Eta Aquarid meteors before dawn May 5

Tonight – May 4, 2016 – the forecast calls for meteors! The greatest number of Eta Aquarid meteors will be lighting up the predawn darkness – as seen from all parts of Earth – over the next few mornings. No matter where you are, watch before dawn on May 5 and 6. The May 6 new moon will guarantee deliciously dark skies for this year’s Eta Aquarids.

It’s hard to say with certainty which morning will be the better of the two – May 5 or 6 – since this shower has a relatively broad peak. But we give the nod to before dawn May 6. Just remember that – as seen from all parts of Earth – the dark hour before dawn begins to light the sky typically presents the greatest number of Eta Aquarid meteors. The beginning of astronomical twilight closes the curtains on the final hour of complete darkness. Don’t know when astronomical twilight begins in your sky? Find out with this handy custom sunrise-sunset calendar.

Under ideal conditions, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower produces up to 20 to 40 meteors per hour. The shower is best seen in the Southern Hemisphere, but mid-northern latitudes will catch some meteors, too. Tropical and subtropical latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere are best, including latitudes like that of the southern U.S. North of 40^o north latitude the meteors tend to be fewer. The reason has to do with the time of twilight and sunrise on the various parts of Earth.

You don’t have to locate the radiant to watch the Eta Aquarid meteors, but people always ask about them. Although the Eta Aquarid meteors streak all over the sky, they appear to radiate from the Y-shaped group of stars called the Water Jar. The Water Jar is part of the constellation Aquarius.

To star-hop to the Water Jar, first of all find the four stars of the Great Square of Pegasus. (See sky chart at bottom right.) Looking eastward at about 4 a.m. (Daylight Saving Time), the Great Square of Pegasus glitters like a celestial baseball diamond. Imagine the bottom star as home base. Draw a line from the third base star through the first base star, then go twice that distance to locate the star Sadal Melik.

To the lower left of Sadal Melik is the small Y-shaped Water Jar, marking the approximate radiant of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower.

Again, you don’t need to know the shower’s radiant point to watch the meteors!

Bottom line: In 2016, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn on May 5 and 6. May 7 before dawn might be good as well. This is a great shower for the Southern Hemisphere! But mid-northern latitudes may still enjoy a decent sprinkling of meteors, and the moon will be totally out of the way. Watch in a dark sky, and you might catch as many as 20 to 40 per hour. Have fun!

 

Source

Bruce McClure

Article published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.

Your Daily Influences
May 4th, 2016

 

Six of Swords Reversed
Life is at a standstill. Difficulties will probably remain as they are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perthro
Mysteries will become known to you. You should be able to see your life’s path clearly at this time. Pethro is often thought of as “Gambler’s Rune.” You are in a lucky period right now. Chance is your ally. Take advantage of it.

 

 

 

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 Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
The good spirits are pleased with you. This period is a happy one. For the immediate future these spirits will protect as you travel through life and reward you with moments of bliss.

General Description:
This curious wooden figure is worn suspended round the neck as a talisman by the natives of New Guinea. It is supposed to terrify and scare away evil spirits. It is also a charm for happiness and is believed to protect the wearer from illness, for the natives believe that illness is caused by a bad spirit entering the body. They are taught by their witch doctors that nature is full of evil, and good spirits, and much of their time is spent in pacifying the good spirits, and frightening away the evil ones.

Your Daily Tile
May 4, 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 Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Hourglass

The Hourglass is a gentle reminder that time passes and with it goes opportunity. Every moment is a moment we cannot retrieve or relive, and there are no guarantees that what we put off today really can be done tomorrow. The Hourglass urges us to make every second of our lives as rich and fulfilling as we possibly can.

As a daily card, The Hourglass suggest you may be allowing opportunities to pass you by. If you’ve been procrastinating or putting too much of your precious time into activities with no lasting value to you, now is the time for you redirect your energies into actions that will enrich your life.

 

Today’s Witches Rune

Romance

Meaning: The Romance rune is also a symbol of connection, just like the Rings rune. But differently from the latter, the former implies a deeper sort of connection. While in the Rings we have two (or more) people joining to reach a similar goal, here we have two people joining for reasons they can’t quite explain.

Hence this rune is related to love, passion, emotional bonds, sexual chemistry and sudden attraction. Any strong bond can be symbolized by this rune, including the unconditional parental love or a very strong friendship. And it’s not limited to the emotions that sparkle between individuals – the love can be also directed to an object, a subject or even a work.

It’s important to not limit this rune to the emotional field. It can be quite physical, representing sexual relations, arousal and irresistible magnetism. This rune is powerful, and often gives an extra impulse to any rune that is close it. Charismatic and seductive people are represented by the Romance rune as well.

Outside from the field of romance and sex, this rune is concerned with any act of creation. If you have any ongoing projects, you can be sure an extra impulse will come and spur you on. The Romance rune can also represent the reconciliation of opposite forces or tendencies, and the resolution of conflicts. Obsessive thoughts, stubbornness in pursuing a person or a goal and lack of objectivity are the downfalls of this rune.

Additional information about Today’s Witches Rune, Romance, courtesy of Your Spiritual Journey Australia

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Star

The Star represents a strong connection to the Cosmos, an open gateway to understanding “the big picture.” It is an optimistic card that promises peace, harmony, and hope realized. For the full power of the forces behind The Star to be realized one must have faith and accept that in cosmic terms all things balance out; that disturbances are sometimes necessary to ensure overall harmony. The reward for such faith is vision on a Cosmic scale, and sense of well-being that may well radiate to those around you through your warm, untroubled heart.

 

 

 

 

 

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, May 5th

by Rick Levine

 

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group

If Today is Your Birthday: May 4

You are hard working, and somewhat of a perfectionist. Stability and security are especially important to you, and many of the choices you make in life are driven by the desire to achieve these things. As a people person, you tend to feel that life is much better when shared. You are excellent at promoting cooperation and creating harmony. Famous people born today: Audrey Hepburn, Randy Travis, Lance Bass, Will Arnett, Alexander Gould.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

The Moon is in its Balsamic phase in your Solar Return chart, marking this year the end of an important cycle, or stage of growth, in your life. You take more down time than usual, and this is natural, even good for you. This is a year when you are likely closing important projects or “chapters” in your life. This is an important year for reorienting yourself – discovering what you want, and identifying what you need to do in order to move forward more positively.

Some form of recognition for your work or for past good deeds may be forthcoming this year. Fortunate circumstances arise from a positive attitude as well as sincere self-expression. 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. Taking charge of nutrition, health, and domestic organization can be in strong focus and can be quite successful.

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 and is excellent for seeking advanced training or for furthering your education. 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 Nine year for you. Ruled by Mars. This is a year of completion and transition. It is a time when we need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. It can be a time when a burden has been taken off your shoulders, and it can be a year of giving of yourself. Advice – let go of things that are holding you back, give of yourself and express your sympathetic, compassionate side.

2017 will be a Number One year for you. Ruled by the Sun. This is a year of action. The seeds you plant now, you will reap later. Others might find you less sociable, as you are busier than ever and you focus on your activities and your needs. Still, you are outgoing and your initiative is stronger than ever. Advice – Stand alone, take action, start fresh, express independence.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology