ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
AUGUST 19 – 25, 2012  

	All times/dates are PDT.
	Like many people, I sometimes invent things, but I never get past the idea. Usually I haven’t the skills to go beyond the idea: I can’t even draw. Sometimes, my “invention” already exists. Just last month I thought of a spoon or ladle with a groove in it, so you could clip it onto the side (lip) of the pot, then unclip it whenever you wanted to stir again, avoiding the need to dirty an extra plate just to put it down every time after you’ve stirred the chili or soup. No mess, no fuss. A week later I saw that very spoon being used on a cooking show.
	Sometimes I think my idea is great, but, never being able to go beyond the idea, I’d send it in a letter to, say, Microsoft, and they’d never answer. (Gates is a Scorpio; his company never answers anyone.) Sometimes the idea impinges on human rights. In the 80’s I thought one could eliminate dangerous high-speed chases by placing a module in every car during manufacture. When a police cruiser pointed a wireless “gun” at an offending car, the module would turn its engine off, or reduce its speed. Different makes could have different frequencies, so the police could differentiate, on a crowded freeway, simply by dialing the right model. (This would have to be limited, so the poor cop isn’t thumbing through a list of 200 vehicle.)
	A similar idea: ambulances and police cruisers could have a wireless module that, when activated, would turn the traffic lights ahead of them to green, and halt perpendicular traffic by turning their light red. This could be staggered, so the light changing was far enough away from the ambulance to be smooth and not cause accidents. The activated red lights could flash rapidly, informing drivers that the light was due to a speeding ambulance or cruiser, and the “same-direction” lights could flash rapidly green, to tell civilian drivers to slow and pull over to the side – that the prolonged green light was not for them.
	Here’s my latest and grandest: rail transit. Trains of any kind are very efficient once they’re rolling, but they must spend 80 (?) or 90 (?) per cent of their energy getting up to speed from a standing start: after this, they almost coast. Passenger trains, such as Vancouver’s light rail, stop about every 2 minutes to let passengers exit and board. So every two minutes they consume a huge surge of electricity. Here’s the idea: the train never stops or slows (routes would be “circular”). To disembark, passengers step into a vestibule on the train. The vestibule separates from the train (at the train’s speed) onto a separate short track, then gradually decelerates positing the passenger at a landing platform. To board, a passenger steps into a waiting vestibule, which is then picked up by the passing train. Governors would ensure a smooth pick-up and drop-off for passengers. A half-million tons of train would not have to stop or start hundreds of times per day; instead, a one-ton vestibule would stop and start: this would save tremendous energy. Just in case no one’s thought of this before. (Oh, and by the way, my latest invention: an automatic engineering machine that could turn thoughts into prototypes:) 

Start Nothing: Before 9:45 p.m. Sun., 0:13 a.m. to 0:54 a.m. Wed., 2:34 a.m. Thurs. to 3:50 a.m. Fri., and after 11:39 p.m. Sat.

Aries   March 21-April 19
The last few days of August’s “syrupy” romantic phase could be its most significant (late Sunday night to midnight Tuesday). Significant because the chips are down: a recent attraction either steps up to a realistic commitment, or flounders/ends on a sober delay/refusal. Failure is no worse than success here. Wednesday begins a month of chores, employment or health concerns, machinery, and duties toward dependents. It begins well, with clever ideas, affectionate co-workers, and financial potential – early uncertainty will turn to Saturday’s inspiration.  Good friend, Friday.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
A month of rest and relative seclusion, of soaking up nature’s healing balms, ends Wednesday, replaced by four weeks of romance, pleasure, self-expression, creativity, speculation, risk and winning. If you were a plant, you’d blossom now. Midweek also starts a six-week period in which others will be a bit more snappish and aggressive – be diplomatic, and watch your back, as these people know your weak spots. On the plus side, this influence can trigger mutual attraction, which fits in well with the romantic month you’re entering. Deep sexual, financial luck visits late week!

Gemini   May 21-June 20
A lot of talk, travel, visiting, paperwork, writing, and reading ends midweek, as a month of quieter, down-home focus begins. Until late September, indulge a sluggish feeling, seek nutrition, garden, befriend Mother Nature, and nurture others, especially kids. This is a good time to build foundations in business and personal zones – and to acquire a home or business premise. Romance lures and frustrates (because you blow hot and cold) Monday/Tuesday: if you succeed, it’s “destiny.” Tackle chores Wednesday/Thursday – you’ll succeed. Paradox: both lethargy and (lucky) work lie ahead.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
A month of short trips, communications, paperwork, siblings and casual friends begins Wednesday. (Earlier, a foundational, child-oriented, home-bound two days grounds or roots you, giving a “platform” – or simply the physical rejuvenation – from which to launch those emails, trips, and casual meetings.) The friendly, active weeks ahead will be unusually pleasurable, creative, even romantic – your courage and determination will march at a two-year high in these areas. If single, you’ll shed shyness – and might seek love with someone prestigious. Many hints of this late week!

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Talk, write, travel, visit, empty your job jar of paperwork, details and errands Monday/Tuesday. This will clear the decks for a month of increased earnings, of buying and selling, to start Wednesday. You might take a brief respite Wednesday/Thursday to rest and rejuvenate, or you might swab the floors and clean house, but as you do, your thoughts and imagination can sense that a new world is opening in money areas (and in sensual, sexual zones) – for fifteen years. Worry about this turns to inspiration by Saturday. Home’s fractious to October 6. Romance, pleasure brighten late week.

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Chase money early week. Weeks of solitude and weariness end Wednesday, and a month of high energy, charisma, effectiveness, accomplishment and power begins. It might start with some worry about your direction, your place in the world, and relationships – but by Saturday a swell of inspiration, a new idea, begins to bring certainty – a new kind of certainty based not on logic and analysis (your favorite methods) but on inspiration, intuition, beauty and nuance. For success and peace of mind over the next 14 years, accept this process – flowing inspiration over “stable logic.”   

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
A month of popularity and entertainment ends with a final satisfying note Monday/Tuesday. You feel solid, capable and “in place.” A month of reduced energy and increased quietude begins Wednesday – though it begins while your energy is high, so you can coast for awhile, at least until next week. Still, begin to be sensible about your diet, sleep patterns and health needs. Be spiritual, charitable. Chase money Wednesday/Thursday. Travel, communications, errands and casual acquaintances fill late week. A possibly brilliant idea combines work, money and someone – a co-worker?

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
You’ve worked hard (we hope) over the last four weeks. Now (Monday/Tuesday) slump into deep rest; let projects run themselves – but do attend a closed door, planning or management meeting (or therapy session) Monday p.m. – it could have a lucky outcome. Your energy and charisma rise strongly Wednesday/Thursday – just as a month of popularity, social delight, flirtation, entertainment, optimism and wish fulfillment begins. A romantic, creative urge strikes almost immediately – by Friday/Saturday you could either fulfill a romantic fantasy, or have trouble deciding between two!

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
A month of wool-gathering, learning, travel and cultural involvements ends. You attended at least one ritual (wedding, funeral, bat mitzvah, etc.). Monday/Tuesday bring happiness, popularity, perhaps light romance. (A mate prospect might show between 7:50 and 8:30 p.m. PDT.) Wednesday, though, says the fun is over: a month of ambition, pressure, tests, prestige relations and status concerns begins. Just the prospect might weigh you down mid-week: be willing to nap, rest. Your energy and effectiveness surge back Friday/Saturday – start important things! Inspiration’s “true.”

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Sunday’s mellow but not important in practical ways. Be ambitious Monday/Tuesday – you could grab a last-minute opportunity. (But not Monday morning: be cautious.) Wednesday/Thursday bring popularity, social joys, a light, fresh, optimistic feeling – in the six weeks ahead, one dream/wish/goal will end, but another, probably involving a child or real estate, will bubble up. Midweek also begins a month of travel, learning, understanding, gentle love and cultural involvements. You could make an intriguing, “dreamy” friend very soon. Rest, contemplate and plan late week.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Relationships move from open, exciting, unexpected, even challenging, to private, intimate, binding and consequential. The turning point is Wednesday, when a surge of ambition might arrive. Earlier, a “dark” Sunday yields to the gentle understanding of Monday/Tuesday. These latter days, you might have one last unexpected meeting, or have to decide between a relationship, or not. Chase your ambitions Wednesday – all’s good, but Thursday into October 6, higher-ups can be testy, impatient: step softly. Late week brings friends, hopes, and deep nudges toward investment or sex.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Four weeks of work and drudgery end, yielding, Wednesday, to a month of fresh opportunities, challenge and co-operation, exciting relationships, public dealings, and possible relocation. Avoid quarrels and conflicts – they could turn to litigation. This danger lasts to early October. Day-wise, Sunday’s a non-event. Mysteries, investments and sexual urges fill Monday/Tuesday, but not in the best way. Gentle love and understanding flow your way Wednesday/Thursday. You could meet someone exciting these days, as well as Friday/Saturday – love, insight, and  good money ideas abound.


www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-560-1269.



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