October 31 Today In History

Important Events

1517 Martin Luther sends his 95 Theses to Albrecht von Brandenburg, the Archbishop of Mainz, precipitating The Protestant Reformation

1541 Michelangelo Buonarroti finishes painting “The Last Judgement” in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

1876 Great Backerganj Cyclone of 1876 ravages British India (Modern-day Bangladesh), over 200,000 killed

1918 Spanish Flu kills 21,000 people in the US in a single week

2011 The world population reaches 7 billion inhabitants according to the United Nations

Today’s Historical Events

1949 WOC (now KWQC) TV channel 6 in Davenport, IA (NBC) 1st broadcast

1953 TV broadcasting begins in Belgium

1954 KREM TV channel 2 in Spokane, WA (CBS/ABC) begins broadcasting

Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV

1887 Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s orchestral work “Capriccio Espagnol” premieres in St Petersburg

1949 “Regina” opens at 46th St Theater NYC for 86 performances

1957 “Jamaica” opens at Imperial Theater NYC for 558 performances

Today’s Historical Events in Sports

1888 Scottish vet John Boyd Dunlop patents pneumatic bicycle tyre

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Important Events

  • 1876 Great Backerganj Cyclone of 1876 ravages British India (Modern-day Bangladesh), over 200,000 killed
  • 1918 Spanish Flu kills 21,000 people in the US in a single week
  • 2011 The world population reaches 7 billion inhabitants according to the United Nations

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Dark Matter in a Simulated Universe

Illustration Credit & Copyright: Tom Abel & Ralf Kaehler (KIPACSLAC), AMNHExplanation: Is our universe haunted? It might look that way on this dark matter map. The gravity of unseen dark matter is the leading explanation for why galaxies rotate so fast, why galaxies orbit clusters so fast, why gravitational lenses so strongly deflect light, and why visible matter is distributed as it is both in the local universe and on the cosmic microwave background. The featured image from the American Museum of Natural History‘s Hayden Planetarium Space Show Dark Universe highlights one example of how pervasive dark matter might haunt our universe. In this frame from a detailed computer simulation, complex filaments of dark matter, shown in black, are strewn about the universe like spider webs, while the relatively rare clumps of familiar baryonic matter are colored orange. These simulations are good statistical matches to astronomical observations. In what is perhaps a scarier turn of events, dark matter — although quite strange and in an unknown form — is no longer thought to be the strangest source of gravity in the universe. That honor now falls to dark energy, a more uniform source of repulsive gravity that seems to now dominate the expansion of the entire universe.

Not only Halloween: Today is Dark Matter Day.

October 31 Daily Correspondence Digest for the Northern Hemisphere’s Moon Phase and Planetary Positions

You can use this link to go forward or backward in time for Moon phase information. If you are curious you can even find out what phase the Moon was in when you or anyone else, you know was on the date the person was born.

From Moongiant.com

The Moon’s current phase for today and tonight is a Waning Crescent phase. In this phase the Moon’s illumination is growing smaller each day until the New Moon. During this part of the Moon cycle, the Moon is getting closer to the Sun as viewed from Earth and the night side of the Moon is facing the Earth with only a small edge of the Moon being illuminated. This phase is best viewed an hour or 2 before the sunrise and can be quite beautiful if you’re willing to get up early. It can also be a great time to see the features of the Moon’s surface. Along the edge where the illuminated portion meets the dark side, the craters and mountains cast long shadows making them easier to observe with a telescope or binoculars.

Visit the October 2021 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.

Today’s Waning Crescent Phase

The Waning Crescent on October 31 has an illumination of 24%. This is the percentage of the Moon illuminated by the Sun. The illumination is constantly changing and can vary up to 10% a day. On October 31 the Moon is 24.73 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last New Moon. It takes 29.53 days for the Moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all 8 Moon phases.

The 8 Lunar Phases

There are 8 lunar phases the Moon goes through in its 29.53 days lunar cycle. The 4 major Moon phases are Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter and Last Quarter. Between these major phases, there are 4 minor ones: the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent. For more info on the Moon Cycle and on each phase check out Wikipedia Lunar Phase page.

Phase Details

Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 24%
Moon Age: 24.73 days
Moon Angle: 0.52
Moon Distance: 383,592.20 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 148,480,047.96 km

Useful Moon Resources

If you need to calculate the planetary positions for a specific use and time, click on this link

Currentplanetarypositions.com

To figure out GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) to your local time use this link

For Your Local Time and Date

Northeastern Hemisphere

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Frankfurt, Germany, Europe

31 October 2021
01:00 pm GMT 5:00 PM CET
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:08 Scorpio 19
Moon:10 Virgo 25
Mercury:21 Libra 43
Venus:25 Sagittarius 15
Mars:00 Scorpio 38
Jupiter:22 Aquarius 38
Saturn:07 Aquarius 14
Uranus:12 Taurus 58 Rx
Neptune:20 Pisces 40 Rx
Pluto:24 Capricorn 28
True Lunar Node:01 Gemini 56 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:02 Gemini 47 Rx
Lilith (Black Moon):11 Gemini 39
Chiron:09 Aries 28 Rx
Ceres:10 Gemini 30 Rx
Pallas:09 Pisces 15 Rx
Juno:25 Sagittarius 16
Vesta:21 Scorpio 23
Eris:24 Aries 06 Rx
Fire:4
Earth:3
Air:7
Water:5
Cardinal:4
Fixed:6
Mutable:9

See the source image

Northwestern Hemisphere

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Denver, Colorado, USA

October 31, 2021
11:00 pm GMT 5:00 PM MT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:08 Scorpio 44
Moon:16 Virgo 03
Mercury:22 Libra 20
Venus:25 Sagittarius 39
Mars:00 Scorpio 55
Jupiter:22 Aquarius 39
Saturn:07 Aquarius 15
Uranus:12 Taurus 57 Rx
Neptune:20 Pisces 40 Rx
Pluto:24 Capricorn 28
True Lunar Node:01 Gemini 55 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:02 Gemini 46 Rx
Lilith (Black Moon):11 Gemini 42
Chiron:09 Aries 27 Rx
Ceres:10 Gemini 26 Rx
Pallas:09 Pisces 14 Rx
Juno:25 Sagittarius 24
Vesta:21 Scorpio 36
Eris:24 Aries 05 Rx
Fire:4
Earth:3
Air:7
Water:5
Cardinal:4
Fixed:6
Mutable:9
See the source image

Weekly Horoscope Sunday, October 31 to Saturday, November 6, 2021

Click here for Georgia Nicols’ Daily Horoscopes

All Signs

Every month, we have a New Moon, which is when the Sun and the Moon are lined up exactly in the same sign. It’s good to know about the New Moon because it’s the perfect time for beginnings and planting new seeds. This week, the New Moon peaks on Thursday, and is immediately followed by an electrifying zap from Uranus. Pow! (It will most strongly affect those born in the first week of May, Aug., Nov and Feb.) But for all of us, this is an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to set new goals and make resolutions. So, heads up! Are you ready? I know I am. (Just today my partner and I were laughing about how competitive we are. I laughed more than he did, though.)

Aries (March 21-April 19)

For Aries, the New Moon this week takes place in the part of your chart that concerns how you share your wealth with others. This includes shared property, jointly-held items, shared debt (with banks and credit card companies), inheritances; plus, it includes shared responsibilities for others as well. A pretty big umbrella! The New Moon on Thursday is a great chance for you to think about how to reduce your debt and how to best handle your financial agreements with others, particularly partners. Something unusual might suddenly occur for you. Hopefully, a solution? Perhaps a better approach to something? Maybe something needs your attention? This is an unusual opportunity. Each New Moon is your chance to make new resolutions.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

The New Moon this week is the only New Moon all year that is directly opposite your sign. This polarized position will give you an opportunity to see how you can improve your closest partnerships and relationships. (It will be strongest for those born April 27 – May 8.) Even though the New Moon that is opposite your sign occurs only once a year, this one is unusual because it will be energized by unpredictable Uranus. This means you might have a sudden idea about how you can improve your relationship? Or something sudden and unexpected might prompt you to see how to make a change? Be open and receptive to whatever might occur because it can benefit you. Where and how can you make a new beginning?

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Something interesting and unexpected might jiggle your world this week, especially midweek when the New Moon occurs. As a result of whatever this is, you might suddenly decide you have to take a serious look at taking care of your health. You might get on self-help kick and want to turn over a new leaf. You want to do whatever will benefit you. Perhaps this same influence will cause you to look at your job, and the way you do your work? You might decide to work in a better way that is more efficient and productive? For some, this could be something unexpected that impacts a pet? Whatever happens, you will be resolved to make improvements in one of these areas this week. “Scout’s honour.”

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Unexpected challenges and surprises from unpredictable Uranus will occur midweek. (Parents take note: This is an accident-prone influence for your kids. Be extra vigilant and make sure your kids are safe. Be aware of potential hazards for toddlers.) Social plans might suddenly change this week. Something might be cancelled or alternatively, something new might blossom? Sports will hold surprises and potential accidents. On the upside, you might get a fun invitation or an opportunity in the entertainment world or the arts? Something unexpected might please you! Romance might surprise. This could mean love at first sight, an exciting new relationship, or instead it could be a sudden breakup. Who knows? It’s a crapshoot.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Expect a few curveballs to impact home and family this week. Something unexpected will surprise you or upset your home routine. This could relate to a parent or a family member. Someone might suddenly move out or move in. A domestic squabble might upset the family harmony. Increased chaos and activity are taking place at home now. Nevertheless, this week something unexpected will occur. It could also relate to real-estate deals suddenly changing, or surprise news about a family member. The upshot is that this week, you have a chance to make new beginnings and resolutions about your home and family. Ideas?

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Heads up, dear Virgo because this week will hold some surprises for you. For starters, there’s a strong accident-prone influence present. Therefore, pay attention to everything you say and do. Slow down and take it easy. Be vigilant; be mindful. You can definitely expect to meet new faces and see new places because almost certainly, your daily routine will change. In fact, your everyday world will have surprising challenges, opportunities and detours. However, you have some clever, original ideas! You might have an unexpected chance to take a course or get further training. You might also have surprising news from a relative or neighbour. “He did whaat? They both did?”

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Everyone is encountering some surprises this week. For your sign, the surprise could impact your salary, cash flow, earnings or something that you own. Therefore, be vigilant. For example, you might find money; you might lose money. Be smart and protect your belongings against theft, damage or loss. On the upside, you might get a financial windfall? (Admittedly, it could be the reverse.) This surprising influence might be mild — perhaps you will make an unusual purchase that delights you? You might get a different job or figure out a new way to make money. This is a fortunate time for you so whatever happens is nothing you can’t handle. Fingers crossed!

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Expect a surprise this week because the Sun, the New Moon and fiery Mars are all in your sign, and midweek, this bundle of energy receives a powerful electric charge from Uranus. Something surprising or unusual will almost certainly happen. This could relate to a close relationship. Or instead, it might relate to you personally. It might mean a sudden change in your environment. One possibility is an unexpected accident. Therefore, be careful. Pay attention to everything you say and do. Guard against rash actions and knee-jerk reactions. On the upside, this could be when you finally have the courage to make a break for your own personal freedom. “I’m outta here!”

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

It’s fortunate Venus is in your sign now because it makes you charming and diplomatic. (This is a wonderful cover in case you are personally bewildered about something. You’re the only one who will know.) Venus also promotes good times with friends; and it ranks pleasure above work. Meanwhile, a hidden, unexpected surprise will catch you off guard this week. Because it will take place in a hidden part of your chart, others might not know but you will. Caution against accident-prone behaviour. Think twice before you react to surprising news. Stay cool. (You always do.)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Stay on your toes this week because you will encounter a surprise from a friend or a member of a group. You might be asked to leave a group. You might be asked to join a group. Whatever happens, it will introduce a change in your life and possibly, a change to your future goals. This could be major. On the other hand (you have different rings), it could be a minor tiff with a friend. People are a bit hotheaded now; and you might be in competition with someone? This could lead to an argument. Remember – you value your public reputation. Therefore, don’t do anything that you will regret later. Possibly, this relates to secret love affair? (Hmmm.)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

This is not a typical week. Not by a longshot. At the very top of your chart, sits the Sun, the New Moon and fiery Mars. Then midweek, this handful of energy is challenged by your ruler wild, wacky Uranus. For some of you, this could mean that you will take a sudden stand and fight for your own independence. You might rebel against bosses, parents and authority figures. You might decide to strike out on your own? It could be as minor as an argument with a parent or a boss. It could be as major as changing your life direction? Fortunately, Venus will help you to be diplomatic with friends, who in turn, will be supportive to you. No one, more than you, values their friends.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Big changes are occurring; and the upshot of it all is that you have a thrilling sense of freedom. Oh yes, you’re out there flying your colours! This might bring a sudden opportunity to travel for some of you. It might also mean a chance to explore avenues in publishing, the media, the law, medicine or anything to do with higher education. This could also indicate a sudden split or quarrel about philosophical, political, racial or religious ideas. You might have the leading role in Gunfight at the OK Corral! (Wyatt Earp or Doc Holliday?) The good news is that Venus, at the top of your chart, guarantees warm support from authority figures in your life. Big changes are taking place – but you are protected.

Samhain

From History.com

CONTENTS

  1. Ancient Samhain
  2. Samhain Monsters
  3. Myths of Samhain
  4. Samhain in the Middle Ages
  5. Dumb Supper
  6. Christian Samhain
  7. Samhain Merges With Halloween
  8. Wicca and Samhain
  9. Celtic Reconstructionists
  10. Sources

Samhain is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. In modern times, Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”) is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and denizens of the Otherworld.

READ MORE: Halloween: Traditions, Rituals, Origins

Ancient Samhain

Ancient Celts marked Samhain as the most significant of the four quarterly fire festivals, taking place at the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. During this time of year, hearth fires in family homes were left to burn out while the harvest was gathered.

After the harvest work was complete, celebrants joined with Druid priests…

Samhain Celebration Guide

To read more about celebrating Samhain please click on this link

From Plentiful Earth – Northern and Southern Hemispheres Samhain

MAGICKAL 🍂SAMHAIN

By: Forest🐾Devi✨ (Novice in the Heart’s Spirit Coven)


Voices from the spirit world whisper in the wind.

Tonight two worlds come ever closer the curtain waivers thin.

Hear the crackle of the flames burning in the hearth, while loved ones in the Summerlands 

Return to walk the earth.

We welcome in the new year, a time to shed our skin.

With gratitude for lessons learned the future ushers in.

As entities from other worlds come feast with us again.

All commenced in celebration of MAGICKAL Samhain

October 31 Daily Correspondence Digest for the Southern Hemisphere’s Moon Phase and Planetary Positions

You can use this link to go forward or backward in time for Moon phase information. If you are curious you can even find out what phase the Moon was in when you or anyone else, you know was on the date the person was born.

From Moongiant.com

The Moon’s current phase for today and tonight is a Waning Crescent phase. In this phase the Moon’s illumination is growing smaller each day until the New Moon. During this part of the Moon cycle, the Moon is getting closer to the Sun as viewed from Earth and the night side of the Moon is facing the Earth with only a small edge of the Moon being illuminated. This phase is best viewed an hour or 2 before the sunrise and can be quite beautiful if you’re willing to get up early. It can also be a great time to see the features of the Moon’s surface. Along the edge where the illuminated portion meets the dark side, the craters and mountains cast long shadows making them easier to observe with a telescope or binoculars.

Visit the October 2021 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.

Today’s Waning Crescent Phase

The Waning Crescent on October 31 has an illumination of 24%. This is the percentage of the Moon illuminated by the Sun. The illumination is constantly changing and can vary up to 10% a day. On October 31 the Moon is 24.73 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last New Moon. It takes 29.53 days for the Moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all 8 Moon phases.

The 8 Lunar Phases

There are 8 lunar phases the Moon goes through in its 29.53 days lunar cycle. The 4 major Moon phases are Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter and Last Quarter. Between these major phases, there are 4 minor ones: the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent. For more info on the Moon Cycle and on each phase check out Wikipedia Lunar Phase page.

Phase Details

Phase: Waning Crescent
Illumination: 24%
Moon Age: 24.73 days
Moon Angle: 0.52
Moon Distance: 383,592.20 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 148,480,047.96 km

Useful Moon Resources

If you need to calculate the planetary positions for a specific use and time, click on this link

Currentplanetarypositions.com

To figure out GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) to your local time use this link

For Your Local Time and Date

Southeastern Hemisphere

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 

31 October 2021
06:00 am GMT 5:00 PM AEDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:08 Scorpio 02
Moon:06 Virgo 31
Mercury:21 Libra 18
Venus:24 Sagittarius 57
Mars:00 Scorpio 26
Jupiter:22 Aquarius 37
Saturn:07 Aquarius 13
Uranus:12 Taurus 59 Rx
Neptune:20 Pisces 40 Rx
Pluto:24 Capricorn 28

True Lunar Node:01 Gemini 57 Rx

Mean Lunar Node:02 Gemini 48 Rx
Lilith (Black Moon):11 Gemini 37
Chiron:09 Aries 28 Rx
Ceres:10 Gemini 32 Rx
Pallas:09 Pisces 16 Rx
Juno:25 Sagittarius 10
Vesta:21 Scorpio 14
Eris:24 Aries 06 Rx

Fire:4
Earth:3
Air:7
Water:5
Cardinal:4
Fixed:6
Mutable:9

Southwestern Hemisphere

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Sao Paulo, Brazil, South America

31 October 2021
08:00 pm GMT 5:00 PM BRT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:08 Scorpio 37
Moon:14 Virgo 21
Mercury:22 Libra 09
Venus:25 Sagittarius 32
Mars:00 Scorpio 50
Jupiter:22 Aquarius 38
Saturn:07 Aquarius 14
Uranus:12 Taurus 57 Rx
Neptune:20 Pisces 40 Rx
Pluto:24 Capricorn 28
True Lunar Node:01 Gemini 55 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:02 Gemini 46 Rx
Lilith (Black Moon):11 Gemini 41
Chiron:09 Aries 27 Rx
Ceres:10 Gemini 27 Rx
Pallas:09 Pisces 14 Rx
Juno:25 Sagittarius 21
Vesta:21 Scorpio 32
Eris:24 Aries 05 Rx
Fire:4
Earth:3
Air:7
Water:5
Cardinal:4
Fixed:6
Mutable:9

Sweet Beltane

Image result for beltane southern hemisphere
By Fawn Devi
Swirling around the maypole
Dancing to the drums
Celebrating sweet Beltane
Summer has begun
Mother earth breathes New life
Under the sun aglow
The marriage of the earth and sky
Fertility bestowed
Swirling around the maypole
Flowers in our hair
It’s the Goddess and the green man
& they’re blessed love affair
See the source image