ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS MARCH 18 – 24, 2012 All times/dates are Pacific Daylight Time. When central banks poured trillions of “quantitative easing” dollars into North American and European economies, many pundits predicted hyperinflation would result. But it didn’t. Why? Where did all those extra bucks go? I think (but I’m no economist) that the mystery is simple: it went to the banks and billionaires – and they have not been a faucet to inflation, simply because the banks don’t lend and the billionaires don’t buy. (As ordinary consumers, billionaires have a puny effect: none of them will buy ten thousand cars or a million shirts.) This effectively keeps the money out of circulation. In a sense, they’re doing us a favour by preventing inflation. (Is it ironic, or intentional, that the “1%” label recently placed on the rich is the same “1 %” sign that outlaw bikers have proudly sewn on their vests for decades?) One of the biggest evils in our world is secrecy. We hold (and seek) secrets to retain (and gain) power. Even Obama, probably the most open of rulers, will not share his secrets with Joe-dumb because, ostensibly, Joe’s too stupid to understand the intricacies of international diplomacy. In this, the peak of the hierarchy is really saying: We’re powerful, and we want to keep our power. We won’t threaten our power base by sharing the truth with all these ignorant masses. But the truth is, no matter how afraid we are to let everyone know (and have a voice in) everything, the result of doing so will be health. Revelation is usually followed by shock, but like lightning, it clears the overgrown forest. Long ago I forecast that the 2008-2023 period would contain many challenges to hierarchies. Julian Assange is the leader of a war on secrecy that forms an integral part of the challenge to hierarchy. (Appropriately, he has his own hierarchy/army of Hollywood celebrities, an unusual hierarchy because they depend on spreading [sometimes false] “information,” rather than secrecy, for their power. So the attempts to punish him might become a struggle between two elites, Hollywood and the Politicos.) Julian is a CANCER, with a SCORPIO Moon, so he doesn’t give up (and he’s very romantic). His Uranus in LIBRA and Mars in AQUARIUS say he will fight for his ideals. He is likely to prevail, barring assassination. Assange’s troubles are basically over…. Start Nothing: 1:31 p.m. to 5:05 p.m. Mon., 1:39 a.m. Wed. to 2:57 a.m. Thurs., and 10:17 a.m. to 2:43 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Your energy, charisma and popularity come roaring back, Aries! However, you could make a large mistake if you begin an important new project now – wait until April 4 onward. Meanwhile, use all that energy to cut away the lingering vines of old limitations and neglected chores. Sunday/Monday raise your hopes – and your popularity. Your thoughts about a relationship are correct. Retreat for a brief rest Monday eve to Wednesday. Your energy returns Thursday to Saturday, but remember the need, Thursday, to be diplomatic on the career front – and with police, authorities. Big changes! Taurus April 20-May 20 Retreat for the month ahead, Taurus – rest, contemplate, deal with government and corporate agencies, and catch up on neglected chores. Remember: compassion for others eliminates anxiety. In one month, you might undergo one of the most beneficial changes of your life (of a decade, at least). Think about this during March/April. Your status and career are highlighted Sunday/Monday: all’s well here. Your hopes and social inclinations rise Monday night through Wednesday – again, everything is smooth. Your energy declines Thursday/Friday: conserve strength, eat/dress sensibly. Gemini May 21-June 20 Dreams can come true, Gemini, during the month ahead. Considering everything, you’ll succeed most if you wish for healing, security, protection, lifting of burdens and restrictions, agreement with a government agency (e.g., over a tax position) – that sort of thing. Avoid starting new projects until April 4. You might meet someone fascinating, with large, bright eyes. Domestic matters remain fractious, so step lightly. To succeed, pursue a bond than break one. Legal, intellectual, travel zones benefit early week. Be ambitious midweek. Hopes, popularity, please you Thursday onward! Cancer June 21-July 22 The weeks ahead accent your career, relations with higher-ups, reputation, and general ambitions, especially Thursday to Saturday – step cautiously. Don’t start new projects nor make new contacts before April 4. Instead, protect ongoing ventures and projects from delays and mistakes, especially in communications and from international or legal sources. A gentle person might contact you from the past – he/she is interested in a “passionate situation.” If you’re single, why not? Sunday/Monday feature mysteries and “high finance.” Midweek brings a mellow mood, travel and wisdom. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 A mellow, wise, gentle four weeks begins now (Monday night). Legal, international, intellectual, publishing, education, culture, love and travel involvements will be highlighted. (Take care with these Thursday – Saturday.) Don’t start anything new before April 4, and double-check facts, figures – and impulses – before then. (Impulses, especially in sexual and financial zones.) VIPs, bosses and parents still favour you, and money is still (relatively) abundant – but keep a rein on spending. Exciting meetings occur Monday/Tuesday. Mysteries and deep desires meet open doors midweek. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Something major is brewing. But be cautious, start nothing new before April 4. The month ahead – especially this Thursday to Saturday – features sexual desires, subconscious urges, financial objectives, investments, debt, research, mysteries, deep health matters and diagnosis, lifestyle changes, commitments and consequences. Research is fine here, but don’t commit to anything (before April 4) unless it possesses a strong link to your past desires, actions, contacts. Your determination will return April 13 onward. Chores, Sunday/Monday. Love (?) midweek – a former sexy someone? Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The month ahead features excitement – new, prospective (or ongoing) partners in love and business, fresh horizons and opportunities. But steer away from the “too fresh” – until April 4, avoid brand new projects, relationships and ventures. (If one of these returns from the past, it could be good – but remember, until July, partnerships can restrict you.) So enjoy the feeling of freedom, of breadth, but think twice before you act. Investments, finances, and purely sensual/sexual links are beautifully favoured now. Romance, Sunday/Monday. An old chore returns midweek: do it! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Start nothing new before April 4 – but be ready to grab opportunities (and good people) from the past. A month of work starts now – again, avoid big new projects before April 4. Tackle ongoing or neglected tasks. A major work assignment is brewing, but it won’t be ready for hands-on effort before April 11 or so. (And will succeed best if you start April 18 onward.) Others remain friendly and affectionate. An old flame might enter soon. Recuperate at home Sunday/Monday. Midweek’s romantic, creative, pleasure-prone. Work looms large Thursday – be cautious driving, communicating. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The month ahead (it starts Monday) brings romance, creative surges, pleasure and beauty – especially Thursday onward. Children will charm you. You’ll ride a nice winning streak, so take risks – speculation (and yes, gambling) are favoured. Still, start nothing new before April 4 – including love affairs, creative oeuvres. An old flame might return this week, but act fast – by Friday, the trend’s over. Co-workers are affectionate; work is mildly lucky. Communicate, travel Sunday/Monday. Settle into rest, contemplation midweek. Examine foundations, suppositions you live by. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Start nothing big, new before April 4, Cap. The month ahead features security, property, family, nutrition, and, basically, finding your balance, your roots and your center – what the orient calls soul. Be restful, take power naps. Contemplate how you’re arrived here, and the larger, slower turns of life’s wheels, where the cosmic cart seems to be taking you. This is a perfect time (much better after April 3) to end certain associations and projects, and to begin others. In everything, emotions and business, keep foundations in mind. This is an easy, smooth week. Money, Monday. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Start nothing new before April 4, Aquarius. A fast-paced but not important month begins Monday – you’ll be travelling, talking, writing, performing errands, paperwork, and making casual friends. In all these, be a bit cautious until March 29, as your talk/travel could run afoul of government or “head office.” Avoid gossip. You might harm your reputation, especially among higher-ups, if you act/speak carelessly. On a deeper level, both your ideas and your methods of expressing them are undergoing big, long-term changes. Chase money Monday night, Tuesday. Overall, a happy week! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Start no new projects or relationships before April 4, Pisces. Expect delays and indecision – play a waiting game. Lie low, rest early week. Your energy, charm and ability to grab others’ attention rise nicely Monday night through Wednesday. This week begins a month of money interests (and possessions, memory, rote learning, and sensual attractions) – be careful with these through March 29, as a legal or societal factor could erect a barrier. This barrier hints that change is demanded in the social zone if you want to succeed in money, earnings, etc. – big hint re this Saturday. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-560-1269. /30/