Top 13 Reasons to become a Witch

13. I live for persecution!
12. I’m a night person at heart.
11. We respect our elders…and alders, and willows and oaks.
10. I just love explaining that a pentagram is NOT evil.
9. We do more after midnight than most people do all day!
8. Being burned at the stake is a great way to roast marshmallows.
7. We can talk to Elvis (and he IS dead).
6. You live, you learn, you die, you forget. Then you comeback…
5. Double the deities, double the fun!
4. We get more holidays.
3. Brooms get great mileage.
2. We were here first!
1. BELTANE!!!

Source:
Wiccan Magick

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 5

Massive Stars in NGC 6357
Image Credit & Copyright: CHART32 Team, Processing – Johannes Schedler

Explanation: Massive stars lie within NGC 6357, an expansive emission nebula complex some 6,500 light-years away toward the tail of the constellation Scorpius. In fact, positioned near center in this ground-based close-up of NGC 6357, star cluster Pismis 24 includes some of the most massive stars known in the galaxy, stars with nearly 100 times the mass of the Sun. The nebula’s bright central region also contains dusty pillars of molecular gas, likely hiding massive protostars from the prying eyes of optical instruments. Intricate shapes in the nebula are carved as interstellar winds and energetic radiation from the young and newly forming massive stars clear out the natal gas and dust and power the nebular glow. Enhancing the nebula’s cavernous appearance, narrowband image data was included in this composite color image in a Hubble palette scheme. Emission from sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms is shown in red green and blue hues. The alluring telescopic view spans about 50 light-years at the estimated distance of NGC 6357.

All times in UTC, the time standard commonly used by nations across the world. Translate to your timezone here.

FEBRUARY, 2016
DATE….TIME…EVENT
Feb 01 03:28 LAST QUARTER MOON
Feb 01 08:48 Mars 2.7°S of moon
Feb 03 19:05 Saturn 3.5°S of moon
Feb 06 07:32 Venus 4.3°S of moon
Feb 06 16:47 Mercury 3.8°S of moon
Feb 07 01 Mercury at greatest elongation: 25.6°W
Feb 08 14:39 NEW MOON
Feb 10 20:46 Moon at descending node
Feb 11 02:42 Moon at perigee: 364358 km
Feb 13 03 Mercury 4.0° of Venus
Feb 15 07:46 FIRST QUARTER MOON
Feb 16 07:41 Aldebaran 0.3°S of moon
Feb 21 17 Mercury at aphelion
Feb 22 12:48 Regulus 2.5°N of moon
Feb 22 18:20 FULL MOON
Feb 24 03:58 Jupiter 1.7°N of moon
Feb 24 06:10 Moon at ascending node
Feb 26 19:05 Spica 5.1°S of moon
Feb 27 03:28 Moon at apogee: 405383 km
Feb 28 15 Neptune in conjunction with sun
Feb 29 18:16 Mars 3.6°S of moon

Author

Fred Espenak

Fred Espenak is a scientist emeritus at Goddard Space Flight Center. For decades, he has been NASA’s expert on eclipses, and some of you may know him as Mr. Eclipse. Fred maintains NASA’s official eclipse web site (eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov) as well as his personal web site on eclipse photography (mreclipse.com). Now retired and living in rural Arizona, Fred spends most clear nights losing sleep and photographing the stars (astropixels.com). His latest website is devoted to helping you enjoy eclipses (www.eclipsewise.com). He is an EarthSky partner, and – as we move toward the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017 – you’ll find many articles about solar eclipses by him on this website.

Article published on EarthSky

Moon, Venus, Mercury on February 6

Before dawn on February 6, 2016 … think photo opportunity! The crescent moon and the planets Venus and Mercury convene in the morning sky, just as darkness wanes toward dawn on this Saturday morning. Look in the sunrise direction shortly before sunrise, when the sky is still dark enough to see the stars.

If there’s any cloud or haze on your eastern horizon – or if you’ve got an exceptionally bright city sky – binoculars will come in handy!

Depending on your time zone, Mercury reaches its greatest western (morning) elongation from the sun on February 6 or 7. That means that Mercury, the solar system’s innermost planet, swings to the outer edge of its orbit as seen from Earth.

And it means we can see Mercury pretty well – or very well – in the sky before dawn.

Around the time of greatest elongation, Mercury is as far from the sun as it will be, for this apparition. Right now, this planet – sometimes called the most elusive planet since it always stays near the sun in our sky – is rising at or near its maximum period of time before sunrise.

At mid-northern latitudes right now, Mercury rises approximately 80 minutes before the sun. At temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Mercury rises nearly two hours before the sun. Click here for recommendations for a sky almanac that can give you the precise rising times for the moon and planets in your sky.

After this, Mercury will start rising closer and closer to the time of sunrise and finally disappear in the sunrise glare, sometime after mid-February. From the Southern Hemisphere, though, you might actually be able to view Mercury in the morning sky until the month’s end.

The five visible planets will adorn the February morning sky until Mercury disappears from view.

And, although the moon will be moving out of the morning sky in a day or two, you can continue to use the dazzling planet Venus to locate nearby Mercury.

The upcoming week is a grand time to spot Mercury near Venus before sunrise, and thus to see all five naked-eye planets in the February morning sky.

Bottom line: The moon has been sweeping past the five planets in the morning sky. On Saturday morning – February 6, 2016 – the moon will be near both Mercury and Venus.

Author

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure is the chief writer for the popular EarthSky Tonight pages. Since joining EarthSky in 2004, he has written thousands of astronomy articles, enjoyed here by millions. He also writes, gives planetarium shows and hosts a wide assortment of public astronomy programs in and around his home in upstate New York. If you ask an astronomy question on our site, it’s likely to be Bruce that answers it. His love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and he has sailed the North Atlantic, earning his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. Bruce is also a sundial aficionado. He says his number one passion – besides his wife Alice – is stargazing.

Article is published on EarthSky

The Words of Confucius

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.

Query:

How will our weekend be?

Hmm, think it means “be patient” and wait for the weekend to get here?

Your Daily Influences
February 5, 2016

Page of Pentacles
Introversion. A healthy admiration for new ideas and scholarly pursuits. Reflective. Good management and organizational skills. A bearer of good tidings.

Othala
Othala represents a solid, immovable home, prosperity and safety. Good fortune based on your heritage and character is yours to enjoy.

The Swastika
Over the next weeks and months this aspect should be one that requires little effort on your part to keep things moving forward. This is one of the few charms that has the same meaning upright or inverted.

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 Ancient Symbols for the Weekend

The Key

The Key indicates the existence of a powerful tool capable of favorably influencing your future. The Key may be an idea, physical entity, an action, a mentor, or the combination of a number of things. While readily available to you The Key may not be all that obvious. You might have to search for it, and it may take a fair dose of courage and faith to actually use it.

The Cat

The Cat represents the need for stealth and the freedom to act without restrictions. Acting stealthily in no way implies the need for underhanded behavior. Instead the suggestion here is to move quietly towards your goals and reach out for them when they are within range. It also denotes a need to free yourself from restrictions imposed by others.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Altruism

Altruism denotes the noble act of giving to those in need without the expectation of a return. The act of giving has been seen as one of humankind’s greatest attributes throughout history. It is honored in nearly every culture. To give is a gift to both those who receive and those who give. Giving is usually associated with addressing the material needs of others, but the gift given can take many forms such as wisdom or protection or simply a shoulder to cry on.

As a daily card, Altruism suggests there are those around you in need of things you can give them. It is a time for you to address the needs of another, or others without regard of profit or acknowledgement of your contribution.

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, February 6th

Aries

This is a day for keeping an open mind, experimenting, and looking at problems from a different perspective, dear Aries. Ideas and methods for work, business, and finances are in focus and quite strong. You are equipped to solve problems, and new insight about old work or health predicaments can come to you now, whether through your own ideas or through others, especially parents and bosses. There can be pleasant forward movement in a friendship and a nice feeling of camaraderie. You can experience more emotional clarity through sharing your thoughts or feelings with a friend. However, a career or reputation matter might disrupt plans or throw you for a loop. Listen to your own need for change, but avoid jumping into something that you’re not quite ready or prepared for.

Taurus

Thoughts of travel, adventure, and exotic places or ideas can be inspiring today, dear Taurus. You are craving more meaning on a mental level and seeking out intellectual stimulation. There could be out of the blue opportunities to advance a professional or personal interest. You’re sharing your affections more liberally these days, and you’re looking forward when it comes to love. You are more willing to look at the big picture rather than to focus on the little problems. Even so, you could be battling some restlessness later today, or something about your past may emerge that destabilizes your emotions and good mood temporarily. Before going out on a limb pursuing your desires, consider that you know what you truly want.

Gemini

There is upbeat energy to the day, dear Gemini, and while there are some unstable elements, it’s generally a good day for tuning in to a need for change. It’s a good time for studying, learning, and inspiration through what you read, hear, and share. Friends might introduce you to a new subject. You’re putting things into a larger context today, and this kind of thing benefits you greatly, particularly regarding old family issues. Your spirits are likely to be lifted by sharing viewpoints, personal philosophies, and opinions – exciting discoveries can be made now. There can be some disruptions regarding a friendship or confusion about boundaries in a relationship. However, you may be sufficiently detached to step out of your comfort zone and discover new ways of relating.

Cancer

Conversations with a significant other can be especially positive and healthy, dear Cancer, as long as everyone is giving one another space and respect. Give yourself ample room for experimentation for best results today, as you are inclined to come to great conclusions and come up with good ideas when you’re not following all the rules or coloring inside the lines. There can be nice new developments or methods discovered along practical lines, particularly with money and business. Try not to play into the more disruptive energies of the day, and instead focus on trying out new relating patterns. While both life departments can see advances individually, it would be wise not to mix business with pleasure/love today.

Leo

This can be an interesting day for your relationships, dear Leo, as you are connecting in different, new ways. While there is some potentially disruptive energy with us now, as long as we respect everyone’s “free spirit”, it can be a learning experience. Sharing common goals and aspirations with someone special can inspire you to make important changes and improvements. When it comes to money and resources, you’re coming at these things from a different angle, and new insights into old problems can come as a result. For some of you, there may be a travel or educational opportunity arising now. It’s not an ideal day for sticking to routines, diet plans, and the like, as there is a rebellious streak that emerges that can throw you entirely off course. This is not necessarily a problem, as it may very well be a time for shaking things up, but avoid making decisions about the important things now, keeping in mind that what you feel strongly about right now may not last for long.

Virgo

This can be a powerful day for creative ideas and inspiring conversations, dear Virgo, and you want to share what you know and what you’ve learned. If you work has a mystery to explore or deep research involved, you’ll be in heaven now. Alternative methods work best right now, so there is no need to cling to the familiar or traditional. This is a good time for dabbling in the arts, entertainment, and pleasure-seeking activities as well. However, there is very little that is stable in love, or when it comes to desires, just for the time being. Relationship moves right now can be sudden and disruptive. You like to understand things and people in a logical manner, but today, it can be difficult to get there. Even so, giving everyone a little space can do wonders for the overall mood of the day.

Libra

You are in great shape today if you focus on the bigger picture and keep things casual and light, dear Libra. It’s a good time for sharing stories and experiences with others, and for enjoying hobbies and creative projects. Life seems to be far more pleasurable today when we release the need to try to control it. If we push others’ boundaries now, we’re unlikely to get very far. While this is not an ideal day for intimacy, as we can be quite turned off by anything that seems to restrict us, it can nevertheless be very good for new insights into problems, light interactions, finding new ways of enjoying others’ company, and for getting rid of clutter in the home – as well as in the mind, by releasing a problem that you’ve kept to yourself.

Scorpio

Difficult issues seem easier to resolve today, dear Scorpio, and there is a generally optimistic, hopeful, and inspired feeling to the day. Sharing your ideas and thoughts is exciting, especially with a good reception, which is more likely than usual now. Even so, there is some instability in the mix today, and any attempts to lock someone down to a commitment can backfire. Inner restlessness might tempt you to look for greener pastures, but this is unlikely to last very long. Your usual routines and schedules can benefit from changes of plans, however, and straying from the rules may very well lead to interesting new ideas or experiences. You can bring an especially creative touch to your domestic and work activities. Giving everyone a little space is important now.

Sagittarius

Problem solving is enhanced today, dear Sagittarius, and your own ideas are likely to be well-received. This is especially the case for your practical affairs, but is an all-around influence right now that contributes to many life departments. A broad perspective also enhances your mood, as you’re less likely to worry about details. You are not inclined to hold yourself back when it comes to creative urges or spontaneous ideas and actions. There is more originality and experimentation in your approach, and very few, if any, apologies! However, it’s important not to respond to all urges, particularly if it involves spending. Avoid gambling if the stakes are high, and this can apply to money and your own heart. Connecting with others through conversations, ideas, and insights seems very successful for you now.

Capricorn

The detours you take from your regular routine can be invigorating on a mental level today, dear Capricorn. Creative thinking about home, family, and finances can lead to important ideas or discoveries. It can be a good time to communicate your ideas and wishes, although keeping things light is best today. There can be a pleasant surprise along financial, home, or work-related lines. However, there can be some tendency to overreach today if you are not in touch with your true desires. Do something different or shake up the routine a little, but leave the very important decision making for later. Experimenting with ideas and possibilities is favored, but locking things down should be saved for a stabler day.

Aquarius

Ideas seem to come to you spontaneously today, dear Aquarius, or possibly through dreams, and somehow fall into place. You are communicating well, but even more importantly, listening generously. Even so, some level of peace and quiet can be beneficial for arriving at fabulous insights now. While you are inclined to express your unusual or sudden desires and feelings impulsively, it might be better to wait it out to see if you change your mind after today’s Venus-Uranus influence passes. Pay special attention to news or information you uncover today, particularly related to financial matters and emotional health. There can be some gems discovered now, even life-changing ones.

Pisces

This is a good day for sharing ideas and problems, dear Pisces, and getting to a new perspective that can frame things in a positive way. Your sense of humor is in great form now. There might be a conversation that opens up doors. Working through problems now can be quite successful, and you may wish to share something personal with a trusted person in your life. Your desire for variety in your social life is stimulated strongly today, although others’ reactions tend to be a little unpredictable now. Watch for impulsive spending that comes from inner restlessness rather than true need or desire. However, don’t close yourself off to sudden whims and ideas, as they may be the start of something wonderful.

If You Were Born Today, February 5

You enjoy surprising people and whether you want to or not, you often remain a bit of an enigma to the people around you. You have a strongly intuitive side. Although you are actually quite accommodating and kind, you need to feel stirred and inspired in order to do something. You are following your own instincts and being true to your heart, and although it might seem like you are stubborn, you are also very original and honest.

Famous people born today: Hank Aaron, Barbara Hershey, Christopher Guest, Jennifer Jason Leigh.