You Know You’re A Techno Witch If…

1. You’ve candle wax in between the keys on your keyboard.
2. You cast your circles in Photoshop or CorelDraw.
3. Your altar is done in 3D.
4. Your favourite book is Zen and the Art of CGI Programming.
5. You firmly believe in Virtual Memory.
6. You begin focusing by typing in < CENTER >.
7. Your entire BOS is on disks.
8. You are aware of disturbances on the net.
9. You can become one with the computer. It is a living thing.
10. As a Windows user, you have had in depth conversations with CyberLoki.
11. You paint pentacles on the tops of all your CD’s to offer them extra protection.
12. You use ICQ as an oracle.
13. Gods and Goddesses send you emails in your dreams.
14. You hold weekly rituals on IRC.
15. You inscribe magickal runes and symbols on your computer monitor with your finger. This is especially powerful when your monitor is dusty.
16. Numerology is interpretted differently by each techno witch and relates to how much email you receive in one day.
17. You channel energy from your mouse and outwards, towards the arrow on your screen.
18. Divination by computer hum.
19. Releasement rituals entail writing lengthy rants to email discussion lists. You are purified of negativity when you receive forgiveness for doing so.
20. Beauty spells involve scanning in pictures of yourself and altering them to the way you want to look.

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.

2016 February 24

USA’s Northeast Megalopolis from Space
Image Credit: NASA, International Space Station

Explanation: Can you identify a familiar area in the northeast USA just from nighttime lights? It might be possible because many major cities are visible, including (right to left) New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond andNorfolk — Boston of the USA’s Northeast megalopolis is not pictured. The featured image was taken in 2012 from the International Space Station. In the foreground are two Russian cargo ships with prominent solar panels. This Northeast megalopolis of the USA contains almost 20 percent of the people of the USA but only about 2 percent of the land area. Also known also as the Northeast Corridor and part of the Eastern Seaboard, about 10 percent of the world’s largest companies are headquartered here. The near continuity of the lights seem to add credence to the 1960s-era prediction that the entire stretch is evolving into one continuous city.

Zodiacal light glowing pyramid after dark

Moonless evenings in February, March and April present the best time of year to see zodiacal light in the Northern Hemisphere evening sky. Meanwhile, from the Southern Hemisphere, the zodiacal light is best seen before dawn during these months of the year. The light appears when the evening twilight has left the sky (about 80 to 120 minutes after sunset). It looks like a hazy pyramid of light in the west after true darkness falls.

This light can be noticeable and easy to see from latitudes like those in the southern U.S. I’ve seen it many times from the latitude of southern Texas, sometimes while driving a lonely highway far from city lights, up to one hour or so after evening dusk leaves the sky. In that case, the zodiacal light can resemble the lights of a city or town just over the horizon.

Skywatchers in the northern U.S. or Canada sometimes say wistfully that they’ve never seen the zodiacal light. But on February 6, 2013 – on our Facebook page – we received the beautiful photo above from Jim Peacock in northern Wisconsin. He captured the zodiacal light over Lake Superior. Sometimes the camera will pick up faint objects that the eye can’t see. But Jim said this northern Wisconsin zodiacal light was visible to the eye. He said:

Yes, it was very visible to the eye … it reached high above the horizon. Was so cool to see over Lake Superior.

You definitely do need a dark sky location to see the zodiacal light, someplace where city lights aren’t obscuring the natural lights in the sky. Remember, the zodiacal light is a pyramid-shaped glow in the west after dark. It’s even “milkier” in appearance than the starlit trail of the summer Milky Way. It’s most visible after dusk at this time of year because (as seen from the Northern Hemisphere) theecliptic – or path of the sun, moon, and planets – stands nearly straight up with respect to the horizon after the sun sets in February and March

The zodiacal light can be seen for up to an hour after dusk. Unlike twilight dusk, though, there’s no rosy color to the zodiacal light. The reddish skies at dusk and dawn are caused by Earth’s atmosphere, and the zodiacal light originates far outside our atmosphere. When you see the zodiacal light, you are looking edgewise into the plane of our own solar system. The zodiacal light is actually sunlight reflecting off dust particles that move in the same plane as Earth and the other planets orbiting our sun.

Remember, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, your late winter/early spring months (August, September, October) are the best time for you to see the zodiacal light in the evening. Right now (February, March, April), you should be looking for the zodiacal light before dawn.

Bottom line: From the Northern Hemisphere, on a moonless night, try to find the elusive zodiacal light. It looks like a hazy pyramid of light extending up from the place where the sun went down. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere now, the zodiacal light is best before dawn.

 

Author

Deborah Byrd

The Wisdom of Buddha

The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve.

Your Daily Influences
February 24th, 2016

 

Ace of Pentacles
Prosperity, pleasure and beauty can be realized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berkano
Berkano is the Rune of birth and rebirth. This may symbolize a time when you are capable of great personal growth. Love may be in the air as well.

 

 

 

 

Scorpio the Scorpion
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is determined, forceful, emotional, intuitive, powerful, passionate, exciting and magnetic. This person is probably an acquaintance you made at work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Your Three Dragons Reading for Today

The Dragon Reading creates a relationship between sets of tiles to each Dragon to explore how the Three Dragons will influence you now and in the near future.

 

 

The Red Dragon represents success, achievement and fulfillment. The three tiles under the Red Dragon tile will influence the power your Red Dragon currently has in your life

 

 

 

 

The Green Dragon indicates beginnings. The Green Dragon’s tile set will suggest places where you should consider putting your energy.

 

 

 

 

The White Dragon is indeed a wily fellow. His domain is the great unknown, and the tile set under him suggests an area or areas that could affect your life in unexpected ways.

 

Your Daily Tile
February 24, 2016 

Bamboo 2
Symbol: Duck
The Duck tile symbolizes a long lasting relationship with the strength to overcome all obstacles. It suggests fidelity and trustworthiness as well. Regardless of the type of partnership in question, the 2 Bamboo tile indicates a strong, healthy relationship.

Your Animal Spirit for Today
February 24, 2016

The Crow

Crow is always on the alert for trouble—and their loud caws! warn each other of impending danger, Very little escapes Crow’s keen vision—which is why many cultures associate Crow with the keeper of knowledge. Crow has flapped his way into your life today to bring a message of watchfulness—have you built your nest high enough to really understand what’s going on around you?

Shuffling the Cards, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today

 

 

Past Influence whose impact on your life is waning.

Creation

The Creation card suggest that your creative powers are at or near their peak and that the raw material from which you can craft new and lasting creations is all around you. The question is can you free your mind from your everyday routines to take advantage of this powerful moment in your life? As Eric Fromm said, “Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” The full force of Creation can only be realized by those who are prepared to sacrifice the comfort concomitant with sticking to the tried and true.

 

 

 

Present Influence whose impact on your life is very strong.

Futility

Sadly sometimes our desires lead us down paths which have no end and offer us no chance of achieving the results we want. If we persist we end up like Sisyphus: forever rolling a boulder uphill only to have it roll back downhill before we ever get to the top. Futility suggest the existence of just such a situation–we are chasing a prize that will never be ours. Futility indicates a need to rethink our ambitions and direct our energies towards a goal or goals that can be attained.

 

 

 

Future influence whose impact on your life is growing and will be very strong in the future.

The Hand

Although the exact meaning may vary, The Hand is a symbol of some form of personal power in many cultures and religions. The presence of The Hand is an indication that your personal powers are at or near their zenith. The Hand suggest a time when you should leave your mark on the world.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Justice

Justice represents the expression of fairness without bias. Simply put, Justice embodies the notion that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. Justice denotes the need to remedy situations lacking equality for all. Depending on the circumstances, Justice may be asking us to curb our partiality, or conversely, Justice may indicate a time for you to demand fair treatment.

As a daily card, Justice suggest that we are part of a situation that is out of balance. If you have shown unwarranted bias towards others now is the time to make amends. On the other hand, if you have been the victim of bias, now is the time for you to demand fairer treatment.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Hierophant

The Hierophant represents the protector of a culture’s heritage and traditions. His purpose is to defend and teach the established ways and beliefs a group embraces. He is inherently conventional and a true believer in the power of the group. He loves the structure of the group and its values. It is the task of The Hierophant to bring new members into the group—to prepare the uninitiated to take their rightful place in his culture. In this sense he is very much like a teacher or a priest. He also acts as the repository of his group’s history. The Hierophant is certainly not one to buck proper authority. However, he is staunch and worthy defender of the tried and true. He represents the positive aspects of tradition and conformity.

 

 

 

 

 

Get a Jump on Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, February 25th

 

Aries

You can be very relationship-focused today, dear Aries, and others are paying you special attention. You’re not content simply to hang out with people at the moment – you’re more inclined to want to be active and get things done with someone in your corner. A Venus-Mars parallel aspect can enliven your romantic or social connections and can also boost your personal magnetism. It can be stimulating and rather straightforward to come to a nice you-me balance in your relationships.

Taurus

There can be a pleasing focus on putting your affairs into order today, dear Taurus, or for beautifying and organizing your work environment. It’s a good day to connect with others in general, but particularly to make nice with customers, co-workers, and/or bosses. This is a strong day for career thinking or method breakthroughs. You are especially noticed for your dynamism and strength today, and might meet someone special while going about your work or health activities.

Gemini

You can feel especially hopeful and motivated today, dear Gemini. There is good energy for playful activities, creative charm, and romantic connections. You seem to get along with everyone right now, from all walks of life, and romantically speaking, you’re in great form. The ability to successfully combine grace and assertion helps you out today, and adds to your persuasiveness. Promotional or publishing activities can be in good shape now.

Cancer

The Moon in your home and family sector all day points to some need for familiarity and comfort, dear Cancer. Even so, there are pleasing levels of excitement and activity associated with your personal or domestic life. You want to get things done, and won’t tolerate things being out of whack. This is a time for intimate excitement as well, and perhaps some positive movement in your financial affairs. Coming to a good balance between work and down time seems almost easy today.

Leo

This can be an exciting day for learning of all kinds, dear Leo, communicating with increased charm and punch, and making stimulating connections. There can be lively interactions today. You’re also putting things together on a mental level in creative ways, and could get to a wonderful new insight or a new level of understanding in your studies or research. This is a good time to sell your ideas to others, to present your case in some manner, and to work on projects with great vigor and passion.

Virgo

There is a strong focus on money, possessions, and business matters today, dear Virgo, but for many, this may simply be about wanting to feel comfortable and secure. It’s a good day for thinking breakthroughs on work projects and methods, as well as new ideas about money. This can be a very resourceful time when you make the most of what you have. While you can probably make some interesting purchases now, there can be a little impulsiveness or a larger appetite for things in general today.

Libra

You can be admired for your dynamism and straightforward approach today, dear Libra, and you have more persuasive power than usual. Emotionally speaking, you are in no mood to deal with mundane affairs – you need some excitement and freedom of movement. Personal magnetism is strong today, and interactions can be animated. There is a desire for harmony and willingness to take real steps to get to a position of mutual benefit, making negotiations very successful now.

Scorpio

You have a tendency to stay in the background today, dear Scorpio, and quite willingly at that. It definitely doesn’t take away from your personal appeal – in fact, it may add to it. There can be a lot going on behind the scenes, in your mind, and under the surface of things. For some, there can be a private meeting or affair, a fun secret, and excitement in your personal life. There can be especially creative, dynamic ideas about handling the home or personal life as well.

Sagittarius

This can be a fun and animated day in your social or romantic life, dear Sagittarius. Today, you can be excited about plans, and news can come through that you’ve been waiting for. Group activities and cooperative efforts can be in focus and especially useful or dynamic. Communications can range from pleasant to inspiring. There is charm in your presentation, and personal magnetism, particularly amongst friends and over your networks. You may be taking the lead and succeeding at it.

Capricorn

This can be an especially creative day on practical levels, dear Capricorn, with money, money-making ideas, business, career projects, and reputation matters. You are magnetic, particularly in your work or in a public capacity, and some of you may even meet someone special or a romantic interest through your business activities. You may be taking the lead or managing in especially charming, successful ways today. Some of you could find a great buy.

Aquarius

You have a stronger desire for pleasure and excitement today, dear Aquarius, and you can be in great shape on the level of communications, mental interests, and making connections. There may be a breakthrough in your studies or a new level of understanding reached with someone important to you. You are projecting both strength and warmth, and people are taking note! It’s a good day for magnetic attraction. Starting something with high profile appeal is favored now.

Pisces

This is not the best time to follow an exacting schedule, dear Pisces, as very creative energy is with you now and you may tap into it more easily if allowed some free time and space. Passions from deep within are stimulated today, and for some, an unusual attraction or desire can emerge, possibly even from a dream, or a private longing can take strong hold. This can be a good time to take action on a financial matter for some. You are looking for harmony in your relationships, and willing to go to great lengths to achieve it.