Month: June 2016

AIR – Its colour is Green (Direction North)

AIR – Its colour is Green (Direction North)

Air  is  associated  with  the  direction  of  the  North  winds  and  this  is  the  realm  of   spirit  where  the  primal  energy  of  the  universe  floods  into  our  world.  Air  is   invisible,  we  breathe  it  in  giving  us  life  but  we  cannot  touch  it.  We  feel  it   sometimes  on  our  skin,  when  the  wind  blows  it  caresses  us  and  touches  our   bodies.

 

Air  is  just  like  spirit,  it  is  there  but  we  cannot  give  it  form  because  it  is   formless,  it  is  a  feeling  that  lifts  us  beyond  the  everyday  world  and  transports  us   into  a  realm  where  all  things  are  possible,  the  realm  where  magic  is  made  and   transformation  takes  place.  It  is  one  of  the  greatest  gifts  of  the  universe  because  it   gives  us  life.  But  what  is  life?  It  is  the  awareness  with  which  we  can  perceive  the   world  around  us  with.  But  like  air  the  world  is  not  as  solid  as  is  seems,  it  is  a  moving  and  flowing  rhythm  of  energy  that  we  dream  into  being.    Air  teaches  us   that  everything  is  energy,  moving  in  and  out  of  form  and  formlessness,  forever  in   motion.

 

Our  breath  is  spirit,  air  gives  us  the  gift  of  life  and  we  in  turn  acknowledge   that  blessing  and  give  thanks.  Burn  some  sweet  incense  for  air  or  maybe  tie  a   small  piece  of  cloth  on  a  tree  as  a  spirit  flag.  The  air  will  carry  the  smoke  to  the   sky  and  toss  your  colored  rags  around  carrying  your  intentions  high.

 

The  air  element  resides  in  our  lungs  and  its  bright  luminous  quality  gives   strength  to  our  bodies.  When  you  are  feeling  a  bit  down  or  lacking  energy  try   breathing  in  pure  green  light  of  the  air  element  and  let  it  infuse  your  whole  body with a healing quality that supports and restores you.

Elemental Blessing

Elemental Blessing

May  the  Earth  bless  me

So  I  may  always  be  supported

May  the  Waters  bless  me

So  I  may  always  be  cleansed

May  the  Winds  bless  me

For  their  powers  of  inspiration

May  the  Fire  bless  me

So  I  will  always  have  a  warm  heart

Song to the Elements

Song to the Elements

Oh  elements  of  creation  bless  me  with  your  powers

Let  the  Fires  of  creation  burn  strong  in  my  body

Let  the  inspiration  of  Air  carry  my  prayers  to  the  gods

Let  Water  cleanse  and  ease  all  my  troubles

Let  Earth  always  support  my  feet  as  I  walk  the  sacred  ways

Let  me  be  strong  for  those  who  are  weak

Give  me  the  gift  of  forgiveness  towards  all  those  who  suffer

May  I  by  engaging  in  sacred  deeds  always  be  in  service  for  others

May  the  elements  always  abide  in  balance  within  me

May  I  always  be  a  child  of  nature

Blessed  Be

A Little Humor for Your Day – “The Frying Pan”

The Frying Pan

 

A man was sitting quietly reading his paper one morning, peacefully enjoying himself, when his wife sneaks up behind him and whacks him on the back of his head with a huge frying pan.

Man: “What was that for?”

Wife: “What was that piece of paper in your pants pocket with the name Marylou written on it?”

Man: “Oh honey, remember two weeks ago when I went to the horse races? Marylou was the name of one of the horses I bet on.”

The wife looked all satisfied, apologizes, and goes off to do work around the house.

Three days later he is once again sitting in his chair reading and she repeats the frying pan swatting.

Man: “What was that for this time?”

Wife: “Your horse phoned.”

JokesWarehouse.com

Astronomy Picture of the Day – The Crescent Nebula

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 June 10

NGC 6888: The Crescent Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Michael Miller, Jimmy Walker

 

Explanation: NGC 6888, also known as the Crescent Nebula, is a cosmic bubble about 25 light-years across, blown by winds from its central, bright, massive star. This sharp telescopic portrait uses narrow band image data that isolates light from hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the wind-blown nebula. The oxygen atoms produce the blue-green hue that seems to enshroud the detailed folds and filaments. Visible within the nebula, NGC 6888’s central star is classified as a Wolf-Rayet star (WR 136). The star is shedding its outer envelope in a strong stellar wind, ejecting the equivalent of the Sun’s mass every 10,000 years. The nebula’s complex structures are likely the result of this strong wind interacting with material ejected in an earlier phase. Burning fuel at a prodigious rate and near the end of its stellar life this star should ultimately go out with a bang in a spectacular supernova explosion. Found in the nebula rich constellation Cygnus, NGC 6888 is about 5,000 light-years away.

Breaking News from EarthSky, June 10th: M5.2 earthquake shakes California

M5.2 earthquake shakes California

There were no immediate reports of damage from the moderate earthquake that shook southern California residents awake early Friday morning.

The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a 5.2-magnitude earthquake – a moderate but noteworthy earthquake – near the San Jacinto fault in southern California. The quake was centered in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. A local news outlet, the Desert Sun reported that the quake shook southern California residents awake early Friday at 1:04 a.m.

USGS gives the following information about the quake:
Time
2016-06-10 08:04:38 (UTC)

Nearby Places
22.0 km (13.7 mi) NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
24.0 km (14.9 mi) ESE of Anza, CA
25.0 km (15.5 mi) NE of Warner Springs, CA
43.0 km (26.7 mi) S of Palm Springs, CA
68.0 km (42.3 mi) ENE of Escondido, CA
98.0 km (60.9 mi) NE of San Diego, CA
109.0 km (67.7 mi) SE of San Bernardino, CA

Initial incomplete data had suggested two quakes of roughly the same size shook within a minute, but USGS deleted one of them shortly afterward.

California is an earthquake-prone region because it is located along what geologists call the Ring of Fire surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

Dr. Lucy Jones – a geologist in southern California – has posted many tweets about the June 10 earthquake this morning:

Dr. Lucy Jones @DrLucyJones

EQ at ~1:05 this morning is a mag 5 near the San Jacinto fault

Dr. Lucy Jones @DrLucyJones

Another M3 aftershock.
M5.2 @ 1:04 am
M3.5 @ 1:06
M3.0 @ 1:07
M3.5 at 1:33
+ dozens of tiny ones

Dr. Lucy Jones @DrLucyJones

We have never seen a San Andreas EQ triggered by a San Jacinto EQ. The 2 faults are ~25 miles apart

Bottom line: No immediate reports of damage or injuries from a 5.2-magnitude earthquake in southern California early in the morning on June 10, 2016.

Author

DEBORAH BYRD

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. “Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers,” she says.

Article published on EarthSky

Earth & Sky News for June 10: Moon and Jupiter in Leo on June 10

Moon and Jupiter in Leo on June 10

Tonight – June 10, 2016 – as soon as darkness falls, look for the waxing crescent moon in the western sky. That nearby bright “star” is actually the king planet Jupiter, the brightest starlike object in the evening sky. The fainter light on the other side of the moon on June 10 is Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion.

There’s no way to mistake Regulus for Jupiter – or vice versa. Jupiter is by far the brighter object, outshining Regulus by some 20 times. That’s not to say that Jupiter is the more luminous of these two celestial lights. It’s not.

Jupiter, being a planet, shines because it reflects the light of the sun.

Regulus is a star, so it shines by its own light.

If Regulus were at the sun’s distance from Earth, it’d visually be 150 times brighter than our sun. Or, another way of putting it, the sun at Regulus’ distance of 79 light-years would appear 1/150th as bright as Regulus. You’d need an optical aid to see the sun at this far away.

The moon travels in front of all the constellations of the zodiac in about four weeks. As seen from Earth, the moon moves much more quickly relative to the backdrop stars of the zodiac than does any other celestial object.

For instance, the moon will move past Jupiter on June 11, and then will leave the constellation Leo to enter the constellation Virgo after a few more days.

Jupiter won’t enter Virgo until August 8, 2016.

Bottom line: Watch for the moon and the planet Jupiter to light up the constellation Leo the Lion as soon as darkness falls on June 10, 2016.

 

Author

BRUCE MCCLURE

Bruce McClure has served as lead writer for EarthSky’s popular Tonight pages since 2004. He’s a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also writes and hosts public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York.

Article published on EarthSky

Your Daily Influences for June 10

Your Daily Influences
June 10, 2016

 

Five of Swords Reversed
Victories may be empty. False pride must be avoided. Sorrow is possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jera
Jera denotes positive, recurring cycles, fertility and a time to harvest rewards from your hard work.

 

 

 

 

Magic Nails
The spirit of someone you knew dearly is trying to guide you in this aspect. In a dark room light a single candle and focus upon its light. Listen carefully with your heart and you will know what to do.

 

 

 

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 June 10th is The Tortoise

Your Charm for Today

 

Today’s Meaning:
The tortoise represents the dome of the sky, the universe. It tells you to take slow, deliberate steps and you can achieve everything you desire.

General Description:
In China, Japan, and many other countries in the East, the Tortoise is regarded as a talisman for repelling every description of magic, and the supposed malign influence of the evil eye. This jade charm is also used as a powerful amulet for good fortune, happiness, both of the heart and body, endurance, strength, and longevity. In Eastern Asia the Tortoise is regarded as the symbol of the universe, the dome of the sky being represented by the shell, and the earth by the body of the tortoise.