The Witches Daily Horoscopes & Divination for October 31

The Witches Daily Horoscopes & Divination for October 31

Weekly Forecast: October 29 – November 4, 2017

The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity. Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto). And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning in to the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path. It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction.

*NOTE* There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.  

Weekly Forecast:  October 29 – November 4, 2017

11/3 ~ Venus (relationships) ~sextile~ Saturn (responsibility):

This energy has to do with your obligations within the context of relationships. They are not difficult obligations (in this case) but more emphasis is placed on enjoying serving those you love. This is also what I would call the “keep it real” energy, regarding relationships. This energy makes you want to really sit down and define your terms within your relationships (which I am a total advocate of). It’s really hard to grow to the next level when each person is not clear on what the other expects. Of course, this starts with you knowing what you want/don’t want and what you are willing to compromise about so you can articulate that clearly.

11/3 ~ Sun (authentic Self) ~trine~ Neptune (intuition):

This energy triggers your idealistic, altruistic inclinations, but remember that help has to be invited. But if you have the energy to share & to spare, then dedicate your Self to something greater than you. Choose a cause to support or help those less fortunate for the sheer pleasure of giving. If your energy is low at this time, it is better directed inward. If you can, take some extra time in intentional solitude, praying, meditating and connecting to Spirit this week, you will be rewarded with deep revelations & mystical discoveries within you. It’s a great time to do divinations, ritual or ceremony if you’re into that. Your intuition is heightened also, so pay attention to any ‘messages’ that come through or to you. Try to use this energy to reflect on where you are and dream a little about where you want to be, mentally, spiritually and physically in 6-months to a year from now.

11/4 ~ Venus (values) ~oppose~ Uranus (freedom):

Any time Uranus is involved, it becomes the “wild card” and hard to predict how things will unfold, but right now there is a push-pull between your apparent values and your unique individual self. Venus also represents relationships, so you may begin an unusual relationship or you may have something unusual happen in an established relationship.  It is not necessarily a “good/bad” thing, as much as an unpredictable shift or sudden awareness, which requires some compromise & integration. This energy works beautifully if your personal Truth and values are in alignment. It will be very disruptive if they are not. Be open and flexible, while looking for the win/win situation for all involved.

Nightmares of the Zodiac

What’s your Sun sign’s deepest fear?


It’s that time of year again, when Americans like to scare themselves with ghosts, goblins and the rest of Halloween’s spooky tomfoolery. You might call it our annual fear fest, but are these truly our worst fears? Of course not. To find qualms that really make our skin crawl, we need to dig a little deeper.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

You are at the end of a long line hiking up a tall mountain. The group’s leaders are Virgos, arguing about which way to go, while everyone else plods along at a snail’s pace. You’re going to have to push your way to the head of the line and stage a coup … or tear your hair out. Which will it be?

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Wait a minute … whose car is that in your garage? Okay, the one you had was breaking down every other day and you were thinking about replacing it … but it was a comfy jalopy and, besides, you hadn’t finished your research. Now someone has gone and made up your mind for you. That’s not fair!

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Can’t someone just change that muzak? If orchestral string covers weren’t bad enough, you work in a room all alone, your iPhone is dead and you can’t even get your browser to load. Communication breakdown … your private version of hell … has finally come true.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

As you open your door, your friends shout “surprise!” It’s your birthday and they’ve got an all-you night planned. As you squeeze between co-workers you barely know, they start projecting a PowerPoint featuring your naked baby pictures, every bad hairdo and ugly date you’ve ever had, plus your fat phase.

Leo (July 23 – Aug 22)

Amidst booing and hissing, olives and cocktail umbrellas flying through the air … you’re cowering on a karaoke stage after what you thought was a knockout rendition of Wild Thing. Returning to your table, you find your date has bailed and left a napkin note telling you what a complete loser you are.

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

You’re behind a counter, facing a long line of angry customers waiting to tell you in detail about everything that’s wrong with the product you designed. That’s right, the one you slaved over for years and were sure would be a best seller. They don’t want exchanges or refunds … they want your head!

Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)

Your partner’s quirks have been gnawing on your last nerve for what seems like eons. You’re about to explode when … sure enough, like clockwork … he/she pulls one more stunt. Arms flailing, screaming at the top of your lungs, you lunge for his/her throat. So much for your famous emotional control, Libra.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You trust your new sweetie implicitly, but that doesn’t keep you from indulging in a little snooping while he/she is in the shower. Rummaging through bedside drawers, you discover a set of sexy underwear you’ve never seen before. Two can play at this game, you vow, as you plot your revenge.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

The jury has come back with its verdict and you’re guilty. You’ll be spending the next decade of your life in one place. But don’t worry … it’s a minimum-security prison with a lovely view of the freeway. You can still dream about all the places you’ll travel when you get parole.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Who’s that waving his finger in your face? Why, it’s that guy you used to supervise before your job was outsourced. Now you’re wearing stonewashed jeans and sitting at a tiny workstation in a row of cubicles that never ends. What happened to your Gucci suits and private corner office?

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

A security guard meets you at the entrance to your new workplace and whisks you away to a room where you undergo a complete makeover. When you’re finally escorted into your new office, you discover everyone looks exactly like you. Next on your newbie schedule … brainwashing!

Pisces (Feb 19 – March 20)

You hear a loud knocking on your door and open it to find three IRS men ready to rip into your tax return. They want you to account for every latte expense you listed and are suspicious of your self-employed income, too. Tearfully, you open the shoebox where you shoved your receipts to face the sorting and organizing you dread

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, Samhain

Claire Petulengro, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

 

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
Mars pushes you to say things you would normally think but never say. You begin to understand that by bringing everything out into the open, everyone will have the chance to be more honest about what they want.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)
You’re trying to make sense of what you want, but things you have recently heard have left your heart and head in a spin. Don’t be pushed into what you don’t want but instead insist on having more time.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
You will find this week that if you love life, then life will love you back! Don’t be forced into doing something you know you will regret. Remember you’re a Gemini and that sometimes your stubborn nature can be a blessing.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
The Moon gives you reason to trust those you would not normally place faith in. You see with ease that by feeling your way through events, you build up confidence in yourself and all you do.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
I know you want to see things progress quicker than they have been, but sometimes it’s more important to take your time to build a more secure base for yourself so that it can last. Ring now to hear who I think is bringing negativity into your life.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)
You seem to be looking at life with fresh eyes and fresh inspiration. Finally, you’ve moved on from what and who was dragging you down. Good times await if you can find the confidence to say yes to that you normally say no to.

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. You work out that in order to enjoy life, you have to try things which make you feel nervous and scared. You’re about to discover a new life goal. Ring now so I can help you enjoy this ride you’re on.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)
Someone you didn’t think was on your side, is about to prove that they always were by the words they offer and the actions they take today. Things will not go to plan today, but they will teach you much about what you want. Ring now to talk love and commitment.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)
You yearn for a healthier life style and today’s the day many of you will put it into action. You realise you want a constructive plan and that you’re better for it. This means no longer contacting the person who brings you down.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)?
The very thing you were beginning to give up hope on now stands a chance of actually happening now that you’re willing to work as a team. That stubborn mood which overtook you last week slowly starts to melt away. Ring now to hear how the Moon brings you a confession.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)
Life is like photography. We develop from the negatives. Work on making sense of what recently occurred and how you can move on from it to be a better person. Get the things on your agenda for the week done today

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)
A happier Pisces is slowly but surely evolving. You know now that you were accepting second best when you deserve the better. Announcements you make tonight most definitely distance you from those who are no good for you.

If You Were Born Today, October 31

You are a dependable person who can also be spontaneous and unique while steady and reliable overall. Some people might call you hard-headed! You can stick to something (or someone) longer than most people, and your ability to read between the lines is outstanding. People generally admire your conviction and your wit, and you inspire trust in others due to your “no-nonsense” approach to life. Family oriented and committed, you are also typically quite organized.

Famous people born today: Jane Pauley, Deidre Hall, Dan Rather, Xavier Roberts, John Candy, Michael Landon, Rob Schneider, Chris Tucker, Piper Perabo, Willow Smith.

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Horoscopes for Wednesday, November 1

Claire Petulengro, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

 

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
You feel you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, but I know you’re more than capable of making a success of what’s ahead. Your time with an ex is on your mind and thoughts today help you decide on a current relationship issue.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)
Although you have experienced a rather independent mood in your work recently, today sees you having to work as a team. Not easy for a stubborn sign such as yourself, but try your best.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
The spotlight is on you and others will be coming to you for advice and attention, or just to bask in your glow. Think before you speak, as others will be acting on what you say today.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
Be careful when telling others’ secrets today. You would be far better to let people share their own news in their own time. Being more open with family can help them accept a new situation in your life.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
Life isn’t a dress rehearsal, grab it Leo! I know you’re frightened of rejection, but I know that with the clarity Saturn is offering, it will be easy for you to see which situations can work and which you need to move on from.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)
Can you feel the excitement from the stars Virgo? This is the month in which many of your sign will be realising who you want to spend your life with. It’s also the month you’ll be breaking contact with those who have been using you.

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)
You can’t expect things to go to plan today, but you can expect to see sides of certain characters that have never been revealed before. From here on in there will be the knowledge that you can and will work as a team.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)
Try to resist the temptation to get involved in business that does not involve you. You could end up putting someone’s nose out of joint after you only just made up with them. Ring now to hear how flirtations could be the making of something long term and successful.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)
You haven’t failed until you quit trying Sagittarius. I know you’re low on energy levels, but taking some time out to do something which inspires you will give you back your passion for your journey.

 

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)
Don’t settle for anything than the best Capricorn. You should know by now that you’re a sign that needs a mental and a physical attraction. The Sun helps you to heal a rift you were beginning to lose sleep over. Ring now for a glimpse at your future.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)
Opportunities multiply as they are seized. Begin by taking life one day at a time. You have been worrying about what might happen next, when you should be working on what is happening now.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)
Don’t let jealousy stand in the way of a perfectly good friendship. For a sign who is usually so confident, you’re allowing little words and actions to hit you like a tidal wave.

 

We hate to cut and run but we have some items that we still have to pick up for tonight’s rituals and spells. Besides everyone is running around here like a bunch of wild monkeys running and you can’t get nothing done.  We wish everyone a very beautiful & magickal Samhain!!

Wishing You & Yours A Very Magickal & Mystical Samhain! Happy New Year Witches!

“Smoke hangs like haze over harvested fields
The gold of stubble, the brown of turned earth
And you walk under the red light of fall
The scent of fallen apples, the dust of threshed grain
The sharp, gentle chill of fall.
Here as we move into the shadows of autumn
The night that brings the morning of spring
Come to us, Lord of Harvest
Teach us to be thankful for the gifts you bring us
The bounty of your sacrifice
The warmth and the light of friends gathered around the bounty of the earth.
Dionysus, Osiris, Cernunnos, Dumuzi, Frey,
Lord of the grain,
Welcome!”

– Autumn Equinox Celebration

 

“The symbolism of this Sabbat is that of The Third (and final) Harvest, it marks the end of Summer, the beginning of Winter. It is a time marked by death when the Dead are honored – a time to celebrate and “study” the Dark Mysteries. “Samhain” means “End of Summer”. Its historical origin is The Feast of the Dead in Celtic lands. It is believed that on this night, the veil Between the Worlds is at its thinnest point, making this an excellent time to communicate with the Other Side. Symbols for representing this Sabbat may include Jack-O-Lanterns, Balefires, Masks, The Besom (Magickal Broom), The Cauldron, and the Waning Moon. Altar decorations might include small jack-o-lanterns, foods from the harvest, and photographs of your loved ones who have departed from this world. Appropriate Deities for Samhain include all Crone Goddesses, and the Dying God or the “Dead” God. Samhain Goddesses include Hecate, Hel, Inanna, Macha, Mari, Psyche, Ishtar, Lilith, The Morrigu/Morrigan, Rhiannon, and Cerridwen. Key actions to keep in mind during this time in the Wheel of the Year include return, change, reflection, endings and beginnings, and honoring the Dead. Other meanings behind this Sabbat celebration include the Wisdom of the Crone, the Death of the God, and the Celebration of Reincarnation.”

– Samhain Lore

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Tuesday, October 31, Samhain

The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 127.37° SE
Sun Altitude: 20.20°
Sun Distance: 92.272 million mi
Next Solstice: Dec 21, 2017 10:27 am (Winter)
Sunrise Today: 7:17 am↑ 107° East
Sunset Today: 5:57 pm↑ 252° West
Length of Daylight: 10 hours, 39 minutes

 

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 350.09° N
Moon Altitude: -58.98°
Moon Distance: 237140 mi
Next Full Moon: Nov 4, 201712:22 am
Next New Moon: Nov 18, 20175:42 am
Next Moonrise: Today4:12 pm
Moon Illumination: 83.8%
CurrentMoon Phase: Waxing Gibbous

 

The Lunar Calendar
Moon Phase Tonight: Waxing Gibbous
Full Moon: Nov 4, 2017 at 12:22 am
(Next Phase)
First Quarter: Oct 27, 2017 at 5:22 pm
(Previous Phase)

Source

timeanddate.com

Your Astrology for Tuesday, October 31st

The Moon is in Pisces.
The Moon is void from 5:07 PM forward (until tomorrow at 2:42 AM).
The Moon is waxing and in its First Quarter phase until 3:16 PM, after which the Moon is in its Waxing Gibbous phase.
The First Quarter Moon occurred on the 27th, and a Full Moon will occur in the sign of Taurus on November 4th.

Moon in Pisces

The Moon is traveling through Pisces today. You may feel disconnected. Serve others. Listen to music. Paint a picture. Daydream.

We are not inclined to want to face reality while the Moon is in dreamy, impressionable Pisces. It can be a wistful, sensitive, intuitive, and compassionate time. We are especially imaginative, and our intuition reigns under this influence. Boundaries and walls come down, as Pisces energy merges and blends. It’s a time when details are overlooked and feelings defy description.

The Moon in Pisces generally favors the following activities: Imaginative undertakings, mystical or spiritual pursuits, inner development, music and drama, going on a retreat, activities involving water.

 

Daily Overview of Astronomy for Tuesday, October 31

The Moon spends another full day in Pisces, and its trine to Mercury facilitates conversations about feelings or things we typically find difficult to express. However, we can be in an unusually serious or defensive frame of mind in the hours surrounding the Moon’s square to Saturn late afternoon and early evening (EDT). We might experience feelings of being blocked with Saturn, the great teacher, reminding us to slow down, ultimately for our own good. Responsibilities or worries can weigh heavily on our minds, especially with the Sun and Saturn approaching a semi-square, exact tomorrow.

As Venus and Vesta move to an alignment in the sign of Libra, we might take pleasure in our commitment to or involvement in our relationships. We’re more willing than usual to make sacrifices if we feel they’ll help us improve our relationships or finances.

A void of course Moon occurs from 5:08 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Saturn), until the Moon enters Aries tomorrow, Wednesday, November 1st, at 2:43 AM EDT.

 


The Sky This Week for October 31 to November 5

The last of the Orionids and several bright planets will appear in the sky this week.
By Richard Talcott

Tuesday, October 31

Although the Orionid meteor shower peaked 10 days ago, the shower remains active until November 7. And with the Moon setting around 3 a.m. local daylight time (some three hours before twilight begins), observers can expect to see a few “shooting stars” in the predawn sky. To differentiate an Orionid from a sporadic, remember that a shower meteor will appear to radiate from the northern part of the constellation Orion the Hunter.

Wednesday, November 1

Venus rises around 6 a.m. local daylight time and dominates the morning sky from then until close to sunrise. Gleaming at magnitude –3.9, no other point of light comes close to matching this planet’s brilliance. As a bonus today, Venus passes 4° due north of Virgo’s brightest star, 1st-magnitude Spica. The planet shines 100 times brighter than the star.

Thursday, November 2

Uranus reached opposition and peak visibility two weeks ago, and it remains a tempting target all this week. The outer planet appears in the southeastern sky during midevening and climbs highest in the south around midnight local daylight time. The magnitude 5.7 world lies in southeastern Pisces, 2.3° west of magnitude 4.3 Omicron (ο) Piscium, the brightest star in this part of Pisces. Although Uranus shines brightly enough to glimpse with the naked eye under a dark sky, use binoculars to locate it initially. A telescope reveals the planet’s blue-green disk, which spans 3.7″.

Friday, November 3

Full Moon officially arrives at 1:23 a.m. EDT tomorrow morning (10:23 p.m. PDT this evening). You can find it rising in the east around sunset and peaking in the south just before 1 a.m. local daylight time. It dips low in the west by the time morning twilight starts to paint the sky. The Moon lies on the border between the constellations Pisces and Cetus.

Saturday, November 4

Saturn remains a tempting target in this week’s early evening sky. The ringed planet stands 15° above the southwestern horizon an hour after sunset and remains 10° high at twilight’s close. Shining at magnitude 0.5, it appears four times brighter than any of the background stars in its host constellation, Ophiuchus the Serpent-bearer. Of course, the best views of Saturn come through a telescope, which reveals a 15″-diameter globe surrounded by a spectacular ring system that spans 35″ and tilts 27° to our line of sight.

Sunday, November 5

For those areas of the United States and Canada that observe daylight saving time, set your clocks back one hour this morning. The official switch occurs at 2 a.m. local daylight time, which becomes 1 a.m. local standard time. The switch means sunrise and sunset both arrive an hour earlier today than they did yesterday. So, at least by clock time, the latest sunrise of the year occurred yesterday morning.

Observers in eastern and central North America are in for a surprise shortly after the Moon rises. Although the waning gibbous Moon lies among the background stars of Taurus the Bull, that constellation’s brightest star will be absent because Luna is blocking 1st-magnitude Aldebaran from view. Observers should target the Moon’s dark limb through their telescopes and try to view the star when it suddenly reappears.

The Moon reaches perigee, the closest point in its orbit around Earth, at 7:10 p.m. EST. It then lies 224,587 miles (361,438 kilometers) away from us.

Source

The Astronomy Magazine

Your Cosmic Weather Report for Tuesday, October 31st

Jane Lyle, Astrologer
The Astrology Room

Tuesday, 31st October:

Our Halloween astrology brings some intense, watery – and therefore profoundly emotional – energies.

The Sun in mysterious, psychic Scorpio is joined by Mercury and Jupiter in Scorpio, with the Moon travelling through mystical, intuitive Pisces until tomorrow morning.

Boundaries are shifting and melting like candle wax now, and in the weeks ahead. And that, of course, includes the boundaries between the realms of the living and the dead, the everyday world and the supernatural……Happy Halloween!

 

The Witches Current Moon Phase for October 31st, Samhain

Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 83%

The 11 days young Moon is in ♓ Pisces.

The Moon today is in a Waxing Gibbous phase. This phase is when the moon is more than 50% illuminated but not yet a Full Moon. The phase lasts round 7 days with the moon becoming more illuminated each day until the Full Moon. During a Waxing Gibbous the moon will rise in the east in mid-afternoon and will be high in the eastern sky at sunset. The moon is then visible though most of the night sky setting a few hour before sunrise. The word Gibbous first appeared in the 14th century and has it’s roots in the Latin word “gibbosus” meaning humpbacked.

Phase Details for – Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 83%
Moon Age: 10.77 days
Moon Angle: 0.52
Moon Distance: 386,320.44 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 148,481,257.80 km

Source

MoonGiant.com

 

“The Celts honored the opposing balance of intertwining forces of existence: darkness and light, night and day, cold and heat, death and life. The Celtic year was divided into two seasons: the light and the dark, celebrating the light at Beltane on May 1st and the dark at Samhain on November 1st. Therefore, the Feast of Samhain marks one of the two great doorways of the Celtic year. Some believe that Samhain was the more important festival, since it marked the beginning of a new dark-light cycle. The Celts observed time as proceeding from darkness to light because they understood that in dark silence comes whisperings of new beginnings, the stirring of the seed below the ground. Therefore, the Celtic year began with the season of An Geamhradh, the dark Celtic winter, and ended with Am Foghar, the Celtic harvest. The Celtic day began at dusk, the beginning of the dark and cold night, and ended the following dusk, the end of a day of light and warmth. Since dusk is the beginning of the Celtic day, Samhain begins at dusk on October 31. Samhain marks the beginning of An Geamhradh as well as the New Year. Whereas Beltane was welcomed in the summer light with joyous celebrations at dawn, the most magically potent time of Samhain was at night. Oidhche Shamhna, the Eve of Samhain, was the most important part of the celebration. Villagers gathered the best of the autumn harvest and slaughtered cattle for the feast. The focus of each village’s festivities was a great bonfire. Villagers cast the bones of the slaughtered cattle upon the flames. (Our word bonfire comes from these “bone fires.”) Personal prayers in the form of objects symbolizing the wishes of supplicants or ailments to be healed were cast into the fire. Many sacrifices and gifts were offered up in thanksgiving for the harvest. With the great bonfire roaring, the villagers extinguished all other fires. Each family then solemnly lit their hearth from the one great common flame, bonding all families of the village together. As they received the flame that marked this time of beginnings, people surely felt a sense of the kindling of new dreams, projects and hopes for the year to come.”


– Feast of Samhain

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A Little Humor for Your Day – The Twelve Days of Halloween

The Twelve Days Of Halloween

 

On the first day of Halloween, my true love gave to me AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the second day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the third day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK- OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the fourth day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the fifth day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 5 SCAREY SPOOKS! 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the sixth day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 6 GOBLINS GOBBLING; 5 SCAREY SPOOKS! 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the seventh day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 7 PUMPKINS GLOWING; 6 GOBLINS GOBBLING; 5 SCAREY SPOOKS! 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR- TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the eighth day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 8 MONSTERS SHRIEKING; 7 PUMPKINS GLOWING; 6 GOBLINS GOBBLING; 5 SCAREY SPOOKS! 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the ninth day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 9 GHOSTS A–BOOING; 8 MONSTERS SHRIEKING; 7 PUMPKINS GLOWING; 6 GOBLINS GOBBLING; 5 SCAREY SPOOKS! 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the tenth day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 10 GHOULS A-GROANING; 9 GHOSTS A–BOOING; 8 MONSTERS SHRIEKING; 7 PUMPKINS GLOWING; 6 GOBLINS GOBBLING; 5 SCAREY SPOOKS! 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the eleventh day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 11 MASKS A-LEERING; 10 GHOULS A-GROANING; 9 GHOSTS A–BOOING; 8 MONSTERS SHRIEKING; 7 PUMPKINS GLOWING; 6 GOBLINS GOBBLING; 5 SCAREY SPOOKS! 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

On the twelfth day of Halloween, my true love gave to me 12 BATS A-FLYING. 11 MASKS A-LEERING; 10 GHOULS A-GROANING; 9 GHOSTS A–BOOING; 8 MONSTERS SHRIEKING; 7 PUMPKINS GLOWING; 6 GOBLINS GOBBLING; 5 SCAREY SPOOKS! 4 SKELETONS; 3 BLACK CATS; 2 TRICK-OR-TREATERS; AND AN OWL IN A DEAD TREE!

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Orionid Meteors from Orion

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 October 30

Orionid Meteors from Orion
Image Credit & Copyright: Lu Shupei

 

Explanation: Meteors have been shooting out from the constellation of Orion. This was expected, as October is the time of year for the Orionids Meteor Shower. Pictured here, over a dozen meteors were caught in successively added exposures last weekend over Wulan Hada volcano in Inner Mongolia, China. The featured image shows multiple meteor streaks that can all be connected to a single small region on the sky called the radiant, here visible just above and to the left of the belt of Orion, The Orionids meteors started as sand sized bits expelled from Comet Halley during one of its trips to the inner Solar System. Comet Halley is actually responsible for two known meteor showers, the other known as the Eta Aquarids and visible every May. Next month, the Leonids Meteor Shower from Comet Tempel-Tuttle should also result in some bright meteor streaks.

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EarthSky News for Monday, Oct. 30: Moon in Aquarius, near Neptune

Moon in Aquarius, near Neptune

Tonight – October 30, 2017 – look for the moon and know that Neptune, the outermost of the major planets in our solar system, is near it on the sky’s dome. Just don’t expect to see Neptune. Even on the darkest of moonless nights, you need an optical aid to see it. What you can do tonight is use the moon to get a feel for the whereabouts of Neptune in our sky. Plus, you might be able to glimpse the zodiacal constellation Aquarius in the starry heavens.

Neptune lies within Aquarius’ boundaries now, and Aquarius lies to the north of the bright star Fomalhaut, which will be visible tonight – despite the moonlit glare. The sky chart of Aquarius below shows Fomalhaut as the bright (though unlabeled) star to the south of Aquarius, at a right ascension of 23 hours and a declination of -30o.

The ecliptic – roadway of the sun, moon and planets in our sky – passes right through the constellation Aquarius. Practiced sky gazers know that any planet of our solar system must reside on or near the ecliptic on our sky’s dome.

And right they are, for Neptune will be close to the 4th-magnitude zodiacal star Lambda Aquarii for the rest of this year.

Click here for a sky chart showing Neptune in front of Aquarius.

This star, Lambda Aquarii, is visible to the unaided eye as a faint speck of light in a dark country sky. This chart from skyandtelescope.com provides the telescopic field of view and can help you find Neptune … once the moon moves away.

Neptune reigns as the most distant full-fledged planet in the solar system, since Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006.

Pluto wasn’t denied planetary status because it’s not massive enough to be a planet. Believe it or not, Pluto – in and of itself – has sufficient mass to qualify. Rather, Pluto was reclassified by the IAU because this world doesn’t have the heft to “clear the neighborhood around its orbit.”

Pluto, by the way, is locked into a 2:3 orbital resonance with Neptune. For every two times that Pluto circles the sun, Neptune circles the sun three times.

Beyond Neptune, there are a number of trans-Neptunian objects – sometimes called plutinos – that are also locked into a 2:3 orbital resonance with Neptune.

Once the moon leaves the evening sky, starting at the end of the first week of November, try locating Neptune in front of the constellation Aquarius, and near the star Lambda Aquarii. Be forewarned. You’ll need an optical aid, and probably a good sky chart plus lots of patience to see this faint and distant planet.

Bottom line: On October 30, 2017, the moon passes close to Neptune on our sky’s dome.

 

Bruce McClure

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

Published on EarthSky