This reading represents strengths & weakness you were born with.
The Hermit
The Hermit denotes a need to have some space between you and everyday hustle and bustle of our busy world. The Hermit needs to retreat. Indeed, happiness for The Hermit requires seclusion, freedom from material wants, and time for intense introspection. The answers The Hermit needs cannot be found in our physical world. The truths he seeks are internal, spiritual, and the distraction of a well developed social life can only impede his quest for his personal truths. Still, although not anything remotely resembling extroversion, The Hermit does sometimes need to share time with others; so he can learn or teach, guide and be guided. The Hermit’s time spent amongst people depletes his energy quickly. To avoid an overload he has to retreat from social settings quickly.
When The High Priestess is among your personal cards, the influence of The Hermit may be increased. Having The World or The Lovers in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Hermit.
The High Priestess
Completely feminine and the counterpart to The Magician, the High Priestess is the Gatekeeper of the subconscious, the unknown. She travels in worlds which most of us only glimpse in our dreams. Her realm is that of unseen truths, untapped potentials, and hidden dangers. The Calling of The High Priestess is to go beyond the obvious and visible to tap those powers which are veiled from normal vision. While she is passive by nature, she has the power to uncover unknown potential and is very aware of the infinite potential all humans harbor within them. She is also very patient. She can wait for events to blossom in their own time.
When The Hermit or Hanged Man are among your personal cards, the influence of The High Priestess may be increased. Having the Magus in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The High Priestess.
The Moon represents those forces which remain largely hidden to us. The light of the moon provides some illumination down a path into the unknown, but not enough to brighten the landscape like The Sun, or cut through the dark shadows from which the unexpected may leap. However, The Moon is not without gifts we can use. She spurs our imagination and creativity. She can be a portal to knowledge and experience beyond the realm of our everyday lives. But Her offerings are not available to the feint of heart. To receive what The Moon offers one must have the courage to follow uncharted paths and the intelligence to find truths hidden in a bewildering setting rife with illusion. For those who can make this journey the reward may be finding the key to making their dreams come true
With Venus a new guest in your friendship sector (until March 12th), dear Aries, you’re in a good position to make friends, connect with like-minded people, and to do some networking. When it comes to love, you’re interested in keeping things light and positive. There is a progressive theme in business and you are more attracted to objects that keep you connected or that advance you forward when it comes to spending. You are ready to try out different and possibly even unconventional ways of relating to others. However, this morning’s energy is not quite so free-flowing. There can be communication or transportation blocks to deal with. The Moon moves into your home and family sector this afternoon, and you are more inclined to want to keep things simple and comfortable.
Taurus
Taurus
With Venus, your ruler and the goddess of love, in your career and reputation sector until March 12th, dear Taurus, responsibilities to others or in your love life can become clearer. Your own charm benefits you greatly when it comes to your career or business, as well as your reputation or status. There can be new social opportunities through your business or professional dealings, as well as more concern for the image you are projecting to others. Success may come through your creativity, charm, or strong interpersonal skills during this cycle. This morning can be tricky when it comes to schedules and communications. People may not be quite as cooperative as you’d like. However, as the day moves forward, there is plenty to keep you busy with the Moon’s move into your communications sector stimulating your need for variety and mental stimulation.
Gemini
Gemini
When it comes to love and relationship, a spirit of adventure and discovery takes hold now with Venus in your solar ninth house for the coming three and a half weeks, dear Gemini. This cycle brings a more outgoing, brave attitude to your love life, as well as to your attitude towards money and pleasure in general. You’re more likely to jump in first, then ask questions later. This morning, however, there can be some tensions in interpersonal relationships, largely revolving around responsibilities and taking communications the wrong way. The Moon’s move into your resources sector this afternoon stimulates a desire to get comfortable.
Cancer
Cancer
Deeper, more profound relationships are in focus or sought out now, dear Cancer, with Venus in your intimacy sector until March 12th, and connections may be more rewarding than usual. Resolving differences comes more naturally now, as you tend to approach tricky topics with more acceptance and warmth. Financial and emotional support may be more forthcoming. This transit favors the more complicated or intricate areas of relationships, sharing, and intimacy. You are more reasonable with regards to working out agreements when it comes to money, support, or the sharing of power. Your love nature runs a little deeper now. This morning, there can be some tension on the job, or you could find that responsibilities weigh heavier than usual, however. The Moon moves into your sign this afternoon, and emotional needs become clearer – and perhaps quite demanding!
Leo
Leo
With Venus in your opposite sign until March 12th, there can be a wonderful back and forth between you and others, particularly in one on one situations, dear Leo. This is a strong cycle for attracting and enhancing close relationships, and for making repairs to existing connections. Negotiations and consultations can run smoothly and can be especially helpful. However, this morning, there can be some tension or feelings of blockage in your interactions with others, who may find you a little distant or serious. The Moon moves into your privacy sector this afternoon, stimulating a need for some emotional downtime. Focusing on healing and processing rather than pushing ahead makes sense now.
Virgo
Virgo
You’ll be seeking out more harmonious relations on the job and/or more order and harmony in your daily life in the coming weeks, dear Virgo. The charm you’re displaying with co-workers is well-received. Social or romantic opportunities can arise for some of you as you pursue your health and work goals. There can be kinder or more helpful health workers during this cycle. While there can be some distractedness when it comes to work and practical affairs, this is a generally good time for attending to the human side of these matters. A feeling of being blocked or inhibited this morning is likely to pass quickly, after which life doesn’t seem quite as serious. The Moon moves into your social sector this afternoon, and this adds to a pleasing sense that the pressure is off.
Libra
Libra
The next few weeks bring warm energy to your love life and to your creative projects, dear Libra. Your sense of fun is in the spotlight. You are not only expressing your feelings more directly, you are also receiving love and compliments more confidently. Emotionally, you’re a little more willing to put yourself out there. Personal appeal is strong, and a desire to find more ways to have fun, and channels through which to express yourself, increases. This is one of the better times in the year for romantic and creative matters. This morning, however, there can be a tendency towards misunderstandings. There can also be feelings of frustration as your plans might fall through or you could encounter delays and stresses. As the day progresses, you feel more in charge.
Scorpio
Scorpio
You find more joy and pleasure in home life, as well as in familiarity, in the coming weeks, dear Scorpio, with Venus now transiting your home and family sector. There is protective energy in your love life. You can be a little more choosy when it comes to expressing your feelings during this cycle. You are inclined to cling to the familiar and secure rather than venturing out into the world with your heart on your sleeve. There can be some hesitancy and caution when it comes to love, the pursuit of pleasure, and attitude towards money. This morning, there can be some worries about money or resources, and possible misunderstandings in your interactions. However, as the day moves forward, you’re more inclined to shake these things off.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
With Venus in your solar third house until March 12th, dear Sagittarius, you’re likely to take a warmer interest in making connections and communicating. Sharing ideas and talking about your day are both especially important when it comes to engaging your heart during this cycle. Communication contributes greatly to your feelings of being loved and appreciated. You are presenting your ideas in an especially charming manner, and it can be easier to ask for what you want or to convince others to go along with your plans. This morning, however, there can be some tensions as people around you seem a little frivolous or careless when you want to get serious about a matter. As the day advances, you find it easier to make yourself happy, regardless of what’s going on around you.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Until March 12th, Venus graces your values and resources sector, dear Capricorn, having moved out of your sign last night. This is a time for seeking out more pleasure in the material world, and when you can be craving more comforts. Affections tend to stabilize during this cycle, as you’re less inclined to feel the need to fill all of your needs right away. In fact, being patient actually makes you feel better about yourself. This tends to be a steady, status quo period for love relationships. You value those who make you feel comfortable and who help you enjoy life in simple ways. Complications are sometimes intriguing in relationships, but not for you during this cycle! This morning, there can be some difficulties understanding and sympathizing with people around you, and you may feel similarly unappreciated. However, as the day advances, you’re less inclined to concern yourself with these matters, and more interested in looking for the positive, particularly in your relationships.
Aquarius
Aquarius
Venus entered your sign last night, dear Aquarius, and will continue to spend time in Aquarius until March 12th. This is a strong cycle for attracting the right people, circumstances, and resources into your life. There is stronger focus on pleasure and affection during this period. Your natural charm emerges for everyone to see now, and you are also clearer about your own feelings and more expressive and open with your affections. This morning, however, there can be some difficulties coordinating your plans and getting everyone into a place of agreement. Misunderstandings are likely. As the day advances, you’re inclined to move at your own pace and to worry less about what others are (or aren’t) doing. The Moon moves into your work and health sector this afternoon, and you have no problem finding things to keep you occupied.
Pisces
Pisces
Last night, Venus entered your soul sector, dear Pisces, and will transit this private, complex area of your solar chart until March 12th. While your feelings and/or relationships may seem a little more complicated or difficult to define, this can also be a time for getting into better touch with your innermost longings, needs, and desires. You could also find a lot of pleasure behind the scenes. There can be a greater love of private moments with or without a partner, and you could find joy in helping or supporting others. This morning, there can be some delays or miscommunications to deal with. However, as the day advances, you’re looking forward and find it relatively easy to rise above difficulties. The Moon moves into your pleasure zone this afternoon, and you seek out ways to better express yourself.
Passionate and loving yet independent, you are not always easily understood. Your life is changeful in part because of a deep inner need to reinvent yourself from time to time. You possess inner vision and can be quite spiritual. Learning to believe in yourself but also to put faith in the universe rather than attempting to over-control your life are keys to your success. When inspired, you are hard-working and determined.
Famous people born today: John McEnroe, Sonny Bono, LeVar Burton, Margaux Hemingway.
You are more inclined to move from one activity to the next today, dear Aries, than to specialize or focus. You are likely to find that there is a lot to do today, but it may also be simply about your perceptions, as you can be a little scattered. If this is a problem, aim to attempt things step by step. It can be a real challenge to juggle work, duties, chores, and personal interests these days, and there’s more of that to come in the months ahead, so figuring out priorities now can certainly help reduce the pressure. Venus moves into a pleasing relationship with your sign tonight, where it will transit for three and a half weeks. This can bring a nice boost to your friendships.
Taurus
Taurus
Emotions are settling in today, dear Taurus, and so are you, or at least trying to! You’re in the mood for simple comforts and an easy, steady pace. It’s a good time for activities that remind you of the beauty of the here and now. An event could take place that opens your eyes to the need for handling debts or shared resources more effectively, which of course could complicate the calm, but getting your finances, or relationships for some of you, sorted out will benefit you greatly. Venus moves to the top of your chart tonight, where it will stay until March 12th. This is a strong cycle for making nice with the public or people you work with/for.
Gemini
Gemini
Someone can be a naysayer today, dear Gemini, or otherwise raining on your parade. This is a time when others tend to be laying down the rules for you. While this can be annoying, a partner may in fact have some good advice, if you can look past the negativity. While you can feel pulled in many different directions today, there is good opportunity for connecting with friends, who have fewer expectations of you. You’ll need to deal with the expectations of people important to you eventually, but you also need some personal space. Venus moves into your spirit sector tonight, where it will stay until March 12th, and this pulls you out of any possible relationship funk you may have been in.
Cancer
Cancer
There is a real tendency to want to escape or retreat from the usual noise and activity of life today, dear Cancer. Finding effective ways to do so in healthy, helpful ways is important now. Your heart may not be in your work or routines today, but avoid rushing through them, as you could be missing something important. Now and in the months ahead, you may have some trouble with schedules in your life, or you may not be satisfied with any one area or life “department”. Establishing priorities is important. Venus moves into your intimacy sector tonight, where it will transit for the coming three and a half weeks. It’s a time for exploring some of your deeper needs and desires.
Leo
Leo
There can be a real need or desire to spend some easygoing time with others, dear Leo, free of expectations. However, it can be difficult to maneuver at times today, as business, romance, or creative projects demand attention as well. It can be a juggling act today, and this in many ways can be a theme in upcoming months, and you’d be wise to explore ways to find a healthy balance. Venus moves into your partnership sector tonight, where it has some company. For the next three and a half weeks, you’re in a strong position for bringing more harmony and love to your relationships.
Virgo
Virgo
Your emotional orientation inclines you to want to take care of business and perform well today, dear Virgo, but it can be difficult as you are pulled in different directions. Responsibilities or problems on the home front could demand attention. Until you get your heart and body in sync, you may feel a little off-center. You’re moving in the right directions these days, but give yourself time to figure out your priorities. Venus moves into your sector of work and health tonight, and for the next three and a half weeks, there is decent energy for finding a little more pleasure and satisfaction in your daily routines.
Libra
Libra
There is certainly an emotional need to escape the duller, mundane matters of daily life today, dear Libra, and while it’s important to answer to this need in some manner, you could find yourself tied to certain duties or responsibilities that require your attention. Coming to a good balance is the challenge now, which involves moderation as well. Watch also for coming across in a critical or judgmental manner. Although this is not usually a problem with your sign, with Saturn in your communications sector these days, you may not even realize that you are being curt at times. Venus moves into your romance and pleasure sector tonight for a three and a half week stay.
Scorpio
Scorpio
Today is useful for uncovering information that may have been hidden, or simply not obvious to you before, dear Scorpio. You’re looking to feel a little more powerful and in control of impulses that aren’t serving you well. This can be a time for talking strategy about business, financial, and other practical matters with someone, although you may not entirely enjoy the process, or what you hear. You’re more interested in the feeling side of your life than the material world today. Others may be a little aloof or not very yielding in this respect for now. Venus moves into your home and family sector tonight, and will transit this area of your solar chart until March 12th. This can be a good time for seeking out comfort and harmony on the home front.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
You are more relationship-focused than usual today, dear Sagittarius, and while others can have something to teach you about yourself, you could have a bit of a hard defining what you are truly feeling, as emotions can be mixing with what you feel is expected of you. Avoid important decisions until you are more sure of yourself and in touch with your true needs. Watch for a tendency to be nitpicky or critical if you’re feeling stressed or out of touch. Venus moves into your communications sector tonight, where it will stay for the next three and a half weeks, stimulating a warmer, gentler approach to the people in your life, and some real pleasure in learning and connecting as well.
Capricorn
Capricorn
You can be quite determined to make sense of your personal or work environment today, dear Capricorn, and to tend to important work, tasks or chores, as you’d like to get them out of your way. Your productivity can be undermined, however, by issues that cause you anxiety or guilt. Try not to let these matters take over to the point that your interactions with others are tense. Providing a service or volunteering your help to someone today can have its rewards. Venus moves out of your sign tonight, and into your solar second house, where it blesses your material world, business instincts, and comfort levels for the next three and a half weeks. This is a time for getting comfortable.
Aquarius
Aquarius
Avoid last minute decisions today, dear Aquarius, especially when it comes to close relationships and partnerships. Take more time to assess the situation. Arguments entered into today can reach stalemates. Wait for a better day to communicate your deeper feelings. More confidence in a special friend or partner, however, feels good and reflects back to you positively. Venus enters your sign tonight, and will stay there until March 12th. It’s a wonderful cycle for personal attraction and good for some self-pampering as well!
Pisces
Pisces
There is continued focus on your personal life and basic needs today, dear Pisces. Even so, responsibilities call, and while your heart may not be in it today, it’s better to get what you have to do, done. There may be a conflict brewing between your attention to relationships and work. It could seem that the more joy you’re finding in your connections, the less interest you have in your performance. However, this is a year in which you’re going to have to put some serious effort into structuring and achieving. Look for a better balance. Venus moves into your privacy sector tonight, and in the coming weeks, there is more pleasure in behind the scenes activities. It’s a time for learning about your innermost needs in love.
The Moon today is in a Waxing Gibbous phase. This phase is when the moon is more than 50% illuminated but not yet a Full Moon. The phase lasts round 7 days with the moon becoming more illuminated each day until the Full Moon. During a Waxing Gibbous the moon will rise in the east in mid-afternoon and will be high in the eastern sky at sunset. The moon is then visible though most of the night sky setting a few hour before sunrise. The word Gibbous first appeared in the 14th century and has it’s roots in the Latin word “gibbous” meaning humpbacked.
Phase Details for – Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 63%
Moon Age: 8.62 days
Moon Angle: 0.54
Moon Distance: 370,888.83 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,799,364.74 km
Victory, called Victoria by the Romans and Nice (Nike) by the Greeks, was a Goddess who was the personification of success or victory. According to her legend she was the daughter of Pallas and Styx and became the patroness of heroes, guiding them to greatness. Revered by the Roman people, she was given an altar in the Senate. This sacred monument became one of the most important symbols of organized Paganism in the Roman Empire and a point of bitter confrontation between the pagans and the Christians in the fourth century A.D. when it was ordered destroyed. The altar was finally abolished
Tuesday is a Mars day, and just like the god of war, this is the time to tap into magicks to call for strength and courage. This day of the week is for rebels and warriors. If you are facing a challenge of any kind, need a boost to your courage, or want to enhance your passions, Tuesday is the day of the week for you.
Some suggestions for Tuesday enchantments would include:
*Wearing the fiery colors associated with this day: scarlet, red, black, and orange. Don some of the more daring and bewitching colors of your wardrobe on Tuesdays and turn a few heads
*Carrying a bloodstone in your pocket or wearing garnet-studded jewelry to reinforce your convictions
*Working with protective and fire-associated plants such as the snapdragon, thistle, and holly to boost your shields and bravery
*Burning spicy-scented energy-enhancing candles to add a little magical aromatherapy to your home
*Cooking up a hearty meal featuring carrots, peppers, and garlic (all Mars foods and spices) to empower yourself for victory and success
Magick to work: self-assertion, energy, and courage, victory, endurance, passion, masculine goals in general, sex, aggression, protection, controlled power, ambition, arguments, competition, conflict, destruction, lust, male sexuality, sports, strife, struggle, surgery, medical issues, upheaval, war
The Morrighan, Celtic Goddess of War and Sovereignty
In Celtic mythology, the Morrighan is known as a goddess of battle and war. However, there’s a bit more to her than this. Also referred to as Morrígu, Morríghan, or Mor-Ríoghain, she is called the “washer at the ford,” because if a warrior saw her washing his armor in the stream, it meant he was to die that day. She is the goddess who determines whether or not you walk off the field of battle, or are carried off upon your shield.
In later Irish folklore, this role would be delegated to the bain sidhe, who foresaw the death of members of a specific family or clan.
The Morrighan often appears in the form of a crow or raven, or is seen accompanied by a group of them. In the stories of the Ulster cycle, she is shown as a cow and a wolf as well. The connection with these two animals suggest that in some areas, she may have been connected to fertility and land.
In some legends, the Morrighan is considered a triune, or triple goddess, but there are a lot of inconsistencies to this. She often appears as a sister to the Badb and Macha.
In some Neopagan traditions, she is portrayed in her role as destroyer, representing the Crone aspect of the Maiden/Mother/Crone cycle, but this seems to be incorrect when one looks at her original Irish history. Some scholars point out that war specifically is not a primary aspect of the Morrighan, and that her connection to cattle presents her as a goddess of sovereignty. The theory is that she can be seen as a deity who guides or protects a king.
In modern literature, there has been some linking of the Morrighan to the character of Morgan Le Fay in the Arthurian legend. It appears, though, that this is more fanciful thinking than anything else. Although Morgan le Fay appears in the Vita Merlini in the twelfth century, a narrative of the life of Merlin by Geoffrey of Monmouth, it’s unlikely that there’s a connection to the Morrighan. Scholars point out that the name “Morgan” is Welsh, and derived from root words connected to the sea. “Morrighan” is Irish, and is rooted in words that are associated with “terror” or “greatness.” In other words, the names sound similar, but the relationship ends there.
Author
Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com
Named for the Norse god Tyr, who was a deity of heroism and combat, Tuesday is a very martial sort of day – color associations include bright red and oranges, as well as warrior-like metals such as iron and steel.
The ancient Romans called this day Martis, after the warrior god Mars – other deities associated with Tuesday include Ares, the Morrighan, and other gods of battle and glory. Red gemstones like rubies and garnets come into play on Tuesdays, as do herbs and plants such as thistles, holly, coneflowers and cacti – you’ll notice these are all sharp, prickly plants!
One of the interesting – and more than a little amusing – aspects of Tuesday magic is that in addition to war and conflict against your enemies, this is a day also associated with marriage. You can also use this day of the week for magical workings connected to protection and initiation. Use Tuesday to assert yourself, make a mark and stake your claims.
Author
Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com
Tuesday is the day to work any magick that falls in the category of increasing strength, courage, bravery, and passion. All of these intense emotions are linked to this day’s energies, and spells designed around these themes will have extra punch when performed on this magickal day.
So, let’s add a little passion and conviction into your life! Break out the daring red pieces of your wardrobe, and put a little pizzazz into your day. Work with Lilith, and see what she has to teach you about personal power and sexuality. Meditate on Tiw/Tyr and Mars, and see what those ancient warrior gods will show you about new tactics, strategies, and claiming personal victories in your life. Practice conjuring up that astral weapon from the meditation and use it wisely for protection and for courage.
Create a philter for courage and protection or handcraft your own Witch’s jar to remove negativity from your home. See what other Witch crafts you can conjure up with Tuesday’s magick. Create some kitchen magick on this Tuesday by whipping up a spicy stew-add in a few Mars-associated ingredients such as carrots, peppers, and garlic. Empower the stew for success, and then treat yourself and your family to a good, hearty meal. Try working with a little aromatherapy and burn some spicy or coffee-scented candles to increase your energy level.
Check the sky at night, and see if you can find the reddish planet Mars up in the heavens. Not sure where to look? Check an astronomy magazine or search the Web for more information. Become a magickal warrior and move forward in your life with strength, courage, and compassion. Embrace the side of yourself that loves a good challenge and that is passionate and daring! Banish fear, and face your future with strength and conviction. Believe in yourself and in your dreams, work hard, and you will win every time.
—-Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan
A god, goddess, or planet governs each day of the week. It is usually easy to spot the ruler of the day by its name. The word Tuesday, however, is not so easy, but if we look at the word in Spanish, Martes, we clearly see its connections to Mars.
Because Tuesday revolves around the energy of Mars, Tuesdays are good for business, mechanical things, buying and selling animals, hunting, beginning studies, gardening, sexual activities, and confrontation. This is a day for sex magick, energy, stamina, and health. As in the old saying, Tuesdays child is full of grace, is also good for success magick and defense against enemies.
Angels of Tuesday are Camael, Samael, Satael, Amabiel, Friagne, and Hyniel. When invoked, Camael takes the form of a leopard. In Druid mythology he is a god of war, which is why we see him associated with Mars. Camael is said to be a member of the “Magnificent Seven” in some circles. Camael is another “terminator” angel.
Samael walks both worlds as a magician and sorcerer. some see him as the angel of death, others as “the bright and poisonous one.” Many consider him more of a demon, and accuse him of being Satan. However, there is reference to the satans (plural) as enforcers of the law, a sort of angelic police, if you will. Supposedly, when Samael is around, dogs howl in the night. On one hand, he is the ruler of the fifth heaven and in charge of two million angels; on the other, he is the one who changed into a serpent and convinced Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit of knowledge.
Satael is an angel of air invoked in magic rites and is the presiding spirit of the planet Mars. Amabiel is another spirit of the planet Mars; however he spends his energy on issues of human sexuality. Friagne, also an angel of this day, is invoked from the east. He is a member of the fifth heaven. Hyniel also belongs to this day and is subject to the east wind.
On Tuesdays the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mars, and that makes these times of the day doubly blessed. These four hours are the strongest ones to do ritual in. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.
The Star Review for Tuesday, February 18 thru Sunday, February 21
Tuesday, February 16
Although Jupiter plays a major role in the lineup of planets visible before dawn, it also stands out in the evening sky. The giant planet rises around 7:30 p.m. local time along with the background stars of southeastern Leo. At magnitude –2.4, Jupiter outshines every other point of light in the sky until Venus rises shortly before dawn. A telescope reveals the gas giant’s 44″-diameter disk and stunning detail in its dynamic atmosphere. If you look carefully tonight, the planet appears to sport a “black eye” as the shadow of its giant moon Ganymede crosses the disk. Any scope will show the inky black spot as it moves from east to west across the bright cloud tops of Jupiter’s northern hemisphere. The shadow transit begins at 10:57 p.m. EST and runs until 2:18 a.m. The moon itself crosses the planet’s disk some two hours later.
Wednesday, February 17 A pair of fine binocular objects are on display during evenings this week. The open star clusters M46 and M47 reside about a degree apart in the northwestern corner of the constellation Puppis the Stern, a region that climbs highest in the south around 10 p.m. local time. The two lie about 12° east-northeast of the sky’s brightest star, Sirius. The western cluster, M47, glows at 4th magnitude and appears as a fuzzy patch sprinkled with several pinpoint stars. Sixth-magnitude M46 shows up as a hazy collection of faint stars that is hard to resolve under most conditions. Although it contains nearly twice as many stars as M47, M46 appears fainter and fuzzier because it lies some three times farther from Earth. To find more objects worth exploring through binoculars on these February nights, see “11 top winter binocular treats” in the February issue of Astronomy.
Thursday, February 18
The variable star Algol in Perseus reaches minimum brightness at 10:50 p.m. EST, when it shines at magnitude 3.4. If you start viewing it this evening, you can watch it more than triple in brightness (to magnitude 2.1) over the course of a few hours. This eclipsing binary star runs through a cycle from minimum to maximum and back every 2.87 days. Algol appears high in the west after sunset and sinks toward the northwestern horizon after midnight.
Friday, February 19
Two dim solar system objects lie near each other in February’s evening sky. The easier to spot is 6th-magnitude Uranus. It lurks in southern Pisces and appears some 30° high in the west as darkness settles in. To find it, first locate the Great Square of Pegasus, which now orients to the western horizon like a baseball diamond. Pick out Beta (β) and Gamma (γ) Pegasi, the stars at the right and left corners, respectively, of this asterism. A line from Beta to Gamma spans 20°. Extend this line 15° more and you’ll be in Uranus’ vicinity. Center magnitude 4.3 Epsilon (ε) Piscium in your binoculars and Uranus will show up 1.7° east-southeast of the star. This evening, the 8th-magnitude asteroid Vesta resides 6° southeast of Uranus. If you have a reasonably dark sky, both should appear in the same field of view through 7×50 binoculars.
Saturday, February 20
Mars and Saturn make a pretty pair after midnight this week. Mars rises around 12:30 a.m. local time and climbs some 30° high in the south by the time morning twilight starts to paint the sky. Saturn follows about 90 minutes behind Mars. During the latter half of the week, both objects shine at magnitude 0.5 and should appear equally bright. They may not seem that way to you, however, because not everyone perceives color in exactly the same way. Some will see ruddy Mars as a bit brighter while others will claim yellowish Saturn the slight winner. But the real winners will be those who point a telescope in Saturn’s direction. The ringed planet shows a 16″-diameter disk surrounded by a stunning ring system that spans 37″ and tilts 26° to our line of sight. Meanwhile, the Red Planet appears 8″ across and should display a prominent north polar cap.
Sunday, February 21
This is a good week to look for Sirius in the evening sky. The night sky’s brightest star (at magnitude –1.5) appears due south and at its highest position between 8 and 9 p.m. local time. It then lies about one-third of the way from the horizon to the zenith from mid-northern latitudes. (The farther south you live, the higher it appears.) If you point binoculars at Sirius, look for the pretty star cluster M41 in the same field of view, just 4° below the star.
The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 145.06° SE
Sun Altitude: 33.39°
Sun Distance: 91.830 million mi
Next Equinox: Mar 19, 2016 11:30 PM (Vernal)
Sunrise Today: 6:42 AM↑ 105° East
Sunset Today: 5:35 PM↑ 255° West
Length of Day: 10 hours, 52 minutes
The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 47.61° NE
Moon Altitude: -20.92°
Moon Distance: 234730 mi
Next Full Moon: Feb 22, 2016 12:19 PM
Next New Moon: Mar 8, 2016 7:54 PM
Next Moonrise: Today12:16 PM
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination of Moon: 64.9%
Earth Mother
Giver of life
Strengthen me during my life-long strife.
Teach me Your ways of perfect love,
peace, and wisdom true.
Spawn from my purest heart
These words to You
May this prayer help me to better
myself in word and deed,
To a higher plane I shall succeed.
Beautiful Light of Goodness Fair
Lore of old we both do share
A Witch’s brew, I drink to You
My love for You, by day, by night
In thought and in sight
Will my soul learn
the meaning of this life again.
The Hermit denotes a need to have some space between you and everyday hustle and bustle of our busy world. The Hermit needs to retreat. Indeed, happiness for The Hermit requires seclusion, freedom from material wants, and time for intense introspection. The answers The Hermit needs cannot be found in our physical world. The truths he seeks are internal, spiritual, and the distraction of a well developed social life can only impede his quest for his personal truths. Still, although not anything remotely resembling extroversion, The Hermit does sometimes need to share time with others; so he can learn or teach, guide and be guided. The Hermit’s time spent amongst people depletes his energy quickly. To avoid an overload he has to retreat from social settings quickly.
Completely feminine and the counterpart to The Magician, the High Priestess is the Gatekeeper of the subconscious, the unknown. She travels in worlds which most of us only glimpse in our dreams. Her realm is that of unseen truths, untapped potentials, and hidden dangers. The Calling of The High Priestess is to go beyond the obvious and visible to tap those powers which are veiled from normal vision. While she is passive by nature, she has the power to uncover unknown potential and is very aware of the infinite potential all humans harbor within them. She is also very patient. She can wait for events to blossom in their own time.
Witches Of The Craft® 
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