Bright moon still close to Spica May 18

Tonight – May 18, 2016 – the bright waxing gibbous moon again shines close to the star Spica. This star is the brightest one in the large, dim constellation Virgo, and also a key star of the Zodiac, the narrow band of stars in front of which the sun, moon and planets forever travel.

Because Spica is within the Zodiac – and because the moon travels on the Zodiac – you’ll see the moon pair up with Spica once (or sometimes twice) a month. If you watch, you can see that happen in the months ahead.

This year, in 2016, the sun will pass in front of the constellation Virgo from September 16 to October 30, and have its yearly conjunction with the star Spica around mid-October. At that juncture, Spica will transition out of the evening sky and into the morning sky. But Spica probably won’t be far enough from the glare of sunrise to become visible in the morning sky until early November 2016.

Dates of sun’s entry into each constellation of the Zodiac

By mid-November 2016, it’ll be easy to see the star Spica in the predawn sky. Jupiter, which is now an evening planet, will transition over to the morning sky in late September 2016, or roughly one-half month before Spica shifts over into the morning sky in mid-October. At present, Jupiter shines in front of the constellation Leo, moderately close to Regulus, Leo’s brightest star. But by the time that Jupiter and Spica become visible in the morning sky in the November of 2016, Jupiter will have moved significantly eastward in front of the constellations of the Zodiac. In other words, when the king planet Jupiter becomes a morning “star,” starting in November of 2016, look for Jupiter in front of the constellation Virgo (instead of the constellation Leo) and in the vicinity of Spica, Virgo’s brightest star.

Bottom line: Let the bright waxing gibbous moon show you the star Spica – brightest light in the constellation Virgo – on the evening of May 18, 2016.

 

Author

Bruce McClure

Article published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.

Your Daily Influences
May 18, 2016

 

 

The Wheel of Fortune
This card signifies success and a change of fortune for the better. Chance is on your side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenaz
Kenaz foretells the coming of clarity and knowledge. It is time for you to grow by exchanging knowledge with others. Opportunities are upon you.

 

 

 

 

The Ankh
You may need help from a higher law to balance this aspect. This law could be a supervisor, a mediator or even a judgment through a legal venue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:
The frog represents good health, physically and emotionally. This aspect shall remain in a good light as long as you maintain good health.

General Description:
This is an old Roman Amulet but the charm dates from prehistoric times. The Frog was the emblem of He-gt, the Egyptian goddess of abundance fruitfulness, fertility and plenty. From Egypt these myths spread and similar goddesses were worshiped under different names — Ishtar in Assyria, Belit in Babylonia, Al-ilat in Arabia, Aphrodite in Greece, Venus in Rome. The Frog, cut in amber, is a popular talisman. In Italy Greece and Turkey, it is still worn to bring good health, prosperity, and abundance of all the good things of this earth.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Tree

The Tree symbolizes spiritual health and growth. The healthy tree is rooted in a rich, nurturing medium, has a strong trunk from which leaf laden branches fan out to capture the sun’s energy. The Tree represents a healthy spirit entrenched in experience and strengthened by wisdom. It is a spirit that is happy with itself, but continues reaching to become even wiser, more complete, happier, stronger. While The Tree represents a strong and independent spirit, it is also a life-force that owes much of its strength and growth to being surrounded by other healthy spirits.

As a daily card, The Tree denotes a time when your spiritual self is especially powerful and open for further growth. Now is a time for you to seek out streams of wisdom and knowledge that you can not only draw from but contribute to as well. Don’t disregard sources that seem improbable, as they often produce the most profound revelations and spiritual expansion.

Daily Witches Rune

The Birds

Keywords: Unexpected news, change.

Meanings: The Birds Rune means some unexpected news that may alter your life completely, especially if this is the leading rune. Generally, the news will lead to a positive change but pay close attention to the nearest runes to determine its nature. It can also mean news of friends or family that you haven’t had contact with in quite a while. Letters and documents should be watched for as they may well bring happiness.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

Fortune

Fortune represents that aspect of life that is directed by forces and events we may not understand or even be aware of. In short, Fortune deals with chance—those occurrences that manage to alter even the most structured of lives, usurp man’s “best laid plans.” While the effects of Fortune are unpredictable, the outcome is always change; sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Our path through life is never a ride down a perfectly straight highway. Sometimes we may even experience hairpin turns or complete reversals of direction. Fortune is strong reminder that despite our plans, the Universe has its own agenda from which we cannot escape participation.

Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today

 

 

The Past
Gebo

Gebo represents the coming of gifts and favors. While each are usually positive events, they often carry obligations with them. Gebo often represents strong bonds such as deep friendships and marriage.

 

 

The Present
Ingwaz

Ingwaz signifies completion, success and fertility. Your present ambitions are about to be met. You are fecund in both mind and body.

 

 

The Future
Kenaz

Kenaz reversed represents a lack of needed knowledge and possible isolation. Information you may need is being withheld from you, or you may not be open to receiving it. Although others may seem distant, if you seek their friendship you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

 

 

 

Your Rising Sign

One of the most important placements in your personal Astrology

By Tarot.com Staff

Videos, Rising Sign, Horoscopes, Birth Chart, Astrology

 

You know your zodiac sign. But did you know that that is just one of MANY zodiac placements you have in your personal birth chart? When a person talks about their “sign,” they’re really talking about their Sun sign — the zodiac sign the Sun was in at the moment of their birth. Yet while the Sun is absolutely key in your Astrology chart, there’s another sign that’s arguably even more important — this is called your “Rising sign.”

Technically, your Rising sign — also known as the “Ascendant” — is the sign that was rising over the horizon at the exact time you were born. In Astrology though, your Rising sign is also the sign around which your entire birth chart is oriented. It determines the cusp of your 1st House of Self — the point where your birth chart begins — and therefore all the other houses in your Astrology chart, too.

Knowing your time of birth is necessary to determine your Rising sign. That’s because there are 12 signs, and 24 hours in a day — so the Ascendant moves to a new sign every 2 hours. It’s possible to guess your Rising sign based on an approximate birth time, but to be accurate it helps to know the exact time to the hour and minute.

What’s the difference between Sun and Rising signs?

Because your Rising sign is associated with the 1st house of a chart, it’s really all about you. It represents the surface of your personality — what you show to the world on a day-to-day basis, like how an acquaintance might see you. Think of it like the cover of your book  — it’s just the first impression. It’s enough to get an idea of who you are … but not your whole story.

While your Sun sign is very intimately connected to the big picture of you, your Rising sign is much more about the “you” people see on the surface, about how you behave around others. If you’ve ever been confused by the fact that people perceive you very differently from how you see yourself, it’s because what people see can be dominated by Rising sign traits rather than the Sun sign traits you understand yourself to have.

Are you reading the right horoscope?

It may come as a surprise that nearly all western horoscopes — daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly horoscopes — are actually written based on the house system. This means astrologers use houses to explain how the current cosmic energy will impact an individual. Long story short, this means: You should be reading your horoscope for your Rising sign, not your Sun sign! The horoscope for your Sun sign is still important, because the Sun is so important, but you’ll likely find more accuracy if you read the horoscope for your Rising sign instead — or both your Rising AND Sun signs — because it is, in fact, much more specific to your personal Astrology chart.

You are more than one (or two!) signs…

Remember: Your Astrology is not based on one specific sign — you are made up of MANY signs! Together, your Rising sign, Sun sign, and Moon sign (the sign the Moon was in at the time you were born) represent your outer self (Rising), your inner self (Moon), and your core (Sun). Just the same, you have planets and signs in your personal birth chart that represent your love life, your dreams, your health, family, and more — this is how your Astrology chart represents YOU so specifically!

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, May 19th

 

Aries

While emotions are on the complex side today, dear Aries, it’s nevertheless a good day for paring down and enjoying the simpler things in life. Finding ways to cut expenses can actually be enjoyable right now, as you instinctively know that in the long run, it will improve your lot in life. One-on-one relations are highly favored right now. Good advice may be found, and communications are open – possibly even healing. This is a strong time for assessing value and discovering hidden gems or untapped resources.

Taurus

Emotionally, you’re inclined to seek out company today, dear Taurus, with the Moon moving into your partnership sector. This is a good time for reconciliations of various kinds, as you’re in top form for inspiring confidence and for attracting good will with Venus in harmonious aspect to Chiron. It’s another strong time for personal appeal and magnetism, as well as for putting longstanding problems to rest. Friends can be helpful now, and there may be a re-connection with a past friend or a pleasant reassessment of a friendship.

Gemini

You can have a strong urge to serve, to help, and to give of yourself today, dear Gemini, and if you do, it can be personally rewarding indeed. For some of you, today’s energies may stimulate a secret attraction or a stroke of good luck from behind the scenes. Creative endeavors are likely to thrive now. Romantically speaking, you are in fine form for attraction. The Moon moves into your work and health sector today, and you are more service-oriented than usual, desiring to accomplish a lot, particularly in small yet important ways.

Cancer

The Moon moves into your sector of play and self-expression, dear Cancer, and into harmony with your sign. This tends to ease pressures and facilitate communications. You are dealing with people very well today with a pleasing aspect between Venus and Chiron, and benefits can come through friends. Someone could “have your back” or otherwise show their support. You’re feeling especially free, open, and friendly right now, and you are able to talk about problems or tricky emotional issues with ease. This, in turn, can open up the possibility of healing or regenerating ties.

Leo

The Moon moves into your sector of home and family, dear Leo, putting special focus on your personal affairs. This is a time for reconnecting with your heart. Playing it safe is likely and also quite helpful just for now. Whatever message you’d like to get across today, communicating it should be especially easy and successful today with your communications ruler, Venus, in supportive aspect with Chiron. You have the gift of conversation right now, and a humbly confident approach is what wins others over. This applies to everyday conversations, but particularly to professional ones. Word of mouth can spread, and you can receive support for your ideas or kudos for your advice.

Virgo

With the Moon’s move into your communications sector today, dear Virgo, your curiosity is piqued and you’re likely to seek out mental stimulation. Financial worries and concerns tend to dissipate today. In fact, you’re thinking much more clearly and can come up with some strong ideas, particularly when shared with a special someone, or with a consultant. Love is honest today – more so than usual – and it feels good to allow yourself to be a little vulnerable. It’s not that you or others have been lying, but that people are more willing to let their defenses down and look at things with an open heart today.

Libra

The Moon moves out of your sign and into your solar second house early today, dear Libra. Emotions tend to settle, and you might give special attention to your resources. There can be a desire to build upon what you have, or to make more of what you have. You’re able to gain the interest, attention, or support of others quite naturally today. You can instinctively hone in on areas of weakness, and instead of dwelling on them or bemoaning them, you find ways to fix them. Openness of spirit endears you to others. It’s also a good time for enjoying your work or a stronger sense of purpose.

Scorpio

The Moon moves into your sign, dear Scorpio, bringing unfulfilled needs and unacknowledged emotions to the surface. There is a stronger desire to feel emotionally alive and connected to the world around you now. This is a potentially very strong day for attracting who or what you want into your life, with excellent energy for your powers of attraction on social and romantic levels. Conversations can be especially warm and productive. Willingness to open up is a key factor. The opportunity to put longstanding relationship problems behind you can arise. These may not be dramatic, but they can nevertheless strengthen bonds.

Sagittarius

You may be feeling rather insular now, dear Sagittarius, as you are gathering your forces and building your energy. You’ll need these things in the coming days and weeks, when you come out of your shell and attract more attention. For now, you’re rather content to keep a low profile. Problem-solving around the home and with family is strong today. It’s a fine time for tackling emotional issues that require openness, sensitivity, and honesty. Look for ways to repair and heal relationships now – you can be very successful.

Capricorn

The Moon moves into your sociable, impartial solar eleventh house today, dear Capricorn. Pressures to perform tend to release as you seek out other activities to help round out your experiences. You’re likely to enjoy the mature and honest vibe of the day. Willingness to learn from one another and to share issues that are often kept to ourselves are key factors of the day’s good energy for communication, creativity, and learning. Love can be enhanced or attracted through warm communications and gestures.

Aquarius

The Moon moves to the top of your solar chart today, dear Aquarius, and you’ll want to be alert to your performance, reputation, or responsibilities now. Even so, this is a strong day for family relations. Good energy is with you for reconciliations and improvements in your communications with those closest to you, although this is less about words and more about gestures and actions. You may want to make small, desirable changes to your domestic environment with an eye on both comfort and inclusion. Financial concerns may be shared now, and this can be a source of some level of relief.

Pisces

You have a distinctly healing touch to your manner today, dear Pisces, particularly when it comes to body language, but also oral or written communications. Venus in your communications sector forms a pleasing aspect with Chiron in  your sign, and this can serve to highlight your finer qualities. There is an almost poetic quality to your words and your powers of attraction subtly lift as a result. Openness and willingness to listen are key factors now. You are unafraid of typically taboo topics, and your approach is both gentle and magnetic. The Moon moves into harmony with your sign early into the day, and this further boosts your ability to glide through the day.

If Today is Your Birthday: May 18

 

While you are sociable and confident, you have a spiritual side and a strong need for privacy. You are creative, unusual, passionate, and a tad mysterious, but ultimately very reliable and trustworthy. You possess tremendous business sense, and the determination to go after what you want. You are imaginative and know how to use your imagination in the business world. Famous people born today: Perry Como, Tina Fey, Frank Capra, Reggie Jackson, Chow Yun-Fat.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

The New Moon in your Solar Return chart suggests that you will instinctively begin a new phase of your life this year. A decisively new direction has come about in your life. This can be an emotionally stimulating time in which you feel the urge to initiate and project, even if you are not quite clear about what you are projecting. Much of the energy in your life can have a magical quality to it as things are just automatically going in a certain direction. It is important to be intuitive at this time and allow the natural course to show you the way to the next step. Surprises (mostly very pleasant) pepper your year. New beginnings are in order, and you are bound to feel some level of excitement as the year unfolds.

This is a good year in which to take steps towards making yourself feel more secure and safe, and for family or domestic activities. This is also a time when you more readily support or defend others.

This can be a period in which you discover or develop natural talents. You’re likely to solve long-standing problems, and obstacles are removed so that you can pursue your dreams.

This is a strong year for tapping into your inner genius or personal potential and putting it to work for you. You can be determined to take better care of yourself, and discoveries made this year can fuel or reignite your motivation to pursue a particular path. There can be a real sense of mission this year.

You can be especially successful in pursuits that involve entertainment, the arts, and creativity. You are drawing opportunities to you in these areas this year.

You are more imaginative and attuned to the world of beauty and romance in the year ahead. Gentleness with others is the best way to harness this energy and to attract what you want into your life. There could be truly “magical” times on a romantic and social level. You are especially romantic this year, and you are likely to idealize and expand a relationship through sensitive interactions and a more giving approach. Benefits come through paying attention to your dreams and intuitions, as well as through creativity.

However, there can be some intensity experienced in a relationship this year, which can pull up jealousies and matters of trust. You might experience compulsive attractions and attachments, or attraction to complicated love relationships. The need for deeper intimacy is present, but fear of this closeness may be just as strong. Alternatively, there can be some tension over your personal finances this year, and/or need to make a large payment that necessitates changes in your spending habits. Finances may be complicated. For some, there can be power struggles with money.

You are likely to be popular with others when it comes to your ideas and communications, especially as you are communicating with optimism and cheerfulness, and this can bring rewarding experiences and opportunities into your life. It can be a good time for teaming up with a partner to learn together or to pursue a common project or goal. There can be a good feeling of being backed and supported.

Even so, with Mercury in challenging aspect to Neptune in your Solar Return, some difficulties with communications are likely. There can be misunderstandings, misinformation, wishful thinking, confusion, carelessness, and deception. Verify the facts before making decisions and avoid taking precipitate action. Read all the fine print before signing a contract or making an agreement.

As well, there can be some ups and downs in the year ahead as your plans and efforts meeting with resistance. At times, circumstances seem to block your efforts to assert yourself, and you might feel like more effort than usual is required to complete tasks, which could lead to some frustration. Patience is necessary because progress may not always be steady, and energy can be stop and go. Plans don’t always go smoothly with Mars in difficult aspect to Saturn in your Solar Return chart.

There can be a problem with overspending or overdoing pleasure this year. However, you are more strongly dedicated to work, which can help balance you out.

In partnerships and close relationships, you may be working together on a big project or doing a lot more together. Otherwise, excess energy could lead to some restlessness and disagreements. Overall, however, there is good energy for partnering this year.

There can be nice advances in the areas of health and healing as well as an improved spirit and positive lifestyle changes this year. There may be chances to teach or inspire others with your unique insights and perspective.

The year ahead is one of new beginnings and a sense of starting fresh. Partnering up to get something specific accomplished can be very successful. While there can be distinct opportunities on a mental level, watch your communications, as you can sometimes come across as too exacting or even critical. As well, conserving energy is important, as you can experience real ups and downs in the energy department.

2015 is a Number Four year for you. Ruled by Uranus. This is a year of work and development. It’s “nose to the grindstone” time. It’s a time to deal with practical matters, and it’s not a time to be lazy or especially gregarious. Sometimes, it can be a year that feels hard, monotonous and routine, and/or lonely. Advice – get yourself organized, work to build your resources, keep busy.

2016 will be a Number Five year for you. Ruled by Mercury. This is a year of exploration and freedom. It’s a time when exploration and reaching out to others brings opportunities. It’s a good time to advertise and sell. Surprises are in store, and the routine is broken. This is a year when exciting relationships can be formed, or, if you are already in a partnership, new life is breathed into the relationship. Advice – explore, look for adventure, keep your eyes open for opportunities, mingle.

Source

Cafe Astrology

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, May 18th

 

Aries

Today and tomorrow are strong for money and business matters, dear Aries. You’re in a good position to assess value, particularly of projects and endeavors from the past or already underway. However, this morning relationships can be tricky to navigate. You may feel blocked when it comes to getting your way. If you feel that someone else is trying to steer your wheel, you could be tempted to make a stand, but drawing on patience may be the better choice right now, as the day’s energies can improve considerably as it advances. With a Libra Moon today, everyone has to be fair and reasonable for something to truly work.

Taurus

This morning, it will be important to avoid pushing people or situations, dear Taurus. You can be quite productive if you keep things light and tune out distractions, although you can certainly feel pulled in different directions. Imbalances and flaws can seem to be magnified in your mind today. If you use this ability to hone in on problems constructively, you can really make headway on practical matters, or you could happily and busily fix those things in your life that have fallen out of whack. As the day advances, emotions tend to iron out. Think in beautiful terms and express yourself with grace. Tonight and tomorrow, there may be a positive turnaround or development in a relationship.

Gemini

This morning, you can be especially sensitive to, and aware of, conflicts or unrest in your social or romantic life, dear Gemini. People can be erratic or absent, and possibly rebellious or complicated. However, if you choose to use difficult emotional energies constructively, you can be quite successful in creative or artistic pursuits now. In fact, going your own way can help you to center yourself. Although others, and situations, can be unpredictable, if you resolve to make yourself happy in the moment instead of depending on others, then you can enjoy a rewarding day, particularly as it advances. Your creative instincts are strong.

Cancer

Again today, you can experience a stronger desire to stick close to home or to familiar places, people, and situations, dear Cancer. This is certainly not the time for completely new endeavors, or for taking risks. However, even though your heart is with home and family right now, it’s not the best time for making rational decisions about same, at least not this morning when there can be conflicted feelings and divided attention. Think in terms of simplifying things as much as possible on the home front, as this will help you to feel more in charge, not only of  your domestic life, but of other life departments as well. As the day advances, life feels less complicated.

Leo

It’s a good idea to try to let go, simplify, and keep things light today, dear Leo, as the Moon in your communications sector is challenged this morning and this can give you a sense that your life is running ahead of you. It’s also better not to hold big expectations of others, as people may be rebelling, absent, or a little contrary in the first half of the day. You may get the feeling that old habits need to be changed, and you’re probably right. As the day advances, you’re in a better position to let the little problems go. You may be exploring new approaches and ideas now.

Virgo

There is an argumentative or rebellious flavor to the first part of the day, dear Virgo, and it’s likely to do with sharing. There can be inner conflicts to deal with as well – whether you want freedom or support can be an issue. The Moon is in a very steady, stable part of your chart all day, which can incline you to dig in your heels, but whims and desires can grab hold. These are likely very transitory, and a symptom of something else altogether, so try not to let them rule your mood. As the day advances, you tend to focus on more spiritual goals and needs. It’s also easier to muster up patience, and this helps your mood – and your perspective – considerably.

Libra

The Moon is once again in your sign all day, dear Libra, and this position serves to pump up your emotions, making them very difficult to set aside. In the first half of the day, you may be feeling slighted, however. You could find that others are too wrapped up in their own problems and issues to be able to intuit what you need. While the ordinary holds little appeal now, it may be better than stirring up problems. Everything can feel urgent right now, but if you slow down a little, you might notice that your plans have been moving along at a reasonable pace – it’s you that wants instant results. As the day advances, a creative albeit minor aspect between your ruler, Venus, and accepting Neptune can be calming.

Scorpio

With the Moon in the final sector of your chart all day, dear Scorpio, you may need to take a break from the regular routine in order to recharge emotionally. Consider ways to better handle your daily routine, which can be quite scattered at this time in your life, so that you can tend to your very important needs for down time. You might be battling unusual desires and whims now, whether this is about a sudden desire to break from the past or to reconnect with it! Work with the restlessness instead of allowing it to work against you through gentle physical exercise or making small improvements that don’t involve exerting too much energy. As the day advances, you may find it easier to rescue yourself from self-defeating feelings.

Sagittarius

Personal relationships can involve a tug of war on an emotional level in the first half of the day, dear Sagittarius. An optimistic outlook and a desire to cooperate with others will take you far, as long as you know when and where to draw the line. People can be holding on very tightly to their independence one minute, and feeling needy the next. Keep a sense of humor today, and it can be a playful and spirited time. Don’t expect anyone to be especially predictable for best results now. Later today, and tomorrow as well, bring good energy for openness and receptivity. Aim to make peace with others now, or, at the very least, to let things go for your own peace of mind.

Capricorn

A need to tend to duties and responsibilities today can prompt you to detach yourself from emotions which can facilitate getting things done, dear Capricorn. Even so, emotions have to go somewhere, and they can be rather inflamed in the first half of the day. While you are inclined to pull away from difficult feelings, watch that they don’t drive your behavior with those closest to you. Shows of independence can figure strongly, largely on the job and with family. You may want to push plans ahead now, but would be best off if you are willing to take it slowly. As the day advances, you’re more able to let things go and relax.

Aquarius

You tend to attract intense energy your way early today, dear Aquarius, and at times you could feel that important people in your life are being a little too dramatic for your liking. However, if you entertain the idea that underneath the drama may be a real desire for positive change, you can gently guide others towards making these changes. With the Moon in tactful Libra in your sector of opinions and beliefs and challenged in the morning, it’s important to be diplomatic, as there can be some impatience with others’ opinions. Later today, you instinctively know how to make the most of your talents and abilities and you’re less inclined to worry about what others think.

Pisces

Going into the day expecting too much from others is unwise today, dear Pisces. You are far better off doing your own thing. At the same time, you shouldn’t be totally excluding others, as this can be misinterpreted – people can be quite sensitive today, although as the day advances, this sensitivity becomes less self-centered. Instead of waiting for people to sense what you want or need, express yourself and take action, or wait for a more cooperative atmosphere to do so. Later today is a time for letting go of a need for answers. With an open and willing mind, this can be a strong time for self-discovery. While emotions can be inflamed, you become more objective as the day advances, and this can make a big difference in your mood.