The Aquarius-Pisces Cusp

Discover the unique compassion of the Cusp of Sensitivity

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If you were born on the Aquarius-Pisces cusp, between February 15 to 21, you are full of compassion and creativity. You are born on the Cusp of Sensitivity and can feel the weight of the world — which is both a blessing and a curse!

Because you’re born on the Aquarius-Pisces cusp, you feel the influence of both planets Uranus and Neptune. Uranus (the ruling planet of Aquarius) riles up your eccentric and progressive energy, while Neptune (the ruling planet of Pisces) encourages you to embrace your dreams and imagination. You might find that you frequently get lost in in your mind, and have trouble keeping up with the real world! But your thoughts can be impressively powerful and spiritual, so keep feeding that vast brain of yours.

Spiritual, artistic, peace-loving, and friendly, those born on the Aquarius-Pisces cusp are highly original people. This is the cusp most likely to be labeled “offbeat” or “eccentric”. You are highly intellectual, however, probably not so good with practical details and follow-through. Your intuitive powers are very strong, and delving into spiritual matters and philosophical ideals is much more important to you than just managing the details of day-to- day life.

Born on the Cusp of Revolution, you’re action-oriented and strong, ready to lead and inspire! Your ability to stick to your guns alongside your outgoing, charismatic attitude will have you turning heads, making moves, and doing important things in this lifetime. One thing that’s sure to hold you back, however, is a lack of freedom. The more tied down you are the more stuck and frustrated you’ll feel. Seek opportunities that will allow you freedom and independence!

You are incredibly sensitive to the world around you, but this doesn’t mean you burst into tears at the slightest thing! On the contrary, you’re quite strong emotionally. What it means is that you are especially in-tune with the feelings, fears, hopes, and needs of everyone around you. The humanitarianism of Aquarius combines with the empathy of Pisces to help you — or maybe force you — to take compassion and understanding to new heights. You absorb the feelings of those around you and have a genuine desire to help others. However, it’s important you remember to nurture your own needs and feelings, too. The emotions of the world can often be negative, and could make you feel depressed or overwhelmed from time to time. Allow yourself the same love you so willingly give to others.

Strengths:

Understanding, empathetic, generous, intuitive, idealistic, creative

Your innate sensitivity and love for humanity make you a very kind, caring, and generous individual. Others are attracted to your selflessness and ability to see the world with all- encompassing compassion and understanding. You’re strongly appreciated amongst your friends and family because you’re such a great listener and confidant.

Weaknesses:

Detached, depressed, isolated, unfocused, insecure

Your mind is in the clouds and your eyes are on the future, which disconnects you from what’s happening in the present moment. It can be hard for you to engage in casual, everyday conversation with friends, family, or coworkers, because you’d rather escape into your imagination. Dreams will enrich you, but you’ll need to pull yourself back down to earth every once in a while in order to live your fullest, most balanced life.

Compatibility:

You make a delightful partner! You have a lot of love to give and have an even greater understanding of how your partner wants to be loved. Earth signs will appreciate your sensitivity and your unwavering compassion, and will help keep you grounded with their firm grasp on reality. Water signs will understand you. They will connect with you on an intuitive, spiritual level and provide you with the deep talks you crave and domesticity you need.

Advice:

Allow your creativity to flow! Find a life path that encourages your daydreaming self to do what you do best. Be as imaginative and creative as you can — you won’t feel fulfilled otherwise. Offer your empathetic ear and words of advice to those who need it, and try not to let the sad stuff get to you. You have a rare understanding of the world and have unique ideas on how to change it, so keep moving and stay hopeful!

Celebrities:

Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, Eckhart Tolle, Kurt Cobain, Trevor Noah, Paris Hilton, John Travolta

 

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2018

If You Were Born Today, February 21

You are generally very well-liked and inspiring to others. Others might not know just how sensitive you are, as your outward personality is easygoing. A tad moody, you frequently experience restlessness on an emotional level. Many of you possess literary talents and a fine sense of humor. You have a pragmatic and organized side to your personality that is distinct but not always immediately apparent. Famous people born today: Anais Nin, Erma Bombeck, Chuck Palahniuk, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Nina Simone.

Your Birthday Year Forecast

The Sun in a waxing sextile to the Moon in your Solar Return chart has a fortunate influence on your year ahead. You can be especially productive this year, as in many ways you are starting fresh, but you have a rather clear vision of what you want to accomplish. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa, which helps to boost your confidence and happiness levels. You more readily accept that challenges are part of the natural cycle in life, which in turn helps you to meet them with confidence and to worry less. You are likely to be on top of your game this year for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there will be less stress on both your mind and body.

The period ahead is a particularly busy one. At times, you may feel like the pace of your life is running ahead of you. You can be especially productive, however, in all types of communications–writing, speaking, learning, teaching, and so forth. You are willing to put in the effort for a mental interest or project, and you can feel pleasantly dedicated to your work or ideas in the year ahead. You are more able to focus on what you’re doing and communicating, and you’re more inclined to notice and consider details.

Exciting (not jarring) changes and new interests characterize the period ahead with Uranus transiting in harmony with your Sun. It’s easier than usual 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 this year. It’s a good time to join organizations and groups and to attend meetings or social events. You are able to find creative solutions to problems now. Flexibility is the key to success under this influence. Your personality is sparkling this year, which is sure to attract new circumstances and people into your life.

Even so, Saturn is also transiting in harmony with your sign this year, and this is a stabilizing energy. With both Uranus and Saturn on your side, you’ll enjoy a nice balance between tradition and progress. Changes occurring this year are generally measured ones. This is a year in which you put your life in order in some significant manner. Improved concentration, a more realistic outlook, and a practical awareness of the limits of time all help you to make steady progress, particularly in your career. Your concern for your future this year is stronger than usual, and you may find that projects you start, or investments you make, this year will benefit you for years to come.

Venus conjunct Neptune in your Solar Return chart this year is an extremely romantic influence. This could be a year in which romance enters your life or is enhanced. The only real danger with this aspect is the tendency to be starry-eyed about your romantic and social relationships. Fresh beginnings on creative levels are likely. Heightened sensitivity to, and awareness of, beauty and spirituality characterize the year ahead. You are easily influenced, seducible and seductive, and given to strong powers of imagination. You are more attuned to the world of beauty and romance, and gentleness with others is the best way to harness this energy. It can certainly be a magical time on a romantic and social level, but it could also be a confusing or illusory influence as well. You should be more vigilant with money matters and watch for a tendency to glamorize your situation or relationships at times.

Even so, Venus also squares Mars, and this aspect suggests some dynamic, exciting, or disruptive events in your romantic or social worlds this year. This aspect ignites your passions in general, whether they‘re feelings of love or anger!

You are seeking out equal, fair, and balanced relationships. There can be a stronger inclination towards togetherness and sharing, creating harmony, and sharing power now. You may gain an advantage in business or finances or by promoting harmony and beauty.

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

You may be actively involved in teamwork and collaboration with others this year. Your passions are stirred and you’re likely to make positive connections with others. There can be the beginning of a significant new relationship or the intensification of an existing bond.

You have a stronger ability to direct your energies into meaningful activities. In some ways, you can be quite self-contained as you pursue passion projects. However, you may need to watch for hooking onto impractical ventures. As well, your energy level can vary greatly from one period to the next, so take advantage of the “high” periods in order to offset the possible loss in productivity during the low-energy stages. At times you may feel a little lacking in direction, but give yourself some time to find it.

You’re up for a challenge this year, and you’re particularly amorous or creative. This is a good time to experiment but also to stabilize your life in key areas. This can be an especially tuned-in year for self-expression, not only verbally but through hobbies, games, or sports. It’s bound to be a busy time for you, sometimes lacking in clear direction, but also good for optimism and many new ideas and interests. Your personality sparkles and you’re ready to try new things.

 

2018 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.

2019 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.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, February 21

 

Aries

This day has a strong potential to be both sentimentally touching and practical, dear Aries. You’re taking things step by step, which works best under today’s influences, and holds the added benefit of helping you relax as you sort things out in an organized fashion, mainly related to work or life path goals and responsibilities. This can be a time for resolving a problem that has been weighing you down. As well, Venus and Neptune’s alignment in your privacy sector suggests warm moments in your emotional life. This is a yearly event that presents an excellent opportunity to bring more compassion and imagination to a relationship or to forgive and let go of a past relationship matter or connection. It’s a lovely time to find inspiration and to start fresh on an emotional level. There can be magic in the air you cannot quite describe. As such, now is the time to give others the benefit of the doubt; you may find your kindness rewarded in an unexpected way! The other side of that coin, however, is that your rosy mood may blind you to romantic or financial issues that you would otherwise take more seriously.

Taurus

Venus and Neptune coming together is an excellent time to re-evaluate concerns you have within your friendships, dear Taurus. Interpersonal problems can be worked through with newfound clarity and compassion. Approach others with forgiveness and consideration and look forward to a brighter relationship, but be careful not to wind up with your head up in the clouds. In your efforts to improve your relationships, do not forget to focus on your relationship with yourself, dear Taurus! Consider how you might feel in the long-term, and strive to achieve the happiness you deserve. This aspect is wonderful for connecting with your spiritual, emotional, romantic, or imaginative needs and embracing them. It can be a time for forgiving someone or letting go of a social problem or grievance so that you can bring more positive energy to your current and future relationships. Or, this can be a time of wonderful inspiration, compassion, and warmth related to a relationship or special project. Dreams and hopes or wishes are inspiring now. Also today, a more practical influence is with you, and it’s especially strong for taking care of the details and logistics of a plan or your life, in general. Conversations can be super useful now. Making lists or writing out intentions can also help you sort out clutter.

Gemini

Your communication at work may see a shift away from productivity and into compassion, dear Gemini, so that you may find your interactions feel more meaningful and fresh. Today, your idealism is stirred. An entirely new activity can help bring emotional refreshment. It will be important to keep yourself grounded and realistic, as you are likely seeing romantic partners in a dreamy way and entertaining many thoughts of what the future might bring. Helping you out in this manner is a Mercury-Saturn sextile that’s good for work and problem-solving. This is an excellent time to listen carefully to a partner, and put in extra effort to learn, study, or perfect a project or craft. You’re seen in a very nice light today.

 

Cancer

Venus and Neptune align this afternoon, dear Cancer, which can help you look ahead into an idealistic version of your future. It’s a good time to let go of any unhealthy attachments in your life and take a break from the usual routine. You may find your idealized view of the future clouding your judgment of the present, however. Nevertheless, this is a strong time to improve interpersonal relationships, particularly when it comes to forgiveness and reaching new understandings. A Mercury-Saturn sextile also influencing the day is excellent for dissecting and digging for answers, which can be especially satisfying and beneficial.

 

Leo

A conjunction between Venus and Neptune encourages your imagination today, dear Leo. Listen closely, as some fuzziness is likely when it comes to an understanding of another person’s perspective. You may find yourself seeing beauty in the unexpected and maybe even enjoy some increased intimacy in your life. Your imagination soars – you’re seeing life in a different, dreamy, and inspiring way right now. Yearnings are powerful today and can dominate your thinking. However, a Mercury-Saturn sextile helps ground you. In fact, there is wisdom in your approach today. It’s easier than usual to identify time wasters and waste in general. This transit helps you tighten up details and work.

 

Virgo

From today on is a period of creating and strengthening positive relationships, as well as sharing ideas with others, dear Virgo. While this is a time to enjoy flights of fancy, particularly regarding a partner or a relationship, it would be prudent to ensure you don’t stray too far from the practical world. Still, take some time to enjoy wearing the proverbial rose-colored glasses. Helping ground you is a Mercury-Saturn sextile. A patient approach brings the most benefits today. This transit is strong for adopting a patient approach. You instinctively know that taking your time to perfect something will be more satisfying in the long run.

 

Libra 

Today, you can put effort into a creative project now and truly make headway, dear Libra. A Mercury-Saturn sextile helps ground you and assists you in giving your life more order. Even so, you may very well enjoy some fuzzy thinking as your ruler, Venus, aligns with Neptune encouraging you to relax and escape the mundane. You’re prone to romanticize or glamorize your relationships or situations and people in your life right now. You’re surely in need of some fantasy and escape! Ideas are creative, and feelings are compassionate. While the day is complicated, your powers of attraction are powerful. You can successfully bring imagination to your work and even your health routines now.

 

Scorpio

Lovely Venus and Neptune come together in your sector of creativity and romance today, dear Scorpio, and you can quite quickly get caught up in fantasy. A new creative project begun now can be successful. You can be especially inspired to express your feelings or emotions in unique ways. This can be an imaginative day for a creative project as well. Children, lovers, a creative endeavor, or a favorite pastime can provide a pleasant detour from stress and a nice form of escape. If you expect too much from a regular day, then you could feel a little let down. Otherwise, it’s a fine day for finding beauty in what you have and perfection in imperfections. As well, you benefit from a Mercury-Saturn sextile that is stabilizing and grounding. Practical problem solving is favored.

 

Sagittarius

This is a lovely time for dreaming up new ideas, particularly related to home life, harmony, comfort, and understanding, dear Sagittarius. You are willing to see the beauty in imperfection. With expectations reasonable, this can be a good day for a bit of an escape from recent pressures. Activities, particularly at home or with family, that engage your imagination are favored now. You are also creative, and your artistic flair can show itself most in your domestic world. As well, a Mercury-Saturn sextile helps you tame your desires and think in practical terms, and you tend to be valued for your input or advice. You more happily meet deadlines and fulfill your responsibilities. An organized and patient attitude can get you far today.

 

Capricorn

A very imaginative, creative aspect occurs today, dear Capricorn, and also a decidedly practical one. The result is, ideally, a very balanced and productive day. In fact, it’s this kind of combination of vision and realism that gets results. The Venus-Neptune alignment encourages you to see the beauty in your daily environment and your connections. News coming in, or a conversation you have, can be inspiring, forgiving, or relieving. You thrive when your imagination is engaged today, and you can thoroughly enjoy helping others or sharing ideas now. Even so, the Mercury-Saturn aspect enables you to concentrate and focus on practical details if needed.

 

Aquarius

Each year, Venus aligns with Neptune, dear Aquarius, inspiring a new beginning of sorts related to the world of your feelings, sentiments, relationships, and values as they relate to your higher, spiritual, imaginative needs, ideals, and principles. Since this yearly alignment has been happening in your resources sector for the past five to six years, this likely has to do with your relationship to your things, resources, talents, and sense of self-worth. Today, you may be feeling especially inspired and ready to start fresh, and this can have to do with increased faith in yourself and your natural talents. There is also a highly practical transit influencing the day, and it’s constructive for sorting your thoughts and personal environment so that you feel less overwhelmed, caged in, or cluttered. Mercury in your sign harmonizes with Saturn, and this favors practical thinking and gaining respect for your ideas or input.

Pisces

Neptune, your ruler, has been transiting your sign for some years now, dear Pisces, and each year, Venus meets up with Neptune in Pisces, as is the case today. Others are most certainly drawn to you now. This is an excellent time to make a first impression or to get noticed. You have much in the way of quiet and subtle power right now, but do be careful how you use this, as there can be a tendency to play into others’ fantasies. This is a strong time for romance, attraction, and the creative arts. While all of these things apply, another influence holding sway over the day is a decidedly practical one – Mercury and Saturn harmonize now, making it easier than usual to organize and sort through details, plans, and ideas, and considering what is feasible.

Your Daily Love Horoscopes for Wednesday, February 21

Maria DeSimone

From Tarot.com

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2018

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun

Feralia: Day of Purification

Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: On a white cloth put a lit candle, incense, a cup of water, and a bowl of salt.
Offering: Although this day is not a day of total silence, it is a solemn day and talking should be done only when necessary and in quiet tones. Bodies should be thoroughly cleaned during the bathing hour, and then the altar area should be cleaned and purified with all four elements. Each person, upon entering the altar space at the beginning of Sponde should remove their clothing and be naked, and each body should be purified with the four elements and marked with water and salt, at which point they may enrobe again. Chores of the day should concentrate on cleaning and repair.
Daily Meal: Vegan and extremely simple and plain.

Feralia Invocation

Breathe the air into your body
And breathe out again,
And as you breathe out,
Let all grime and corruption
Depart on that breath
(All breathe together for twelve breaths.)
Feel the blood coursing through your body
And imagine it clean
Of anything but what should be there.
Feel the energy coursing through your body
And wash it clean
Of anything that does not belong.
Feel the Earth beneath you,
Remember that She can absorb all
Remember that all rot is her provenance
Draw her energy up into you
And give it back again.

(After this grounding, all breathe together again in a yogic breathing pattern for the next half an hour, after which all will go with water and salt and incense and fire to all rooms in the house and cleanse them. Great care should be taken for the rest of the day not to disturb the energy of the freshly cleaned house.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

The Daily Astronomy Digest for Wednesday, February 21

Time’s Hands

 

Time’s hands have delicately unlaced the corset
That has been cinching the waist of my existence

 

They’ve removed the trap my breath was caught in
That kept me from knowing the true essence of life

 

My lungs are expanding out into the universe
I’m moving beyond a life of barely breathing

 

Time’s hands have extricated the pain inside my heart
That has kept me loveless under gray mourning skies

 

They’ve removed the hurt that was a burden in my hands
That tore my intimate relationships into tiny little pieces

 

I’m not going to live alone in isolation anymore

 

I’m going to love open and free in the wilds of the woods
With an mellifluous heart that’s not bound by life’s taboos

 

Time’s hands have pried open my impermeable mind
That has been hibernating inside comfort far too long

 

They’ve removed phrenic layers of apprehension
That have cursed my restless thoughts with anxiety

 

I’m not going to live inside procrastination anymore

 

I’m going to let my mind travel to Seseine’s realms
Let it drink in the gratification of life’s divine temptations

 

Time’s hands have pierced my visions of tomorrow
That have been locked inside my dreaming eye

 

They’ve removed the veil of illusions blinding me
That kept me from seeing beyond today’s tears

 

I’m not going to live inside oblivion anymore

 

I’m going to move beyond yesterday’s seclusion
With guidance from my inner 3rd eye divination

 

Time’s hands have freed my imprisoned soul
That has been caged inside a lifeless existence

 

They’ve removed the chains that bound me to my past
That kept me from seeing the sun rise over the moon

 

I’m not going to live inside dissolution anymore

 

I’m going to dance with the muses ’til the end of time
Under endless skies of creativity that I hold in my hand

 

Time’s hands have woken my hidden dreams
That have been sleeping inside disquieting fear

 

They’ve knocked down the walls surrounding me
That I built with my own two distrustful hands

 

I’m not going to live inside apprehension anymore

 

I’m going to fly on wings of imagination to the ends of the universe
Where I’ll drink in the stars as I soar through the celestial skies

 

Savannah Skye, Author
Originally published on Pagan Library

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Wednesday, February 21

The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 134.48° SE
Sun Altitude: 30.15°
Sun Distance: 91.940 million mi
Next Equinox: Mar 20, 2018 11:15 am (Vernal)
Sunrise Today: 6:35 am↑ 103° East
Sunset Today: 5:40 pm↑ 258° West
Length of Daylight: 11 hours, 4 minutes

 

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 73.25° ENE
Moon Altitude: -5.82°
Moon Distance: 235645 mi
Next Full Moon: Mar 1, 20186:51 pm
Next New Moon: Mar 17, 20188:11 am
Next Moonrise: Today10:00 am
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 31.9%

Source

timeanddate.com

Your Astrology for Wednesday, February 21st

The Moon is in Taurus.
The Moon is waxing and in its Waxing Crescent phase.
The New Moon/Solar Eclipse occurred in the sign of Aquarius on the 15th, and the First Quarter Moon will occur on February 23rd.

 

Moon in Taurus

The Moon is traveling through comfy Taurus today. Eat something you love. Have a second serving.

We are motivated by the desire for serenity, security, peace, and comfort. The Moon is at her most sensual and constant in Taurus. Our basic impulses are to relax, resist change, and “stop to smell the roses”. Life slows down a little, and we get comfortable. We may also be inclined to stubbornness and materialism under this influence.

The Moon in Taurus generally favors the following activities: Substantial and material actions that yield solid results. Financial activities, and those involving personal possessions, applying for a loan, beginning a potentially long-term relationship, music, home decor.

 

Overview of the Planets and Stars for Wednesday, February 21st

A conjunction of Venus and Neptune happens today in the sign of Pisces, and this is a gentle, subtle, and imaginative influence. We can experience heightened sensitivity to — and awareness of — beauty and spirituality, and we might feel renewed on creative levels. We are easily influenced, seducible and seductive, and given to strong powers of imagination. We are particularly attuned to the world of beauty and romance today. Psychic openness and compassion are themes in our interactions now. This can be a magical time on a romantic and social level, but it could also be a confusing or illusory influence as well.

However, a Mercury-Saturn sextile is also in play today, and it helps ground us, at least on mental levels. This transit promotes a deliberate and efficient approach to the world around us. We see the benefits of getting organized, making lists, attending to details, and making sound judgments and decisions. The Moon spends the day in stable, gentle Taurus.

The sky this week for February 21 to 25

Two stunning star clusters, one of the sky’s largest asterisms, and the majestic Aldebaran all visit the sky this week.
By Richard Talcott

Wednesday, February 21

The dwarf planet Ceres reached opposition and peak visibility in late January, and it remains a fine sight this month. It currently shines at magnitude 7.2 and is an easy object to spot through binoculars. The largest member of the asteroid belt resides in the northern part of the constellation Cancer the Crab, which appears in the east once darkness falls and climbs highest in the south around 11 p.m. local time. This evening, Ceres lies 0.6° due south of the magnitude 5.7 star Sigma1 (σ1) Cancri.

Thursday, February 22

The half-lit Moon rides high in the south just after sunset and then sinks slowly toward the western horizon throughout the rest of the evening. Our satellite officially reaches its First Quarter phase at 3:09 a.m. EST tomorrow morning. The Moon spends the evening hours in western Taurus, not far from the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters.

 

Friday, February 23

The waxing gibbous Moon lies just east of the 1st-magnitude star Aldebaran this evening. Depending on where in North America you live, the gap appears to be 4° or 5° in early evening and grows about 0.5° every hour thereafter. Aldebaran represents the eye of Taurus the Bull and appears to mark one tip of the V-shaped Hyades star cluster. In reality, Aldebaran lies only about half as far from Earth as the cluster does.

Saturday, February 24

Mars follows about two hours behind Jupiter these winter mornings. The magnitude 0.9 Red Planet rises shortly after 2 a.m. local time and appears 25° high as twilight starts to paint the sky. It lies against the backdrop of southern Ophiuchus, and this morning has a close encounter with the 9th-magnitude globular star cluster NGC 6287. Astroimagers will want to capture the planet as it passes just 15′ north of the cluster. Unfortunately, the view of Mars through a telescope proves disappointing — its disk spans only 6″ and shows no detail.

Sunday, February 25

Although Saturn passed on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth only two months ago, it already appears conspicuous in the southeastern sky before dawn. From mid-northern latitudes, the ringed planet lies 15° above the horizon as twilight begins. Saturn shines at magnitude 0.6 and appears significantly brighter than any of the background stars in its host constellation, Sagittarius the Archer.

Source

The Astronomy Magazine

In the Sky This Month

Three bright planets congregate in the southeastern quadrant of the sky at dawn this month. Jupiter is the brightest and highest of the three, shining brilliantly from near the center of Libra, high in the south at first light. At the same time, Saturn is low in the southeast, just above the teapot formed by the brightest stars of Sagittarius. Mars slides between them. It begins the month closer to Jupiter (and close to its “rival,” Antares), but ends the month closer to Saturn.

February 21: Wezen
Canis Major, the big dog, is in the southeast as night falls. The constellation’s third-brightest star, Wezen, is one of the biggest, brightest stars in our part of the galaxy. It’s also one of the youngest, at an age of just 10 million years.

February 22: First-Quarter Moon
The Moon will reach its first-quarter phase tonight, as sunlight illuminates half of the lunar hemisphere that faces Earth. The illuminated fraction will grow larger each day until the Moon is full on March 1.

February 23: Moon and Aldebaran
The bright orange star Aldebaran, which marks the eye of Taurus, the bull, stands to the lower right of the Moon as night falls and leads the Moon down the western sky later on. The star is about 65 light-years from Earth.

February 24: Venus Returns
The planet Venus, the brilliant “evening star,” is returning to view. It is quite low in the west at sunset, so any trees or buildings along the horizon will block it from view. If you have a clear horizon, though, you may be able to pick it out.

February 25: Blue Beauty
The constellation Monoceros is well up in the southeast in early evening, between the bright stars Procyon and Betelgeuse. A telescope reveals that the unicorn’s second-brightest star actually consists of three stars, all of which shine blue-white.

February 26: Lynx
An obscure cat known as Lynx pads high across the sky at this time of year. It stands high in the north-northeast in early to mid evening, about half way between the outer stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper and the bright twins of Gemini.

February 27: Moon at Perigee
The Moon is closest to Earth for its current orbit today, a point known as perigee. The Moon will be full on March 1, so the combination of perigee and an almost-full Moon will produce above-average tides.

Source

StarDate

The Witches Current Moon Phase for February 21

Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 30%

TODAY – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018
The Moon today is in a Waxing Crescent Phase. A Waxing Crescent is the first Phase after the New Moon and is a great time to see the features of the moon’s surface. During this phase the Moon can be seen in the wester sky after the sun dips below the horizon at sunset. The moon is close to the sun in the sky and mostly dark except for the right edge of the moon which becomes brighter as the days get closer to the next phase which is a First Quarter with a 50% illumination.

 

PHASE DETAILS FOR – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018
Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 30%
Moon Age: 5.47 days
Moon Angle: 0.53
Moon Distance: 373,787.33 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,974,136.47 km

Source

MoonGiant.com