PrFont34Bin0BinSub0Frac0Def1Margin0Margin0Jc1Indent1440Lim0Lim1ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MAY 23 - 29, 2010 All times/dates are PDT. I made a mistake in last week's column, saying there were 16 countries in the European Union. Rather, there are 16 countries in the Eurozone - countries that exclusively use the Euro. That's the danger zone: the sovereign debt crisis will affect these countries most, as they cannot vary their currency - and therefore are trapped in their crisis. They cannot inflate their way out of debt. BTW, if I haven't been clear so far about the July/August ""T-Square," my advice is to invest in nothing before late August. The possibility of a collapse is too great. Just to balance the gloom-and-doom of what's been said here, and what will be said in future columns, here's a list of zones I think will "escape" potential impact, or at least be dealt only a glancing or indirect blow: law, higher learning (universities, etc.) religion, publishing, culture(s), travel, entertainment, socializing, institutions (hospitals, jails, government offices, large corporations to some degree) probably gold, distribution, office systems and related technologies (e.g., I-pads, Blackberries, telecoms). Real estate's a tough one. While not directly affected by this July-August T-square, it is in the last third of a negative phase, lasting from August 2009 to March 2011. Romance, art, creativity and children are also hard to call. There's a wee bit of negative impact, but also an encouraging indication of flowering joy. So if you have to invest, invest in these areas - e.g., publishing, gold, children's education. Or "invest" in them emotionally, lifestyle-wise, etc. (E.g., fall in love!) More on this later. But for now, back to Solitaire. Two weeks ago we looked at the total number of cards that you "free" or "win" in a "fortune telling" game of Solitaire, and what those numbers meant. BTW, in a column last year about this method, I wrote that an odd number of cards gave a "Yes," and an even number, a "No." But lately I reversed this, saying an even number indicates Yes; odd, a No. You can use either way, as long as you set in your mind which will be which before beginning. (However, it's better to keep the same Yes/No system, as constant switching leads to superficial answers.) An even-numbered Yes system works best with practical and love questions, while an odd-numbered Yes system works well for intellectual questions. I switched to the even #'d Yes, because most readers have practical or affection-related questions. So in future I'm going to consider even numbers as a "Yes." (In divination, you can choose any indicator, providing you do so before you ask any question, and your belief is strong, your intent clear and benevolent.) Start Nothing: 9:01 p.m. to 11:17 p.m. Mon., 4:13 a.m. to 4:15 a.m. Thurs., and 9:40 a.m. to 11:44 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 A busy, detail-filled month lies ahead. Your luck has been low, but it soon will climb or reach equilibrium (early June through early September). Sunday/Monday feature relationships and opportunities. These are a tough slog Sunday -you might reach a final separation point or showdown over a domestic, career, or similar situation. Don't expect fireworks, just deep, thoughtful commitment to a path. Monday's the opposite - everything works when you admit your own fears, failings! Secrets, inheritances, investments, other people's money fascinate you mid-week: but a major problem lurks. Taurus April 20-May 20 Tackle chores Sunday/Monday - that's better than getting into trouble by siding with one person or the other when they argue (Sunday). Relationships bless you Tuesday, but anger is close to the surface Wednesday. Life's mysteries, depths and deep nurturing rise to consciousness Thursday/Friday. Your financial and sensual instincts surge - but something you start now might meet a long-term (romantic and financial) barrier. Saturday brings initial stress (around noon) then wisdom and mellow thoughts. The weeks ahead emphasize earnings, purchases, possessions, memory and sensual joys. Gemini May 21-June 20 Your energy, charisma, effectiveness and decisiveness return, big time! Over the weeks ahead, start significant new projects, see and be seen, make an impression on important people! Early June to early September might bring a wish true, especially in areas of marriage, relocation, business partnerships and social acceptance. Even if they don't, your popularity, optimism and "future sight" will rise - get ready to enjoy life! There will be no more need for caution in relationships. But that's early June. Meanwhile, Sunday (uncooperatively) and Monday (magically) promote romance, creativity. Cancer June 21-July 22 The few weeks ahead bring reduced energy levels, quietude and sweet solitude, spiritual nudges and administrative or governmental contacts. It's a good time to contemplate and plan your future. When doing that planning, realize that June through August will favour your ambitions, and contacts with bosses and VIPs. World-wide, this will also be a turbulent time - and in crisis there are opportunities. Your relationship, ambition, and security/domestic zones all face change (or at least, adventure!). Sunday holds either deep affection or deep rejection. Your romantic, creative urges rise midweek. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The weeks ahead bring wish fulfillment, popularity, flirtations, entertainment, optimism and joyful plans! You could start a love affair; it could lead to marriage, or bring travel to a foreign country. Expect success in legal, educational, cultural, love, publishing, far travel and similar zones. But this might be just a taste of success, Leo - don't force matters, be willing to wait until 2011 if success doesn't fully gel. Much talk Sunday (watch underground resentments or sneaky people) and Monday (trust someone!) Rest, midweek. Romance, creativity and a winning streak, Thursday/Friday! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 A month of ambition, success, prestige relationships and community recognition has just started. But a study, travel, love, cultural or similar theme, evident since early April, continues to June 9. It might involve communications from another country. You'll be half ambitious, half thoughtful. You've met lucky opportunity in 2010 - for business, marriage, relocation, perhaps litigation. June-July-August will move these opportunities to deeper waters (commitment, intimacy, funding, etc.) If you "miss," opportunity will return, September-December, and commitment will return, early 2011. Libra Sept. 23-Oct.22 Expect four weeks of internationalism, higher learning, far travel, publishing, and legal, cultural events - and love! But an April/May trend of intimacy, financial commitment or research with someone representing one of these zones, will continue. E.g., if you became intimate with someone in April or May, you might now see love dawning, or travel to see them. Or, if you researched, you might now publish, or take it to a court of law. Or an investment/business partnership you explored might become a signed contract. Your charisma, energy soar Sunday/Monday. Careful Sunday in career/home. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You face a month of depths, intimacy, sexual urges, secrets and research, commitment and consequence, and crucial health and lifestyle choices. You should meet success! Someone you've dealt with since early-mid-April could play a prominent role. You might find your work duties expanding June through August. Retreat, take a deep rest Sunday/Monday. (Sunday might subtly pull a "mellow relationship" apart.) Your energy and charisma surge Tuesday/Wednesday - ask a favour or start a new project! (Best Tuesday morn.) You can march straight toward more earnings Thursday/Friday - do so! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your hopes rise Sunday (though money is a disappointing topic) and Monday. Optimism, popularity, flirtation and fun visit you! Or perhaps you'd better go out and find them, since you've entered a month in which others hold the aces of charisma, energy and clout. Still, fresh horizons, opportunities and exciting relationships are imminent! The more you approach, the more you'll gain. An April-May task lingers into late June, so tackle it. (You might also be romancing a workmate during this time.) Lie low midweek. Emerge Thursday/Friday to greet the world! Romance - soon. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The month ahead accents work and health, machinery and service personnel, the heavy side of kids (e.g., dirty diapers rather than the joy of her first soccer goal). Look upward Sunday/Monday - to ambition, prestige. An attractive, affectionate person stands across from you Sunday - but are you too secretive, defensive? If so, rethink. You've been intrigued by a romantic or creative possibility April and May - this continues through June. Don't abandon it. Your hopes rise nicely mid-week, but retreat for some solitude Thursday/Friday. Real estate luck hovers on the near horizon. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 The weeks ahead feature pleasure, beauty, romance, joy with children, creative surges, and a winning streak in speculation. A Gemini or Virgo could be involved - perhaps a person you might have tried to end it with in April/May. Love, understanding, your life philosophy, far travel, legal or educational matters are the theme Sunday/Monday. Sunday might bring a "silent disagreement" over duties. Be ambitious Tuesday/Wednesday, but avoid friction with a competitor. Your hopes rise Thursday/Friday, as popularity, light romance, and entertainment arrive. Retreat Saturday, seek quiet rest. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 The weeks ahead accent your domestic scene, security, real estate, mother nature, gardening, nutrition. It's a time to digest what you've done, where travelled, over the past year (and years) and where you're going to. This might lead you to abandon certain bonds and projects, and to embrace new ones. That's good, natural. Sunday presents you with a subtle, perhaps hardly conscious dilemma, a choice between different friends or viewpoints. Secrets, deep power, intimacy might be involved. Midweek's mellow, brings understanding. Be ambitious Thursday/Friday: success awaits! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014 /30/