ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2009 All times/dates are PST. Okay, I've at my wits end. I said if Obama swears in before 12:30 pm at his inauguration, expect various difficulties. Well, he did - and the first difficulty was, he and Chief Justice Roberts muffed the oath. So Obama swore the oath of office again, at 7:35 p.m. the next day. Does that change the picture? Not really. Astrologically, such repetitions are ineffective. The first swearing-in chart (January 20, 12:04 p.m.) shows success in every field except finances and real estate. (The two "finance" cusp degrees are described in one of the old books: the "net worth" cusp as "a corpse exposed to birds and beasts of prey," and the income degree as: "you cannot serve God and Mammon" - with lots of references to jail sentences.) On the other hand, even the first oath chart might not carry significant weight. It shows the sky at the moment he actually became President. This chart has (as I've noted before) a "start nothing" Moon and Mercury retrograde - and Mercury sits at the highest point in the sky. So the presidency will contain dead-ends, mistakes and "re-do's." The chart shows much intelligence, a foreign war, legal hassles with civil servants, bad karma in real estate, good karma in prestige, popularity for the administration based largely on film and sympathy; restrictions on the arts and deep changes in financials and medicine. Ten of the 12 "house cusps" show health, drive, vigor, fortune, intelligence, etc. But both money cusps are soundly negative. But on to love_since Valentine's is approaching: ARIES, your social life will expand tremendously in 2009 - the most in 13 years. This is sure to bring various light, entertaining escapades, flirtations with friends, and prospects for building an enduring love with one special person. Blind dates or unexpected meetings at picnics, parties, union or political gatherings can bring you together with someone who will either be a great friend - or a great friend and a lover. Romance this year is of the light, "non-embarrassing" kind, but it can be very worthy of marriage. Reject the temptation to mix lust with business, to climb the ladder of success through the boudoir. You're filled with a charming grace in February, and a new social circle might open to you (jump in!). If you're a female, flirtations soar. An "ex" might return in March/April - or you receive so much attention you can't decide who to choose. May brings deeply sensual romance, partly because your determination and magnetism surge. Casual friends fill early-mid summer, but late August brings a charming person with whom you should not co-habit. November/December bring a deep, meaningful romantic rush, perhaps true love. (Before September, go social, reject "infatuation.") Start Nothing: 10:08 a.m. to 2:09 p.m. Sun., 5:27 p.m. to 6:14 p.m. Tues., 9:45 a.m. to 8:06 p.m. Thurs., and 11:07 a.m. to 8:43 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Optimism, popularity, social joys and wish fulfillment visit you all week! You can launch projects and embrace new relationships now. Recent delays and indecision fade swiftly. Chase money Sunday afternoon to Tuesday eve - wait until Tuesday to make major purchases. Friends, communications, travel and curiosity proceed successfully Tuesday/Wednesday, but be cautious Thursday. You might have to revise an attitude or a relationship due to social, career pressures. You radiate a gracefulness and affectionate charm all February - which can bring love to singles, new friends to married folks. Home, Friday/Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Indecision, confusion end. You can successfully launch new projects, especially in career, employment, prestige and parenting zones. This sector is very lucky all 2009, but VIPs, bosses and your own parents can be temperamental Wednesday through mid-March. Tread lightly, keep a sense of humor, and realize the same people who are chewing you out are reacting to their own frustrations (and are generally kind-hearted besides) - so avoid retaliations that could create permanent animosities. Confidential meetings, administration, or government programs can boost your career or parenting success. Money luck, Wednesday! Gemini May 21-June 20 Delays and indecision end. Charge forth on intellectual, travel, international, educational, media, legal and love fronts - these are exceptionally lucky all year. Wednesday to mid-March injects an urgency and determination into these matters, and could bring a major wish true (e.g., you're published, a school admits you, love is returned, etc.). One you meet socially could become a light, sweet romance, and, later, perhaps a serious, even wedding-oriented love. But realize sexual and practical realities don't "jive" with love this week. You attract admiration mid-week, after a Sunday-Tuesday rest. Cancer June 21-July 22 Delays, confusion and indecision are over, so plunge into activity and new ventures, Cancer. The depths of life are fortunately highlighted: large finances, investments, research, dreams, subconscious urges, hunches, sex, intimacy, commitment and consequence, research, diagnosis, lifestyle changes and "deep" health concerns. However, don't be impetuous here - working in these zones, or advising/aiding others in these subjects might be "safer" than an all-out ill-considered plunge. Your career prospects sweeten now to early June - a beneficial project or enhanced reputation awaits you, especially in "career" security, property and family zones. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Now to early June, a sweet, mild luck nudges you to travel afar, publish your views, wed, join/practice a religion, enter university or college, and meet with lawyers, foreign-born people and scholars. Like Gemini, you are entering a year of big love prospects! (If you're happily married, expect a year of lucky dealings, partnerships, creative opportunities and possible relocation.) The next six weeks could spark a fire between you and someone attractive - make sure it's love, not war! Complete a task to free yourself. Good news might arrive Tuesday/Wednesday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Mid-week starts six weeks of hard work - dive in, for this will enhance your reputation, aid your career. The delays, missteps and frustrations of January are over. Now to early June, your net worth will grow; you can make some excellent investments, end debt, or slide happily into a new lifestyle. Married or single, your libido surges. (If single, an affair looms.) Research, occultism, dreams and the subconscious, deep health concerns, detective work, and major changes, major commitments, are both lucky and filled with a certain sweet affection. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Sunday ends recent delays, misunderstandings and indecision. And Wednesday ends a six-week "trial" for married or co-habiting Librans, a phase of anger, impatience, and possible urges to end a relationship. If you're unattached, or happily married, these past weeks instead probably brought frustrations involving children, unexpected repairs, etc. Now your year of romantic luck can finally begin in earnest! The five months ahead will enhance relationships mightily. You could fall in love, or simply feel appreciated. You might also divorce, in a bid to find happiness. Mid-week shows which. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Your work place, co-workers, bosses and subordinates bring two things now to early June: 1) affection, pleasant dealings, and 2) opportunity - opportunity to marry, a chance to grab a lucrative contract, to change offices/bases, etc. However, DO NOT change actual careers or jobs or push higher-ups for praise or promotion (or to endorse your proposal) - especially if you're acting from a feeling of suffocation, boredom, or isolation - through August 21. Now to mid-March, you might work at home, experience domestic friction, or quit a job. (Quitting's okay, changing's not!) Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Delays end - you can start new projects anytime. The next six weeks bring a rush of paperwork, travel, communications, details, errands - you'll be busy! (List your priorities, so you won't waste time on inconsequential things.) Now to early June, you'll encounter sweet luck in romance, creative ventures, and beautifying, child-oriented, pleasure and speculative projects. You could fall in love with someone you meet at a party or other gathering. Love letters could gain wings! Opportunities and relationships excite and appear lucky Wednesday, but contain long term disappointment - be astute. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The delays and indecision of January have ceased, so begin new ventures, especially in earnings and education. Tell somebody who you are, what you stand for, the kind of job you can do. This is your lucky money year, and during the six weeks ahead the money tap could really gush! But exercise strict self-control: overspending tempts, and could leave you poorer! Your home life grows affectionate and lucky now through early June. Retirement, real estate, gardening, therapy, meditation, a new diet, and charming kids - all will bless you. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Your energy continues high, and the delays of January are over, so charge ahead. Start important projects, ask favors, persuade others - take bold steps. This is the beginning of one of the luckiest years of your life! Your magnetism increases now through mid-March - you'll feel more determined and assertive, and the opposite sex (yes, same sex if you're gay) will respond favorably. You grow more talkative, restless and curious - this will continue to June, and bring you good friends, as well as some interesting travels. Midweek brings romantic feelings. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Lie low, rest, contemplate and plan. Be charitable, seek spiritual enlightenment, and deal with head office, institutions or government agencies. The bad news is, others might treat you a bit "roughly" or impatiently in these areas through mid-March. The good news is, 1) January's delays have ended in these and other areas, and 2) these "background" areas can be a lucrative source of money - in fact this week to early June brings a nice wave of money. You'll be able to afford a luxury or two! Your sensual life improves. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/