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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.

2017 August 25

Diamond Ring in a Cloudy Sky
Image Credit & Copyright: Ashley Marando

 

Explanation: As the Moon’s shadow swept across the US on August 21, eclipse chasers in the narrow path of totality were treated to a diamond ring in the sky. At the beginning and end of totality, the fleeting and beautiful effect often produces audible gasps from an amazed audience. It occurs just before or after the appearance of the faint solar corona with a brief ring of light and glimpse of Sun. In this scene from the end of totality at Central, South Carolina, clouds drift near the Sun’s diamond ring in the sky.

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The Wisdom of Buddha

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world

Your Karmic Number of the Day

Your hands may be tingling and feeling hot because you are a natural healer right now, says 7. A course in energy healing, massage, or reflexology may help your personal growth or even lead you toward a new career. Even just researching these online can be greatly beneficial and fun. Go into this as an adventure in self-exploration and kindness toward others. You will find new people who will be supportive of you regardless of how you decide to move forward with this gift. They could become friends for life – maybe even more!

Your Weekend Influences for August 25th

 

Tarot Influence

Ten of Cups Reversed

Betrayal and failure. The loss of freindship and love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Astrological Influence

Gemini

While Gemini always has its duality to keep under control, it does manage to bring both humor and intelligence into any situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Element Influence

Air reversed

Air reversed denotes a lack of freedom to move through life as you want.

Heal Yourself With the Tarot

Use the power of the Tarot find inner peace

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Get a Jump on Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, August 26th

 

Aries

Venus moves into harmony with your sign today, dear Aries, and until September 19th, you’ll benefit from increased personal appeal and easier expression of your affection and charm. This is a fantastic period for self-expression, creativity, romance, children, entertainment, and other channels through which you express your need for play, reinforcement, and even applause. A gentle approach in these areas of life is the most successful one now. It’s an easygoing, charming, and pleasant transit for you. Others find you particularly appealing. You’re bound to find more enjoyment in leisure activities and hobbies. Today’s inferior conjunction of Mercury and the Sun is beautiful energy for rediscovering old project ideas and interests, as well as looking at past work or health programs with new regard. There can be news on health or work that’s been long overdue for some of you now.

Taurus

The Moon moves into your partnership sector this morning, dear Taurus, and you’re feeling more sociable, preferring some company to going it alone. Venus moves into your solar fourth house today and will stay here for over three weeks, bringing more artistry and harmony to your family and home life until September 19th. It’s a great cycle for quiet, comforting, and familiar pastimes and pleasures. You can be particularly attached to the past for now. This can be a pleasant time for decorating, hosting, entertaining, and family activities. Venus here can boost your relationships with family, and with yourself! Today’s Sun-Mercury conjunction also keeps you looking at the past with an eye for the future. You might gain new ideas or insight into a creative or romantic matter, particularly related to old feelings and connections. Reviewing old ideas can lead to a recycling experience, as new methods can come to light that can be very important in the months to come. Today is past-focused, but tomorrow’s influences help you move ahead.

Gemini

You begin a cycle today, lasting until September 19th, that’s excellent for enjoying studies, connections, getting out and about, and sharing your ideas with others, dear Gemini. Venus moves into your communications sector and stays for over three weeks, stimulating more enjoyment, rewards, benefits, and opportunities in the areas of life ruled by this house: short trips, transportation, communications, siblings, and learning, to name some of the main ones. While Mercury’s retrograde continues until September 5th and it won’t be smooth sailing in these areas of life until then, doing some backtracking and strengthening of weaker areas. Old acquaintances or classmates and even neighbors could re-emerge in your life for some of you. There could be purchases made, or gifts received, that help you to connect, commute, and learn. You are more charming with your words. Today, Mercury aligns with the Sun, and it’s a powerful time to make sense of a past problem, especially related to your domestic life.

Cancer

The Moon moves into your sector of self-expression this morning, dear Cancer, and this puts you in a playful mood. Venus enters your solar second house and will continue to transit here until September 19th. While Mercury will spend some time here during its retrograde period, from the 31st to September 5th, and you’ll be finding some gems in the past or in areas that you may have missed, overall this is a great period for moving forward in your love life and with creative projects. You have good sense when it comes to seeing value in projects and objects that you may have otherwise overlooked. There is a stronger attraction to comfortable objects and situations now. You are exceptionally skilled at making the best of your resources during this cycle. With a Sun-Mercury alignment today, you have an exclusive window to a matter from the past that helps you make better decisions in the future. Ideas that come to you now, particularly about areas ruled by the third house (learning, mental interests, communication, neighbors, connections, and siblings), can be especially important, as they may very well kick-start a long-term endeavor.

Leo

Venus enters your sign early today, dear Leo, and this beautiful transit will stay with you until September 19th. It’s one of the stronger times of the year for personal attraction and for magnetizing what and you want into your life. Retrograde Mercury will move back into your sign from the 31st to September 5th, and this points to a time for building and developing personal plans, but some need for further review and attention to what worked for you in the past. However, for the remainder of the transit, you’re in generally good shape for decision-making. You are comfortable in your own skin and radiate good energy that tends to attract positive attention and feedback. Today, a Sun-Mercury conjunction can stimulate great ideas and insights mostly related to money, business, valuables, talents, and income. Looking to the past for answers makes sense now, and might even be profitable. Conversations and observations today can be significant and the very start of something big.

Virgo

The Moon moves into your communications sector for a few days, dear Virgo, and you find more emotional satisfaction if you follow your curiosity. Venus, however, moves into your privacy sector today and will stay there for quite a bit longer — until September 19th. This transit is a rather introspective one. At least on a social or romantic level, you seek out or find more pleasure in your private world. It’s a cycle of coming to a greater understanding of the more spiritual side of love. Your affections are private or in a state of flux during this cycle. Your compassion emerges full-force, and this can draw you to people who need help. Benefits can come through behind the scenes activities and efforts. There is a reclusive urge now, but you’ll find that September slowly but surely brings you out of your shell! Also today, a Mercury-Sun alignment (an inferior conjunction) in your sign is excellent for observations, news, random thoughts, and conversations that can lead to new ideas, improvements, or other developments down the road. These come from seeing the past in a new light. Your communications have considerable impact, so be mindful of what you say or write!

Libra 

The Moon leaves your sign this morning and enters Scorpio and your resources sector, dear Libra, taking some of the pressure off to be on top of things. While this transit lasts only a couple of days, Venus begins a transit of your solar eleventh house that lasts almost four weeks. This cycle is excellent for socializing and connecting. From August 31-September 5, there can be some backtracking in your social life, but for the rest of the transit, you enjoy forward motion and benefits from networks, teams, and friends. Your tastes are for the new, different, and progressive. You’re in the position to fully appreciate the benefits of relaxing and taking some time off from responsibilities. You give special attention to your humanitarian impulses and happiness goals. Today, a Sun-Mercury meet up can stimulate the revealing of a secret or a sudden moment of insight related to matters of the past. It may not be obvious yet, but this can mark a turning point for your thinking on an issue.

Scorpio

The Moon enters your sign early morning, dear Scorpio, and this serves to reawaken emotional needs that you’ve recently disregarded. Also today, a Mercury-Sun alignment prompts you to see an old matter related to a friendship — or an old project — in a very different light. For some of you, a friend from the past reappears in your life. Venus enters your solar tenth house and will be a guest there until September 19th. Your professional reputation or appeal gets a nice boost during this cycle. You’re charming and diplomatic now, and you get along with superiors especially well. Opportunities to be seen or to advance your goals may arrive, particularly through making useful contacts or expressing your creativity, but it’s best to wait until after September 5th to make big moves. A relationship may come into stronger focus or can make headlines with others in your life.

Sagittarius

Venus moves into fiery Leo today, dear Sagittarius, and will stay there until September 19th. As a fellow Fire sign, this bodes well for your powers of attraction, relationships, and social life. You’ll find that you don’t have to push anything too hard to have your way and that you can express your feelings with fewer (if any) disclaimers. From August 31st to September 5th, there is treasure to be found by looking to the past for ideas, plans, and projects. You might pick up an old interest or study that is worthy of a second look. Outside of those dates, you’re looking forward and gaining perspective. Your relationships need a change of scenery or pace. Promotional efforts or publishing can thrive. You might meet someone special through places of learning or non-routine experiences. You are attracted to others who share many of your beliefs or who have an interesting perspective to offer you. Today, thinking about your general life direction and long-term goals in new ways can be fruitful now, and can also lead to significant new ideas. The Moon’s move into your privacy sector this morning suggests some need to rest, reflect, and recharge your emotional batteries.

Capricorn

Venus moves into your solar eighth today, dear Capricorn, and will visit this sector of your solar chart until September 19th. Venus here can bring more happiness and joy to your intimate life or can encourage you to pay particular attention to a special project or endeavor. Attracting resources from outside sources comes easily during this transit. You might be working through — or sorting out — money problems or issues of sharing with a partner with success. It’s a cycle for processing recent events or new feelings in your love life. Ideally, this clarifies where to make changes that benefit you going forward. A Sun-Mercury alignment today suggests you might gain a new understanding of past matters. Your musings can be fertile ground for ideas that tend to have long-term significance, particularly related to belief systems, communication, and learning. You might reawaken an old interest or topic. Thoughts turn to the past, or to recent decisions and plans, but you’re looking at these things in a very new light. Future decisions will be stronger if you take the time to understand the past.

Aquarius

Venus is now transiting your solar seventh house, dear Aquarius, and during this transit that lasts until September 19th, you’re in an improved position to attract or develop relationships. While this means that Venus is traveling in the opposite sign from yours, it’s a good period for making peace with people. In fact, this comes more easily to you than usual because you are thinking about the other side of the story. You’re hospitable and accommodating. You might enjoy teaming up with others and spending time with people you care about. A Sun-Mercury alignment occurring in your solar eighth house today is excellent for seeing the past in a new light. New insight into an old relationship — or your own psyche — can be helpful and enlightening today. This can also apply to financial matters or a major project. The Moon moves to the top of your solar chart this morning, and you become especially aware of your responsibilities.

Pisces

Venus moves right into your work and health sector early today, dear Pisces, and you’re in great shape for bringing more harmony and joy to your daily life in the coming weeks (until September 19th). This period can be a time for finding more pleasure in your routines, work, service, and efforts to enhance health. Cooperation and sharing can figure strongly — and successfully — in your work and perhaps even your health routines. Today, the Moon moves into your adventures sector, and you’re drawn to activities and thoughts that expand your mind. As well, the Sun and Mercury merge in your partnership sector, and because Mercury is retrograde, it’s a good idea to pay attention to thoughts and observations that illuminate a relationship matter. You’re likely to see someone or something in a new way, and while you don’t have all the answers yet, this can be the beginning of some significant rethinking of matters.

 

If You Were Born Today, August 25

 

Your clever mind, warm approach, and strength of character are traits that naturally put you into a position of quiet leadership. You are articulate and make an engaging conversationalist, and you especially love to talk with people in tete a tete situations. Your curiosity is powerful. You pick up and analyze the details of any given situation, and you need to know. As logical and analytical as you are, you nevertheless have powerful intuition, which you tend to develop more strongly as you mature – it takes experience to learn to trust it. You are a natural teacher, not because you want to prove what you know, but rather because you have a true love of knowledge and wisdom. You gravitate towards romantic partners who reflect dynamism, responsibility, and a strong work ethic. You are very idealistic in love. Famous people born today: Leonard Bernstein, Sean Connery, Gene Simmons, Elvis Costello, Billy Ray Cyrus, Claudia Schiffer, Blake Lively, Alexander Skarsgard, Rachel Bilson, Tim Burton.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

With the Sun and Moon in a waxing semi-square at the time of your birthday this year, the period ahead is one of new initiatives and action. You possess quite a bit of energy, but you must be aware that emotions color much of what you do this year. It can be hard to be objective as a result.

This can be a year in which you experience important turning points, or you could begin new projects or goals that have a long-term impact on your life.

You are taking more interest and pride in your relationships this period. It’s a good time to strengthen and support others as well as to build trust. You tend to instinctively know how to behave in ways that boost others’ confidence. This is a good time to team up with someone to generate ideas or solve problems, or simply to listen to and be heard. Mental rapport can be experienced in your relationships now.

This can also be a pleasantly ambitious period. You’re bound to enjoy professional as well as personal opportunities. Your faith in your ability to produce and to win takes you places you perhaps never imagined. You are able to see the “big picture”, which helps you to plan effectively. You might enjoy significant wins and positive outcomes in competitive activities, including sports and business, for example.

At the same time, you benefit from a grounding influence. Work is solid this year, and you can see results from your efforts, or at least foresee success down the road. This gives you a sense of responsibility and a feeling of directedness and purposefulness. Traditional methods work, and thoroughness brings rewards. Practice or refining a technique is favored this year. The approach that seems to work best with this aspect is a step-by-step one and the appreciation of slow but steady progress.

At times this year, there can be some intensity in your love or social life, and you should watch for impatience with others. Some disruptions in your friendships and attachments are possible. Unusual attractions (to people and things) can have you acting on a whim. You may deal with freedom versus closeness issues in your relationships. This Uranian energy may play out on other levels related to socializing, spending, and pleasure. For example, vacation plans may go awry or agreements could be broken. Impulsive spending is something to watch for. Even so, this can be a time when some relationships go through healing. Ups and downs may lead to new commitments.

Travel opportunities are likely. Pinnacle successes can occur during this period – for example, publishing an important project, graduating, marrying, having a child, getting a promotion, and so forth. Matters related to universities, higher education, religion, publishing, legal affairs, and foreign interests tend to fare well.

Transiting Uranus harmonizes with your Sun beginning in June 2018. Your personality is sparkling during this period, which is sure to attract new circumstances and people into your life. Exciting (not jarring) changes and new interests characterize the period ahead. It’s easier than ever to express your unique individuality, and if this involves changing careers or jobs, a new love affair, or an entirely new hobby, it’s something that takes you forward into unexplored territory. You are more willing to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations. It’s a good time to join organizations and groups and to attend meetings or social events. You can find creative solutions to problems now. Flexibility is the key to success under this influence.

The year ahead is one of new beginnings and the embracing of change and improvement. You are more courageous than usual, and you’re open to change. Others recognize you for your verve and originality. Your love life is bound to be intense, sometimes over-stimulating. Some relationships can be loaded and have their ups and downs, while others prosper. You’re highly active, motivated, and enterprising in the year ahead. Creativity thrives.

 

2017 is a Number Seven year for you. Ruled by Neptune. This is a year of preparation, chance, and refinement. It is not a time of dramatic changes. Instead, it’s a year when reflection on the past is helpful, and when refinements to your life path should be made. It’s a good year to study and analyze. Unexpected twists to your life story and “chance” meetings are probable. Advice – take stock of your life in order to prepare for more exciting years to come, examine the past and plan for the future, get in touch with your deepest needs and uncover your personal power, don’t strain yourself or actively try to expand.

2018 will be a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It’s generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice – take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.

Dating Your Same Sign

Explore the ins and outs of inner-sign dating

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Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, August 25, 2017

 

Aries

You have your priorities straight today, dear Aries, and you’re not going overboard with either work or play, which is excellent for you right now. You take more pride in your work, management ability, and performance. Also today, Saturn turns direct. This yearly event occurs in your solar ninth house again this year, but for the final time for many years to come. Career, reputation, publishing, travel, legal matters, and education are all affected by Saturn in your solar chart right now, and these are areas of your life that may need some extra attention to rules and structure. Fortunately, Saturn’s direct movement makes it easier to accept responsibility, and you’re less inclined to question or evade it. It’s an empowering influence although the initial time of the shift can bring on stronger awareness of realities in these areas of life, which can feel heavy at first.

Taurus

You might thoroughly enjoy learning something new or developing your specialized skills or knowledge today, dear Taurus, as this makes you feel strong. You’re absorbing information well right now. Also today, Saturn turns direct after several months in retrograde motion, and you’ll see some forward progress with taxes, intimate or financial relationships, education, or travel now and in the coming weeks. This is a time for more clarity about a responsibility to someone or a commitment. There could be sobering news about a financial matter, or you might recognize that money matters are out of order and need to be organized. This places you in a more empowered position, even if there is a reality to face now. You’re less likely to dilly dally with your responsibilities.

Gemini

You can quickly gain more insight into a special project or person today, dear Gemini. You’re in exactly the frame of mind for honing in on the most relevant details. Also today, Saturn turns direct after retrograde motion since April. Again this year, this event occurs in your sector of partnership. You are reminded of your responsibilities. While this may hang heavy in the air now, as you move forward, you are likely to have more clarity, particularly regarding a partnership or your feelings about relationships, in general. Partnerships may have been put through the wringer recently, or you may be seeing the less flattering side of others or yourself through a relationship, but you are in a better position to see where you’re headed along these lines as you go forward. This is the last stretch of Saturn’s transit of your partnership sector before it moves on in December. Realistic expectations of projects and people lead to happier moods all around!

Cancer

You might find satisfying ways to bring more balance to a friendship or partnership today, dear Cancer. Also today, Saturn turns direct after retrograde motion since April. This is the last stretch of Saturn’s transit through your work and health sector, and this yearly direct turn brings a more natural and straightforward approach to meeting and facing your responsibilities. More clarity comes to a work project, your job itself, your health, or a partnership. Learning where you stand on a matter can come as a relief. The weeks ahead become more and more active for organizing your personal space, work, and health programs. You’ll see much value in firming up your routines. Mercury remains retrograde until September 5th, so decision-making should probably wait a while longer, but you’re getting there.

Leo

Today, you may be feeling empowered by getting a better handle on your daily routines, work, or health, dear Leo. You’re likely to feel particularly motivated to improve your habits, and this agenda works well with Saturn’s direct turn today. Saturn has been retrograde since April, and in the coming weeks, as it regains speed, you’ll find certain areas of your life far more straightforward. Saturn’s direct station is a yearly occurrence and affects your work, health, and daily routines every year. This year, like last, it also influences your romance, creative projects, and hobbies. Adding more structure to these areas of life going forward can be excellent for you. You’ll be tidying things up directly and actively until Saturn moves on in December. Stalling in any of these areas is behind you now.

Virgo

A hobby or a romance can have a powerful effect on you now, dear Virgo, and dedication to something (or someone) you love makes you feel quite wonderful today. Also today, Saturn turns direct after retrograde motion since April. This yearly direct turn always affects your creative life, romantic world, and self-expression. Delays, ambiguities, or worries in these areas tend to lift. Last year and this year, Saturn turning direct also brings forward movement to your family and home life. Efforts to improve family life, particularly on the level of structure and order, resume full force going forward. Now and until December is a powerful time for organizing your personal life. Facing your responsibilities realistically puts you in a strong position to manage them. Take things gradually and enjoy the process of bringing more order and security to your inner world.

Libra 

You can take a particular interest in your inner world today, dear Libra, and you’re likely to derive quite a bit of satisfaction from efforts to improve family and home life. You’re in a good position to take charge. Also today, Saturn turns direct in your communications sector after several months of retrograde motion, making it a great time to add more structure to your daily affairs, communications, and studies. You’re more inclined to meet your responsibilities rather than put them off now and in the months ahead. You may feel some pressure this week as the shift occurs since your obligations or limitations send to be magnified. However, improvements can be made to learning, security, and home matters and these areas of life become easier going forward. You’re also in a great position to evaluate which of your interests, studies, and projects are truly worth your efforts.

Scorpio

You can feel particularly good about specialized learning or skills development now and in the coming weeks, dear Scorpio, with Saturn, ruler of your communications sector, turning direct and with Juno in this sector as well. You feel stronger as you do! You want to contribute something of value, and you’re willing to put in the extra effort to do so. Saturn’s direct turn today also affects your finances, resources, and sense of self-worth, as it did last year. In fact, from now until December is an excellent period for firming up your budget, evaluating business projects, and paring down excess so that you can make yourself more secure and pay particular attention to your practical affairs. Knowing where you stand and meeting your responsibilities — or facing reality — is empowering now. While Mercury remains retrograde until September 5th and you may want to hold off on major decision-making yet, Saturn’s direct turn is helpful for clarity. Saturn asks you to be responsible and mature about the areas of life it’s affecting, and the rewards for doing so can be great.

Sagittarius

There is more than one astrological reason for you to feel more empowered and in charge when it comes to your money, resources, talents, and business matters, dear Sagittarius from today forward. A sense that you’re on top of your practical affairs will have you feeling more balanced and confident. Saturn rules this sector of your solar chart and is turning direct today, fueling your confidence to face reality and make better decisions as a result. Saturn is in your sign, so this has an even more personal impact on you. Keep in mind that this will be the last stretch of Saturn’s transit of your sign (from now until mid-December) for almost three decades. The shift this week can feel a little weighty as you have a stronger sense of your duties, but as you adjust to the change of direction, you’ll find you’re in excellent shape for getting organized.

Capricorn

You have Juno in your sign harmonizing with the Sun today, dear Capricorn, and you feel more capable, in charge, and strong. As well, Saturn, your ruler, turns direct today, and this brings more clarity, direction, and purpose to your life, although this is a gradual process over the coming weeks. A desire to reinvent yourself in some way can be strong now and in the weeks ahead. Like last year, this year’s station occurs in your solar twelfth house, and from now until December, you’re sure to feel far more equipped to put negative habits and attitudes behind you. An important period is ahead of you as you prepare for Saturn’s move into your sign in mid-December. Clearing out the deadwood is useful now, and you get some superior help from Jupiter as the planet of abundance forms a supportive trine to Saturn, helping you see all the benefits of a more moderate lifestyle without sacrificing optimism.

Aquarius

Today is good for pulling into yourself in order to gather more strength, dear Aquarius, although the Moon does encourage you to get out and about as well. Ideally, you make time for both. As well today, Saturn ends its yearly retrograde, and for the second and final year, this is happening in your sector of friends, ideals, happiness goals, and group associations. Ultimately, truths coming to light now and this week will help you get a better grip on the reality of friendships or projects, a long-term plan, aspiration, or goal. You can make better plans knowing what is viable and what isn’t. You’d be wise to look for ways to simplify or cut back, even if this is not the easiest choice. You more readily accept rather than question your responsibilities as Saturn regains speed in the coming weeks, and you’re in better shape for organizing, moving forward, and meeting responsibilities.

Pisces

Today is a good time for gathering up strength through your connections to others or long-term plans, dear Pisces. You thoroughly enjoy mapping out a plan now. Also today, Saturn ends its yearly retrograde cycle and moves direct. This event occurs in your career and reputation sector as it did last year, and now and in the coming weeks, you’ll find it more natural and easy to formulate goals and fill your responsibilities, which are clearer. Responsibilities to the outside world are magnified this week as you adjust to Saturn’s change of direction, and there could be some form of a reality check to deal with. However, this puts you in a stronger position for clarity and decision-making. Mercury remains retrograde until September 5th, so take this slowly! Friendship, career, and public or reputation matters move forward slowly but steadily, and that’s the speed you should be moving as well.