ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS OCTOBER 2 – 8, 2011 All times/dates are PDT. The next I-Phone, scheduled to be unveiled October 4, will be a bust….perhaps not a spectacular bust, but aspects are signalling that the I Phone’s charm has peaked, at least temporarily. Ghadafi’s nadir should be October, as I wrote some months ago. Ben Bernanke’s latest attempt to fix the economy (September 21/11) brought 10-year bond rate yields to 1.78 %, an historic low. Declining rates are supposed to raise equity markets. The next day, markets fell across the world by 3 to 5 % ranges. Two years ago, I told you, “lock up your doors…” Seemingly bucking the North-America-Europe trend, Canada’s real estate prices climbed higher over the last few years, although evidently they fell July to August this year. Vancouver’s home prices have climbed by more than 25 % over the last two years, and are now, it seems, second only to New York City’s. I often receive emails asking about the situation. The TD Bank has forecast that Vancouver’s house prices will decline by 25 % over the next two years. Here’s my best guess: In the long run, Vancouver’s real estate will trend upward. The city’s realty sign is ruled by the Moon, which stood in benevolent Taurus, and in the city’s money house, on April 6, 1886 when it was incorporated. (Always remember my forecast for 2023, though.) In the medium range – to 2016 – foreign countries will continue to feed this city’s real estate – waves of Chinese have been buying here since the 1980’s, and the most recent wave should last to 2016. However, even though this wave will defy the TD forecast, it will not have a smooth road upward. At present, a complicated change is occurring: while the true value of Vancouver’s homes will probably rise over the next 18 months, the actual sales prices enter a much less reliable outlook over this same short period. One of two scenarios should play out: One, there might be a “nova effect” – a bubble in prices now into early 2013, but somewhere along the way the bubble will burst. I’d expect a peak to be reached around July 2012, then it stalls, and the decline begins. Around August/September 2012 foreign purchases of Vancouver’s real estate will dry up, perhaps due to bad luck in their home countries. About January 2013, the local government will take an action that hurts either the B.C. economy, or real estate directly. Two, all of the above events will occur except for the nova, or bubble. In this scenario, the decline has already begun, quietly and slowly, very recently, and will continue quietly and slowly through late 2016. In any case, I would wait until at least 2013 to buy Vancouver. I could be wrong. Start Nothing: 10:38 p.m. Sun. to 1:16 a.m. Mon., 10:58 p.m. Tues. to 8:18 a.m. Wed., 3:08 p.m. to 6:13 p.m. Fri., and after 9:51 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 The accent is on opposition, opportunity, crucial relationships of all kinds. New horizons beckon. If these are foreign, intellectual, cultural, or involve higher learning, publishing, religion or law, pursue them. But if you pursue them merely for your own gain, you’ll hit barriers, especially Sunday and Tuesday. Your sexual, romantic blood is pulsing – add that to this month’s accent on relationships, and the result is obvious. This week, you could meet true love and a viable mate (both in one) – ambition will play a critical role, for good or bad. Joy comes, Thursday/Friday! Taurus April 20-May 20 Maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat and dress sensibly. This is a superb time to sink your teeth into a major chore or project – and to impress the powers that be (Wednesday to Friday). However, be wary on the home front Sunday – and all week (no arguments, especially philosophical ones) and avoid machinery or materials with which you aren’t familiar. Your ideas are a bit off-kilter Tuesday, so don’t promote them – and try not to accept chores this day. Saturday brings friendship joys, and starts a month of marital bliss (sweet responses for singles, though “big love” eludes). Gemini May 21-June 20 Romance, adventure, nature’s beauty, charming kids, success in sports, games and speculation – a possible vacation – you ride a winning streak, Gemini. You’re also restless, ready to travel. You talk easily, make friends, and can gather information quickly. Sunday pits wanderlust and “easy friends” against “future horizons.” Let the later win. Don’t invest Monday eve, all Tuesday. An Aquarian “type” might clearly demonstrate an attraction to you Wednesday to Friday. However, though times are good for short-term love, the bigger picture advises waiting until June 2012 onward. Cancer June 21-July 22 Your domestic situation, kids, garden, farm, food, mortgage, security, home ownership – you have to take some serious, supportive actions in these this month. You might cut someone/something out of your life, and begin letting (an)other(s) in. Careful Sunday – avoid impulsive money actions, and friends who urge you to spend. Relationships you want to cultivate hit “road bumps” Tuesday, but a good friend might fill Monday. Look after investments, finances Wednesday to Friday – good luck abounds here! (They’re good “sexy” days too.) Love, children, beauty bring quiet bliss Saturday. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 The weeks ahead are not supremely important, Leo, but your career remains under great auspices, so use the natural restless, communicative, determined and attention-getting influence that flows over you now to further your career, speak to those in charge, seek information bearing on your ambitions, etc. Sunday raises your romantic antennae, but results are uncertain. A situation might pit your morals or legal awareness against your ambitious urges. Be honest. Tackle (only) routine chores Monday/Tuesday. Wednesday to Friday present many opportunities, if you’re flexible and eager. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Chase money. You can make some Wednesday to Friday by plunging into work, getting a new job, landing clients, or otherwise expending effort. Your intuition will be high about a work-money connection – follow a mild little impulse without questioning it. This is a splendid time to purchase machinery or health supplies, especially cosmetic oils. Earlier, Sunday’s for home, but contains a dangerous “possibility” of being too adventurous in financial, sports or “hidden sexual” zones. Romance might enchant you briefly Monday/Tuesday, but it’s not a winner. Saturday’s busy, alive. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Make your mark, grab success! Your energy, charisma, timing and effectiveness soar to a yearly high. Get out, ask favours, take charge, give instructions, tackle things that intimidated you before. Your popularity, while not broad, is intense and fortunate, bringing you just the right people, especially if you’re seeking partnerships. (Though this is better for financial than marital partnerships, as sex is high, but fidelity isn’t.) Still, popularity/partnering conflict with money/sexual desires Sunday: be cautious through Tuesday. Romance, creativity soar Wednesday to Friday! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Rest, lie low, contemplate, plan. Be charitable, spiritual. Deal with government agencies, large corporations, wherever red tape rules. Don’t compete: pick safety. Bosses are temperamental, but you can impress them with “pure work.” Sunday’s good for money, but take care this day through Tuesday: words could go where you don’t want them to. A competitor, opportunity or “career adventure” is dangerous (though it could succeed). Home, real estate, security are blessed Wednesday to Friday. Your intuition’s excellent about “letting go” of somebody/thing. Romantic notions Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Popularity, optimism, flirtations, entertainment, social joys and the feeling that a wish has come true: these fill this month. Romance, higher education, international matters, or legal affairs might hit a strange barrier Sunday – it’s as if you’re fighting yourself, yet you win. (Avoid legal hassles through early November.) Money and work combine well Monday, but money obstructions fill Tuesday. Run errands, travel, communicate Wednesday to Friday – friends, siblings are helpful, true blue – romance, deep affections possible. Spend Saturday quietly: rest, enjoy nature. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Be ambitious – bosses, parents and VIPs favour you now (especially this week). Engage in a series of conversations or “proposal meetings.” Be careful Sunday – trying to mix romance and sex, or investments with a gambling mood, might trigger uncontrollable events. Your energy, magnetism and sense of timing improve Monday/Tuesday: be creative Monday, ambitious both days. Your money and earnings outlook improves mightily Wednesday to Friday: your intuition about business, career is tops these days. Saturday’s for friends, happiness. Until mid-November, don’t invest impulsively. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 All intellectual, learning, publishing, international, cultural, legal, religious and similar activities are favoured in October – more this week than later, so don’t delay. (But lie low Monday/Tuesday.) Relationships are intense – don’t talk so rapidly no one can interject. You could jump all hurdles (especially Sunday or Wednesday to Friday) and find yourself in a huge love affair, scheduled for marriage, or in a huge fight! Wisdom is needed, but you have lots of it this month. You toy with relocating, perhaps a short distance. Your real estate outlook is grand, lucky. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Mysteries, secrets, half-sensed forces and truths – the depths of life draw you every October. These depths include sexual urges and large finances, health diagnoses, intimate commitments and lifestyle changes. These are very favoured now, especially Wednesday to Friday – overcome any weariness or indecision and dive in. Earlier, Sunday pits your duties against a desire to talk, wander or travel. Your hopes rise Monday/Tuesday, but proceed cautiously. Work remains intense, and will continue so to mid-November – but it’s lucrative, so keep at it. Your energy rises Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 416-686-5014. /30/