ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS DECEMBER 18 – 24, 2011 All times/dates are PST. In last week’s column I said that LEOS (and some AQUARIANS) have been fooled in love for the past 15 years, but that this would end forever in 2012. So a pride of Leos emailed me. One thought I meant there would be no more love for these signs, forever. What? I meant the illusive factor would dissolve, never to return (well, not for 80 years). Another pointed out that I had predicted love for Leos in 2011, and hers didn’t come. Yes, I did. But I predicted an 8-year phase of love for Leos, one that would likely bring marriage. 2011 is the first year of this trend, and like most beginnings in astrology, it started diffidently. Major love times for Leo will be June 2012 to June 2013, July 2014 to August 2015, and November 2018 to November 2019. (This last period might be preceded by an angry break-up for some.) Also in 2011, the planet Neptune put a toe in PISCES, then backed out, and will enter solidly in February 2012, to stay until 2025. Neptune rules allure, glamour, movie stars, etc. It is Neptune that has caused so much illusion and disillusionment for Leos (and Aquarians) 1996 to the present. So its leaving Aquarius (Leo’s marriage sign) in two months should end the “deception” of Leos. Again, the change-over will be somewhat slow; Leo might not feel solidly “real” in love for months, even a year or more. When I write this column, I don’t have space for such niceties of degree, so I just say, hey, Leo’s chimeras in love end soon. One person, who obviously knows some astrology, wrote to complain/surmise that now I must forecast that a 15-year period of illusion and suspicion in relationships would start for VIRGO, because Neptune now enters this sign’s marriage sector, for 15 years. But for Virgo the situation is more complex. Neptune always causes illusion when we are selfish or have an ulterior motive. For Leos, Neptune is the planet of lust, and other people’s money. Many Leos “fell in love” 1996 to 2011 with a large hidden motive of a) lust, or b) enjoying the other person’s money/status. Thus, Neptune did what it should: it fooled the selfish. In Virgo’s case, Neptune IS the marriage planet, so while it transits Virgo’s marriage sign (Pisces) Neptune will tend to bring not the deceptive person, but just the right person. Evasiveness and illusion might abound, but these, with compassion, dreaminess and mysticism, are the qualities of magical Pisces, the very qualities Virgo seeks in a mate. We think Virgo is staid and conservative: but it seeks magic in love more than any other sign. To Leo and Aquarius, illusion is a chain; to Pisces, illusion is a freeing thing, for Pisces knows, as does every good fiction writer, that the truth can only be framed in illusion. Start Nothing: Before 0:06 a.m. Sunday. 1:49 a.m. to 2:33 a.m. Tues., 1:49 a.m. to 4:03 a.m. Thurs., and 3:36 a.m. to 5:47 a.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Relationships fill Sunday/Monday. So do contracts and negotiations, opposition and serious attraction. Life’s circumstances tumble across us and form our path. Sometimes another tumbles down the same channel. The beneficial relationships appear after noon Sunday, not before. Be careful with money and investments Tuesday/Wednesday. Thursday/Friday’s international, legal, cultural or intellectual interests form an entry to ambition. A month of ambitions starts Wednesday—it would be a good time to start projects, but a partner/client (a “permitter”) must be freely onside. Go slow. Taurus April 20-May 20 Deal with chores, employment matters, health and nutrition Sunday/Monday. You can beneficially invest in your job Sunday afternoon, Monday. Relationships become front and center Tuesday/Wednesday, just as a month of love, understanding and wisdom start. The weeks ahead hold success in higher education, legal matters, far travel, culture, intellectual endeavours, publishing, religion, and love. This week, your personal efforts succeed, especially midweek. But retiring or dealing with the government, holds problems. Thursday/Friday’s mysteries contain an echo of earlier December. Gemini May 21-June 20 You could fall in love Sunday/Monday, but if you do, make sure it’s after Sunday noon (PST). Tackle chores and health concerns Tuesday/Wednesday – avoid background activities, collusion or unethical temptation. (Even innocent government-related actions could incur the criticism of “legal hawks.”) Relationships bless you Thursday/Friday (and can solve any problems that arose Tuesday). But a surprise awaits, too, one that could spur you to alter your social plans/outlook. Midweek begins a lucky month of financial action, accurate hunches, sexual urges, research, secrets and mysteries. Cancer June 21-July 22 Get everything done on the home front Sunday/Monday, because midweek begins a month of opportunities, excitement and fresh horizons – you’re going to want the freedom to act on new openings, especially in romantic and social zones. Tuesday/Wednesday spark romantic urges, creative talents, pleasure and speculative success. The month ahead does feature opportunities, but opposition and challenge also – be flexible, diplomatic. If single, you could meet true love in a work-related group (Saturday?) but he/she will be deeply stubborn inside, so make sure you want “the whole package.” Leo July 23-Aug. 22 This is a fine, happy week, although romance, adventure and pleasure are winding down. (Still, you’ll give and receive love messages for weeks to come – perhaps from your kids.) If you’ve started a love relationship since November 25, look at it carefully Sunday: is it worth continuing? Is there a major potential flaw which you might be ignoring (e.g., she likes society and you live in a backwoods cabin)? Love relationships in 2011 tend to mingle with ambition, which can leave love in second place. Midweek’s restful. The month ahead brings work. Love, not temper, Friday a.m.! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You’ve had a nice long rest, Virgo, a “down home” time. That ends midweek, when a month of romance, creativity, adventure, pleasure and speculation begins – you’ll ride a winning streak, one that could bring a potential life mating. (To some; most Virgos will meet their big love 2012 to 2025.) A lucky mid-2011 to mid-2012 trend nudges you to settle in a foreign country, or to combine idealistic love with a nesting instinct. Either of these could bring major action soon (Wednesday/Thursday bring clues.) Chase money Sunday/Monday. Midweek’s restless – follow your curiosity. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Your energy, charisma, effectiveness and timing are tops Sunday/Monday. Sunday morning might present a problem, or an insight into a soon-to-occur action. (This action/event could be purchase of a residence, a home move, children’s programs, or a gardening or soul project.) Chase money Tuesday/Wednesday (but be careful with purchases). Wednesday begins a month of rest and family, domestic, security, property, retirement concerns. A major venture (investment, home purchase, surgery, lifestyle change, intimate affair) has stalled since August: soon it will move forward, swiftly. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Lie low, rest, contemplate and plan Sunday/Monday. Your energy returns Tuesday/Wednesday – others notice you, try to please you. Chase money Thursday/Friday, buy/sell – but don’t buy machinery, computers, electronics, etc., until Friday afternoon/eve. Friends, news or a short trip give you good ideas Saturday. Midweek begins a month of reports, paperwork, communications and travel. One friendship might ebb for awhile, but your home and family will more than fill the gap, as they show affection now into mid-January. Soon, an anticipated opportunity or relationship will “start.” Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your energy and charisma stay high, Sage, but midweek (to late January) shifts your focus to earnings, purchases, possessions, and sensual urges. Optimism and popularity fill Sunday/Monday – a wee wish will come true. Retreat to catch a second wind Tuesday/Wednesday. Contemplate two things: the few weeks ahead, and a project or idea that arose in the late spring or summer, then stalled. This project will likely speed forward over the next six months – plan how to re-launch it. It involves work, machinery, health or money. Shift to a lower gear in pleasure, love, for awhile. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Be restful Sunday to Friday – you’re about to emerge (Wednesday, though you won’t really feel it until Saturday) into a 30-day phase of heightened energy, alertness, effectiveness and charisma. Sunday/Monday nudge you to ambition – all’s smooth, you communicate well. Your hopes and general joy rise Tuesday/Wednesday. A flirtation, even a developed love, is fruitful/lucky, almost in a hidden way. Rest deeply Thursday/Friday. You might need to split with a family member, which can close a source of money. (Just as well.) A stalled romantic or creative venture will revive soon. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Don’t shop before noon Sunday. This day and Monday bring a sweet, mellow mood and a broader understanding – of life, society, religion’s role, etc. Be ambitious Tuesday/Wednesday – all’s smooth. You might stumble upon a lucky break in home, property, retirement, security or similar zones. (This week is a good time to quit a job, if you’ve been planning to do so.) A month of rest, retreat, of spiritual quietude, charity and perhaps government-related chores, begins Wednesday – but it doesn’t affect you until Saturday. Thursday/Friday brings hope and an uncomfortable friend. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 You might have figure out a mystery (of finances/investment, or of love, of emotions, of commitment and consequence) Sunday/Monday. Realize investments made now will be merely okay (unexciting returns). Midweek brings profound thoughts, gentleness and love. A money relationship might hit an unexpected barrier; a rather new personal link grows, a friendship begins to form. Be ambitious all week, especially Thursday/Friday. Show higher-ups what you can do. Be eager, social, a team player. An exciting month of social delights, optimism, popularity and flirtation starts this week! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. /30/