How Magical Are You According to Your Sun Sign?

by Troi G.

 

Do you believe in real magic? And by magic we mean serendipity, messages, signs, odd happenings, mysterious manifestations, and getting what you want with the power of your mind. We’re all magical to some degree but how magical are you according to your sun sign?

Note:

• Fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are really good at candle and sex magic.
• Air signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are excellent at mind magic and communication.
• Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces have really well-developed intuitive/feeling skills.
• Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are very good at using the power of the earth.

Aries March 21 – April 19

Aries, your strongest abilities lie in your adventurousness and courage. Therefore, your magical abilities lie in these areas too. How many times do things work for you when they would not work out for anyone else? Your sheer willpower carries you through. Tip: when you really want something to manifest for you, think about it at that magical moment before orgasm. All that power will be focused on your desire. Have fun with that.

Taurus April 20 – May 20

Taurus, you are so connected to the earth that your power seeps up from the very ground. Earth magic is a powerful force. Draw upon it to create security, stability, and refuge. Love and money spells work well for you because you are already tuned into abundance and certainty. Tip: next time you are thinking of bringing something new into your life, imagine the energy pulsing up through your feet. Like a magnet it attracts exactly what you need.

Gemini May 21 – June 20

Gemini, your magical talent is in your ability to free up your mind. You are like an antenna, tuning into the wild network of thought and communication which surrounds us. You have a skill for picking out the important details, for anticipating what a person will say. This sensitivity can help you in all walks of life. Tip: This is a skill you can develop, don’t ignore it.

Cancer June 21 – July 22

Cancer, you are empathic and emotional. You know how someone feels instinctively. You can feel moods and tune into the atmosphere in a room. Therefore, you would be very good at tarot reading or other divinatory skill. Your ability to counsel someone through a difficult time is also part of your magical repertoire. Tip: Don’t underestimate your own abilities, you have magical skills that can help others.

Leo July 23 – August 22

Leo, your magical abilities lie in the realm of inspiration. You somehow always know what your next move is. It is as if you are guided by an invisible hand. Your personal charisma can be so magical that you always get your way. People always turn up when you need them. Tip: think about how you can use your magical abilities for good things. Giving leads to increased satisfaction.

Virgo August 23 – September 22

Virgo, you have a natural ability for healing. People calm down in your presence. You can call on that earth energy to give you all the strength you need to bring peace to any situation. You are the negotiator, the mediator, and the conciliator. Tip: if you haven’t already, explore the possibilities of becoming a professional healer. You will excel.

Libra September 23 – October 22

Libra, your magical skills lie in your ability to bring beauty, harmony, and balance. As an air sign, you are excellent at communication and you are able to see situations from both sides, including beyond the veil of life and death. You can even tune into messages from the past. Tip: Give yourself permission to listen to those soft, whispering voices.

Scorpio October 23 – November 21

Scorpio, you have a range of magical abilities. From knowing what other people’s true motives are, to communicating with the dead. The main downside is that you are drawn to the black arts as well as using your power for good. Tip: Stop, breathe, and think before you cast that curse. You are more powerful than you know.

Sagittarius November 22 – December 21

Sagittarius, your positive attitude brings what you want, even things you didn’t know you wanted. Your optimism means you are constantly pleased and surprised by these magical, spontaneous deliveries. Tip: If you set your mind to it, your manifestations could be even more deliberate and satisfying. Take time to learn how to manipulate energy.

Capricorn December 22 – January 19

Capricorn, abundance and manifesting your desire are your top skills. However, you have others. That strong pulsing earth energy means you are far more spiritual and magical than you ever thought. You just need to keep an open mind and be prepared to try new things. Tip: buy yourself a book on witchcraft and see what you can do.

Aquarius January 20 – February 18

Aquarius, you are probably among the most magical people on the planet. You have the ability to communicate with faery folk and entities hidden from the rest of us. You can see and hear beyond the normal realm. Aquarius, you can create anything you want when you focus your power. Tip: the magical world is your oyster, explore everything.

Pisces February 19 – March 20

Pisces, your abilities lie in the realm of imagination. If you can imagine it, you can create it. Like the other water signs you are also a healer, a visionary, and can empathize with any living soul. Tip: Your special skills are in your dreamworld. Study the language of dreams and develop the ability to lucid dream. A whole new universe of magical possibilities will open up for you.

We all have the capability to tune into the magical world, if we want to. Why live a mundane existence when you can delve into powers and skills you didn’t know you have? Be adventurous, live your life with a touch of magic. Discover how magical you really are.

5 Things to Know About Equinox

Equinox: You Know What to Do

The 2018 Equinox

Known

Out of the dark
Out of the shadows
Out of the closet

Stand and be known…

Draw down the moon

Cast the energy
Work the magick

Stand and be known …

Fear be gone
Hatred is shed
Dread is released

Stand and be known …

Know who you are
Accept who you are
Walk your path

Stand and be known …

For you are daughter
For you are a Sister
For you are a Witch

Stand and be known…

 

A Witch’s Prayerbook
JoAnne Spiese

Only at Magickal Necessities

A starving Moon can plummet your emotions

---

 

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

If You Were Born Today, September 17

You’re a very practical person, yet also attuned to spiritual values. You expect a lot from others, but even more from yourself. The tendency to be controlling should be watched, as well as the tendency to be overly controlled, guarded and self-contained. You are very hardworking and have amazing organizational skills. You are also extremely helpful to others and have a unique sense of humor. You could find much success in intellectual pursuits. You dream big dreams, and sometimes are quite discontented with everyday realities. Even so, you can be somewhat skeptical, simply because your mind is highly analytical. Famous people born today: Hank Williams, Anne Bancroft, Elvira, John Ritter, William Carlos Williams, Roddy McDowell, Kyle Chandler.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

Your birthday occurs around a First Quarter Moon this year, and you are reaching an important turning point in terms of personal growth. You may be more emotional this year, and should watch for unnecessary conflicts and making hasty decisions as a result. Otherwise, this is a year of great energy, motivation, and growth. You are more ambitious and desirous of action in the year ahead. This should be a busy, dynamic period in your life.

You are likely to be popular with others when it comes to your ideas and communications this year, especially as you are communicating with optimism and cheerfulness, and this can bring rewarding experiences and opportunities into your life. Even so, your studies, learning, and focus run deep this year. You’re likely to find some especially engrossing projects and activities during this period that keep you busy and engaged.

Energy fluctuates this year, however. If you aren’t too rash or impulsive, you might be able to free yourself from restrictive circumstances. You could also have more courage than usual to do things that break the routine, and confrontations engaged in this year could clear the air and help you to move forward.

With Venus and Mars in a square aspect to each other in your Solar Return chart, your affections are strongly stimulated, and you are more acutely aware of your powers of attraction. Romance, love, sexuality, competition, and creative projects occupy your mind more than usual. You can enjoy an increase in personal magnetism but be wary of competitiveness or tension in existing relationships, as this aspect ignites your passions in general, whether they’re feelings of love or anger!

You’re also quite driven to make improvements and effect positive change in the year ahead. This positively impacts many areas of your life beyond the personal, including relationships and work.

This is a time when you feel confident and supported enough to pursue your desires. It’s a good time to take steps towards making yourself feel more secure and safe, and for family or domestic activities. This is also a period when you more readily support or defend your loved ones, and they do the same! New connections and opportunities can be sudden but welcome.

The year ahead is likely to be an especially enterprising one, although at times a bit erratic! In certain areas of your life, you’re inclined to rock the boat during this period so that you can break free from a limiting situation. Be mindful when/if making sweeping changes. In other areas, you’re super-focused and determined to succeed. Some relationships (or a key one) can be competitive or up-and-down, but you’re also making special connections. Special care with finances is wise this year, particularly when it comes to impulse spending.

 

2018 is a Number One year for you. Ruled by the Sun. This is a year of action. The seeds you plant now, you will reap later. Others might find you less sociable, as you are busier than ever and you focus on your activities and your needs. Still, you are outgoing and your initiative is stronger than ever. Advice – Stand alone, take action, start fresh, express independence.

2019 will be a Number Two year for you. Ruled by the Moon. This is a year of potential companionship. It is a quiet, gentle, and mostly harmonious year that is less active than other years. Instead, you are more responsive to the needs of others. If you are patient and open yourself up in a gentle manner, you will attract both things and people. This is an excellent year in which to build and develop for the future. Advice – be patient, be receptive, enjoy the peace, collect.

By Eleanor

The Witches Magickal Journal for Monday, September 17

“Ordinary fortune-tellers tell you what you want to happen; witches tell you what’s going to happen whether you want it to or not. Strangely enough, witches tend to be more accurate but less popular.”

– Terry Pratchett – The Wee Free Men

Monday: Keep the moon safe from the wolf

Easy to remember – Monday is the Moon Day. The word moon is associated with the Norse god Mona (Máni). He was pulling the moon accross the sky, trying to escape and save it from a mythological wolf. At the end of the world, the wolf will catch them and tear the moon into pieces. This apocalyptic period of the world is called Ragnarok in Norse mythology.

In Romance languages, Monday is also the Moon Day (lunes in Spanish, lundi in French, lunedi in Italian: coming from Latin Dies Lunae).

Today is Monday, September 17

 

Monday is the sacred day of the moon, personified as the goddesses Selene, Luna, and Mani. The moon is ruler of flow, affecting the changeable and impressionable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, then the powers of the moon are at their most potent.

Deity: Mani

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Planet: Moon

Tree: Willow

Herb: Chickweed

Stone: Agate

Animal: Crab

Element: Water

Color: Green

Rune: Lagu (L)

 

The Celtic Tree Month of Muin (Vine) ( September 2 – September 29)

The Runic Half Month of Ken (September 13 – September 27)

Goddess of the Month of Mala (September 6 – October 2)

 

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

The Goddess Book of Days for September 17

 

The third day of the Eleusinian Mysteries, offerings of barley and grain, the life force. In Byzantia, Holy Day of St. Sophia (Wisdom) and her three daughters, Faith, Hope and Charity. They are the Three Fates, the Morrigan, the Three Mothers, and the Noms.

Goddesses Associated with Monday, the Day of the Moon

Luna, Selene, Diana, Re, Gealach, Ida, Artemis, the Witches, Yemaya, Erzulie

Source

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

On Monday, September 17th, We Celebrate….

 

The Month of Hathor (Egypt)
HATHOR

Themes: Joy; Love; Arts; Femininity; Beauty; Sexuality; Sky

Symbols: Mirrors; Cow; Sandalwood and Rose Incense; Rattles

 

About Hathor: One of the most beloved sky goddesses in Egypt, Hathor brings happiness,romance, and an appreciation for musical arts into our lives. Sacred or erotic dances are a welcome offering for Hathor, as is any effort to beautify the body. As the patroness of the toilette, she also protects women and embodies the pinnacle of feminine qualities. Her favorite musical instrument, the sistrum (a kind of rattle), was said to banish evil wherever it was played.

To Do Today: From September 17 until October 16, Hathor reigned in Egypt. To honor this goddess, make an effort to make yourself as physically appealing as possible, then spend some time with a significant other or in a social setting. In the first case, Hathor’s favor will increase love and passion; in the second, she’ll improve your chances of finding a bed partner.

To fill your living space with Hathor’s energy, take rice or beans and put them in a plastic container (this creates a makeshift rattle). Play some lusty music and dance clockwise around every room of the home shaking the rattle. Perhaps add a verbal charm like this one:

Love, passion and bliss,
by Hathor’s power kissed!

This drives away negativity, generates joyful vibrations, promotes artistic awareness, and increases love each time you kiss someone in your home.

Reference

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

Monday’s Magick

Monday – Is associated with the Moon

Colours – White, Silver, Grey and Pearl.

Monday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Psychic Pursuits, Psychology, Dreams, Astral Travel, Imagination, Women’s Mysteries, Reincarnation, Short Trips, Women, Children, Public, Domestic Concerns, Emotions, Fluids, Magick, Spirituality, Nursing, Full moon magic, Purity, Protection, Truth, Meditation, Peace, Sincerity, Justice, Warding off Doubts and Fears, Anything to do with Water and Bodies of Water, Antiques, Trip Planning, Household Activities, Initiation, Astrology, New-Age Pursuits, Archetypes, Totem Animals, Shape-shifting and Religious Experiences.

 

Ritual Work Associated with Monday The Day of the Moon

Perfume: White Poppy, White Rose, Wallflower

Incense: Myrtle

Wood: Willow

Color: Silver, Grey-white

Influences: Agriculture, Domestic, Longlife, Medicine, Travels, Visions, Theft (new moon)

Reference:

A Book of Pagan Rituals
Herman Slater

The Magickal Day of Mondays

 

Monday is the day of the moon itself, and it’s a day that’s connected to lunar colors like silver, white, or even a pale blue. Metals and gemstones like silver, pearl, opal and moonstone all come into play today.

There are plenty of deities associated with the moon – Thoth and Diana for instance – and herbal correspondences include many members of the mint family. Utilize wintergreen or peppermint, as well as catnip, comfrey, sage and chamomile in your workings.

When it comes to Monday magic, because of that lunar connection, it’s a good time to focus on workings related to childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, and intuition. Do a little bit of self exploration and work on developing your intuition – learn to trust your gut. Celebrate birth and life, and make some magic to fix what is broken.

Author

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by ThoughtCo

Monday’s Witchery

Think for a moment on all of the witchery, magick and enchantments that you have discovered. Don’t be afraid to adjust spells to suit your own specific needs. Any gentle, illusory, and dreamy charms and spells can be enhanced when you work on the day of the week that is dedicated to the moon. Mondays are a fantastic day to boost your psychic abilities and to tune in to your intuition and empathy. It also gives you the opportunity to work with a different lunar phase each and every Monday, which means in one month you could work four different types of moon magicks on Mondays. How’s that for adding to your repertoire? You are going to have mad skills in no time at all.

So light up those lunar scented candles and add a little mystique to your outfit by wearing an enchanting lunar color. Wear your sparkling silver jewelry and maybe add a pair of dangling silver earrings or a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. Create lunar potions and philters; make a dream catcher and give it as a gift to someone you love. Burn some sandalwood or jasmine-scented incense today to inspire the glamour and magick of the moon. Slice up a favorite variety of fruit that is in season for a snack or share it with your love and enjoy his or her lunar and romantic qualities. Brew up a cup of chamomile tea, enchant it with a little moon magick, and relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Most importantly, get outside tonight and watch the moon for a while. What phase is she in? What color was the moon as she rose? Why not start a journal and write down at what location the moon rises and sets for a few seasons? This is a great way to teach you to tune in and to become more aware of the moon and the influence that she pulls into our lives. Try calling on Selene for her magickal assistance, and call Thoth for wisdom and strength. Get to know the Norse Mani and the Latvian Meness. These gods of the moon have plenty to teach, and if you allow their influence to cycle through your life, you’ll receive many blessings. Be imaginative, and create your own personal lunar magick and witchery. Go on….the moonlight becomes you

Source

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

The Witches Almanac for Monday, September 17

Constitution Day

 

Waxing Moon

Moon phase: Second Quarter

Moon Sign: Sagittarius

Moon enters Capricorn 7: 07 am

Incense: Clary sage

Color: Ivory

The Witches Correspondences for Monday, September 17

Day: Monday ( Moon-day)

Planet: Moon

Colors: Silver and White and Grey

Crystals: Moonstone, Pearl, Aquamarine, Silver, Selenite

Aroma: Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood, Moon Oil, African violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, and Wormwood

Herb: Moonwart

The sacred day of the Moon, personified by such goddesses as Selene, Luna, Diana, and Artemis. The Moon is ruler of flow affecting the changeable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, its powers are at theirmmost potent. Magical aspects: peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friendships, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility

Monday is ruled by the moon – an ancient symbol of mystery and peace. Monday is a special day for mothers as the cycle of the moon has long been associated with the female menstrual cycle. Those wishing to conceive a baby would be wise to try on a Monday as the magic of motherhood is strong and pregnancy is in the air.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving agriculture, animals, female fertility, messages, reconciliation’s, theft, voyages, dreams, emotions, clairvoyance, home, family, medicine, cooking, personality, merchandising, psychic work, Faerie magic, and Goddess rituals.

 

Monday and the Perfect Corresponding Spell

When dealing with a weekly spell guide, Mondays are thought to be the logical day for money, love, time and meditation spells. Since Mondays are thought to be the start of the work week, it gives plenty of time for a Monday spell to gain strength throughout the rest of the week

Hands of Time Spell

Items you will need:
Both hands
6 fingers

Hold both of your hands in front of you. Stare at your hands, noticing your palms and fingers, for about thirty seconds. Then, say this chant one time:

“Palms sweaty,
From watching clocks.
No more.
One finger,
For every ten docked.
Seconds in a minute
1440 in a day.
Stop a few,
For singing birds
And trees that sway.”

This should feel like time has slowed-down and allowed you to appreciate life more.

Reference

A Witch’s Week of Spells and Activities
Helga C. Loueen

The Season of the Witch

The Arrival of Mabon Approaches

The autumn equinox is the beginning to our most bewitching time of year, so let the magick of this wonderful fall season inspire you! Tip up your face to the golden autumn sunshine and be motivated by the energies and the sense of balance that is so prevalent at this time of the calendar year. Find a local Pagan Pride Day to attend. Be thankful for our freedom of religion. Go all out and celebrate the harvest. Decorate your home lavishly, plant fall-blooming flowers in the garden, bake some bread, or take the family apple picking.

Put up a scarecrow in your front yard, hang up a charming autumn flag, and tie some rustling cornstalks to your porch posts. Go to a local high school football game and cheer on your home team. Have a fall feast and roast a turkey, bake an apple or a pumpkin pie, and have fun celebrating this colorful and enchanting season. Create your own magickal traditions for the autumn with friends and family. Those memories will last a lifetime.

Celebrate the bounty of the earth and watch carefully for the lessons that nature has for you as she puts on her final colorful show of the year. Be thankful for your health, your home, and your loved ones. May you walk your path wisely this autumn, listening as the leaves rustle in the breeze and fall softly from the trees, with an appreciation and reverence for the natural magick that is always around you.

William Bliss Carman, Author
Published in Seasons of Witchery: Celebrating the Sabbats with the Garden Witch
Ellen Dugan

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Other Spirituality 365 Days a Year for September 17

Hildegard of Bingen

Hildegard of Bingen, Abbess of Rupertsberg (1098-1179), was known as the “Sibyl of the Rhine.” The 10th child of noble parents, Hildegard joined a monastery at age 8 and took the veil seven years later. A visionary from childhood, she wrote three mystical works, together with saints’ lives and works on natural ral history and medicine, but is more famous for her poetry and musical works. Honored in many German churches, Hildegard was never canonized, even though many miracles have been reported from her tomb.

Witch Tip #132 for Monday, September 17

 

To protect your home, cut a coconut in half, fill with protective herbs, seal shut again and bury somewhere on your property.

Witch Tips : The Essential Guide to Contemporary Witchcraft
A. Rayne

 

You’ve shopped the rest, now shop the best!

Posted by Eleanor

Posted by Eleanor

 

The Witches Astronomy Digest for Monday, September 17

“True magick is neither black nor white. It’s both, because Nature is both.
Loving and cruel, all at the same time

.The only good or bad is in the heart of the witch. Life keeps a balance on it’s own.”

–Lirio

Planetary Stations & Sign Ingresses

Sep 17 Moon enters Capricorn
Sep 19 Moon enters Aquarius
Sep 22 Mercury enters Libra
Sep 22 Moon enters Pisces
Sep 23 Sun enters Libra
Sep 24 Moon enters Aries
Sep 25 *~* Full Moon Aries
Sep 26 Chiron Retrograde enters Pisces
Sep 27 Moon enters Taurus
Sep 29 Moon enters Gemini

Your Daily Sun & Moon Data for Monday, September 17

The Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 279.32° W
Sun Altitude: -8.29°
Sun Distance: 93.442 million mi
Next Equinox: Sep 22, 2018 8:54 pm (Autumnal)
Sunrise Today: 6:37 am↑ 86° East
Sunset Today: 7:00 pm↑ 274° West
Length of Daylight: 12 hours, 23 minutes

The Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 194.77° SSW
Moon Altitude: 30.76°
Moon Distance: 248265 mi
Next Full Moon: Sep 24, 20189:52 pm
Next New Moon: Oct 8, 201810:46 pm
Next Moonset: Today11:51 pm
Current Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Moon’s Illumination: 50.7%

Reference

timeanddate.com

Astrology of Today – Monday, September 17, 2018

Today’s Moon:

The Moon is in Sagittarius until 7:07 AM, after which the Moon is in Capricorn.
The Moon is void until 7:07 AM (since yesterday at 7:14 PM).
The Moon is waxing and in its First Quarter phase.
The First Quarter Moon occurred yesterday, and the Full Moon will occur on September 24th.

Retrogrades/Stations:

Mars is in its post-retrograde shadow until October 8th (Mars was retrograde from June 26th to August 27th).
Venus is in its pre-retrograde shadow (Venus will be retrograde from October 5th to November 16th).
Current retrogrades: Uranus Rx, Neptune Rx, Pluto Rx, and Chiron RxThe First Quarter Moon Phase

About the First Quarter Moon Phase

The first quarter moon is when the moon appears half lit and occurs about a week after the new moon. It is considered the halfway point between the new moon and the full moon. In previous posts I have shared how the different moon phases affect us. This post will focus on how the first quarter moon affects us physically, mentally and emotionally.

The first quarter is considered the growth period of the moon cycle. The intentions that were set during the dark moon are beginning to take shape and during this time it is common to take on more than can be done. This is a great time to take classes or learn new skills that will help you to grow and accomplish your intentions and goals. It is also a great time to connect with God/Divine/Universe/Spirit to develop a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us.

During the first quarter moon energy is more balanced than the other moon phases and energy increases during 10am and 2pm. It is common to feel emotionally balanced and more outgoing. Dreams tend to be more realistic and less symbolic during this phase and it is common to have prophetic dreams during this time. You may notice that you lose weight during this time and have an increased thirst and/or hunger.

Take it easy on yourself during this time, plans tend to develop easily, but we can often bite off more than we can chew so it is important to create a balance between taking action and overdoing it. This is a period for growth where we begin to see the fruits of the intentions we set during the new moon.

This phase is the most rational time for women. During this time logic is appealing and they are more interested in discussing issues. For men they tend to be more exocentric during this time. This is a great time for men to focus on their job or other mundanity because this period brings along the least emotion manifested.

What’s In Store By the Stars – Daily Astrology Trends

The Moon continues its transit of Sagittarius until 7:07 AM EDT, after which the Moon moves through the sign of Capricorn. The Capricorn Moon harmonizes with Uranus and Venus as well as aligns with Saturn today. We enjoy making small changes that benefit our projects. We have a broader sense of responsibility and naturally take an inventory of our priorities. We are cautious and draw upon common sense when making decisions with this practical Moon position that encourages us to pay attention to structures, rules, and goals. As the day advances, we may be feeling pleasantly attached, finding it natural and easy to nurture and support people in our lives.

The Moon is void until it enters Capricorn at 7:07 AM EDT.

The sky this week for September 17 to 23

During this last full week of summer, Mars and Jupiter are out in full force, and asteroid Vesta passes near one of the sky’s most beautiful nebulae.
By Richard Talcott

Monday, September 17

The waxing gibbous Moon stands 4° to Saturn’s upper left this evening. Although bright moonlight hampers observations of the ringed planet, wait a day or two for it to move away and return Saturn to its glory. The planet lies nearly due south and at its highest altitude as darkness falls this week. It shines at magnitude 0.4, more than a full magnitude brighter than any of the background stars in its host constellation, Sagittarius. If you own a telescope, there’s no better target than Saturn. Even the smallest instrument shows Saturn’s 17″-diameter disk surrounded by a dramatic ring system that spans 38″ and tilts 27° to our line of sight.

Tuesday, September 18

Asteroid hunters have a great opportunity to spot Vesta in the vicinity of one of the Milky Way’s brightest star-forming regions this week. The 7th-magnitude minor planet resides in western Sagittarius, a region currently hosting the major planet Saturn. Vesta lies a few degrees southwest of Saturn. But of even more interest, the asteroid lies less than 2° southwest on the Lagoon Nebula (M8) tonight. On Friday evening, Vesta will slide 1° due south of the Lagoon.

Although autumn arrives with the equinox this coming weekend, the Summer Triangle remains prominent in the evening sky. Look high in the west after darkness falls and your eyes will fall on the brilliant star Vega in the constellation Lyra the Harp. At magnitude 0.0, Vega is the brightest member of the Triangle. The second-brightest star, magnitude 0.8 Altair in Aquila the Eagle, lies some 35° southeast of Vega. The asterism’s dimmest member, magnitude 1.3 Deneb in Cygnus the Swan, stands about 25° east-northeast of Vega. For observers at mid-northern latitudes, Deneb passes through the zenith around 10 p.m. local daylight time, nearly 90 minutes after the last vestiges of twilight have disappeared.

Wednesday, September 19

The waxing gibbous Moon stands 4° above Mars in this evening’s sky. The two make lovely companions from twilight until they set near 2 a.m. local daylight time.

The Moon reaches apogee, the farthest point in its orbit around Earth, at 8:53 p.m. EDT. It then lies 251,578 miles (404,876 kilometers) from Earth’s center.

Thursday, September 20

Saturn and its rings always look wonderful when viewed through a telescope, but this evening provides a great opportunity to target the planet’s moons through an 8-inch or larger instrument. Two inner moons — 12th-magnitude Enceladus and 13th-magnitude Mimas — reach greatest eastern elongation within an hour of each other and show up under good viewing conditions. (The bright glare of the rings normally masks these moons when they lie closer to the planet.) The two stand just beyond the rings’ edge halfway between the 10th-magnitude satellites Dione and Tethys.

Mercury reaches superior conjunction at 10 p.m. EDT. This means the innermost planet lies on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth and remains hidden in our star’s glare. It will return to view in the evening sky, though just barely, in late October.

Friday, September 21

Venus peaks at magnitude –4.8 this evening, shining brighter than at any other time during this evening apparition. (The difference is essentially imperceptible, however — it appears only a thousandth of a magnitude brighter today than it did yesterday or will tomorrow.) Venus lies only 5° high in the southwest a half-hour after sundown, however, so you’ll have to look for it from a site with an unobstructed horizon. As the inner planet swings closer to a direct line between the Sun and Earth, its telescopic appearance changes quickly. Tonight, Venus’ disk spans 40″ and appears about one-quarter lit.

Saturday, September 22

With the days growing shorter and kids back in school, it shouldn’t be surprising that summer’s reign is just about over. The warmest season comes to an official close at 9:54 p.m. EDT, when Earth reaches the autumnal equinox. This marks the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator traveling south. Our star rises due east and sets due west today. If the Sun were a point of light and Earth had no atmosphere, everyone would get 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness. But the air and finite size of our star make today a few minutes longer than 12 hours.

Sunday, September 23

Uranus reaches opposition one month from today, but it already has become a tempting evening target. The ice giant world rises before 9 p.m. local daylight time and climbs some 30° above the eastern horizon by 11 p.m. The magnitude 5.7 planet lies in southwestern Aries, 12° south of the Ram’s brightest star, 2nd-magnitude Alpha (α) Arietis. Although Uranus glows brightly enough to see with the naked eye under a dark sky, binoculars make the task much easier. A telescope reveals the planet’s blue-green disk, which spans 3.7″.

Reference

The Astronomy Magazine

In the Sky This Month

September 17: Andromeda
Andromeda, the princess, is in the east and northeast as the sky gets dark on September nights. It’s not all that bright, but you can find it by looking to the lower left of the more prominent Great Square of Pegasus.

September 18: Distant Galaxy
M31, the Andromeda galaxy, is about 2.5 million light-years away, in the constellation Andromeda. Under dark skies, it is just visible as a hazy smudge of light. It is the farthest object that most people can see with their eyes alone.

September 19: Moon and Mars
Mars stands close below the Moon as darkness falls tonight. Although it has faded a good bit since its peak in July, the planet still looks like a bright orange star.

September 20: M15
M15, one of the brightest globular clusters, is high in the southeast this evening. It consists of hundreds of thousands of stars squeezed into a region of space only a few light-years across. It is an easy target for binoculars

September 21: Autumn
Fall arrives in the northern hemisphere this weekend. It’s the autumnal equinox, which is the point at which the Sun crosses the equator from north to south. It occurs at 8:54 p.m. CDT Saturday.

September 22: Fomalhaut System
Fomalhaut, the leading light of Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish, is quite bright. It rises to the lower right of the Moon tonight, and stands below the Moon around midnight. It’s in a fairly barren region of sky, which makes it easier to pick out.

Reference

StarDate

Your Daily Cosmic Calendar for Monday, September 17

Before the void moon in Sagittarius has a chance to enter Capricorn (4:09am), the lunar orb makes its monthly convergence with Vesta (3:42am). This is your cosmic reminder to focus attention on safety and security measures, investments and insurance coverage, home and hearth, sisterhood and fellowship gatherings. The moon in Capricorn stimulates the need for changes and innovations in professional matters during a trine to Uranus (7:58am), but then a conservative wave develops during the monthly lunar union with Saturn (9:26am). Avoid self-doubts and old fears that can put you into a temporary pessimistic frame of mind. The moon forming a supportive, 60-degree alliance with Venus (3:04pm) — supplemented by nurturing vibes contained within a parallel between Mercury and Ceres at 4:52pm — can pull you out of any self-generated stupor. Asteroid watchers should note that Vesta re-enters Capricorn (9:04pm) until December 1.

[Note to readers: All times are now calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Copyright 2017 Mark Lerner & Great Bear Enterprises, Ltd.
Astrology.com

The Witches Current Moon Phase for Monday, September 17

Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 55%

Tomorow the Moon will be 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 its roots in the Latin word “gibbosus” meaning humpbacked.

PHASE DETAILS FOR – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 55%
Moon Age: 7.86 days
Moon Angle: 0.50
Moon Distance: 401,589.80 km
Sun Angle: 0.53
Sun Distance: 150,335,231.69 km

Reference

MoonGiant

Moon in Sagittarius

The Moon is traveling through Sagittarius. The grass looks greener on the other side during this time. Jump ship. Learn a new language. Tell it like it is. Make people laugh.

The Moon is at her most optimistic and upbeat in Sagittarius. We are motivated by a need to seek the truth, and we are ready to pursue a new vision. We are not interested in details just now. Instead, we focus on the big picture. New experiences and adventures satisfy a deep emotional need. Spontaneity is the key. We may also be inclined toward overdoing and overstating. We don’t want to plan ahead, and prefer to “wing it”.

The Moon in Sagittarius generally favors the following activities: Adventurous activities that involve “winging it”, travel, higher education, starting publishing projects, advertising, sports, physical activity.

Amusing Lunar Facts

 

What is the Moon? It is not a planet, although many scientists may think of it as one! It is a satellite of the Earth. In other words, it is a big chunk of rock, orbiting the Earth and is kept within a certain distance from the Earth (approx. 238,866 miles away) because of the Earth’s gravitational pull. Without that gravitational pull, the Moon would move farther out into space away from the Earth. Also, the Moon’s gravity affects our ocean tides. Obviously, as with astrology, there is a fine balance between the Sun, Moon and Earth.

The Moon is larger than Pluto with a diameter of approximately 2,160 miles. It takes approximately 27.3 days to travel all the way around the earth, moving at a rate of a little over one-half mile each second. According to some scientists, the Moon’s rate of orbit is slowing down and it is slowly moving away from the Earth.

It is believed that asteroids crashing into it millions of years ago created the many craters on the Moon. Since there is almost no atmosphere, there is essentially no wind or rain to cause these craters to erode or change. Also, because of this, the temperatures on the “sunny-side” of the Moon can reach 273°F while on the dark-side the temperatures plummet to a chilly -243°F.

 

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