ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS AUGUST 12 – 18, 2012 All times/dates are P.D.T. Market fears about the Euro zone will likely spike around August 23/24. There will be other spikes later….Apple’s next i-phone and i-pad, if launched September 12,will be marvels of engineering, very attractive to gamers; the graphics will be astounding. But I think they will have a tendency to flame out, short, malfunction or…that sort of thing. If the actual launch is September 21, these problems will be avoided, though the product might be “nice enough” or a little underwhelming…. The Mars Rover scheduled to land on the angry planet August 6 might suffer some glitches, as it lands during Mercury retrograde. However, the retrograde is from Earth’s perspective, and might not occur from Mars’ POV – it depends where Mars is in relation to Mercury. (That, I don’t know.) On the other hand, the date is super-appropriate: our Moon is in Aries, the sign ruled by Mars – and if the landing takes place after 7 a.m. Eastern time, all the aspects are good. The Moon is exactly opposite Mars early the next morning (Earth time, PDT) hinting at discovery. (It also hints at a fight, so if there really are little green Martians, this landing oughta stir em up.) However, much of the above might be meaningless, as traditional astrology is and has always been Earth-centered. That is, the planetary phenomena and their effects, influences, and interpretations have always been studied by astrologers from the Earth’s perspective, making astrology useless or meaningless if one were, say, a Martian or Venusian. In this sense, space exploration threatens to diminish astrology’s clout and purview. There is a branch of astrology that has been around for about 30-40 years – at least that’s when I first heard of it – called heliocentric – or Sun-centered – astrology. Pooh-poohed by most astrologers, the heliocentric branch might be a more prominent figure at the planetary table in the decades and centuries ahead. (Though if we establish a colony on Mars, there might just arise a Martian astrology, in which the Earth becomes a major influence.) The present Mars mission was launched November 25, 2011, when the Sun and our Moon were both in Sagittarius, the sign of distant travel. The “chances” of Sun and Moon being in Sage at launch was 1 in 144. The heavy involvement of this sign, and the launch during a new Moon, hints that this Rover episode could be the birth of big, major things. (Oops, just realized you’ll be reading this a week after the landing – oh well, the implications still stand.) Start Nothing: 2:49 p.m. Sun. to 1:28 a.m. Mon., 1:21 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Wed., 10:55 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. Fri., and after 4:26 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Your romantic, pleasure-oriented, risk-taking mood continues. Children please. You’ll see beauty, nature’s poetic magic. Sunday’s for short trips, siblings, news, errands – a friendly, good day. (Write a work-related memo, or appeal to a loved one for understanding.) Home’s a tough go for you, 2010 to now (ultimately, to October 5) – then improvement comes. So tough it out Monday to Wednesday morn, seek the “why” – could be your secrecy, or financial faults. Change demanded. Wednesday p.m. is romantic but erratic: Thursday/Friday bring a stable attraction. To work, Saturday. Taurus April 20-May 20 The accent continues on home, property, parent/kid relations, security, foundations and retirement. Mother Nature plays a role: gardening brings joy. Rest, nap, indulge a sluggish feeling. Pursue money opportunities, balance the books, or purchase long-lasting items Sunday (before 2:49 p.m. PDT, 5:49 EDT, etc.). Machines/tools bought this day (especially in the a.m.) will “last forever.” Casual friends, siblings, and your ability to communicate – these have been under pressure or “gummed up” since 2010 – and are again, Monday to early Wednesday. October will bring a solution. Gemini May 21-June 20 Errands, communications, paperwork, short trips, siblings and casual friends – these fill your days, especially Wednesday to Friday. Be curious, explore, ask questions. You’re the star Sunday: romance is stable yet warm; or flirty yet ungraspable. Money has been a problem since 2010, perhaps even since 2008; you might have less now. (Sex, or the desire for change, is at the bottom of this.) The main problem will begin to dissolve by October, but caution is needed until then – e.g., Monday to Wednesday noon, when you might be torn between small fast money and big/distant. Cancer June 21-July 22 Lie low, rest Sunday – a great day for contemplating career situations, and for mending or renovating your home and/or your marriage. Be charitable, spiritual. Your energy roars back Monday to Wednesday – though you’ll need it to overcome the various glitches: technological or electrical Monday, career or home Tuesday. These days also bring a relationship trend to a minor peak: realize charm and affection are one of the best ways to deal with a stubborn person/situation. Be cautious with money Wednesday, chase it Thursday/Friday. Friends and travel Saturday. You’re attractive! Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Your energy, charisma and effectiveness run high! Get out, start important projects, make contact, ask favours. Your optimism, popularity and joy reach skyward Sunday (though little of import occurs). Be cautious and diplomatic Monday to Wednesday noon – your energy ebbs, and links with government, head office and health institutions are under stress, have been for several years. Much of this will lighten by October, some solutions will appear. The “deeper problem” involves health, laziness vs. work. You’re the star Wednesday noon to Friday: someone’s attracted! Money luck Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Be restful, eat and dress sensibly. Protect your health. Avoid the bustling crowds, competitive situations. Your ambitions succeed Sunday. Your social life has been subject to baffling glitches and “empty periods” since 2010. (This caused Virgo Charlie Sheen’s anger.) This pall will lift in October, and by next summer your popularity will be re-established in big, joyous ways. The underlying problem? Volatility in financial and sexual zones has left you uncertain about who/what to “attach to.” This led to tension – the enemy of popularity. Contemplate this Monday-Wednesday. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The accent remains on optimism, popularity, social delights, entertainment, flirtation, and wish fulfillment – enjoy, especially Wednesday noon to Friday. Sunday’s mellow, wise, offers relationship harmony. For the past few years, your career has struggled and presented you with inexplicable glitches, just as it does this Monday to Wednesday. The root “cause” has been a shifting home or lack of a solid foundation (family support?) coupled with relationship volatility. The career problem will largely end by October 5 onward (though the volatility and “shifting home” won’t). Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 March forth on ambitious fronts, Scorpio, especially Wednesday afternoon to Friday. Lifestyle and health changes go well Sunday, as do intimacy and finances. You can find a workable plan. Good day to invest in large machinery. Monday to Wednesday highlights your major problem this decade: glitches and barriers in educational, ethical, publishing, legal, cultural or international (far travel) zones. Root cause: changeable work conditions and/or stress. The good news is, these problems will shrink by half from October onward. (There isn’t any bad news.) Saturday brings hope, joy! Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 This is a lovely, smooth and enlightening week, Sage, except for the Monday to Wednesday period, when problems (re)erupt in sexual, financial, research, diagnostic, health and/or lifestyle areas. These problems are likely not new – some have been around since 2008, some since 2010. The difficulties will be reduced by half from October 5 onward – the same date marks a “new future” for you, in the sense that a wet blanket lifts off your social, romantic situations, and you will grow much more optimistic. Decide now, between quick or delayed money, casual or committed intimacy. Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 The mystery continues, so be a detective. You have ten days to find all the clues or “evidence.” The accent lies on depths, sexual urges, financial manoeuvres, lifestyle changes, commitments and consequences. Wednesday noon to Friday highlight these concerns, then Saturday brings understanding – you see all these (sex, finances, et al) in a bigger picture. Tackle chores Sunday – you’ll succeed easily. This week’s only challenges arise in relationships Monday to Wednesday: be diplomatic, realize others hold the “temporary aces.” Root of the problem: your security is erratic. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 A great week! Sunday’s romantic, Wednesday to Saturday bring exciting meetings, perhaps new love. But Monday to Wednesday brings a flare-up of employment and health problems that have irritated you for a few years. Avoid wonky wiring, dangerous machinery. Seek a diagnosis. A government agency will either help or obstruct you. Nervous stress (probably associated with travel, friends, or a legal or cultural matter) is at the root of those work or health problems. Stress strips us of emotional feeling and sensation, two necessities. By October, the problems will ebb to half. Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 The main accent lies on work, health, machinery and dependents. You can take good steps forward in these zones Wednesday noon to Friday morning. (August 12, too, if a dependent is involved.) For a few years, romance, creativity and risky ventures have run into brick walls. Some of these walls will crumble by October. Meanwhile, you can get yourself ready for future love, pleasure, creativity, etc., by seeing what is throwing up these walls: desire for money is the main “brick-builder.” (By summer 2013 onward, lucky love, creativity, will re-enter.) A friend, a prospect, Saturday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-560-1269. /30/