ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JUNE 17 – 23, 2012 All times/dates are PDT. MANY THINGS: The June 28/29 EU Summit, intended to gather the disparate states together into a stronger fiscal union, will be a bust. Someone will rebel. This might not show right away, as the summit is only to present a set of initial proposals. Still, over the rest of 2012, it will pull and shove apart…. Beneath the surface, or perhaps colliding in from the outside, the Arab Spring infects this June 28/29 summit…. What is the grand billionaire to God, who owns stars and luxuriously stirs the soup of universes?... I’d like to propose some additional email shortcuts: *blush* (as in *hi* or, yes, I did *that*) …..* (wink)…. (*) (a secret we would blush to share)…. (::) (not sure whether to laugh or cry)…. “—“ (I’m speechless. Or “what can I say?”)…. In the beginning, we pointed with a finger. Then we painted with a brush or sculpted with a chisel, axe, whatever. Finally, using all our fingers, we began to write a language with 26 symbols that let us express a billion ideas, facts, memories, etc. Now, we are slowly abandoning written languages for the “new hieroglyphics” – most commonly, computer pictures and symbols – and once again, rather than writing, we’re pointing with a finger or plastic stylus. But all isn’t regression. If the 26 letters of the alphabet could (and did) combine to express/reach a billion things, then how many trillion things can we express/reach with not 26 but 10,000 symbols? The tipping point, from literate language and a culture built on an alphabet, to a culture of pictures and their multiple combinations, lies around 2239 A.D. In the past, a finite human memory limited the use and expansion of hieroglyphics; now computer storage adds vast new prospects for this age-old method of communication. McLuhan was right, the medium affects perception; but even more, the method of communication ultimately affects (or opens and closes gates upon) what we can accomplish generally. Could mathematics have developed if language had not? And have the mathematics we’ve achieved, bringing us to quantum physics, etc., been aided or spurred by our literate thought processes? (Some simple evidence: many “sci-fi” fantasies of the 19th and early 20th centuries later became scientific fact: e.g., man’s voyage to the Moon.) If so, then the expansion of our “symbol pool” from 26 letters to 10,000 pictures, might lead us to unimagined technological/mathematical breakthroughs. We’ll easily stride over what we previously thought were deserts. Time travel, star travel, telekinesis: these are impossible in our present (written, 26-symbol) language state. But they might be mere eureka ideas, subsequently actualized, to the hieroglyphic culture….For instance, the literary culture will conceive of infinite time, as in the afterlife, then stop in puzzlement, unable to apprehend such vastness. But to the new hieroglyphic culture, the solution might be grade-school easy: infinite time doesn’t mean forever, but simply the absence of time. Start nothing: 8:02 a.m. to 10:34 a.m. Tues., 9:48 a.m. to 8:47 p.m. Thurs., and after 3:26 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 You’ll be really busy Sunday to mid-morning Tuesday, then suddenly a month of “stopping” starts. Rest, hibernate, garden, enjoy nature, focus your efforts on home, family, and security. This is NOT a good time to relocate or buy a home, but mid-2013 onward will be, so wait if you can. However, puttering, repairing will be fine, if you start after Wednesday noon. You have a few major problems/decisions to deal with this decade: these become apparent this week and next. They involve home/security, marriage/relationships, and career/worldly position. Romance calls late week. Taurus April 20-May 20 A restless, travel-prone month begins Wednesday. You might discover new places to live, even as early as this Friday/Saturday. Several big changes have taken place lately: you now face a new and growing set of social contacts, wishes, and hopeful involvements. This is just beginning, and will fill the years ahead. Your money picture has also changed: the “asset chase” is over, but the 12 months ahead will boost your income fortunes, perhaps wildly! The biggest change of all is that the big changes of the last year are over, done. Great home, family, realty luck Friday/Saturday. Gemini May 21-June 20 Your energy and charisma remain high. In love, your prospects expand – you can “catch” almost anyone. But therein lies the rub: proceed carefully (now to mid-2013). Decide what traits in another speak of a good mutual future, and which traits hint at the opposite. The only thing refused you Sunday/Monday might be family, social, realty or security luck. So ask for what you want, start important projects. Be careful with spending midweek. Thursday night to Saturday brings curiosity, new facts, travel, casual friends – new friends – and many little details. A prize lurks here! Cancer June 21-July 22 Your month of quietude ends Wednesday – until then, rest, seek the spiritual, fulfill old obligations and deal with the government. These matters will proceed quite smoothly Sunday, less so Monday. Your energy rises midweek, but obstacles exist in home and relationship areas. (Your intuition’s superb Tuesday afternoon – act upon any tiny, calm urge.) Chase money, buy/sell, contact someone friendly and sexy, propose a business or career plan or project – everything runs smoothly, at least on the surface. (Realize your ambitions might create hidden opposition in a mate or another.) Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Enjoy friends, flirtations and a cheerful mood Sunday to Tuesday morning, Leo. That’s the end of your celebratory mood for a few weeks, as a phase of weariness, solitude, quietude and recuperation begins Wednesday. Use these weeks ahead to contemplate your direction and surroundings, to plan future actions, and to deal with government agencies. Be charitable, spiritual. You’re tired Tuesday to Thursday, but your energy and magnetism return Friday/Saturday. Despite this quieting influence, your hopes will grow even stronger, and your friendships bright. A wish will come true soon, Leo! Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 An ambitious period ends by Tuesday – but it was just the first step – the whole year ahead will bless your strivings and boost your position. Midweek begins a month of celebration, popularity, good times, entertainment, optimism, and wish fulfillment. However, you’re still struggling with money, spending and income (until October) so don’t let joy interfere with financial realities (especially Wednesday). Thursday night brings a slow-down: rest through Saturday; contemplate, plan, be charitable, contact head office or a government agency. A “feeling” about marriage is correct. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 A month of dreaming and thinking wisps away midweek, replaced by ambition, practicality, pressures and demands. This arena has not been super easy or rewarding for you over the last two years, mainly because you valued caution and skepticism over effort and belief. This will continue to October, then you’ll bounce up again. Meanwhile, through July, hold up your end at work and solve problems rather than initiate projects. Many of these problems are relationship ones, which you are uniquely qualified to handle. Thursday night to Saturday fulfills wishes – romance, popularity arrive! Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 A month of changes, investments, big finances, sexual urges and secrets/discoveries is almost over – but great luck will accompany you in these areas until mid-2013. Be wary of a financial commitment Sunday/Monday, though. It might have a glitch, especially if machinery or a co-worker (or your employment) is involved. Talking it over, though, is a good idea. Midweek brings an expanded consciousness, wisdom, a mellow mood – to last several weeks. You want to understand rather than blame. Your career or prestige drives meet excellent responses Friday/Saturday – charge forth! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Deal with an important relationship Sunday/Monday. Romance is not favoured but monetary, social and work relationships should go well. A new contact might open doors in future. Beware losing your temper Monday night. Midweek begins a month of investigation, mysteries, financial commitments, sexual urges and lifestyle changes. Your subconscious will rise to the surface; your intuition will be high. Still, this is a dicey midweek and month ahead: snags lie under the surface, so keep your boat on putt-putt speed. Love, joy, understanding, and travel arise Friday/Saturday! Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 A month of work saves its biggest for last – Sunday to Tuesday end a work month, but they might trigger a new work project. The twelve months ahead will be filled with duties and expanded chores. (A great year to find better employment, and to purchase machinery – the best opportunities come AFTER August.) Tuesday/Wednesday begin a month of crucial relationships. This decade, in general, you’re in control, you carry the ace; but for the next few weeks another can demand – and get – their way. So be diplomatic, flexible: therein lies opportunity. Late week: riches in some form. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 A new romance might appear Sunday/Monday. It might suffer from sexual, communications or “visiting hours” glitches, so be alert. There will be at least two significant opportunities for real romance in the twelve months ahead, especially after August. Midweek starts a month of work and health concerns – and neither will be easy. So step carefully, avoid co-worker conflicts, sleep, eat and dress sensibly, and visit the MD if anything’s wrong. You’ll be aided by great intuition: following your instincts will keep you out of trouble. Relationships, exciting meetings, late week! Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 You’ve been subtly held back over the last few weeks, Pisces. There’s another phase of this Sunday/Monday, then a month begins that features romance, beauty, creativity, self-expression, beauty and passion. It won’t be the easiest month, as several big “dislocations” occur in the world which will affect you and those you love. But for you these will be glancing blows, whereas for others they can be direct. Still, romance (more correctly, intimacy) is difficult when everyone’s screaming “crisis!” Friday/Saturday let you accomplish chores with super ease – buy a car or computer. www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-727-3673. /30/