If Today is Your Birthday: July 20

You possess personal magnetism and mental power, and you can also be very fixed and stubborn. Positively, you stick with something for a long time without giving up quickly. Negatively, you might hold on to things or situations that have outgrown their worth, or you might become obsessive. You are success-oriented, but you don’t abandon your core values and traditions in the process of achieving your goals. You tend to be most successful in partnership, whether your partner is involved in what you do or not.

Famous people born today: Carlos Santana, Natalie Wood, Kim Carnes, Josh Holloway, Judy Greer, Sandra Oh.

Your Birthday Year Forecast

A Full Moon in your Solar Return chart marks this as a year of great personal significance, when major new beginnings, endings, and activities occur. This period is the culmination of a stage of personal growth and development. Events happening this year may bring various developments in your emotional, psychological, or spiritual life over the past several years to a head. Relationships are especially important. There can be increased activity in your professional and public life, causing a conflict with your domestic and personal goals. There is little moderation in your life this year. Connections are made or ended, or your job focus may change as one focus fades to make way for a new direction. The year ahead is certain to be a very busy, dynamic, and significant period in your life.

However, certain elements of your social life and financial life are stabilized, secured, and more reliable in the year ahead. An existing partnership can solidify, a romantic relationship may become steadier, or you can become involved with a mature partner. Circumstances may be such that you need to handle money more carefully this year, or this may simply come naturally to you now. Support from older people or authority figures may come by way of solid advice or tangible help. Renewed ties to old friends are possible, or a new sense of responsibility in existing friendships.

You are likely to be recognized for your unique qualities. Your personal magnetism runs quite high. You have the chance to improve your relationships with others–and with yourself! A humbly confident approach to life earns you respect. You tend to be looked upon favorably by others. You have the chance to shine, primarily because you are projecting yourself with self-respect and modesty at once. You are especially appealing and charming just by being yourself. Opportunities—both personal and professional—are likely to present themselves as a result. You are not looking for credit for what you do, which frees you up to get it anyhow! Teaching others may be part of the picture, informally or formally. The year is strong for physical therapy and healing, as well as for having a real sense of mission.

While you can be a little impulsive at times, you aim to be very diplomatic when dealing with others this year. You are not afraid of competition, and can, in fact, find some competitiveness stimulating and motivating, but you tend to achieve much through cooperation. If you can learn to curb your impulsiveness, your insight can be a true asset.

This can be a year in which you are a little bolder, more assertive, and energetic. You are especially interested in setting goals and challenges for yourself this year, and taking the necessary action to meet them. You may meet or interact with others who encourage or inspire you in some way to have more confidence in yourself.

You often have a way with words this year, and verbalizing your feelings can be enjoyable. You can handle people well, and negotiations are favored in general. This can be a good year for dabbling in the arts, furthering a creative hobby or craft, and exploring new artistic interests.

Also, watch for impatience or fits of temper that work against you this year. There may be changes in work schedules, or life’s circumstances could challenge you in such a way that you need to change your goals or actions. This can also be a time when you tend to resist others and challenge them if they are trying to hold you back. Energy fluctuates this year. If you can avoid rash or impulsive moves, you could enjoy more courage than usual to do things that break the routine or clear the air.

Your unique manner of expressing and asserting yourself is in focus and appreciated this year. Suppressed anger is more effectively released in creative ways. Physical healing can help inner healing, and vice versa.

Advances in intellectual and mental pursuits are likely, as you make steady progress that has long-lasting results. It’s a good year in which to get organized, do detail work, and prepare for the future. Work done during this period in your life will have tangible results in the future. Relationships with younger people in your life are solidified.

You can find yourself in big demand in the period ahead. You have both vitality and realism on your side this year, maximizing your chances of success. Progress can be slow but steady. You are unusually resilient. You stand out as particularly personable and talented, but also reliable and trustworthy. Love and social matters can solidify. Impulsive moves should be watched for, but, for the most part, this is a strong year for making substantial progress in projects or studies.

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.

Cafe Astrology

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, July 20th

Aries

This morning’s energies subtly boost your appeal, dear Aries. This is not the time for bold or flashy moves. Focus should be on bringing a plan or idea down to earth, expressing reliability, and coming through for others. It can be an excellent time for attention to details with money, business, and creative projects. Later today, you may be craving a little more freedom or impersonality, but if you get these things, you may change your mind! The truth is, you may need to find a middle ground. Watch for giving off mixed signals. Otherwise, it’s a fine time for some form of escape.

Taurus

This is a good time to connect with helpful people, dear Taurus. Being humble, listening, and paying attention to tried and true methods all have their rewards today. While you want to grow and improve, you’re also very much focused on long-term security right now. You’re seeing beauty in wisdom today, and others are appreciating your predictability and loyalty. This can be a decent time for purchases or acquisitions related to collections, investments, real estate, and antiques. You’re likely to feel a pull between your personal life and responsibilities today, but you’re also in a good position to find a balance.

Gemini

You gravitate towards people who are mature, wise, and reliable now, dear Gemini. You’re not as impressed by excitement and newness as you are by reliability. This is a good time for learning and sharing useful information and ideas. Studies can thrive, and you may be focused on developing skills and gaining knowledge. Teaching others can be satisfying now as well. Practical intelligence dominates today, and it becomes you. Ideas that were only on the drawing board tend to come together.

Cancer

This is a good time for making reasonable assessments and judgments, dear Cancer, particularly related to work, finances, and health. You are seeking out more security and making mostly conservative, studied choices right now, and this is favored at the moment. Aim to focus your energies on problems that can be resolved using a step-by-step approach. The day supports practical moves and not too much show or drama. There can be a bonding moment or a general understanding with someone you care about.

Leo

It may be difficult to get close to someone this morning, dear Leo, but it’s a good time for taking care of business, as well as for showing your reliable side. It’s a time that favors appreciation for your loyalty, reliability, and perseverance. You may not be letting people know how you feel on a deeper level, as there is a self-protective quality to you for the moment. Even so, others are enjoying your wisdom and support. While you’re keeping people at a distance, you’re nevertheless polite and interested. You could feel pleasant rapport with others on important issues today, and any agreements made now tend to last.

Virgo

In the morning you could be feeling content with what you have, dear Virgo, financially and regarding a relationship, and this invites patience and good judgment. The key to success is to prioritize tasks and focus your energies. Today is good for buckling down, catching up, and taking care of business. There may be more than usual work to do around the home, and this is a good time for making a dent. When it comes to love, predictability and comfort are favored over bold moves. A cooperative agreement may be arrived at today, although you may feel that it comes at a price.

Libra

You can experience a real surge of motivation to resume or edit your projects, dear Libra. Your interests are plenty, but your time is limited! Don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you end up frustrated. Expecting instant results can only serve to bring you down and take energy away from what you’re doing. The key to success today is to tap into your ability to be patient. A constructive conversation with a friend or associate can figure prominently today. Others take note of your finer qualities, and you win respect just by being yourself.

Scorpio

There can be a sudden and powerful urge to set things right with money or other practical affairs today, dear Scorpio. You are selling yourself in your career these days, and you have particular influence with others on professional levels. There can be recognition of your talents and skills. Relationships are productive right now, and agreements tend to work out well. Cooperation and camaraderie are strong. Support in business-related and career-related matters is also prominent now.

Sagittarius

You might initially balk at unsolicited advice received today, dear Sagittarius, but you don’t have to agree with advice to learn something from it. In fact, disagreeing with an opinion can lead to some interesting insight. Your more responsible side is shining through for others to see, however, and you can most certainly work it to your advantage in an unassuming way. With Saturn in your sign, recognition comes in smaller, quieter chunks, and you may need to look closely to appreciate it, but it’s there! Today is good for showing your worth and integrity without having to go to lengths to prove yourself. Your actions speak louder than words. While being serious is fine, try to avoid a somber manner right now.

Capricorn

Talks can be quite constructive today, dear Capricorn. Take the time to go over financial matters if you can, as your thinking is especially clear today. You’re also likely to carry yourself with dignity and enjoy a bit of attention and appreciation for your personality and your finer traits. Your focus now is on what lasts and who matters – quality is emphasized over quantity. Traditional methods and familiar places work best for you just for the time being. You have a realistic view of your relationships, yourself, and recent situations.

Aquarius

The Moon is in your sign today, dear Aquarius, and emotions are animated. Even so, this morning’s energies are on the serious side. You might, in fact, enjoy mature conversations and interactions for the time being. There can be subtle yet palpable advances in your social life if you focus on the things that matter the most. There can be an excellent sense of stability and faithfulness in love and friendship. Advice circulating now can be practical and useful. As the day advances, you’re likely to feel more independent, and you tend to crave freedom and room for spontaneity.

Pisces

The first half of the day is better for keeping the status quo, dear Pisces, and for sticking to tried and true methods that are easy to fall back upon. Even so, it would be a good idea to emphasize your reliable, responsible, and punctual side today. These qualities are appreciated right now. This morning, you have a sharper sense of things (and people!) of value. You can be quite pleased with work and the little things that you’ve accomplished. Later today, you can be sensitive to feeling confined or limited and might seek out ways to escape the routine.

The Balance of the Signs and the Elements

CANCER STRONG
Nurturing, protective, tenacious, emotional, sensitive, watery, strong roots. Can be overly protective, unwilling to let go, timid, reclusive.
LEO STRONG
Self-confident, generous, warm-hearted, powerful leader, dramatic. Can be overly proud, vain, extravagant, arrogant.
AQUARIUS STRONG
Humanitarian, innovative, group conscious, progressive, serving others. Can be rebellious, eccentric, aloof, emotionally superficial, overly extroverted.

BALANCE OF ELEMENTS

EARTH WEAK
There can be a lack of desire, interest, or skills regarding practical affairs. We may not be very much in touch with reality. Difficulties concentrating, grounding ourselves.

BALANCE OF MODES

FIXED STRONG
We are thinking about the long view, seeking out security and stability rather than change. We may be committed, focused, resistant to making changes, and stubborn.

Current Lunar Phase

LUNAR PHASE: FULL MOON
Moon 180 to 135 degrees behind the Sun.
We are concerned mainly with the nature of relationships and are made aware of recent imbalances. Something can come to fruition. Our concern is not limited to personal relationships, but relationships of all kinds. Our cards are on the table.

Astrology of Today – July 20, 2016

• The Moon is in Aquarius all day (until Friday, July 22nd, at 4:35 AM).
• The Moon is waning and in its Full Moon phase.
• A Full Moon occurred yesterday in the sign of Capricorn.
• Mars is direct and in its post-retrograde shadow until August 22nd.

The Aspects of the Aquarius Moon

(Transit) – The Mood and Happenings

The Mood of Aquarius
Friend to All

When the Moon is in Aquarius, we don’t want to be bound to routines. There’s an impulse to break out of claustrophobic situations and relationships. We are friendly, but in a more detached way.

Aquarius is the sign of the visionary. So when the instinctual Moon is here, there can be emotional outbursts to go along with the inspiration. Thoughts about humanity as a whole, and ways to be a contributor to its evolution are on our minds. We want to connect with everybody, and are more open to those from very different walks of life.

We crave cutting edge ideas, and may go seeking it in people and our own investigations. It’s a time of going beyond the usual perceptive filters. Winding down under this Moon means reading or following a thread of fascination.

Aquarius relates to currents of the body, as well as the mind and spirit. This is a good time to schedule energy healing or acupuncture.

Social Scene
The Moon in Aquarius can bring blessed relief from too much emoting.
It allows us the distance to see the big picture. The mood takes us down tangents of thought, or brings exciting flash ideas. It’s a great time for tuning into the popular memes out there.

It favors social networking via the net, or experimenting with other technologies that keep you connected. It’s time for embracing the new, the futuristic and innovative.

It is the right mood for turning into group energy. It encourages a respect for each person, along with a cohesive awareness of the group as a whole.

You can see your place in the bigger scheme of things, when the Moon is in this air sign. You can get an abstract take on how the different strands fit together. The Moon in Aquarius tunes us into the group psyche and soul.

Beat of Own Drummer

And yet, Aquarius is unpredictable and the Moon is too. I know many with Aquarius Moon in their natal chart who retreat into books and solitude. One striking thing I’ve noticed is they make no excuses — they simply go their own way. This is a strength of the fixed sign Aquarius — a sign that settles into its own atmospheres, often very deeply. It’s why it’s known for being in its own world.

With Moon in Aquarius, it’s time to be in your own world. There’s a sense of freedom that comes from stabilizing yourself in your own thoughts, no matter where they lead. That makes it a stellar time to honor your need to get lost in your own world of the mind. And in that atmosphere, there are often glimpses of something new at the edges, as Aquarius is a sign of the future.

Some power activities now: getting energy work, like acupuncture or reflexology; attend a community-building event; conceptualize a plan; brainstorm at work; send a mass email to friends and family; update your social networking profile; break free of a social convention; mix with those outside your usual circle; conspire to rebel or reform; break out of the matrix!

Follow the Moon!

The Moon sets the emotional tone as it transits through the Zodiac signs. It changes signs every 2 1/2 days. You can work with this rhythm to “go with the flow” of the Moon. You can use it to know the general feeling tone to expect.
Molly Hall, Astrology Expert
Originally published on & owned by About.com

Waning Moon Novena to Alleviate Fear

Materials 1 black reversible candle with white center (you may use a white candle completely colored with a black permanent marker)

Begin three days after the Full Moon by lighting the candle. See all fears evaporate, and visualize yourself as being happy, healthy, and unafraid. Then say something like:

Fear, release your hold on me
Your power lacks the energy
To hold me as it did before
You’ve lost your grasp upon my core
You’ve lost the force that you once had
To terrify or drive me mad
The battle’s over— I have won—
My angst is gone and you are done
For as the Moon wanes in the sky
You wilt and wither, fall and die

Let the candle burn for about five minutes, then snuff the flame. Repeat the spell every day until the Moon is dark. Let the candle burn all the way down on the last day.

Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living
Dorothy Morrison

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, July 20th

Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination, and wisdom..

Binding of Wreaths(Lithuanian)

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Aquarius
Aquarius: Rebellious energy. Time to break habits and make abrupt changes. Personal freedom and individuality is the focus.

Incense: Lavender

Color: Yellow

Ancient Gypsy Love Spell

This enchantment is best used to win a man who has not requited the feeling of love which the lady holds for him. In a red vase or pot, plant a small ivy leaf (the ivy carries the idea of constant, ever-growing and reviving love).

As the plant is watered, repeat this spell, with eyes closed:

As this shrub grows
And as its leaf blows,
Let his love arise for me.

Thereafter, nurture the plant carefully. If it grows well for you, you will gain the one you love.

A Book of Pagan Rituals
Herman Slater

Magical Days Of the Week – Wednesday

By Patti Wigington

Wednesday is named for Woden himself, although the Romans called it dies Mercurii. This is a day associated with the color purple, the planet Mercury, and the metal quicksilver – which is also called mercury. See a pattern here?

When it comes to deities… yes, Mercury! However, there are a few other gods associated with Wednesday, including Odin and Hermes, Athena, and Lugh. Gemstones like adventurine and agate come in handy as well, as do plants such as aspen trees, lilies, lavender and even ferns.

Business and job-related issues, communication, loss and debt, traveling, and journeys are all tied in to Wednesday. This is a good day to do a working to open up lines of communication – especially if your own actions are preventing you from being an effective speaker or listener. Go someplace new or return to an old favorite stomping ground, step up your game, and settle up your accounts.

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article originally published on About.com

Dragon Blood Spell

(Voodoo Folklore)

Dragon Blood is the name of a red extract (gum resin) from a tree native to the Malay Archipelago. In solid stick form it is carried on the person for luck. To get rid of curses, hexes, and crossed conditions, it is burned in powder form at midnight for seven nights. This is done near an open window.
A Book of Pagan Rituals
Herman Slater

Wednesday Witchery

Be bold and daring today! Expand your knowledge of the Craft by working with the planetary energies of Mercury on this multifaceted day of the week. Consider the Greco-Roman gods Mercury and Hermes and all of the many lessons they have for you. Embrace change and movement, and work on your communication techniques. Conjure up a little good luck for yourself with that Mercury dime spell. Call on Athena to inspire you to try magickal arts and crafts and to be more creative in your own spellwork and witchery.

Meditate on Odin and see what you can discover about him. I wonder what sort of fabulous and fascinating magickal wisdom you will uncover? Odin is a shaman, after all; he may appear in many guises and faces. I guarantee that he will make you laugh at yourself before he is through with you, but you will learn. It’s up to you what you do with that knowledge. Will you let it shapeshift into wisdom?

Wednesday is the wild and wily day of the week, so try to go with the flow; don’t fight the quirky energies of the day. Most importantly, follow your heart, and always keep a good sense of humor, because of Wednesdays you will really need it.

Source

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

The Witches’ Wednesday

Wednesday is the fourth day of the week, in the Judeo-Christian calendar between Tuesday and Thursday. The name comes from the Middle English Wednes dei, which is from Old English WÄ“dnes dæg, meaning the day of the Germanic god Woden (Wodan) who was a god of the Anglo-Saxons in England until about the 7th century. WÄ“dnes dæg is like the Old Norse Oðinsdagr (“Odin’s day”), which is an early translation of the Latin dies Mercurii (“Mercury’s day”). Although Mercury (the messenger of the gods) and Woden (the king of the Germanic gods) are not equivalent in most regards, both gods guided the souls of the dead to the underworld.

When Sunday is taken as the first of the week, the day in the middle of each week is Wednesday. Arising from this, the German name for Wednesday has been Mittwoch (literally: “mid-week”) since the 10th Century, having displaced the former name: Wodanstag (“Wodan’s day”). The Finnish name is similarly practical: Keskiviikko (literally: “middle of the week”) as is the Icelandic name: Miðvikudagur (“Mid-week day”).

According to the Hebrew Bible, Wednesday is the day when the Sun and Moon were created.

Wednesday is also in the middle of the common Western 5-day working week that starts on Monday and finishes on Friday.

In Romance languages it is derived from the name of the Roman god Mercury: mercredi (French), mercoledì (Italian), miércoles (Spanish), miercuri (Romanian), dimecres (Catalan), dies Mercurii (Latin). Similarly, the Hindi name for Wednesday, Budhvar is derived from the Vedic name for Mercury, Budh. Russian does not use pagan names but instead uses sredá, meaning “middle,” similar to the German Mittwoch. Likewise, Portuguese uses the word quarta-feira, meaning “fourth day.”

An English language idiom for Wednesday is “hump day”, a reference to making it through to the middle of the work week as getting “over the hump”. It is also informally referred to as “the peak of the week”.

Quakers traditionally refer to Wednesday as “Fourth Day”, eschewing the pagan origin of the name “Wednesday”. Most eastern languages also use a name with this meaning, for much the same reason. Extremely faithful Orthodox Christians observe a vegetarian / fish-only fast on Wednesdays (and Fridays) in some countries such as Greece.

According to the Thai solar calendar, the color associated with Wednesday is green.

Wednesday in Popular Culture
* The nursery rhyme states, “Wednesday’s child is full of woe”. This line was the inspiration for the ‘Wednesday’ character, the daughter, in The Addams Family comic and TV Show. * In the 19th century children’s rhyme Solomon Grundy, Solomon was ‘Married on Wednesday.’ * A song titled “Wednesday’s Song” is on the 2004 album Shadows Collide with People by John Frusciante * Mr. Wednesday is a main character in Neil Gaiman’s novel American Gods. He is the employer of the protagonist Shadow, and is a variation on the god Odin.

Astrological Sign
The astrological sign of the planet Mercury represents Wednesday — Dies Mercurii to the Romans, with similar names in Latin-derived languages, such as the French Mercredi and the Spanish Miércoles. In English, this became “Woden’s Day”, since the Roman god Mercury was identified with Woden in northern Europe.

Reference

Pagan Calendar

Ritual Aspects of Wednesday, the day of Mercury

Perfumes: Sweetpea, Lavender, Mastic, Frankincense, Cloves

Incense: Cinnamon, Cinquefoil

Color: Yellow or Grey

Influences: Conjurations, Predictions, Knowledge, Writing, Eloquence

A Book of Pagan Rituals
Herman Slater

Today We Celebrate….

Moon Day (United States)
HINA

Themes: Moon; Communication; Cycles; Mediation

Symbols: Lunar (silver/white items or any corresponding plants/stones); Coconut

About Hina:
This Tahitian goddess is the Lady in the Moon who shines on us with her changing faces. As the dark moon, she presides over death. As the waxing moon, she is the creatrix who made people from clay and the moon, her home. As the full moon, she embodies a mature woman’s warrior spirit. As the waning moon, she is the aging crone full of wisdom and insight.

According to tradition, coconuts were created from the body of Hina’s lover, an eel god, after he was killed by superstitious locals. She also governs matters of honest communication, and when properly propitiated, Hina sometimes acts as an intermediary between humans and the gods.

To Do Today: On July 20 in 1969, American astronauts visited Hina in person, landing on the moon’s surface and exploring it. In spiritual terms this means taking time to explore the magical nature of the moon today. If the moon is dark, it represents the need to rest from your labors. If it is waxing, start a new magic project and stick with it so the energy grows like the moon. If Hina’s lunar sphere is full, turn a coin in your pocket three times, saying “prosperity” each time so your pocket remains full. If the moon is waning, start taking positive action to rid yourself of a nagging problem. Eat some coconut to help this along by internalizing Hina’s transformative powers.

365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco

Goddesses Associated With Wednesday, The Day of Woden

Isis, Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya, Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette

Source

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

The Goddess Book of Days for Wednesday, July 20th

In Lithuania, the Binding of the Wreaths, a lover’s festival like Opet. Goddesses of Love are: Aphrodite, Venus, Oshun, Erzulie, Aida Wedo, Astarte, Isis, Inanna, Flora, Ishtar, Freya, and Xochiquetzal. Also Day of St. Margaret of Antioch, Goddess of Childbirth (Carmen, Carmenta, Mary, Isis, Yemaya, Kwan Yin, Oddudua, Ix Chel, Diana, Artemis, Eileathyia, Demeter, Sheela, Baubo, Mylitta, Spider Woman, Chalchiuhtlique.

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

Today is Wednesday, June 20

Wednesday is the day of the Teutonic deity known as Wodin or Odin, an aspect of the Allfather, god of knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment and combat, the parallel of Hermes, the planet Mercury.

Deity: Woden

Zodiac Sign: Gemini & Virgo

Planet: Mercury

Tree: Ash

Herb: Cinquefoil

Stone: Emerald & Sardonyx

Animal: Raven & Cat

Element: Air

Color: Red & Blue

Number: 6

Rune: Odal(O)

Celtic Tree Month of Tinne(Holly) – July 8 – August 4. Holly, an evergreen plant reminds us all year long about the immortality of nature. The Holly moon was called Tinne, pronounced chihnn-uh, by the Celts, who knew the potent Holly was a symbol of masculine energy and firmness. The ancients used the wood of the Holly in the construction of weapons, but also in protective magic.

Runic Half-Month of Ur (primal strength) – July 4 – July 28

Goddess of the Month of Kerea – July 11 – August 8

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

The Sky This Week for July 29 to July 24 2016

Saturn shines, Mercury and Venus have a close encounter, and the Delta Aquariads meteor shower flies by.

Wednesday, July 20

Look toward the south as darkness falls and you can’t help but see Mars. The Red Planet shines brilliantly at magnitude –1.0 — trailing only the Moon and Jupiter after dusk — against the much fainter background stars of Libra. And it remains visible until it dips below the southwestern horizon shortly after 1 a.m. local daylight time. When viewed through a telescope, Mars’ orange-red disk spans 14″ and shows a number of subtle dark markings. You also might glimpse the white north polar cap, which should be near its minimum extent now because summer ended in the planet’s northern hemisphere early this month.

Thursday, July 21

Pluto reached opposition and peak visibility two weeks ago, and it remains a tempting target all night. It glows dimly at magnitude 14.1, however, so you’ll need an 8-inch or larger telescope with good optics to spot it visually. Pluto currently lies in northeastern Sagittarius, some 0.6° west-southwest of the 3rd-magnitude star Pi (p) Sagittarii. See “The quest for distant Pluto” in the July Astronomy for complete details on finding this world.

Friday, July 22

Tonight offers a good opportunity for binocular users to track down one of summer’s finest open star clusters. NGC 6231 lies in the tail of Scorpius the Scorpion, just 0.5° north of the double star Zeta (z) Scorpii (which is another fine binocular sight). NGC 6231 shines at magnitude 2.6 and packs more than 100 stars into a region just 14′ in diameter. This part of Scorpius lies nearly due south after darkness falls, though it doesn’t climb high from mid-northern latitudes.

For observers across most of eastern North America, the waning gibbous Moon crosses directly in front of Neptune tonight. The 8th-magnitude planet will be difficult to see even through a telescope when it passes behind the Moon’s lit limb, but significantly easier when it reappears from behind the dark limb. Because exact times depend on your specific location, set up your scope in early evening to be ready for the show.

Saturday, July 23

The Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower ramps up this week. The shower has a broad maximum in late July, but you should see a few members in the hours before dawn. Unfortunately, a waning gibbous Moon currently shares the morning sky, reducing the number of meteors you can see. To tell a Southern Delta Aquarid meteor from a random dust particle burning up in Earth’s atmosphere, trace the streak of light’s path backward. A shower meteor will appear to originate from the constellation Aquarius the Water-bearer.

Sunday, July 24

If you didn’t have a chance to view Neptune passing behind the Moon on Friday, try tracking down the distant planet tonight when it passes 31′ (the width of a Full Moon) due south of the 4th-magnitude star Lambda (l) Aquarii. The pair rises shortly after 10 p.m. local daylight time and climbs some 40° above the southern horizon by the start of morning twilight. You’ll need binoculars to spy magnitude 7.8 Neptune and a telescope to see its blue-gray disk, which spans 2.3″.

Reference

Astronomy Magazine