or computer glitches might occur. Your energy and charisma bounce back Friday/Saturday. All week, start nothing brand new. Reprise the past, especially in sexual, financial, lifestyle and research zones. A former lover or investment might appear, bringing mild good luck. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 After a thoughtful Sunday, you'll feel ambitious, ready to accomplish, this night to Tuesday - good, but remember, start NO important ventures - they'd fail due to lack of co-operation. Midweek (Wednesday-Friday) brings optimism, social joys, popularity, and fresh new vistas - a perfect influence during this June, which emphasizes lucky relationships (even marriage) contracts, agreements and opportunities. However, let all these be from the past, or ongoing (from at least early May). Touch nothing/no one new. Make no promises. Retreat, rest and contemplate life Friday p.m. to Saturday. Avoid lawsuits; do travel. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Mysteries confront you Sunday. But this night into Tuesday brings answers - though they might be philosophical or abstract answers, not detailed ones. Still, you'll feel peace, understanding, a gentle mood. Be careful not to start a new project or relationship before June 19 (you might be tempted to, these several days). Ambitions and dealings with higher-ups and parents, or your own parenting role, assume importance Wednesday/Thursday - charge forward, but cautiously, and again, start no new ventures. Optimism, flirtations, entertainment, social joys and fun arrive Friday eve, Saturday. Seek happiness! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Opportunities might excite you Sunday. This eve to Tuesday brings mystery, investigation, and the surfacing of subconscious desires. It also nudges you to enter a door, or give a commitment (e.g., to intimacy, or to invest). But don't promise, sign, or otherwise commit yourself, unless the commitment concerns the past, and a past item, project or relationship. Start nothing new before June 19. Love, a mellow mood, cultural rites, far travel, or higher learning draw you Wednesday/Thursday - but a money factor interferes. Your ambitions are highlighted Friday/Saturday - be dutiful! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 You have chores to complete Sunday. This night to Tuesday, relationships, opportunities, challenges and competition call for eagerness and diplomacy. But don't be so eager that you sign on for a new project, or begin one. If you're going to grasp people or opportunities, grasp old, former ones. (There's luck in these.) Start NO new ventures. Mysteries, deep desires, big finances, investments, sexual urges, lifestyle yearnings, come Wednesday/Thursday - but you don't feel comfortable, deep down, with any of the options, so you might rebel or act unpredictably. Recognize why. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timsetphens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/