NASA Image of the Day for December 3rd

First Supernova Companion Star Found

In 2004, an international team of astronomers had, for the first time, observed a stellar “survivor” emerge from a double star system involving an exploded supernova.

Supernovae are some of the most significant sources of chemical elements in the universe, and they are at the heart of our understanding of the evolution of galaxies. In this artist’s view, the red super-giant supernova progenitor star (left) is exploding after having transferred about 10 solar masses of hydrogen gas to the blue companion star (right).

Image Credit: NASA

Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 3rd

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 December 3

As Above, So Below
Image Credit & Copyright: Boris Štromar

Explanation: A single, long exposure captured these star trails above a remarkably colorful sea of clouds. As seen from Medvednica mountain, the surrounding peaks and lights illuminating the clouds from below are north of Zagreb, Croatia. Near the center of the also colorful star trail arcs, the North Celestial Pole is off the upper right edge of the frame. Even though this is the age of the digital camera, the well composed skyscape was recorded using color slide film in a medium format camera. The dreamlike scene’s starry sky and ephemeral ocean could be reminiscent of an older age still, when the Pannonian Sea covered this part of central Europe some 10 million years ago.

Daily Feng Shui Tip of the Day for December 3rd

If you live in Farmington, Maine, then chances are pretty high that you’ve heard of the inventor of earmuffs, especially since you celebrate him with a parade every year on this ‘Chester Greenwood Day.’ Greenwood actually invented the ear protectors at the age of 15 when he reportedly came up with the idea as a way to keep his own ears warm while ice skating. But what if the ache in the ear isn’t caused by the cold at all? Actually, an earache is generally an infection of the middle ear, usually resulting from either a cold or flu. It goes without saying that if any ache or pain persists anywhere on your body then you need to see a qualified professional. And if your ear is draining or discharging liquid material, you need to see a doctor immediately. However, if you determine that medical care is not required, you can fill the affected ear with three drops of warmed garlic oil. Simply rub a softgel between your hands until the oil is warmed, then puncture it and pour the liquid into the ear. Finish by plugging the affected ear with a cotton ball or puff. Do this three or four times a day and the earache should ease considerably, as this remedy is known for it’s fast relief! Garlic oil and a puff and — poof! — the earache disappears!

Your Daily Number for December 3rd: 7

A confrontation with a loved one is possible today, and you may find yourself engaging in somewhat self-critical behavior. Don’t. Today is the perfect day for greater understanding of yourself and others. Make this a time for spiritual realization rather than negative back talk

Fast Facts

About the Number 7

Theme: Quiet, Insightful, Analytical, Mystical, Intuitive

Astro Association: Cancer

Tarot Association: Chariot

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for December 3rd is 1: Creative Power

1: Creative Power

Hexagram 1

General Meaning: The atmosphere is ripe with imagination, inspiration and energy, symbolized by the flying dragon. The dragon is an ancient symbol of an electrically charged, dynamic, arousing force that bodes well for creative initiatives. If your goals are in alignment with the greater good, your actions will meet with success, but this can only happen if you apply yang energy in a positive way. This hexagram, which consists of all yang lines, indicates a good time to take a leadership role, because Creative Power is with you now. But be forewarned: success turns to failure if you let strength turn to arrogance.

Believe in your vision and persevere; everything around you will flourish. Call upon Creative Power and let it work through you. Stay focused on your goals. Do not let yourself be distracted, or you may lose the power available to you now. And remember that when taking action, successful results require good timing.

Today’s Runes for December 3rd is Uruz

Today’s Runes

Stone Runes are most commonly used for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control. Uruz symbolizes the Auroch, a member of the ox family that became extinct long ago. This rune represents the strength, bravery, and endurance of this animal of old. Uruz portends the ability to meet problems head on and to overcome them. When the world was new, warriors used to test their strength against the Auroch. Hence, this rune has come to represent the masculine principle and the capacity to meet a challenge.

Today’s Tarot Card for December 3rd is The Sun

The Sun

This Tarot Deck: Spiral

General Meaning: What has traditionally been known as the Sun card is about the self — who you are and how you cultivate your personality and character. The earth revolves around the sun to make up one year of a person’s life, a fact we celebrate on our birthday.

The Sun card could also be titled “Back to Eden.” The Sun’s radiance is where one’s original nature or unconditioned Being can be encountered in health and safety. The limitations of time and space are stripped away; the soul is refreshed and temporarily protected from the chaos outside the garden walls.

Under the light of the Sun, Life reclaims its primordial goodness, truth and beauty. If one person is shown on this card, it is usually signifying a human incarnation of the Divine. When two humans are shown, the image is portraying a resolution of the tension between opposites at all levels. It’s as if this card is saying “You can do no wrong — it’s all to the good!”

Your Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, Dec. 3rd

It’s challenging to balance our need for stability with the temptation to lose ourselves in fantasies today. Four planets in sensible Earth signs would usually be enough to keep us grounded, but the imaginative Pisces Moon prevents us from being too practical. A stern Sun-Saturn semisquare makes sure we don’t float off into the ether. Ultimately, we are jolted awake when the Moon shifts into impulsive Aries at 8:51 pm and joins electric Uranus.

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

There are plenty of chores for you to do now, yet you have sufficient energy to handle everything if you tackle each task one at a time. However, it may seem overwhelming if you try to do too much all at once. Don’t be fooled by moments of blind optimism or you’ll lose ground instead of making progress. Give yourself credit for all that you manage to accomplish. Whatever is left undone today will still be there for you tomorrow.

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

It’s easy to make plans now, yet it’s challenging to get the desired results from your current actions. One moment you may feel very expressive, while just a few minutes later waves of self-restraint wash over you. However, the extremes are part of a larger process of ebb and flow. Even if an authoritative person seems to hold you back, be appreciative of the resistance, since slowing down ultimately helps you to be more efficient in the long run.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You may not know what to expect on the home front today as unresolved tension rises to the surface. If you’re stymied and can’t figure out how to handle the situation, ask a trusted friend for advice; you may be lucky enough to hear exactly what you need. Even if you want to do things your way, consider modifying your position based upon what you learn now. Your flexibility is one of your greatest strengths.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

It’s unsettling if you’re not in charge of your own schedule today, but it feels as if your agenda has been determined by someone else — and there isn’t much you can do to change it. Thankfully, you still may find a way to create magic as the intuitive Pisces Moon opens your mind to a different perspective. It might even make sense to take a risk and try something new just to shake up other people’s assumptions about you.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You don’t like the idea of cutting back on your activities because you lack the cash, but you can’t escape from your temporary financial situation. Fortunately, you could come up with an ingenious idea today that enables you to enjoy yourself beyond your expectations — even if you’re occupied with more mundane matters. Keep in mind that avoiding money issues is not a substitute for resolving them; they must still be addressed when your current distractions are over.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You could have a tough time trusting others today, so don’t let anyone talk you into doing something that you will regret later. It’s wise to honor your initial hunch rather than changing your mind so you can meet someone else’s expectations. You might add to the current tension at home with your inflexible position, but this is just a temporary situation. Relationship dynamics will shift soon enough, releasing you from an old emotional pattern.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Even if you want to be creative today, your artistic flow may be blocked by your fears of being judged or rejected by others. Your imaginative powers are strong and you can see nearly whatever you believe. Appreciation, and even praise, can come your way now, but it might slip under your radar to arrive unnoticed. Learning to accept yourself exactly as you are can make a real difference in your ability to express yourself freely.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your inner child wants to come out and play while the Moon is visiting your 5th House of Self-Expression. You may be thinking more creatively now, yet still feel constrained as you try to let go of your serious concerns. Although you want to have fun, your relationships might fall short of your high expectations. Remember that being spontaneous can happily co-exist with your desire to remain true to your core beliefs.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You may take a trip down Memory Lane as the Moon drops into your 4th House of Roots now. However, you won’t be satisfied by just indulging your nostalgia, unless you use your connection with the past as a way to better understand the present moment. But even if you want to look ahead rather than behind you, rest assured that sinking into your personal history is a good idea. You have something important to learn from a quick visit back to the days of your childhood.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You can communicate today without having to say much of anything at all. Your actions really do speak louder than your words, but it’s someone else’s lack of action that says more than you want to hear. You may need to handle your own feelings of abandonment, yet you could also benefit from the emotional space that is being offered to you now. Don’t turn a current event into a major drama or you might cause more trouble than it’s worth.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You may be optimistic that your current financial position will improve soon. Thankfully, your increased efforts at work won’t likely go unnoticed now. However, you might become frustrated because it could still take time yet to be acknowledged. Don’t worry about the immediate response from your friends or family. Focus on quietly meeting your obligations and have faith that things will turn around before you know it.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your immediate reaction to someone who attempts to block your progress might just make matters worse now. It’s easy to think about what you want to say or do in advance; however, it requires your clear intention to dance with external resistances instead of trying to overpower the hidden energy. Controlling your emotions today is surely more productive in the long run than losing your temper.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Sat., Dec., 3rd

Daily Cosmic Calendar

by Mark Lerner for Astrology.com

This is a good point in the Cosmic Calendar to remind you that solar and planetary alignments don’t just disappear in a few hours or even a day. Thus, yesterday’s Sun-Mars clash – while certainly dissipating now – is still reverberating through the ethers. Pushing the envelope across the board is a no-no – especially early today as the Moon in Pisces remains void until 5:52PM PST while the Sun forms an abrasive, 45-degree tie to ring-master Saturn (3:59AM PST). The Sun-Saturn battle has the tendency to increase temporary feelings of doubt and pessimism. One antidote is to deliberately inject some levity and enthusiasm into your key relationships and social scene. Laugh away the moody blues. Lend a helping hand to the truly needy and disenfranchised as the Moon in Pisces places an emphasis on compassion and empathy. Once the Moon leaves its void mode by entering Aries (5:52PM PST), accentuate your leadership skills and independent streak. This is reinforced when the Moon unites with radical-change agent Uranus (7:12PM PST). Breakthroughs in consciousness are pervasive. Tap into your intuition and explore the online universe with a keen eye and sharp mind. Watch out for surprises and shock waves. Insights on the investment horizon can greatly assist you in increasing your assets as the Sun forms an inspirational, 72-degree liaison with Vesta (7:51PM PST).

the daily humorscopes for saturday, december 3rd

the daily humorscope

Saturday, December 03, 2011

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

I see you making a special trip to the store today, to get something. It’s in a sort of yellow-ish little box, about the size of a toothpaste box, I think. It’s “prep-something”? Ah! “Preparation”-something, I think. Oh. Ahem. Anyway, if it’s any consolation, I hear that Jet Fighter pilots have that problem much worse than most people. All that acceleration, you know. Don’t worry — your secret is safe with me!

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Ah ha! You will finally have an opportunity to use the word “plumbaginous” in casual conversation today! You will be discussing either bicycles or aircraft, at the time.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Terrific day to saunter. Don’t let it turn into a mosey, though.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Today you will be invited to go on a 3 hour boat tour, which you think will be lots of fun. It may last longer than you expect…

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

A moth the size of a Boeing 747 will erupt from a nearby hillside today, and go off to help a huge semi-aquatic rubbery dinosaur fight off an alien attack. So what are you doing to help?

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Excellent time to show the world that plaid and stripes do too mix. (Tip #12 of Arnold Pinknobble’s “How To Get Noticed.”)

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Good day to begin writing that book you’ve been planning — “Growing Radishes Indoors”. It’s an idea whose time has come.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Good day to get a potted plant for your office, which you should name “Throckmorton”. (The plant, not the office. Obviously, “Throckmorton” is a completely inappropriate name for an office. “Wiggins” is a good name for your office, if it doesn’t already have a name.)

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

You will discover that by simply wearing a large amulet made of bones and feathers, and by carrying a blowgun, you can usually get a seat on public transportation, no matter how crowded it gets.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)

You will soon learn to fear and loath the word “diaper”. Don’t know why.

Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)

The currency crisis in Russia will continue to trouble you. The next time you have a dream in which you are told by your old Uncle Max to invest all your money in a canned borsht factory in Leningrad, you might stop to consider the alternatives. I hear that mutual funds can be nice, for example.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

You need to get more exercise, but can’t tear yourself away from the computer. Do what I do: glue your keyboard to the ceiling, and get yourself a mini-trampoline!

Ponderings – Karma and the Rule of Three

Blessed Be Comments

Karma and the Rule of Threes
by Torin W. (e-mail: athame@flash.net)

**Notice**
This document may be distributed freely so long as it is not altered, edited, or changed in any way from its original form. A copy of this document in its true original form may be gotten from our home page.

Please e-mail any critique or questions to me if you cannot find me on the IRC at #Witchcraft_102… flames will be ignored.

The Rule of Threes

I once read a sign in a wiccan bookstore which read in part, “Lest in self defence it be, ever mind the Rule of Three.” Baloney. The White path magician always minds the Rule of Threes and uses that to his/her advantage.
The Rule of Threes is quite simple and is commonly known: that which is sent forth returns three times. If one is kind, one may expect to receive the kindness back three times. Conversely if one is cruel, one can expect cruelty to return three times over. If one gives, one may expect to receive three times the gift. If one steals, one may expect to lose three times the value (therefore the idea that that which is stolen curses the thief), etc.

Karma

Karma may be seen as a point-style system. When one does many bad deeds, one receives many small ‘bad karma points’. These points may add up to one great pay-back or they may be abated through good acts. This system does go both ways. Many small good acts may result in a great good fortune or many small good fortunes. These may also be abated by bad acts.

~Magickal Graphics~

Kick back, relax it’s the Weekend! Enjoy!

Days of the Week Comments Ah, to only experience the Life of Riley! I would love to find a nice, relaxing waterfall. Then find a big rock, sit down and just relax and enjoy. It is funny, when we start to get older we appreciate the smaller/simpler things in life.

My parents loved to travel. It seemed like we were on the road constantly. My father was a Riverboat Captain for a towing company. He would work thirty days on, thirty days off. Momma would give him about a week to relax when he got come and then we were on the road. I thought of those many road trips when I saw this picture. Unfortunately around here, we have no waterfalls liked pictured. But my mother had always wanted to see Cumberland Falls. So on one of our road trips, we went to the Falls. We had a big camping trailer and I remember the spot we found to camp at. Daddy had to back the trailer in. Momma got out to tell him when to stop. I didn’t think anything about it, I stayed in the truck. When we finally stopped, I got out and looked around. I went running for the back-end of the trailer, Momma screamed, “Stop! There is a sheer drop off!” Well being a kid, I didn’t really believe her (you know how kids are, lol!) So I creeped up to the back and sure enough there was a very sheer drop off. After seeing that I wasn’t really sure I wanted to sleep in the camper that night. Anyway the next day, we went over to the Falls. And you talking about breath-taking, they were beautiful. What a wonderful treasure of Mother Earth they were. I had never seen anything like it and to this day I still haven’t. What memories! Only to be a child again, lol!

Anyway on to the magickal part of the day……..

Saturday Is Ruled By Saturn

Saturday ruled by the Roman God of the harvest and planting. New starts and firmly planting your seeds of intention or good focuses on Saturday. Other correspondences for Saturday are:

Ruling Planet: Saturn

Rituals: Disciplining ourselves.

Element: Earth

Colour: Black and sometimes purple

Number: 3

Household Magick For Saturday

On Saturday, work for protection, boundaries, and house rules

Planetary Influence: Saturn

Household Symbols: A gate, a fence, a sprig of ivy from a houseplant

Color: Black or deep purple

Kitchen Spices: Traditionally there are not many herbs associated with Saturn that are not poisonous. However, for banishing and the removal of negative situations, try a clove of garlic or dried minced onion.

*Cottage Witchery

Natural Magick for Hearth and Home

Ellen Dugan*

Spell of the Day

SPELL FOR BANISHING AND NEEDED CHANGES

Instructions: Sit in a quiet place that is special to you.
Hold a white or cream candle in your hands and visualize the area of your life that this
candles energy is needed in. After you light this candle the energy will come to you.
It may come right away or when you lease expect it.
When you are ready recite the spell or use your own words of power.
This candle I see before me, its color so bright,
Holds my needs of change in its light.
I call in the forces higher than I
To release the energy that is held inside
May it work for me in the most correct way,
Harming none and helping all as it leaves my stay.
I call on thee in perfect trust and love sending me guidance from above.
This I make happen and so be it will.

Take away this thing that brings me ill.
So mote it be.3x3x3

*Spell transferred from the old WOTC Group, Author Unknown*