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 May 1

Contemplating the Sun
Image Credit & Copyright: Steven Gilbert

 

Explanation: Have you contemplated your home star recently? Featured here, a Sun partially eclipsed on the top left by the Moon is also seen eclipsed by earthlings contemplating the eclipse below. The spectacular menagerie of silhouettes was taken in 2012 from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area near Page, Arizona, USA, where park rangers and astronomers expounded on the unusual event to interested gatherers. Also faintly visible on the Sun’s disk, just to the lower right of the dark Moon’s disk, is a group of sunspots. Although a partial solar eclipse by the Moon is indeed a good chance to contemplate the Sun, a great chance — and one that is significantly more rare — will occur next week when the Sun undergoes a partial eclipse by the planet Mercury.

Where is the Milky Way on May evenings?

Tonight – and throughout the month of May – if you’re in a dark location, at northern temperate latitudes – you might be searching for one of the sky’s most spectacular sights, the starlit band of the Milky Way. You won’t find it in the early part of the night. That luminous band of stars arcing across the dome of sky is nowhere to be seen as evening falls in May. Where is the the Milky Way at nightfall this month?

For starters, remember that the disk of our Milky Way galaxy is flat, like a pancake. At northern temperate latitudes, as evening falls in the month of May, the plane of the pancake-shaped galactic disk pretty much coincides with the plane of your horizon.

Because the Milky Way rims the horizon in every direction at nightfall and early evening, we can’t see this roadway of stars until late at night.

The galactic disk most closely aligns with the horizon at about 30 degrees North latitude – the latitude of St. Augustine, Florida. Appreciably north of this latitude, the galactic disk tilts a bit upward of the northern horizon. Appreciably south of 30 degrees north latitude, the galactic disk tilts a bit above the southern horizon.

Even so, the Milky Way is pretty much out of sight in our Northern Hemisphere sky during the evening hours in May.

Like the sun, the stars rise in the east and set in the west. If you stay up until late night – near midnight in early May, a couple of hours earlier by June – you’ll begin to see the the stars of the Summer Triangle – Deneb, Vega, and Altair – rising above your eastern horizon.

In a dark country sky, the Milky Way’s band of stars becomes visible as well, for the Milky Way passes right through the Summer Triangle. Watch for it, if you’re up late this month.

Bottom line: The Milky Way’s softly-glowing band of luminescence hides behind the horizon at nightfall and early evening in the month of May. But if you stay up until around midnight, you’ll begin to see the starlit band of the Milky Way rising in the eastern sky.

 

Author

Bruce McClure

Article published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.

Your Daily Influences
May 1, 2016 

 

Six of Swords
The future looks brighter. Success will be known

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hagalaz
Hagalaz is the hail Rune. It denotes chaos, destruction and disruption on a primal level. You may experience delays in moving toward your goals.

 

 

 

 

Aries the Ram
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is selfish, quick-tempered, impulsive, impatient, foolhardy and a bit of a daredevil. Be careful this person keeps your best interest at heart and not their own. This person is probably someone you already know. Do not allow yourself to get caught up in their impulsiveness.

 

 

 

 

 

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 Daily Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is friendly, humanitarian, honest, loyal, original, inventive, independent and intellectual. If you can identify this person get close to them–they can be quite helpful.

General Description:
Eleventh sign of the Zodiac, Jan 20th to Feb 19th. Ruling planet Uranus; correct metal lead. Those born under the influence of the Aquarius were supposed to be intelligent, of strong will power, restless, inventive, deep thinkers, artistic and cautious in money matters. The Aquarius gems are Garnet and Hyacinth. The Garnet, throughout India and Persia, was a favourite amulet against plague and poison, also worn to attract cheerfulness and good health. In the middle ages used as a charm to protect against all inflammatory disease and to ensure happiness. It was also supposed to warn its wearer of approaching peril and danger.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

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.

As a daily card, Futility implies that you are putting energy into goals that cannot be met. It suggest the need to rethink your desires and possibly find a new goal or goals to chase.

Today’s Witches Rune

The Star

Meaning: In many cultures, the Star is a symbol of hope, dreams and destiny, and in the Witches Runes this symbol has a similar connotation. When the Star rune appears, it’s green light for you to go after what you want.

Note that the Star does not say you’ll get everything you want without any work. No. This symbol is a not about easy success, but about having faith in what you are doing – and doing it. In fact, the goals suggested by the Star are usually the highest and most significant ones – the ones that are hardest to get. It does not matter what the dream is, but its significance in your life. This symbol also represents ideals, and they can be both individual and collective ones.

In a more down-to-earth way, the Star is related to revolutions, changes, risks, speculation and all things motivated by faith and ideals. It can represent a sudden spark on inspiration, a windfall, a sudden rise to fame or a promotion. Though the sudden changes brought by the Star are usually positive, they are also fast: you can get back to point zero as quickly as you rose. So don’t be afraid to jump forward when the opportunity arises.

The Star urges you to take the risk, to have hope and to trust. After the staleness of Crossroads, the Universe finally begins to move again. If you believe in Higher Powers, this symbol shows that They are guiding you in this moment. The Star is a very positive rune, but in a more negative context it can represent revolution for revolution’s sake and the constant idealization of people and situations. It can also stand for excessive individualism when going after a dream.

In relationship readings, this rune represents hope and an idealistic kind of love. Usually the people involved in the relationship have high expectations about the other. They easily put their partner on a pedestal, only to feel frustrated when reality strikes. The Star can also represent unrequited love, or the love for someone who is unattainable. On the other hand, this rune tells you to not give up love entirely – keep looking, because someone is coming.

 

Additional Information About Today’s Witches Rune courtesy of Your Spiritual Journey Australia

 

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Universe

Like The Sun, The Universe brings good blessings. The Universe appears where all is in balance. It allows you to act effectively not only as an individual but as a member of a group too. The Universe promises contentment, fulfillment and completeness to those under its influence. It doesn’t guarantee there will not be moments of strife or discord in your life, but it does indicate that your trials and tribulations will be overcome; that ultimately you will know inner-peace and contentment. The Universe suggests you have found or will find your place in the scheme of things—that place where all is as it should be.

Rune Reading for the Week of May 2nd

 

Past Circumstance That Will Effect Your Life This Week
Sowilo

The Sun Rune, denotes power and strength. That which you want may be attained. Sowilo also denotes mental clarity and added warmth to your relationships.

 

 

Your Present Strengths That You Have Available to You
Eihwaz

Eihwaz represents the Yew tree and its everlasting nature. The Yew may bend, but it does not break. You are on the right course and have the strength and ability to meet your goals. Congratulations!

 

 

A Glimpse of Your Future Which Will Reveal Itself
Laguz

Laguz is the feminine Rune. It denotes a deep sexuality and fertility. Laguz also represents that which is ever changing and renewal. You may be in a tremendous spiritual growth period.

 

 

 

 

 

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, May 2nd

 

Aries

This is a good day for taking things in stride, dear Aries. You’ll prefer to stick in the background so that you can get some peace and quiet, but you’re also inclined to want to work and produce. As the day advances, you’ll enjoy a stronger ability to do so. You are filling up with ideas, and your enthusiasm builds as a result. This occurs mostly on practical levels, about money, business, work, health, and methods. There are treasures in reworking current or old projects now. This can be a good money day for some of you.

Taurus

You feel freer to express yourself as you wish today, dear Taurus. There is more confidence in yourself and your relationships, which by extension boosts your appeal. This can be a great time for exploring hobbies and other forms of expressive recreation. You are focused on refreshing and rejuvenating yourself, and channels open up for you to do so. This may be about reviving old interests and pastimes, as this is a great time for finding treasures in your past. For some, an old romance may be revisited.

Gemini

This is a great day for focusing on the big picture and putting aside petty differences and problems, dear Gemini, particularly related to your emotional world, personal life, and home and family matters. There can be a feeling of being at peace with the past especially as the day advances, as well as a sense that you’re truly making progress. You feel at your best now when you let go of frustration or anger, and when you forgive. In fact, it motivates you to be a better person, and this is the kind of energy that is with you today and tomorrow. While you have more “work” to do in this regard, today is powerful for doing some healing.

Cancer

There can be a conversation with a friend or inspiring news that lifts your spirits today and tomorrow as the Sun and Jupiter connect, dear Cancer. You can feel especially confident about a particular goal or idea. It can also be a nice time for enjoying your studies or a special interest. You are able to see the bigger picture, or a friend can help you to see a new, more optimistic perspective. Others might reinforce or add to your own ideas in pleasant ways. Answers come more easily when you share your problems today. Your faith in a particular goal, dream, or idea can build now.

Leo

You are likely to be feeling very enthusiastic about a project or business/financial matter today, dear Leo, as your ruler, the Sun, connects harmoniously with Jupiter in your resources sector. It feels as if hurdles are behind you! Enthusiasm for a project, particularly a practical or business-related one, is building now. You might find that looking to the past for a project or idea that might be revived is especially useful. There are treasures to be found in the past, but you’ll likely need to approach these in new ways. You can be feeling that you are in charge and stronger than usual today and tomorrow. There can be particularly good relations with people in authority or with business associates.

Virgo

People may be seeing your best qualities in a new light today, dear Virgo, with the Sun shining its light on Jupiter in your sign today and early tomorrow. It’s a good time to get noticed in positive ways. Feelings are upbeat, and there is more calm in your demeanor, although you can also feel quite excited about current interests and prospects. There can be an idea or cause that motivates you. Creative and intellectual endeavors are especially favored now, and a lucky break of sorts might occur. There could be recognition for work you did in the past, or excitement over the revival of an old project.

Libra

On an emotional level, the day tends to play to your favor, dear Libra. You can solve an emotional dilemma quite easily and naturally now, or one seems to resolve itself, and you may be in the mood to share something private, which can come as a relief. You might experience a stronger attraction to what’s beneath the surface or hidden from sight, and you can delight in trying to figure things out. You might more easily see elements in your environment that can help you to make important improvements to your life and to your relationships, from the inside out. It can be a strong time for returning to an old problem and tackling it with new energy.

Scorpio

There can be a nice understanding or epiphany experienced today, dear Scorpio. The Moon is in harmony with your sign, stimulating and adding color to your affections and creative imagination. The Sun and Jupiter harmonize with each other, and with your sign, and this encourages positive thinking and actions that improve your life or your inner rewards. You are willing to let go of grudges, and you thoroughly enjoy sharing exactly why. Your social life is in strong shape right now, and partnering or teaming up can bring bigger rewards.

Sagittarius

The Moon in your home and family sector all day stimulates a stronger desire to stick with places, situations, and people you know well, dear Sagittarius. However, this is not a day of total introspection, as the Sun and your ruler, Jupiter, are moving towards a harmonious aspect. Particularly as the day advances, energy is quite positive and open. You are quick to forgive or put bad feelings behind you. Good energy is with you for solving a work problem or straightening out misconceptions. There can be a project, plan, or goal from your past that you’re excited about reviving. Others are seeing you in an especially positive light.

Capricorn

Today, you can experience the building of motivation and enthusiasm, dear Capricorn, particularly on creative or romantic lines. It’s a good time for sharing ideas with others, rediscovering old interests and possibly even old romances or friendships, and for reviving or editing creative and publishing projects. Your outlook is especially constructive and optimistic, and you project self-confidence and good will. This can attract the support, confidence, and cooperation of others. You are feeling more expressive than usual now, and more excited about sharing how you feel or your thoughts with others.

Aquarius

Emotional energy is stable today, but also quite positive and optimistic, especially as the day advances, dear Aquarius. You are enthusiastic, particularly about emotional, personal, and family matters. A positive show of support from people you care about may be in the offing. There is eagerness to put something behind you. It’s a strong time for thinking in terms of improvement – what you can do to make yourself a better life. You may be looking to past projects that may have been abandoned. These could be revived with fresh thinking and a few edits.

Pisces

You are regaining your enthusiasm for your ideas, particularly past ones, dear Pisces, and expressing yourself far more positively and confidently, which secures the right responses from others. It’s a great time for meeting someone, and especially for enjoying the company of a person who is already in your life. There can be a settling of a past matter or an agreement made now. Positive feedback can fuel your motivation to do your best. Teaming up with a partner can be useful now, and you’ll find that people are giving one another the benefit of the doubt, which is something you appreciate more than most.

If Today is Your Birthday: May 1

You are an independent, determined, and faithful person who is at once stable and restless! While you have a calm manner that soothes others simply by your mere presence, and you value security, you have a rather restless spirit and need to create some challenges for yourself in order to feel “alive”. You remain youthful throughout life, with a mischievous quality that is unmistakable.

Famous people born today: Jack Paar, Joseph Heller, D’Arcy Wretzky, Judy Collins, Tim McGraw, Rita Coolidge.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

With the Sun and Moon in harmony in your Solar Return chart, the year ahead should be satisfying and balanced overall. You are in comfortable demand and personally popular, and you are able to achieve a decent balance between work and play; personal and professional life. For the most part, you are on top of your game this year, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there is less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!

Neptune transits sextile to your Sun this year. You are gentler, more intuitive, spiritual, and creative with this influence, and others are drawn to these qualities. Your natural ability to help others heal and calm down is enhanced. A higher purpose to your life is what you seek, and you rely more heavily upon your intuition in order to achieve it. You could find that your intuition is subtly enhanced and that you’re often in the right place at the right time, probably because your hunches are more likely to be correct. This aspect softens your disposition somewhat, as you tune into your imaginative and artistic side. This is a good year for self-improvement programs or efforts. The need to “get away from it all” — for some peace and quiet now and again — will be strong. A more sensitive, even mysterious, persona is projected this year, and this can attract pleasantly unusual circumstances (and people) into your life. You will want to spend more time away from chaotic situations.

This is an excellent year in which to advance projects revolving around communications – writing, speaking, selling, and so forth. Your reputation may be enhanced through word of mouth. Making new contacts through learning and mental pursuits figures strongly as well.

You are willing to put in the effort and dedication to a mental interest or project. You are focused, detail-oriented, and may be perfectionistic.

It’s a good period in your life for taking necessary steps towards making yourself feel more secure and safe, and for family or domestic activities. This is also a period when you more readily support or defend others.

Relationships can prosper as you deal with one another in a more balanced, fair, and peaceful way. The platonic elements of a relationship may be emphasized now. This can also be a very creative, artistic time, and an excellent period for opening up communications with others, as you are more sensitive than usual and more willing to listen. Getting your point across is easier, as it’s not only about what specific words you choose to communicate, you intuitively express the meaning and intention behind the words. You can effectively use words to soothe, heal, and teach this year. You are also especially open to new ways of looking at problems, thus it’s considerably easier to find solutions. You may be gaining respect for your ideas and intelligence.

However, you need to be aware of a tendency to be attracted to impractical ventures at times this year. As well, your energy can vary greatly from one period to the next, so take advantage of the “high” periods in order to offset the possible loss in productivity during the low-energy stages.

There is good energy for imaginative and creative activities this year. It’s a strong period for friendship, communications, learning, and connecting. You may be making good contacts with others, particularly through shared interests or schooling. Positive plans and lifestyle changes can be made at this time in your life. There will be times when you battle with varying energy levels, so take advantage of the periods of high motivation.

2016 is a Number Six year for you. Ruled by Venus. This is a year of relative contentment. It is a time when love is the easiest to attract, and partnerships formed under this vibration have a better chance for longevity. You are able to attract others, and material things as well, this year. This is a good year for establishing harmony in the family and in the home. Advice – develop existing relationships, be positive and receptive because these kinds of energies help you to attract what you desire.

2017 will be a Number Seven year for you. Ruled by Neptune. This is a year of preparation, chance, and refinement. It is not a time of dramatic changes. Instead, it’s a year when reflection on the past is helpful, and when refinements to your life path should be made. It’s a good year to study and analyze. Unexpected twists to your life story and “chance” meetings are probable. Advice – take stock of your life in order to prepare for more exciting years to come, examine the past and plan for the future, get in touch with your deepest needs and uncover your personal power, don’t strain yourself or actively try to expand.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology