In both the evening and morning sky, try watching for Earth’s shadow. Earth’s shadow is a deep blue-grey, darker than the twilight sky. The pink band above the shadow – in the east after sunset, or west before dawn – is called the Belt of Venus.
We show a lovely photo of the Earth’s shadow on the chart at the top of this post (image from Woomera missile range in Australia. Used with permission).
Earth’s shadow can be seen any clear evening ascending in the eastern sky at the same rate that the sun sets below the western horizon.
The shadow of the Earth is big. You might have to turn your head to see the whole thing. And the shadow is curved, in just the same way that the whole Earth is curved. Earth’s shadow extends hundreds of thousands of miles into space, so far that it can touch the moon. Whenever that happens, there’s an eclipse of the moon, like the faint penumbral eclipse coming up on September 16.
Check out Earth’s shadow – in the east at sunset or in the west at sunrise – next time you have a clear sky. I often see it while out on the streets of my town as the sun is setting.
By the way, the image at the top of this post shows more or less the same moon phase that you’ll see tonight. It’ll be a waxing gibbous moon that’ll be visible in the east after sunset this evening. The full moon will come on August 18.
Bottom line: Watch for the curved blue-grey line of Earth’s shadow at dawn and dusk. The pink coloration above the shadow is called the Belt of Venus.
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.
Today’s Meaning:
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is patient, reliable, warmhearted, loving, persistent, determined, placid and security loving. This is a person you respect.
General Description:
Second sign of the Zodiac, April 21st to May 22nd. Ruling planet Venus; correct metal Copper. Those born under Taurus were thought to be endowed with mental and physical strength, strong minded, clever, fearless and emotional. The correct Taurus gem is the Sapphire. The sapphire is of a deep blue color, and the darker the blue the greater its value. The ancients wore Sapphire charms for protection from poison, plague, fever, diseases of the skin, and to bring peace and happiness upon its wearer. The eyes were rubbed by a Sapphire to preserve them from injury by smallpox. King Solomon’s seal is said to have been a Sapphire.
The Double Six is the grandest of Dominos. It denotes success, fulfillment and happiness on a grand scale. New paths will open for you, and you are spiritually and intellectually ready to take them.
Your Current Place
Two/Four
You are surrounded by opportunities to grow at the moment. Take advantage of this time by exploring every avenue available to you to grow both spiritually and materially.
That Which is before You
Three/Six
Allow your feelings and passions to steer you toward the proper path for you. Do not allow your emotions to take a back seat to your intellect. Explore your deepest feelings about every aspect of your life and act to ease any negative feelings you have.
As long as your life is on an even or uplifting keel balance numbers are relatively dormant. However, in those times when your life is out of order your Balance Number can become central to resolving the turmoil you are experiencing. Your Balance Number reflects the traits you need to bring to the forefront in order the get through difficult periods with the least amount of damage or time wasted on negative influences.
A 6 Balance Number suggests you are a key part of the problem and must take responsibility for your role. Do not allow yourself to be overly comforted by others. To do so will give you a false sense of justice and a stage on which to wallow. You need to not just act, but act responsibly and fairly.
Past Influence whose impact on your life is waning.
Justice
Justice represents the expression of fairness without bias. Simply put, Justice embodies the notion that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. Justice denotes the need to remedy situations lacking equality for all. Depending on the circumstances, Justice may be asking us to curb our partiality, or conversely, Justice may indicate a time for you to demand fair treatment.
Present Influence whose impact on your life is very strong.
The Western Dragon
Unlike the beneficent Easter Dragon, The Western Dragon is a symbol of totally unleashed destructive power that is set upon anyone who crosses the Dragon’s path. The Western Dragon also hordes treasures that should rightfully be ours, and whose absence deprives us from being complete. The challenges set before us by the Western Dragon are truly prodigious, because they denote a force whose sole intent is not simply to keep us from moving forward in our lives, but to usurp all that we have previously gained as well. What is even more disturbing about the force behind the Western Dragon is that it may well indicate primal forces in ourselves so powerful that they do in fact turn us into our own worst enemy.
Future influence whose impact on your life is growing and will be very strong in the future.
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.
The Crystal glows with the power of mystical truths transformed into material realities. The Crystal denotes a self with a powerful connection to the spiritual world that allows them to literally soak up cosmic wisdom and apply it favorably to their everyday life. It suggest a tremendous growth of one’s spiritual self that will greatly impact the querant’s secular life.
As a daily card, The Crystal indicates a time when you are likely to be well served by allowing your spiritual self to guide your day to day behavior.
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.
The Hermit denotes a need to have some space between you and everyday hustle and bustle of our busy world. The Hermit needs to retreat. Indeed, happiness for The Hermit requires seclusion, freedom from material wants, and time for intense introspection. The answers The Hermit needs cannot be found in our physical world. The truths he seeks are internal, spiritual, and the distraction of a well developed social life can only impede his quest for his personal truths. Still, although not anything remotely resembling extroversion, The Hermit does sometimes need to share time with others; so he can learn or teach, guide and be guided. The Hermit’s time spent amongst people depletes his energy rapidly. To avoid an overload he has to retreat from social settings quickly.
The Hermit denotes a need to have some space between you and the everyday hustle and bustle of our busy world. The Hermit needs to retreat. Indeed, happiness for The Hermit requires seclusion, freedom from material wants, and time for intense introspection. The answers The Hermit needs cannot be found in our physical world. The truths he seeks are internal, spiritual, and the distraction of a well developed social life can only impede his quest for his personal truths. Still, although not anything remotely resembling extroversion, The Hermit does sometimes need to share time with others; so he can both learn and teach, guide and be guided. The Hermit’s time spent amongst people depletes his energy rapidly. To avoid mental and physical overload he has to retreat from social settings quickly.
The cosmic winds shift as energetic changes free us from the status quo. We can move beyond our fears to embrace the future once the Moon moves from conservative Capricorn into radical Aquarius at 7:52 am EDT. Anything is possible as ingenious solutions appear out of the blue now that the radiant Sun trines brilliant Uranus. Previously self-imposed limitations disappear, enabling us to rethink old problems and see them in an exciting new light.
Aries Horoscope Mar 21 – Apr 19
Sometimes you gung-ho Rams can’t tell the difference between assertion and aggression. However, your steady persistence is rewarded today because it counterbalances the progressive Sun-Uranus trine which blasts you clear into the future. An odd mixture of strategic planning and impulsive reactions can positively influence your work and help you reach your professional goals. Success doesn’t just come and find you; you must go out and get it.
Taurus Horoscope Apr 20 – May 20
Innovation and common sense work in tandem today. The Sun’s harmonious trine to independent Uranus in your 12th House of Fantasy sets your imagination free. Out-of-the-box solutions to stubborn problems empower you to untangle knots in your progress or raise your awareness to new levels of understanding. Unfortunately, all your brilliant concepts are useless now if you don’t have the means to make them real. Nevertheless, if you want to achieve your dreams bad enough, you’ll find a way rather than an excuse.
Gemini Horoscope May 21 – Jun 20
It requires courage to reveal your vulnerability instead of just showing off the clever side of your personality. The bighearted Leo Sun, shining in your 3rd House of Communication, motivates you to take chances and talk about your feelings, especially now that it’s forming a liberating trine to spontaneous Uranus. Honesty can sometimes be a double-edged sword, but it’s easier to build a solid foundation when you come straight from your heart. It takes time to build trust, but it’s an essential ingredient in any type of relationship.
Cancer Horoscope Jun 21 – Jul 22
You can straddle the divide between caution and risk today by discovering and applying previously untapped talents and abilities. However, the creative Sun in your 2nd House of Self-Worth forms a supportive trine with Uranus, encouraging you to take chances in your professional life. This is your moment to shine; the cosmos is empowering you to be boldly innovative and break out of your familiar shell. As Robert Kennedy said, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
Leo Horoscope Jul 23 – Aug 22
Allow yourself as much freedom to dream as you can today. Temporarily letting go of responsibilities gives you the space you need to see your life in a fresh new light. The unconventional Sun-Uranus trine opens your mind, creating an ideal time to release your old self-image, making way for a more amazing version of you with a more adventurous future. Learning to fly looks harder from the ground. Jump and your wings will appear.
Virgo Horoscope Aug 23 – Sep 22
Although your thoughts are truly brilliant now, people may not be able to understand what you’re saying unless you simplify your concepts. Instead of rushing ahead in a flurry of words, slow down and explain everything methodically. Although a thrilling Sun-Uranus trine opens doors that were previously locked, it’s still up to you to be careful so you can make the most of this more permissive environment. Today is an opportunity that vanishes tomorrow; don’t waste one moment second-guessing yourself.
Libra Horoscope Sep 23 – Oct 22
You’re hesitant to come out and say what’s on your mind today because you’re worried about people misunderstanding your intentions. Although you might send subtle signals of interest to someone so you won’t be noticed by others, your actions may be more obvious than you think. Luckily, a stroke of genius suddenly reveals a way for you to break free of an unpleasant situation as the Sun trines rebellious Uranus in your 7th House of Others. For once, it’s better to say too much now than nothing at all.
Scorpio Horoscope Oct 23 – Nov 21
It’s as if a lightning rod is attracting unexpected events and encouraging radical behavior at work. Although this cosmic interference might normally be disturbing, the Sun’s superconductive trine to electrifying Uranus is thrilling as it lights up your mind with original answers to existing questions. But don’t waste this energy on attention-seeking antics; keep your ego in check and just do your job to the best of your ability. Success can be yours if you don’t become arrogant or expect everything to fall your way. Humility is your friend.
Sagittarius Horoscope Nov 22 – Dec 21
Don’t wait for someone else to rush in and save the day today. The dramatic Leo Sun’s trine to radical Uranus calls for bold action that produces both emotional and financial rewards. Although you may be inspired by the vibrant Leo Sun’s presence in your 9th House of Big Ideas, its awkward aspect to wounded Chiron leaves you uncertain about the value of your actions. Fortunately, your amazing ideas are the proof of the pudding if you trust in yourself. Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.
Capricorn Horoscope Dec 22 – Jan 19
There is chemistry at work today if you’re open to the spontaneity of the moment. Collaborating closely with a creative partner sparks contagious excitement and fascinating ideas while the willful Sun in your 8th House of Shared Resources trines brilliant Uranus. Make sure to record your conversations for future use or the genius of the moment could be lost into space forever. As Dante wrote, “He listens well who takes notes.”
Aquarius Horoscope Jan 20 – Feb 18
You can take giant leaps over huge hurdles while the confident Sun in creative Leo forms a mind-opening trine with revolutionary Uranus. When you devote your heart and head to a cause, the obstacles you encounter are no match for the strength of your convictions. You’re ready to carve out a unique path into the future that fully expresses your originality. This cosmic wake-up call releases you from doubt and drudgery today, clearing the way for others to follow in your pioneering footsteps.
Pisces Horoscope Feb 19 – Mar 20
It’s as if you struggled up a mountain, arrived at the summit, and now finally enjoy an unobstructed view of the future. Your illusions are shattered by lightning bolts of awareness that awaken you from a foggy sleep. You can suddenly see the truth and are eager to apply your newfound passion to making something wonderful happen. Although you feel the exhilaration of the radiant Sun’s trine to wild Uranus, you also realize how much work still lies ahead. Seek out new experiences, but proceed with caution, so you don’t do anything you’ll soon regret.
You have cleverness and versatility that allow you to understand just about anything. Yours is a youthful spirit, with a mischievous streak, not only in youth but throughout life! As intelligent as you are, you see so many possible paths to take that it can be challenging focusing on just one. You share your fun-loving spirit through your sense of humor and unique ideas. You love to solve problems, and you may have marked writing or speaking ability. Your ability to solve problems is next to none. With your need to find wisdom in whatever you do and see, you are inclined to build up a strong personal philosophy. You are quite idealistic about people and about love, so you should watch for expecting too much from a partner. You can be quite sensitive to the mood swings of a partner. Famous people born today: Ben Affleck, Julia Child, Princess Anne, Jennifer Lawrence, Natasha Henstridge, Tess Harper, Joe Jonas.
Your Birthday Year Forecast:
Your birthday this year occurs shortly after a New Moon, suggesting a time of new beginnings and fresh energy. You are instinctively starting a new phase in your life. It’s time to give your life a makeover and to branch out into the untried.
There may be a project, idea, or person that demands much of your attention or occupies much of your thoughts. It’s a strong year for any project or studies that require concentrated effort. You are especially resourceful.
However, because Mercury forms a tense aspect with Neptune in your Solar Return chart this year, err on the side of caution if offers arrive that seem too good to be true. Some confusion or possibly deception could arise in communications this year, and you may be skipping important details without even realizing it.
Emotions are powerful this year and need expression. You might feel especially stifled or stagnant if you don’t feel comfortable enough in your friendships and other personal relationships to discuss how you feel.
There can be a strong focus on harmonizing and cooperating this year, but you’re also redefining what you want and need from your relationships. You could be discovering new ways to relate, and putting difficult patterns of relating behind you. You might also come to important revelations regarding your approach to money and business.
There can be increased popularity with the public or audiences if you perform in some way, or if you present or publish. Charm levels are strong. You can also be especially busy with meetings, errands, and communications in the year ahead.
You are attracted to all that is new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with regards to romantic involvements as well as financial undertakings. You are ready to experiment. This could be a good year for financial undertakings involving electronics, technology, the internet, metaphysics, and the arts, as well as group activities. You have a taste for the offbeat this year, and this energy can bring sudden or unexpected romance into your life, perhaps a scenario that feels like love at first sight.
This is a year of new beginnings and turning points. Your social life can be especially interesting, and your need for freedom to be yourself is pronounced in your relationships. You could find that what and who you value changes or becomes clearer this year, and goals can very well adjust along with these discoveries. Permanent alliances can be formed during this period of your life.
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.
It can be a good day for bumping into the right person or coming across information that furthers work or health interests, dear Aries. There can be nice opportunities to make valuable contacts through work or pursuing daily routines. You can have an overwhelming interest in expressing your values through your everyday life, and your work ethic is strong right now. As Jupiter nears the end of its transit of your work and health sector, take advantage of opportunities to advance your interests in these areas of life. There can be some difficulties with focusing on chores done around the home today, however, as divided interests can be a distracting factor.
Taurus
Taurus
Meeting people who make you feel good about yourself or who encourage you to express your more affectionate or creative side can figure strongly now, dear Taurus. Ideally, the last few days have brought you into closer touch with your expectations in your relationships, even if this was a tricky process. You can now use this to your advantage – knowing what or who you want makes things a little easier. There can be advances in the areas of creativity, romance, or hobbies now and this week. Connections might be made that advance your personal interests, and especially the more heartfelt ones. This can be a good day for feeding your spirit with exciting experiences or new studies.
Gemini
Gemini
You’re inclined to entertain unusual emotions and longings today, dear Gemini. In fact, it’s a good time to get in better touch with desires and needs that may be laying just below the surface of things – these are significant urges in your life that you may not always acknowledge. It can also be an active period for coming to a better feeling of harmony with family or beauty and peace in the home environment. This drive is an important one in the coming weeks as well as today. New information or contacts can motivate you to make improvements and positive changes. Even so, there is some tendency to dilly-dally today, as time can be wasted questioning where to put your energies.
Cancer
Cancer
People you meet or information that comes in today can help point you in the direction of positive growth and change, dear Cancer, particularly on the lines of communication, transportation, learning, teaching, and studies in general. There can be a happy feeling that you can accomplish a challenge along these lines, and a sense that you’re moving forward. As Jupiter nears the end of its yearlong transit of your communications sector, be on the lookout for opportunities to make connections and to learn new things. Things that keep you connected, such as phones, computers, or even bicycles and cars, can also figure strongly or see improvements now.
Leo
Leo
This is a generally good day for work and business, dear Leo, although there can certainly be some distractions to deal with. You might come across someone who helps you achieve your goals, or points you in the right direction of growth and advancement. Advice about money or business can be valuable today. You might find that you’re increasingly more business-minded and focused on producing and building these days. In fact, as Jupiter nears the end of its yearlong transit of your resources sector, and as we come closer to a Solar Eclipse occurring in this same area of your solar chart, it would benefit you greatly to give it your all when it comes to a particular talent, skill, or a business endeavor in the coming weeks.
Virgo
Virgo
This is a good day for public relations or simply for positive feedback, dear Virgo. Your personality shines and others may especially enjoy being around you. You are inclined to take the lead and call the shots in some way, and you might enjoy steering people in the right direction through the sharing of helpful information or advice. There is generosity in your approach. The weeks ahead are very important for coming into your own, selling yourself, and reinventing yourself if you feel the need for a change. There is also positive creative energy coming your way today, and finding new or renewed ways to express yourself can be rewarding.
Libra
Libra
This is a good time for seeing the benefits of putting certain bad habits behind you, dear Libra. It’s also a strong time for healing and efforts to renew health and energy. A positive attitude tends to have the effect of moving obstacles out of your way – at the very least, the self-imposed barriers. While it’s always important to keep a healthy work-life balance, this is a special time for some level of solitude and for you to get to know your inner needs. Jupiter is nearing the end of its yearlong transit of your privacy sector, and is approaching its yearlong transit of your sign, and the coming weeks are especially important for identifying those attitudes that no longer serve you well.
Scorpio
Scorpio
There could be a new connection made now, dear Scorpio, which may come on suddenly but which nevertheless feels right. Something or someone could inspire you to move forward on a personal goal, dream, or plan, and you are beginning to see that these things are doable. A friendship may feel more hopeful, and a relationship can benefit from improvements and refinements. In the past few days, you may have discovered other levels or definitions of what you need from people in your life, as well as what you are willing to give, and this clarity benefits you greatly, particularly today and this week.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
You have an incredible sense of what people want these days, dear Sagittarius, and this can really help you out on a professional level, particularly if you’re involved with sales, marketing, or promotional work. Even if these are not your fields, you can promote yourself and your interests quite successfully now. Fortunate connections could be made now. You may be bringing more beauty, artistry, or charm to your professional life. You might also be finding work more pleasurable, and/or people are finding you particularly pleasing and appreciating what you do.
Capricorn
Capricorn
This is a great time to travel, to seek out adventure, or otherwise expand your horizons, dear Capricorn. Jupiter is nearing the end of its yearlong transit of the sector of your solar chart that rules these things, and the coming weeks are active for opportunities along these lines. There is more openness in your connections with others right now, and you can be particularly effective at teaching, guiding, and sharing ideas with people right now. Others are opening up to your ideas and your unique outlook. You may be taking more personal risks and losing some self-consciousness now. People coming into your life now tend to boost your self-image and serve to open your mind to new experiences and ideas.
Aquarius
Aquarius
You might have the opportunity to collect on a debt or pay off one now, dear Aquarius. It’s a good time to make contacts who help you manage money or who readily support you. You may be able to draw upon resources you never knew you had. This is a time for a “soft sell” approach – the expression that you catch more bees with honey applies right now. Your natural enthusiasm and charm are probably enough to sell a good idea or plan. Some of you could be bringing a deeper level of intimacy into your relationships, or attracting people who open you up to new ways of relating.
Pisces
Pisces
You are looking to feel more alive, vital, and vibrant through other people or relationships these days, dear Pisces, and with Venus in your relationship sector in alignment with the Moon’s Node, you may very well attract loving people into your experience. Alternatively, you may be gaining support or enhancing an existing connection. People tend to point you in the direction of growth and improvement. Your sense of how relationships work improves, and it’s these subtle details that make the difference. You are especially attractive to others now, and you could have the opportunity to show yourself in the best light.
Six/Six
Two/Four
Three/Six
Justice
The Western Dragon
Futility
Witches Of The Craft® 
You must be logged in to post a comment.