ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2008 All times/dates are PDT. Well, I told you about a year ago that we'd be entering an entirely new economic/business "world" in 2008/09. And here we are! Expect much more, from December 08 onward - for a decade and a half. Though they won't seem as dramatic as present shifts, the changes to follow will be even bigger. When you think of the stock market, of a real estate investment or a long-term business commitment, remember this. It's difficult to see what these changes will be and how they will affect prosperity and success, but knowing that change is afoot, and being nimble and alert, is better than nothing. I don't even know if cash is good to hold - will dollars even exist in 10 years? Or will deflation make one dollar be worth 100 dollars later? Scary times. Maybe it's my age, but I cannot remember so many of my contemporaries ever being so stuck in a market downdraft. Holding handfuls of devalued stocks, they're talking about "riding it out." That might work, if the markets rebound soon. I had thought this decline would be milder than the post-9/11 bear market, which saw the Dow hit roughly 7300 and the TSX hitting 5000 before both rebounded for 4 years. If we go below these support levels, we could go way down, and that's where the "deflationary depression" talk starts. In the 1929-1942 depression, the crash of '29 took the Dow from 380 to 43, over 3 years. This fall was unmitigated, just like the present decline - the first rally didn't come until around 1936, ending in a peak of 187 in 1937 - still half of the '29 peak. So if you're sitting there holding stocks, waiting for a good strong rally to sell into, it might not come soon - or it might. Clue: 2009 seems to hold major inflation, and a market rally even as the (manufacturing/tech) economy dives. The good thing about a recession - folks return to core values; hearts deepen and widen, true love blossoms more easily, compassion replaces a sliver of greed, and, if deep enough, everybody becomes a gardener! What, in the big picture, could be better for us as human beings? Every organism, even mankind, needs a rest now and again. If a deep recession arrives, we'll all get a good rest. Success and the constant drive of ambition create more stress than failure, rest, passivity, or being in a "waiting mode." Of course the losses pile up, in money, possessions, jobs, health care, but to be forced to slow down and return to basics isn't totally a bad thing. New Brunswick, which has essentially been in a no-growth economic "depression" since the 1960's, consistently scores high on "content with my life" surveys, and scores lowest on alcohol consumption, drug use and days-in-hospital. Their cemeteries are full of 90-year-olds. Start Nothing: 3:05 a.m. to 4:47 a.m. Tues., and 10:45 p.m. Wed. to 3:41 p.m. Thurs. Aries March 21-April 19 Life's depths, mysteries, and "deep levers" are accented, especially Tuesday to Thursday. If you locate and pull one of these deep levers, you could lift or change your circumstances in big ways. Making an investment, committing to a new program in health, work or other areas, committing to an intimate life with someone, becoming pregnant, dumping debt, changing lifestyle - these are the most common levers. Relationships are paramount in importance Sunday/Monday - someone you meet or approach could be the lynchpin of these deep levers. Wisdom urges delay, contemplation Thursday-Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Relationships offer exciting prospects over the weeks ahead - especially this Tuesday to Thursday. (Listen to your mental intuition Wednesday rather than your emotions.) Exciting meetings, sudden attractions, opportunities, new horizons, potential relocation, contracts and agreements, any or all could rush upon you! (So could opposition and challenge, if you're not diplomatic.) Tackle chores Sunday/Monday so you'll be ready for this potential-packed mid-week period. Later, Thursday eve to Saturday emphasize finances, sexual urges, lifestyle changes and commitments - but be wary, barriers to success exist, especially pre-dawn Saturday. Love is possible! Gemini May 21-June 20 The main emphasis lies on work, employment, machinery, service people, dependents and health, especially Tuesday/Wednesday. These zones have heated up since early October; they grow more intense and important now through the weeks ahead. Use Tuesday/Wednesday to begin new work projects, buy machinery, etc. Protect your health for the month ahead, eat and dress sensibly. Others treat you with affection. Romance, creative and speculative urges bring joy to Sunday/Monday. Relationships, opportunities, and challenges and opposition - you have to co-operate to make any gains Thursday-Saturday. That will be easy Friday! Cancer June 21-July 22 The weeks ahead (and especially this Tuesday-Thursday) feature romance, creative surges, speculation and taking risks, beauty, pleasure, and happiness with children. You'll ride a winning streak! But think carefully: in one month (through 2024) a huge change in relationships looms - in how you relate, how others react to you, and, due to this, what opportunities come to you. Don't waste this beautiful November on simple fun - love and create seriously. Look for a new life (or hints of it) in the joys that arrive now. Tackle (electrical?) chores Thursday-Friday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Turn to your home and domestic situation. Friction exists here through mid-November. But you're going through a sweet, peaceful mood, a period of gentle understanding, that will lighten this friction, put it in perspective. This Tuesday to Friday, relations and communications between you and your spouse or other important person are smooth, intuitive and supportive. Use this to broach a new home-based project, and get it rolling. (Could involve gardening, real estate, renos or repairs, kids' future/schooling, diet, nutrition, retirement or retirement savings programs, etc.) Romantic notions arrive Thursday-Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 The accent lies on communications, short trips, errands, paperwork, siblings, casual friends, details and news media. Be curious - you might find something intriguing or profitable, especially Monday, Wednesday or Friday! (Take care Friday/Saturday, though, as others might not agree with your goals.) The pace will be hectic, but you don't need to rush. Much of this hectic pace will revolve around a sexual (less likely) or financial (probable) goal - here, rushing, impulse, will work against you. Money's lucky Sunday/Monday. Mid-week's busy - but Thursday eve to Saturday brings rest, sweet domesticity. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Chase money for the next few weeks. Buy, sell, trade, seek a pay raise. Much money will flow into your life - and even more will flow out, unless you save and save, and refuse even seemingly urgent expenses. If you wait, a cheaper way (or non-spending solution) will come. Your energy and charisma (and intuition about romance, love and beauty) soar Sunday/Monday. A new earnings or spending project might start Tuesday-Thursday. So might a new sensual relationship. You're talkative now, and can charm co-workers, possible lovers, Wednesday and Friday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your energy, effectiveness, charisma and sexual magnetism hit a yearly high through the weeks ahead! Seek favors, request an audience with important people or desired loves, tackle previously daunting tasks, and/or begin significant new projects, especially Tuesday/Wednesday. (Rest a bit, contemplate and plan Sunday/Monday.) Your money luck stays high to mid-November. Thursday eve to Saturday tempts you to spend - this could be okay to Friday noon, especially if you're buying high-tech, electrical or engine-related equipment for work or health. But Saturday pre-dawn opens a door to "poverty." Don't enter! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Lie low, rest and contemplate, and avoid gatherings. Your charisma is at a yearly low. Work with charitable, governmental or spiritual organizations. And plan what you're going to do in a month - November 26 will be the first day of a new life for you, beginning a new 16-year phase. This phase features two major differences: 1) you're going to build a castle of money (but have to accept monetary "changes") and 2) the old influences of withdrawal, spirituality, restriction and fear dissolve, go away. Look forward happily Sunday/Monday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The few weeks ahead (especially this Tuesday to Thursday) are probably the most important time in your life to envisage your future. From December 2008 to 2024, major changes will occur. (For some, last January-to-June brought the first of these.) Anticipate and begin creating/planning those changes. Your optimism is high (for good reason!) and you feel social, popular, flirtations occur (or simply flirtatious glances) - you see life as fun, fresh, and full of opportunities. These are clues - nascent notes of the coming symphony! Be ambitious Sunday/Monday. Rest, contemplate Friday/Saturday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The accent lies on ambition, pressure to perform, prestige relationships and community status, especially Tuesday to Thursday, when you might begin a new project in these zones. Higher-ups remain temperamental and impatient through November 15, so smile, accomplish, and know that in the long run you're worth it - even if they don't know that. To stay clear of danger, don't talk. Sunday/Monday bring sweet understanding, gentle nudges of love, and legal, travel or learning success. Your popularity rises Thursday eve to Saturday - social joys, flirtations, and optimism bless you! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Gentle love, understanding and compassion flow into your life over the few weeks ahead. Expect success in legal, educational, far travel, international, cultural and religious/philosophical zones. A venture might begin in one of these areas mid-week. Friendship takes on two faces this week: 1) you seem to befriend or attract people behind the scenes, waifs or civil servants, spiritual or eccentric types; 2) you might co-operate with someone (or ones) in a money-oriented, friendly project. Life's mysteries might arise Sunday/Monday or Wednesday, and lead to intimate or financial commitment. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/