ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS OCTOBER 4- 10, 2009 All times/dates are PDT. CATCH UP: Every once in awhile I write a blurb that provokes a spike in emails. Such was the preamble on the number “16.” Most emails went: “I was born on the 16th of [fill in month] – help! Does that mean I’m doomed?” (No, because your “number” is day + month + year.) Some related funny stories about 16, but most were of the dread variety. Worry causes more communication than happiness. I predicted here that we’ll see another major bear market and economic decline this autumn, and that we’ll see a speculative, overheated stock market October onward. (That’s how to win at this forecasting game – forecast both sides!) What I really meant is that I think the economic recovery we’re seeing might/should either stall or hit a “shock” around September-November. Of the two shocks I expected, one occurred last week, but didn’t seem to cause anything, although house sales declined for the first time in half a year. Still... One indicator of world-wide economic health is the Baltic Dry Index. I’ve mentioned it before – a measure of shipping rates, hence of shipping activity. Around May/08 it hit 12,000.Last winter, with the economic shock, it fell to 663 –one twentieth! In the recent “green shoots” recovery this index climbed to 4,000, about a third its May/08 peak, but it has since fallen to 2,450, which means exporting countries such as Canada and China are again slowing down, finding fewer customers. Google this index every few weeks – if it keeps going down, start worrying about your stocks. (I told you last spring to get out of the market in August or September. Well, September’s just past.) By the way, looking at last week’s column about Saturn and its sobering influence as it passes through your Sun sign, I should add, if you’re wondering when you felt or will feel these effects: Saturn was in LEO 2005-07, in CANCER 2003-05, in GEMINI 2001-03, and TAURUS 1999-2001. In future, Saturn will affect SCORPIO in 2012-14, SAGITTARIUS 2015-2017, CAPRICORN 2018-20, AQUARIUS 2020-23, PISCES 2023-2025, ARIES 2025-2028. TAURUS, you spent 1984 to 2008 struggling with relationships. Now, at last, they have decided to work for you. The people you meet, and those you already know, seem to quietly open their arms to you. For the next 15 years, agreements, negotiations, opportunities, relocation themes, fame, marriage, business partnerships, all run with a smoothness you’re not used to. More importantly, though nothing is 100 per cent, these things will, now and in future, yield fruitful results. (Relations might have been smooth enough in the past – but that was due to your diplomacy. Others still withheld their approval. That’s over!) Start Nothing: 10:46 p.m. Sun. to 9:33 a.m. Mon., 10:19 a.m. to 2:46 p.m. Wed., and 6:35 p.m. to 6:48 p.m. Fri. Aries March 21-April 19 The emphasis remains on relationships of all kinds. You could be signing contracts, negotiating, fighting, loving and wooing, relocating, or tasting fame. This week, all these should go very well, as all parties seem eager to compromise, join and/or accept. You start with lots of vim, vigour and charisma, Sunday. Monday to Wednesday morning favour your money efforts and possessions. Talk, details, short trips are pleasant and productive Wednesday/Thursday. But remember: others hold the power. If they don’t like what you’re doing, they’ll show it, powerfully, Friday/Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Work and health issues are slated. Your career star is ascending! (Especially on “night shift.”) Lie low, rest and contemplate your plans Sunday. You could hear/spy very interesting developments regarding friends or your career. One friend might be in trouble, or a secret might be involved. Your energy and charisma rise Monday morning to Wednesday morning – start projects, ask favours. You get along splendidly in a relationship. Your money, income and purchasing luck soars Wednesday eve, Thursday – but be careful with money and everything else Friday. Saturday might hold a silent disagreement. Gemini May 21-June 20 If last week didn’t bring it, this one might – an agreement in a relationship, or with a higher-up, judge, or in a legal matter. For the young at heart, this could also signal love. Make as much progress as you can Sunday to Thursday, and keep the faith even through Friday’s problems. If all fails, you’ll know it Saturday. But this failure will favour you, ultimately, so meet it with calm acceptance. Next week could bring swift action, results, especially in relationships and legal, learning and international zones. This week is made for romance – impress someone Thursday! (Not Friday!) Cancer June 21-July 22 A beautiful week for all domestic things! Children, property, cooking, renovations, security, retirement programs – all benefit from this week’s sweet and co-operative influences – until Friday/Saturday. So accomplish early, start things before these days loom. The solutions and opportunities are many. The problems aren’t many; they come Sunday, Friday and Saturday (if at all) and revolve around communications (especially Sunday) and relationships. To solve them, be open, honest, see another’s side, be gentle. Your charisma, energy rise Saturday, but say little – watch, learn. Good friends Monday/Tuesday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 This is an easy, swift week. Expect a lot of paperwork and messages to come through, especially Wednesday to Friday. Handle details, communications, reports, and travel all week. Legal, educational or similar matters have held you down since late August. If you haven’t been ethical, you’ve paid for it, as others have been gossiping and prying out your secrets. Don’t want to preach paranoia – but if you’ve been skirting the edges of propriety, better straighten up! Next week into June will burn, free, exhilarate, madden and intensify – you’ll attract/chase love like Valentino or Monroe did! Virgo Aug. 23-September 22 Chase money. This relatively smooth, productive week favours you in spending, earning, allocating or protecting possessions, and sensual involvements. Buy computers, cars, machinery between 3 p.m. PDT Sunday and 8:30 p.m. Thursday. All 2009, you receive work “favours” – perhaps getting more work, but in some cases, your job is, will or has ended. This will almost certainly have a good result (e.g., nudging you into a better position elsewhere). After a long “pause” in good luck in this area (since mid-June) finally things are about to move forward. Be ambitious Thursday! Libra September 23-Oct. 22 Your energy, charisma, effectiveness and luck rise powerfully! Charge ahead with significant projects, seek love, see and be seen, impress bosses or others – you hold the aces now! DON’T cheat – otherwise, victories will be empty, and when your advantage declines, you’ll have enemies. For best success, act between 2:30 p.m. (PDT) Sunday and 8:30 Thursday night. Sunday eve could bring a long-sought agreement with an ally or enemy. Anytime Sunday might bring an exciting new love, but the future looks argumentative! Love, travel, learning and legal success fill late Wednesday, all Thursday. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Lie low, rest and recuperate. Seek sweet solitude, contemplate, meditate, handle government and administrative duties, be charitable, and seek advice if you need it. This week is smooth and successful from Sunday eve through Thursday night. Relationships heal, merge, and treat you well Monday to Wednesday morning. Investigations, investment, finances, sexual joining and health diagnoses go well – even very, very well! – late Wednesday and all Thursday. Take care Friday/Saturday – caution keeps you safe, while domestic, property luck rises. (Delays will soon end in home, security, kid-related areas.) Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Light romance, flirtations, social delights, optimism and a fresh, lucky world surround you! (At least for the next 15-20 days.) Charge ahead, tell others your plans and wishes, gather friends around, enjoy your popularity. Although you are not in the best of romantic or wedding years, a “likely someone” could appear late Wednesday through early Saturday. (But if he/she first appears after Thursday, the good will be mixed with some gnarly stuff.) Sunday could spark a friendly conversation or short trip that ends with true romantic hints. Tackle chores and health issues Monday/Tuesday. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Be ambitious. October is one of your best months in 2009 – and 2009’s one of the best years in a few – to increase your monetary fortunes via ambitions, career, prestige relationships, and/or business associations. Ask for a pay raise, or up your client fees. Demonstrate your skills. Act Monday through Thursday (especially Thursday). Money delays (as well as a delay in merging with that sensual person) will dissolve this week or next. (Sensual: a former lover might have contacted you since June. But it’s not significant.) Contemplate what project, job or association to end Sunday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb.18 Legal, far travel, cultural, religious, educational, publishing, humanitarian, love and friendship zones are well-starred all October, especially this Sunday through Thursday. You might encounter significant romance Wednesday afternoon, Thursday. To a small degree, a monetary or sexual dilemma is tugging at your sleeve – the solution here is a merging or compromise. (The dilemma’s highlighted Sunday and Friday; the solution Monday to Thursday.) Social plans might have been put on hold since mid-June – but this week or next, everything’s back on track! Careful with health Saturday. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Chase money Sunday. Someone is intrigued, maybe mystified by you. Casual friends, short trips and paperwork go well Monday to Wednesday morning. Wednesday eve through Thursday offer easy success in home, property, security and similar areas – do something major, if you can! This whole month features and promotes changes, investments, financial re-arrangements, mysteries, research, lifestyle changes, subconscious desires, sexual intimacy and commitment. Think about that Wednesday/Thursday. Pull back Friday/Saturday: let what will be, be. Pursue nada. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 905-372-8996. /30/