Your Horoscopes for Thursday, April 10th

We may run into a recurring problem in a new form now. Today’s heroic Leo Moon creates stressful aspects to four different planets, giving us the opportunity to deal with a significant issue in small doses. But we’re unlikely to notice all the hidden variables as beautiful Venus aligns with karmic Saturn and shadowy Pluto. Nevertheless, once the Moon’s shifts into analytical Virgo at 6:07 pm EDT we are motivated to formulate a plan that works.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You’re feeling so confident today that you don’t think you should have to play by the established rules of the game. Nevertheless, there is more going on than meets the eye. You could be confused about the dynamics of your current relationship or you might be in love with someone who doesn’t return your affection. Even if you’re anxious underneath your air of bravado, don’t make any sudden changes. Your answers are still on the way.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You might be worried today because you’re not as certain about some of the very same things you normally take for granted. You could act as if you know what you’re doing but you are less than secure, especially in your role within your family. Thankfully, being in the company of others helps you feel better about yourself. However, don’t go overboard by trying to be the center of attention now. Surrounding yourself with those you love reminds you of what’s most important.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

You may find yourself totally immersed in an intriguing discussion about world politics, great literature or the latest pop culture trends — only to realize there was a misunderstanding earlier in the conversation. Although it might not be significant in the long run, it can ruffle some feathers in the moment. Slow down and take a more conservative approach until you know that everyone is on the same page. Listen at least as much as you speak today so you don’t unintentionally step on anyone’s toes.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Sharing your feelings with someone special could be wonderful today, but you should be on the lookout for hidden agendas, nonetheless. It is pleasant enough as long as you stay in the present moment, but as soon as you try to navigate into the future you might inadvertently set a course for conflict. Watch where you step for the next few days and let each situation guide you as you go. Paying careful attention to the clues enables you to steer clear of an unnecessary drama.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

It helps to give your feelings plenty of room for expression while the Moon is visiting your sign. This is your time to explore a variety of emotional responses to your current circumstances. But don’t be overly naive or someone will quickly pull the wool over your eyes. Take responsibility for your own feelings even if you don’t yet know where they will lead you. However, there’s no need to pretend you’re in control, especially since a few surprises could still pop up along the way.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You are naturally a hard worker and you rarely have trouble delivering on your promises. However, it may be okay to let some of your responsibilities fall to the wayside for a while and take some time off today. Visit the outer limits of your imagination by losing yourself in a movie or a book. Step outside of the box in which you normally contain yourself so efficiently and float off into your dreams.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You’re standing on a slippery slope where it’s all too easy to confuse friendship with love. Although relationships are in the spotlight today, they can actually be a source of instability, especially if you depend on the other person to make the first move. Consider what you want and act on your feelings before the winds of fate blow you into dangerous waters. There’s little room for ambiguity if you’re clear about your intentions right from the start.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You are being pulled in two directions today. You feel the need to retreat from social obligations for a while so you can just chill out. But simultaneously, an inner voice reminds you of how much fun you have when you’re hanging out with the right people. However, you first must push through your own resistance. Happily, you can have the best of both worlds if you pick your playmates carefully. Spending time in the company of those who love you is good for your heart.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You should be able to enjoy the fiery Leo Moon today, for it encourages you to stretch beyond your regular limitations. Unfortunately, everything is not as upbeat as you might expect, especially if you’re reminded of a difficult time in your life. You may even begin to worry that something similar could happen again. Keep in mind that your fears only make things worse. Instead, lean on your innate wisdom to recognize the difference between then and now. Grab this opportunity to shine while it lasts.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your feet are so firmly planted on solid ground today that you can safely poke your head up into the clouds. However, you should be careful since the rug can be pulled out from under you if you lose touch with reality. This twist of fate may come as a rude surprise to you sure-footed Goats, especially if you climb too far, too fast. Enjoy your explorations into uncharted lands but don’t forget the way back home. You will need to return to your practical perspective before you know it.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

If someone comes to you with a larger-than-life idea today, remember there’s probably more to it than your realize. This isn’t to suggest that the plan won’t work; it’s simply important to be aware that everything now appears better than it is. Look at all opportunities through the most realistic lens possible. And don’t bother asking others for advice, for they’ll just tell you what they think you want to hear. Your best bet is to wait a few days until your clarity returns.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You have a long list of mundane chores to finish today. Unfortunately, your fantasies may be much more interesting than what is actually happening in your real life. Luckily, if you change your attitude and get to work, you can make your reality nearly as awesome as you wish. However, don’t let the details overwhelm you. Just fulfill your obligations as quickly as possible and then get back to whatever fills your spirit with fire.

Astronomy Picture of the Day for April 10th – Mars, Ceres, Vesta

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.

2014 April 10

 Mars, Ceres, Vesta
Image Credit & Copyright: Tunç Tezel (TWAN)

Explanation: That bright, ruddy star you’ve recently noticed rising just after sunset isn’t a star at all. That’s Mars, the Red Planet. Mars is now near its 2014 opposition (April 8) and closest approach (April 14), looping through the constellation Virgo opposite the Sun in planet Earth’s sky. Clearly outshining bluish Spica, alpha star of Virgo, Mars is centered in this labeled skyview from early April, that includes two other solar system worlds approaching their opposition. On the left, small and faint asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres are seen near star Tau Virginis. But you’ll just have to imagine NASA’s Dawn spacecraft cruising between the small worlds. Having left Vesta in September of 2012, Dawn’s ion engine has been steadily driving it to match orbits with Ceres, scheduled to arrive there in February 2015. Of course, you can also look near Mars for the Moon opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky on the night of April 14/15 … and see a total lunar eclipse.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Thursday, April 10th

This is a good morning to finish old business with a flourish while refraining from launching new and bold ventures. The reason is that the void lunar cycle that began under Leo Moon last night remains in effect until Virgo Moon emerges from the obscurity at 3:09PM. One of the main keynotes of a void-of-course Moon time-span is that wisdom dictates the completion of projects begun in the recent past. At the same time, there is no urgency in jumping the gun and initiating some kind of dynamic activity when little long-range momentum (Moon-wise) is present. Nonetheless, you may want to polish your problem-solving talents since the Moon makes its monthly union with Pallas (5:08AM). Once the lunar orb is officially activating Virgo terrain (3:09PM), you can readily don your research scholar or geek disguise. Tuning into the fine print, glowing literary passages or hard-to-decipher computer code is par for the course when the Moon enters the sixth sign of the zodiac. Sewing, repair work, weeding, and clean-up campaigns receive the cosmic thumbs-up sign. Being a superb organizer and efficiency master is highlighted. Be eminently respectful to elders, dear ones, and children in your care this evening as a powerful and rare Sun-Juno union occurs in Aries (exactly at 12:17AM tomorrow). Themes related to style, beauty, elegance, and fashion are emphasized in a profound way. [Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Calendar of the Moon for April 10th

Calendar of the Moon

Willow Tree Month

Colors: Yellow, silver, and pale willow-green
Element: Water
Altar: Upon cloth of yellow, silver, and pale willow-green place three white candles, wreaths of willow-branches, a large clay bowl of water, flowers if they are available, and a silver moon.
Offerings: Contemplate an emotion, and how you use it, and how it uses you.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian, preferably cold food. Fruits. Only spring water to drink.

Saille Invocation

Call: Now is the time of the Willow Goddess.
Response: Now is the time of the Green Man’s courting.
Call: Now is the time when leaves are full.
Response: Now is the time when gold gives way to silver.
Call: Now is the time when Sun gives way to Moon.
Response: Now is the time when Lord gives way to Lady.
Call: Now is the time of the search and the quest.
Response: Now is the time of magic dew on the fields.
Call: Now is the time of the phallus rising.
Response: He seeks the doorway that is wet with spring rains.
Call: He seeks the moon in the river.
Response: He seeks the fishes in the winnowing basket.
Call: He seeks the fruit of Persephone.
Response: He seeks the mountain of the Muses.
Call: We crown his head with flowers….
Response: That he may reach the sky.
Call: We crown his head with ribbons….
Response: That he may touch the earth.
Call: We bring forth the pole from earth to sky.
Response: We lay the line from earth to sky.
Call: We blow like the wind from earth to sky.
Response: We fall like the rain from sky to earth.
Call: We descend like the sunlight from sky to earth.
Response: We climb like the trees from sky to earth.
Call: We are the children of earth and sky.
Response: We are beloved of sky and earth.

Chant:
We all come from the Goddess, and to Her we shall return,
Like a drop of rain, flowing to the ocean.

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun

Calendar of the Sun

Aequinoctium Vernum

Colors: Yellow and light green
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of yellow and light green set a pitcher of rainwater, small dishes of seeds (as many as there are people), a vase of budding branches, and a single green candle.
Offerings: Seeds to be planted in the garden.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian

Aequinoctium Vernum Invocation

Earth, you begin your awakening
To the touch of the life-giving Sun
Whose rays stroke you like a lover.
Earth, your joy in awakening
Springs forth first golden
And then the green of life.
We awaken to your new life
And your new season,
And you help us to believe
That no matter how long the winter,
Spring will always come again.
We stand in the time of the year’s morning
And, like all living things,
We reach upwards for the sky.

Chant:
We open Earth and
Earth receives you
She gives you life and
We believe in you

(Each takes a pot of seeds and goes to the garden, and hoes or otherwise prepares a space for planting, and then plants their seeds, chanting while doing so. The pitcher of rainwater is carried out and ritually poured onto the seeds.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for April 10th – Waxing Gibbous

Gibbous Moon

(waxing/79% of Full)

Distractions from the outside begin pressing into your world. Analysis is favored, reevaluating all the various factors you are dealing with. It’s a time to process information and effectively integrate your aims with the people in your immediate environment. This is a good time for organizing things. This Moon phase is suited for synthesis: coming up with a practical plan for getting from point A to point B. Adjustment is required

Witches Magick for Thursday, April 10th – Turn the Tables Spell

Gothic Comments
Witches Magick for Thursday, April 10th – Turn the Tables Spell

 

Turn the Tables Spell

Is someone making your life difficult? Turn the tables on the person with this spell.

Items you will need:

Candle
Candleholder
Small Mirror
A photo of your tormentor (if available)
Matches
 

The Spell

1. Place the candle in its holder and set it on top of the photo at one end of a table. If you can’t obtain a photo, inscribe your enemy’s name on the candle—the ca ndle represents the person who’s causing you trouble.

2. Light the candle, then seat yourself at the other end of the table.

3. Hold the mirror so that it reflects the flame and say aloud:

 

“Behold, this mirror is my shield.
Your wicked ways will be revealed.
Any evil that you do
Will instantly turn back to you.”
 

4. Imagine the mirror deflecting harm away from you and back onto the other person.

5. When you’ve finished, snuff out the candle.

6. Hand the mirror on the outside of the door to your home or office to ward off unwanted energies.

7. Melt the candle completely and bury the residue along with the photo far from your home.

Let’s Talk Witch – Magick Isn’t Always Black and White

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Let’s Talk Witch – Magick Isn’t Always Black and White

 

Magick is all in the mind. Before something can materialize in the physical world, somebody first has to imagine it. An architect envisions a house before it can be built. You do the same thing when you perform magick—you create a mental image of the result you intend to produce then fuel it with your will and emotions. Of course, to build a house you need hammer, mails and other tools. In magick, spells are the tools you use to fabricate your wishes. Underlying all magick is a simple physics principle. Every action produces a reaction. Remember that old computer axiom, garbage in, garbage out? Magick is like that, too. If you put bad thoughts and feelings in you’ll get bad stuff out. And be careful what you ask for.

Doing Black Magick and Don’t Realize it?

When another driver cuts you off or grabs your parking space do you rattle off colorful curses? When your boss dumps a rush project on your desk at 4:57 Friday evening, do you imagine all sorts of nasty things happening to him during the weekend? If so, you’re performing black magick.People usually associate black magick with wicked witches and wayward wizards—and to be sure, conniving conjurers like that do exist. But most black magick is performed by ordinary men and women who don’t even realize they’re doing it. Magick can be broken down into three categories: black, white and gray. Not surprisingly, the gray areas are the sticky ones. Although some practitioners might quibble with any definition of these magicks, here’s a simple explanation of the three types:

  • Black magick means anything done to harm someone else.
  • White magick is done to obtain higher knowledge, evolve spirituality or strengthen your connection with the Source.
  • Gray magick includes everything else.

The Wiccan Book of Days for April 10th – Macho Mars

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The Wiccan Book of Days for April 10th – Macho Mars

 

The planet Mars has been regulating affairs on Earth ever since the zodiacal month of Aries began on around March 21, and its influence has, by now, become particularly powerful. Its hue, the color of blood, caused the Romans to name the “Red Planet” after Mars, their God of war, and its sigil represents a warrior’s round shield from which protrudes a spearhead. That this symbol also signifies maleness in biology, and iron in alchemy, attests to just some of the traditionally masculine qualities that Mars embodies, according to astrological belief, such as energy, virility, passion, courage, aggression, single-mindedness, and hardness.

A Will of Iron

Even the gentlest personality needs to be assertive once in a while, and if you are steeling yourself for a confrontation, why not arm yourself with some of Mars’s spirit and determination by wearing an iron pendant or bangle?

Thursday Is Ruled By Jupiter

Gothic Comments
Thursday Is Ruled By Jupiter

 

Archangel: Sachiel

Candle colours: Blue

Incenses: Sandalwood or sage

Crystals: Lapis lazuli or turquoise

Use Thursdays for spells for career, justice, prosperity, leadership, creativity, marriage and all partnerships, whether love or business, and for male potency.

Where possible work on a hillside, moorland or near a natural sacred site.

Household Magick for Thursday, April 10th

Gothic Comments
Household Magick for Thursday, April 10th

Increase prosperity on this day; work toward expansion and moving up in the world.

Planetary Influence: Jupiter

Household Symbols: A dollar bill, coins, a paycheck stub, a picture of your home.

Color: Green and royal blue

Kitchen Spices: Sage and nutmeg

Source:
Cottage Witchery
Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Author: Ellen Dugan

The Witches Correspondence for Thursday, April 10th

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The Witches Correspondence for Thursday, April 10th

 

Magickal Intentions: Luck, Happiness, Health, Legal Matters, Male Fertility, Treasure and Wealth, Honor, Riches, Clothing Desires, Leadership, Public Activity, Power and Success Incense: Cinnamon, Must, Nutmeg and Sage
Planet: Jupiter
Sign: Sagittarius and Pisces
Angel: Sachiel
Colors: Purple, Royal Blue and Indigot
Herbs/Plants: Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak
Stones: Sugilite, Amethyst, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire
Oil: (Jupiter) Clove, Lemon Balm, Oakmoss, Star Anise

Jupiter presides over Thursday. The vibrations of this day attune well to all matters involving material gain. Use them for working rituals that entail general success, accomplishment, honors and awards, or legal issues. These energies are also helpful in matters of luck, gambling, and prosperity.

The Witches Almanac for Thursday, April 10th

Gothic Comments
The Witches Almanac for Thursday, April 10th

Thursday (Jupiter): Expansion, money, prosperity and generosity.

The Tenth of April (English)

 

Waxing Moon

The Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Moon Phase: Second Quarter

Moon Sign: Leo

Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, central ideas, or institutions, away from connections with others and other emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Moon enters Virgo 6:08 pm

Virgo: Favors accomplishment of details and commands from higher up. Focuses on health, hygiene, and daily schedules.

Incense: Jasmine

Color: Turquoise

Wishing All My Dear Family & Friends A Very Blessed Thursday!

Good Morning Images

Affirmations – Should Witches Use Them?

An affirmation is a simple, positive “I am……” statement such as “I am a compassionate being of light,” that boosts self-esteem and creates a stronger sense of self. By reminding us of our intrinsic value, it counters the negative message we often give ourselves. Create a personal affirmation that includes qualities that you readily recognize within yourself, as well as those you hope to find in the future. Meditate on your affirmation by repeating it to yourself like a mantra a hundred times each day. As you do so imagine the words boring down into your unconscious like a drill. Watch the negative beliefs emerge like saw-dust from the borehole as they are replaced by the positive beliefs of your affirmations.

So is affirmations a good thing for witches, in my book “yes.”

Today’s Affirmation To Get You Started

“I turn my attention inward to sense the tug of hidden desires. Clear in my self awareness. I am now free to make my choice.”