Daily Zen Meditation for October 1st

We had warm, wet weather all spring.
Now, white autumn is clear and cold.
Dew frozen, drifting mists gone,
Bottomless heavens open over this
Vast landscape of clarity,
And mountains stretch away,
Their towering peaks an unearthly
Treasure of distance.

These fragrant woodland chrysanthemums
Ablaze, green pines lining the clifftops:
Isn’t this the immaculate heart of beauty,
This frost-deepened austerity?
Sipping wine, I think of recluse masters.
A century away, I nurture your secrets.
Your true nature eludes me here,
But taken by quiet,
I can linger this exquisite moon
Out to the end.

– T’ao Ch’ien (365-427)

Your Daily Number for October 1st: 8

Today is a day of karma in action; this could mean either rewards or loss. While you may be feeling generous, it’s not a good day for gambling. Your feelings of loyalty for friends will be strong; you may even spend some time reminiscing today. Your health will improve vastly with exercise, so get moving!

Fast Facts

About the Number 8

Theme: Power, Responsibility, Good Judgment, Financial Rewards
Astro Association: Leo
Tarot Association: Strength

Today’s Runes for Saturday, October 1st is Nyd

Today’s Runes

Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement. Nyd represents many things, most of them unpleasant – heed it well. Constraint, delay, loss, need, and sorrow are all frequently seen in this rune. Nyd speaks most strongly of pause, the hallmark of the both the timid and the patient, and is often interpreted as foretelling a delay in the effect of other runes that it accompanies. Fortunately, even where there is misery and danger there are valuable lessons to be learned – the trick is to learn them before you are overtaken by despair.

Today’s Tarot Card for October 1st is Temperance

Temperance

This Tarot Deck: Golden Tarot

General Meaning: What is traditionally known as the Temperance card is a reference to the Soul. Classically female, she is mixing up a blend of subtle energies for the evolution of the personality. One key to interpreting this card can be found in its title, a play on the process of tempering metals in a forge.

Metals must undergo extremes of temperature, folding and pounding, but the end product is infinitely superior to impure ore mined from the earth. In this image, the soul volunteers the ego for a cleansing and healing experience which may turn the personality inside-out, but which brings out the gold hidden within the heart. (This card is entitled “Art” in the Crowley deck.)

Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, October 1st

The Moon’s shift into optimistic Sagittarius at 12:41 am EDT sets an upbeat tone for the entire day. The fiery Sagittarius Moon forms an exciting Grand Trine with disruptive Uranus and impulsive Mars, re-energizing last week’s expressive Uranus-Mars trine. Although additional harmonious lunar aspects later in the day indicate that we can initiate successful action, a late-night Sun-Jupiter quincunx tempts us to take our innovative ideas too far.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You are wise to exercise caution today because your overconfidence makes you susceptible to acting before you have all the facts. Your contagious exuberance will likely attract others who encourage your reckless behavior. Unfortunately, they won’t be so happy if they discover that you’ve led them down a dead-end street. Rather than taking charge, share the responsibility of leadership. You will flourish now if you champion a team approach.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Bountiful Jupiter in your sign may lead you down a garden path today because things look better than they are in reality. You can’t help but marvel at the impossible dreams that seem real enough to touch. It can actually be useful to explore the roads not taken within the safety of your mind. However, you might run into trouble if you attempt to make them come true. Your imagination can be your ally now if you remember to take care of your mundane responsibilities first.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You may feel like a kite that is bouncing around in the breeze after being stuck on the ground for too long. But you might be a bit ungrounded today if you’re at the mercy of the changing winds. Fortunately, you can count on some steady currents to empower you to gain altitude. However, you must be careful since there are also strange weather patterns now that make it difficult to know what’s coming next. Ultimately, your smartest strategy is to stay flexible until smoother times return.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

It’s nearly impossible for you to relax today because you are being pushed outside of your comfort zone. Even if you feign enthusiasm, you really want to know more details before you start something new. Unfortunately, you may not have time to do the research now, so you might as well bite the bullet and simply do the best you can. At worst, you’ll have an interesting experience while you push up against some of your own natural resistance.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Too much reliance on your social charms can put you in an awkward situation today where you end up losing control over what is said. Instead of trying to remain on center stage, it’s wiser to do whatever you can to get out of the spotlight. Having some anonymity now gives you more freedom to express yourself later. But if you push your own agenda too soon, your words could backfire on you and delay your progress.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Your life grows more complicated as intellectual Mercury creates an irrational aspect with pompous Jupiter, cajoling you to exaggerate your point of view. Your current tendency to overextend your reach or say more than you intend can set you on a tricky path. Nevertheless, keep the faith; maintaining your vision of the big picture could be enough to keep you on track as you methodically move toward your goals.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You are truly inspired today and believe that you can create something extraordinary. However, unexpected opportunities might lure you away from your own project so you can pursue alternative possibilities. Thankfully, your passion also attracts others to your new ideas. Just don’t push anyone too hard or you’ll quickly feel the resistance kick back at you.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Although you are inclined to start a project today, it may be smarter to wait a bit before initiating action. It’s not that you are heading off in a wrong direction; it’s just that your current optimism may encourage you to bite off more than you can chew. Instead of going on a spontaneous spending spree, get some rest. It’s smarter to build your reserves now so you’re ready for what’s to come.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Although you might be thinking about striking out on your own, this may not be the best course of action now. Today’s exuberant Sagittarius Moon blesses you with extra self-confidence and can send your enthusiasm over the top. However, your best ideas could lose their momentum if your execution is too hasty. Demonstrate your maturity by being patient; if you can wait a little longer, everything might fall into place according to your vision.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Although you could be very excited about what’s happening professionally, listen to your intuition now if it’s telling you that it’s not quite time yet to make your move. It will be much wiser for you to swing into action on Monday, once the Moon returns to your ambitious sign. Get busy taking care of loose ends and be certain that your strategy is realistic enough to execute.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your mind may not be focused on what’s going on at home today. Instead, you’re time traveling into the future and thinking about all the possible adventures in front of you. Unfortunately, it can get confusing as you weave your hopes and dreams into the current circumstances, making it difficult to tell them apart. Nevertheless, it’s healthy to take cues from your fantasies, for they empower you to turn your dreams into reality.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may be confident that you can change a long-standing habit or make a necessary adjustment to your diet. However, you could be fooling yourself today by oversimplifying what it takes to improve your daily regimen. Don’t get discouraged by trying to accomplish too much all at once. Instead of running ahead without a plan, take one determined baby step at a time. Small incremental modifications have a much better chance of lasting into the future.

Weekend Lunar Love Horoscope for Sept. 30 – Oct. 2

Weekend Love: Lunar Love

by Jeff Jawer

No Holding Back

September 30 – 2

Friday starts out with the Moon in steamy Scorpio, which is great for subtle seduction — indirectness and hints of interest can be especially enticing now. The evening ends with a lunar transit into high-spirited Sagittarius where there’s little room for secrets or subtlety. There’s no holding back in this enthusiastic sign, which is wonderful for being open and honest, but a tad insensitive in its delivery. Exuberant Sagittarius is restless and seeks new experiences, so exploring unfamiliar places, engaging in outdoor activities or examining intellectual pursuits is especially exciting. There’s little interest in sentiment as ruminating over the past can seem outdated and irrelevant.

Pushing the envelope by taking physical, mental and emotional risks is where the fun is this weekend. There’s a playful kind of competitiveness that’s not so much about beating the other person, but more about pushing both of you as far as you can go. Be careful with humor, though, because in the midst of hilarity it’s possible to say something that you might regret. The easygoing attitude of Sagittarius can give rise to careless remarks and reckless behavior. And the unbridled optimism of this sign may tempt you to make promises you won’t keep or raise your expectations too high. Joyfully enjoying the present moment without looking longingly backward or thinking too far ahead sounds just about right.

the daily humorscopes for saturday, october 1st

the daily humorscope 

Saturday, October 01, 2011

 
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
I’m sorry, I’m not allowed to argue any more, unless you’ve paid.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Big career move today! Oddly, your decision will be somehow related to a pamphlet called “Goat Herding Made Easy.”
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
You will decide to go into the swimwear market, and will become famous by making things out of stainless steel.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Everyone you see will be “power walking” today. Ignore them — they’re just trying to get on your nerves.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
A friend will ask you to give her a ride to Main street. You’ll forget where you’re going, though, and drive her to Distraction.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Ian McHarg once said, “Man is a blind, witless, anthropocentric clod who inflicts lesions upon the earth.” You will come up with a brilliant rebuttal to this, soon. You will say: “So?”
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Today one or more close relations will pout. You will stoically endure this, and will steadfastly refuse to relinquish control of the remote control.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
You are being followed by a man with an eye patch and a prosthetic limb. He, in turn, is being followed by a large reptile, which is making a ticking sound.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
A friend will ask your advice on a technical matter. If you answer, you’ll be blamed. Pretend you don’t know anything about it.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
Have you ever considered adopting a new life as a “mountain-person”? Living in the vast mountains and forests of Alaska, hewing an existence from the unforgiving wild Nature of our ancestors? Nope, me neither.
Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)
You will discover an odd amulet in an old curio shop, which is made entirely of holmium and yttrium, and which strongly interferes with the normal functioning of electronics. Best not to play with things like that.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Someone who you really dislike, who is arrogance personified…will be nice to you. This is a good time to be afraid.

October 1 – Astronomy Day

October 1 – Astronomy Day

Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals. The theme of Astronomy Day is “Bringing Astronomy to the People,” and on this day astronomy and stargazing clubs and other organizations around the world will plan special events. You can find out about special local events by contacting your local astronomy club or planetarium. You can also find more about Astronomy Day by checking the Web site for the Astronomical League.

NASA Image of the Day for October 1st

Saturn’s Silhouetted Clouds

This false-color mosaic shows deep-level clouds silhouetted against Saturn’s glowing interior. This mosaic shows the entire planet, including features like Saturn’s ring shadows and the terminator, the boundary between day and night.

The blue-green color (lower right) is sunlight scattered off clouds high in Saturn’s atmosphere and the red color (upper left) is the glow of thermal radiation from Saturn’s warm interior, easily seen on Saturn’s night side (top left), within the shadow of the rings, and with somewhat less contrast on Saturn’s day side (bottom right). The darker areas within Saturn show the strongest thermal radiation. The bright red color indicates areas where Saturn’s atmosphere is relatively clear. The great variety of cloud shapes and sizes reveals a surprisingly active planet below the overlying sun-scattering haze.

The brighter glow of the northern hemisphere versus the southern indicates that the clouds and hazes there are noticeably thinner than those in the south. Scientists speculate that this is a seasonal effect, and if so, it will change as the northern hemisphere enters springtime during the next few years.

The data were obtained in February 2006 at a distance of 1.6 million kilometers (1 million miles) from directly over the plane of Saturn’s rings, which appear here as a thin, blue line over the equator.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Astronomy Picture of the Day For October 1st

Astronomy Picture of the Day

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 October 1

Asteroids Near Earth
Illustration Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, WISE 

Explanation: Though the sizes are not to scale, the Sun and planets of the inner solar system are shown in this illustration, where each red dot represents an asteroid. New results from NEOWISE, the infrared asteroid hunting portion of the WISE mission, are shown on the left compared to old population projections of mid-size or larger near-Earth asteroids from surveys at visible wavelengths. And the good news is, NEOWISE observations estimate there are 40 percent fewer near-Earth asteroids that are larger than 100 meters (330 feet), than indicated by visible light searches. Based on infrared imaging, the NEOWISE results are more accurate as well. Heated by the Sun, asteroids of the same size radiate the same amount of infrared light, but can reflect very different amounts of visible sunlight depending on how shiny their surface is, or their surface albedo. That effect can bias surveys based on optical observations. NEOWISE results reduce the estimated number of mid-size near-Earth asteroids from about 35,000 to 19,500, but the majority still remain undiscovered.