Plants Associated with the Element of Air
Primrose
Vervain
Yarrow
Frankincense
Myrrh
Violet
Plants Associated with the Element of Air
Signs of the Zodiac Associated with the Element of Air
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Stone Runes are most commonly used for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control. Ken is the rune of light and knowledge, driving away darkness and ignorance and revealing hidden truth. This rune also brings forth images of friendship and comfort. Ken is the light of inspiration, the light of imagination, and a beacon in the darkest hours. |

General Meaning: Truth involves establishing an aware relationship between your inner core and the circumstances in your life. Centering in truth involves the ability to perceive a fundamental wisdom, reflected within yourself and the people you know.
Truth is transformed into power when you dissolve prejudice and make yourself receptive to the world as it really is. Truth’s power can be a remarkable force indeed — yet is rarer than generally imagined. It can be maintained only by cultivating a genuine openness to things as they are — a willingness to see, rather than merely look.
Whenever your inner life is clouded, your influence in the world is under a shadow. If you are fearful, you will be attacked; if you cloak genuine mysteries in dogma, opportunities for new insight will be lost. If you vacillate in upholding your principles, you will be tested. Yet, when you are firm and strong, the power of truth can break through even the most stubborn minds.
In any debate, the power to perceive the truth in the other side’s argument is essential to achieving success. It is possible to influence even the most difficult people, or improve the most difficult circumstance, through the power of universal truth — for unvarnished truth is something to which all things naturally respond. Get in touch with the part of yourself that is aware of this universal force. Cultivate this inner resource, and you will become adept at using it to bond with others to support a common purpose.

This Tarot Deck: Chinese
In some instances, he is made out to be a carnival entertainer or a huckster. In others, he is portrayed as decrepit and vulnerable — as the cumulative result of his delusions and failures. Not until the 20th century do you see the popular Rider-Waite image of the Fool arise — that of an innocent Soul before its Fall into Matter, as yet untainted by contact with society and all its ills.
Modern decks usually borrow from the Rider-Waite imagery. Most Fool cards copy the bucolic mountainside scene, the butterfly, the potential misplaced step that will send the Fool tumbling into the unknown. Don’t forget, however, that the earlier versions of this card represented already-fallen humanity, over-identified with the material plane of existence, and beginning a pilgrimage towards self-knowledge, and eventually, wisdom. The Fool reminds us to recognize the path of personal development within ourselves — and the stage upon that path where we find ourselves — in order to energize our movement toward deeper self-realization.

You aren’t one to be threatened or pushed around, yet you might respond too strongly today when dealing with someone who seems to be on your case. Unfortunately, you probably don’t even realize how overbearing you can sound. Your smartest strategy is to downplay any emotions that may surface now so you don’t scare others away. Be gentle in your approach no matter how intense your feelings are in the moment.

Your ruling planet Venus dynamically squares relentless Pluto today, possibly creating discord in love or an argument over the control of finances. However, there may be more going on than is apparent and the real reason for conflict isn’t necessarily the obvious one. The current situation may actually be the designated playing field for a deeper issue. Keep in mind that there’s no reason to avoid what you don’t understand.

You know that sharing your uncomfortable feelings can act as a catalyst that transforms them into healthier expressions of your needs. But talking about psychological issues isn’t that simple, especially if you say one thing yet mean something else. You may think that you are being very clear, yet others may not understand what you’re trying to explain today. Nevertheless, taking the time now to connect with your friends in a deeper way enriches your relationships and brings you comfort.

You can see how someone special is engaging you in an intense process now that has the potential to transform who you really are. Your initial reaction could be to run, but a magnetic attraction keeps you connected, even if you think it’s not such a good idea. Although you attempt to set clear boundaries to protect yourself from losing control, you might be unhappily surprised to discover that you’re in deeper than you thought. Don’t withdraw; ultimately, the change will do you good.

You may realize that you’re in over your head as the fervent Venus-Pluto square raises the heat on a romance. You’re not feeling as casual as you expected; something is changing and you’re more inclined to play to win. Paradoxically, you may be simultaneously pulled toward a more metaphysical orientation to love. Don’t lose your perspective; be smart and maintain a healthy balance between a physical and spiritual approach to relationships.

Your strong feelings today bring up serious issues around your basic values. Differences seem insurmountable if you and your partner have divergent views. Attempts to convince the other person of his or her guilt are fruitless. Instead of pointing blame at anyone else, try a more cooperative approach now. Follow your dreams as they guide you along, while encouraging others to do the same.

There might be hidden truths that need to be spoken today. Or, maybe, someone is attempting to keep his or her true feelings secret behind a protective wall. Being intelligent and removing yourself from danger is always wise, but this situation is less about being safe than it is about fearful isolation. Fortunately, resourceful Venus is in your corner now, enabling you to calm down and figure out what makes the most sense. Your natural inclination to create harmony will set the right tone for an honest conversation.

You intend to honor your integrity as you strive to connect to a deeper set of emotions that were recently stirred. However, you are intelligent enough to realize that sharing your true feelings now is probably counterproductive. Sweet Venus squares domineering Pluto, indicating stress that arises from not knowing how much you should reveal. There’s no hurry; wait a few more days before climbing too far out on a limb.

You want to focus your attention on the intriguing adventures down the road, but you must first handle difficult feelings in the present moment. You might try to avoid directing your negativity at a loved one, or, maybe jealousy has sneaked in past your defenses and is now fueling a feud. You would prefer to take the high road, but denial won’t solve the underlying problems. Your friends might have good advice, but you will have to ask for their help before they’re willing to step in and give it.

You would like to be practical, yet circumstances can pull you into a heavy emotional stew today where nothing is clear. You could be annoyed with someone who pushes your buttons, but then won’t follow through with a constructive discussion. Even if you’re willing to talk about love, the key players may be at cross-purposes with one another. Don’t be overly concerned because the energies will shift significantly over the days ahead.

Everyone is taking you more seriously these days, yet you’re afraid this phase won’t last too much longer. Somehow you still can find the time to create an emotional drama with an intimate partner, especially if he or she thinks that your long-term plans are illogical. Be careful, because you could become obsessed with a current idea, even if it ultimately makes little sense. Listen to the advice you receive with a flexible mind and an open heart.

Your attraction to a loved one is complicated today by unexpressed negativity or by your belief that others are attempting to coerce you into agreeing with them. Fortunately, you are way too clever to be dominated by someone’s show of force now and you can quickly escape from the clutches of insecure emotions. Stay diligent; it will take a few more days until you’re able to put some time between you and your past.

Sunday, September 18, 6:51 pm PDT, 9:51 pm EDT
Fiery Mars feels at home in Leo where creativity, confidence and charisma abound. Yet these positive attributes may come at a price. Excessive pride or conceit can turn every act into a performance where spontaneity is inhibited by hunger for approval. Innocently enjoying self-expression with art, romance, fun and games balances the ego’s constant need for attention.
Spanish Moss
September 18, 2011
Photographer: Michelle J. Williams
Summary Authors: Michelle J. Williams; Stu Witmer
Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is neither Spanish nor a true moss. It’s actually a member of the pineapple family, found in southern North America, the West Indies, and Central and South America. It often hangs in large, beard-like, silvery-gray masses from trees and other plants and even on utility poles, but it’s not parasitic nor structurally intertwined with its host. An air-feeding plant or epiphyte, it takes in carbon dioxide and rainwater or dew for photosynthesis through tiny, hairy scales that cover its slender leaves and long, delicate stems. It absorbs nutrients from dust and solvents in rainwater, or from decaying organic matter around its aerial roots. Spanish moss was used by Henry Ford to fill the upholstery in his Model T’s. Allegedly, the “Spanish” in the name got started because early French settlers in Louisiana thought the moss looked like the beards of the earlier Spanish explorers. Photo taken near Monroe, Louisiana on May 5, 2011.
Photo details: Camera Maker: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.; Camera Model: SP600UZ; Focal Length: 16mm (35mm equivalent: 89mm); Aperture: f/4.5; Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60); ISO equiv: 100; Exposure Bias: none; Metering Mode: Matrix; Exposure: program (Auto); White Balance: Auto; Flash Fired: No (enforced);
Orientation: Normal; Color Space: sRGB.
Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2011 September 18
A Sharp View of the Sun
Credit: SST, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Explanation: Here is one of the sharper views of the Sun ever taken. This stunning image shows remarkable details of a dark sunspot across the image bottom and numerous boiling granules which appear like kernels of corn across the top. Taken in 2002, the picture was made using the Swedish Solar Telescope operating on the Canary Island of La Palma. The high resolution image was achieved using sophisticated adaptive optics, digital image stacking, and other processing techniques to counter the blurring effect of Earth’s atmosphere. Currently a sunspot group is crossing the Sun that is so large it can be easily seen by the cautious observer even without magnification.

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