Day: July 16, 2024
Ancient temple and theater 3,500 years older than Machu Picchu discovered in Peru
Archaeologists in Peru have unearthed the remains of what they believe are a 4,000-year-old temple and theater, shining a new light on the origins of complex religions in the region.
The team began studying the new archaeological site of La Otra Banda, Cerro Las Animas, in June. Last year, the local government alerted them to looting that had been taking place near the northern Peruvian town of Zaña, according to a press release from the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday.
They excavated a plot roughly 33 feet long and 33 feet wide, finding signs of ancient walls made of mud and clay at just six feet deep.
“It was so surprising that these very ancient structures were so close to the modern surface,” Luis Muro Ynoñán, a research scientist at the Field Museum who led the team, said in the release.
After digging deeper, archaeologists found “one section” of a large temple, Muro Ynoñán said, adding that “one of the most exciting” finds was a small theater “with a backstage area and a staircase that led to a stage-like platform.”
“This could have been used to perform ritual performances in front of a selected audience,” he added
One of the theater’s staircases was flanked by mud panels with an elaborate carved design of a mythological bird-like creature, according to the release. The figure resembled other images of mythological creatures dating to the Initial Period, around 2,000 to 900 BC, giving clues to when the temple was built.
“The Initial Period is important because it’s when we first start to see evidence of an institutionalized religion in Peru,” Muro Ynoñan said, adding that Please click here to read the rest of this article
July 16 Today in History
Source: www.onthisday.com
Events in History
622 Muslim Era begins – Muhammad begins flight from Mecca to Medina (Hijra)
1054 The Great Schism between Western and Eastern churches begins when Roman Cardinal Humbert issues a bull of excommunication against Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople, on the altar of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople
1519 Public debate between Martin Luther and theologian Johann Eck at Pleissenburg Castle in Liepzig, during which Luther denies the divine right of the Pope
1809 La Paz, Bolivia declares its independence from the Spanish Crown and forms the Junta Tuitiva led by Pedro Domingo Murillo, the first independent government in Spanish America
1940 Adolf Hitler orders preparations for the invasion of Britain (Operation Sealion)
Events in Flim and TV
1938 John Murray and Allen Boretz’s stage comedy “Room Service”, starring Sam Levene, Eddie Albert, and Phillip Loeb, closes at the Cort Theatre, NYC, after 500 performances
1953 KROC (now KTTC) TV channel 10 in Rochester, Minnesota (NBC) 1st broadcast
1977 Janelle Commissiong, of Trinidad & Tobago crowned 26th Miss Universe
1988 Landmark Japanese animated cyberpunk manga film “Akira” released, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo [1]
1990 Bridgette LeAnn Wilson, 17, of Oregon, 8th crowned Miss Teen USA
1990 Rick Dee’s “Into the Night” premieres on ABC-TV
1994 Wendy Wasserstein‘s stage play “The Sisters Rosensweig”, starring Madeline Kahn, closes at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, NYC, after 556 performances
2001 “Jurassic Park III”, starring Sam Neill and William H. Macy, premieres in the US
Events in Music
1782 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart‘s opera “Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio)” premieres in Vienna with Mozart conducting
1966 David Heneker’s musical “Half a Sixpence”, starring Tommy Steels, and based on H.G. Well’s 1905 novel “Kipps”, closes at Broadhurst Theater, NYC, after 511 performances
1967 American pop-rock group “The Monkees” perform at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Queens, New York, with psychedelic rock Jimi Hendrix Experience as opening act;
1967 British rock band “The Who” begin 1st full US tour, appearing at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, California, and then going coast-to-coast opening for Herman’s Hermits
1967 Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell makes her Newport Folk Festival debut at a songwriters’ workshop performance in Newport, Rhode Island
1972 Smokey Robinson and the Miracles final live performance, in Washington D.C.
1994 “The Three Tenors” Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti, perform with Los Angeles Philharmonic and chorus of the Los Angeles Opera, conducted by Zubin Mehta at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California; an estimated 1.3 billion viewers wathc worldwide broadcast
1995 Bob Telson, Graciela Daniele and Jim Lewis’s musical “Chronicles of a Death Foretold”, based on Gabriel García Márquez’s 1981 novella, closes at Plymouth Theater, NYC, after 55 performances
Events in Sports
1883 Wimbledon Men’s Tennis: William Renshaw wins third straight Wimbledon title; beats twin brother Ernest Renshaw 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
1888 Wimbledon Men’s Tennis: 3-time runner-up Ernest Renshaw wins his lone major title; beats defending champion Herbert Lawford 6-3, 7-5, 6-0
1895 Lancashire batsman Archie MacLaren scores the first-ever quadruple-hundred (424) in first-class cricket against Somerset at Taunton
1896 Indian born K S Ranjitsinhji debuts for England v Australia in 2nd Test at Old Trafford; first Indian to play Test cricket
1902 John McGraw officially becomes manager of MLB New York Giants; 30 year tenure begins (1902-32)
1909 MLB Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators play longest scoreless game in AL history – 18 innings at Bennett Field in Detroit, Michigan [1]
1920 15th Davis Cup: USA beats Australasia in Auckland (5-0)
1924 NY Giants George Kelly is 1st to hit HRs in 6 cons games
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2024 July 16
Cometary Globules
Image Credit & Copyright: Mark Hanson & Martin Pugh, Observatorio El SauceExplanation: What are these unusual interstellar structures? Bright-rimmed, flowing shapes gather near the center of this rich starfield toward the borders of the nautical southern constellations Pupis and Vela. Composed of interstellar gas and dust, the grouping of light-year sized cometary globules is about 1300 light-years distant. Energetic ultraviolet light from nearby hot stars has molded the globules and ionized their bright rims. The globules also stream away from the Vela supernova remnant which may have influenced their swept-back shapes. Within them, cores of cold gas and dust are likely collapsing to form low mass stars, whose formation will ultimately cause the globules to disperse. In fact, cometary globule CG 30 (on the upper left) sports a small reddish glow near its head, a telltale sign of energetic jets from a star in the early stages of formation.
Source: apod.nasa.gov
17 July 2024 Current Moon Phase for the Southern Hemisphere
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 was born.
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.
Useful Moon Resources
Check the weather before a night of Moon gazing at weather.com
For a list of all the current meteor showers visit American Meteor Society
Source: MoonGiant.com
The Moon’s current phase for today and tonight is a Waxing Gibbous phase. Visible through most of the night sky setting a few hours before sunrise. This phase is when the moon is more than 50% illuminated but not yet a Full Moon. The phase lasts about 7 days with the moon becoming more illuminated each day until the Full Moon. This September Full Moon will be the forth and final supermoon of 2023.
During a Waxing Gibbous the moon rises in the east in mid-afternoon and is high in the eastern sky at sunset. The word Gibbous first appeared in the 14th century and has its roots in the Latin word “gibbosus” meaning humpbacked.
Visit the July 2024 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.
Today’s Waxing Gibbous Phase
The Waxing Gibbous on July 17 has an illumination of 82%. 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 July 17 the Moon is 10.69 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.
Phase Details
Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 82%
Moon Age: 10.69 days
Moon Angle: 0.51
Moon Distance: 392,604.07 km
Sun Angle: 0.52
Sun Distance: 152,035,420.61 km
Illumination: 82%
Moon Age: 10.69 days
Moon Angle: 0.51
Moon Distance: 392,604.07 km
Sun Angle: 0.52
Sun Distance: 152,035,420.61 km
July 16, 2024 Current Moon Phase for the Northern Hemispheres
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 was born.
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.
Useful Moon Resources
Check the weather before a night of Moon gazing at weather.com
For a list of all the current meteor showers visit American Meteor Society
Source: MoonGiant.com
The Moon’s current phase for today and tonight is a Waxing Gibbous phase. Visible through most of the night sky setting a few hours before sunrise. This phase is when the moon is more than 50% illuminated but not yet a Full Moon. The phase lasts about 7 days with the moon becoming more illuminated each day until the Full Moon. This September Full Moon will be the forth and final supermoon of 2023.
During a Waxing Gibbous the moon rises in the east in mid-afternoon and is high in the eastern sky at sunset. The word Gibbous first appeared in the 14th century and has its roots in the Latin word “gibbosus” meaning humpbacked.
Visit the July 2024 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.
Today’s Waxing Gibbous Phase
The Waxing Gibbous on July 16 has an illumination of 74%. 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 July 16 the Moon is 9.73 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.
Phase Details
Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 74%
Moon Age: 9.73 days
Moon Angle: 0.50
Moon Distance: 396,775.39 km
Sun Angle: 0.52
Sun Distance: 152,044,591.51 km
Illumination: 74%
Moon Age: 9.73 days
Moon Angle: 0.50
Moon Distance: 396,775.39 km
Sun Angle: 0.52
Sun Distance: 152,044,591.51 km
July 16, 2024 Daily Horoscopes
Click here to read Georgia Nicols Daily, Weekly and Monthly Horoscopes
Click here for Anyone’s Birthday or Monthly Horoscopes Source: thehoroscope.co
Moon Alert
Avoid shopping or major decisions from 9 PM to 9:45 PM EDT today (6 PM to 6:45 PM PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Scorpio into Sagittarius.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
This is a tricky day. In one way, discussions about family businesses, family money, loans, mortgages and banking support will go well. However, financial surprises are also likely. Therefore, stay alert and be ready for anything because you might have to shift gears quickly.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Friends, spouses and partners will likely surprise you today. Things could go either way because they might be upbeat and enthusiastic; however, they might also be demanding and throw you a curveball. (Yikes.) Stay light on your feet so you can handle the unexpected.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Issues related to your job as well as your health will be positive for the most part today. However, there will be some surprises. Something unexpected might occur, especially behind the scenes. Be on the lookout for someone who privately does not agree with you.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Parents should be vigilant today because this is an accident-prone day for your kids. However, this is also a wonderful day for surprise invitations, social opportunities, the arts and chances to schmooze with others. Be diplomatic with someone who is competitive.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You’ll be happy to stay at home today or keep a low profile. However, be aware that bosses, parents and someone in authority might catch you off guard in some way. They might have unexpected demands or expectations. Stay light on your feet.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Pay attention to everything you say and do today because this is an accident-prone day for you. However, it’s a fascinating day and you are intrigued by unusual things, ideas and events. Relations with friends and members of groups will be positive and reinforcing for you.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Unpredictable influences might impact your money and possessions today. For example, you might find money; or you might lose money. Likewise, something you own might be damaged or lost. Nevertheless, discussions with bosses and authority figures might also boost your earnings in some way. It’s a mixed bag.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
This is a powerful day for you because the Moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with the Sun. This will help you to accomplish your goals today. However, the Moon in your sign is also opposite unpredictable Uranus, which will make you restless, irritable and stubborn. Avoid accidents.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You’ll be happy to play things low-key today, which is why you might choose to work alone or behind the scenes. This does not mean you will shirk your duties. Oh no. In fact, you’ll be feisty and independent! Meanwhile, you’ll be delighted to discover ways to travel and expand your world.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
This is a lovely day to schmooze with friends and interact with groups and organizations. However, your relations with romantic partners will be unpredictable. Likewise, someone talented and creative (or perhaps in sports) might surprise you. Keep your eyes open!
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You are high viz. today, which means people notice you more than usual. Fortunately, they will see you as busy, competent and capable. Meanwhile, difficulties with a family member or someone at home might take place today. Perhaps you feel challenged? Easy does it. Don’t take the bait.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Travel plans will be interrupted or changed today. Likewise, unusual news via the media might surprise you. Double check details with legal and medical matters because unexpected changes might be taking place. Meanwhile, pay attention to everything you say and do today to avoid accidents. Think before you act or speak.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Will Ferrell (1967) shares your birthday today. You are passionate, adventurous and impulsive. Because you’re enthusiastic, you like to share your ideas with others. This year, simplicity is the key to life. Focus on building structures externally and internally. Take charge of your health. Physical exercise will be important.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Quite a lucky day for you as long as you stick close to your friends and try to enjoy yourself as much as you can, even try to forget of your worries.
You might meet with someone you haven’t seen in a while so catching up should be something that you will dearly enjoy. Other than that, quite a peaceful day ahead.
You can also read this special Aries Daily Horoscope.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
You might have to fix a few things in the house here and there this Tuesday as well as go shopping for materials, either that you do it yourself or have someone around to carry the repairs.
You might also feel as if everyone else is not getting as involved as you or feel as if they don’t recognize your efforts or at least be nice to you now.
You can also read this special Taurus Daily Horoscope.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Things couldn’t be going better at home but couldn’t say the same things about your confidence which is gradually dropping, for no particular reason some might say.
Nothing is really that bad and you haven’t taken any bad decisions lately so maybe you are just being all dramatic and trying to play the victim for attention.
You can also read this special Gemini Daily Horoscope.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Remember that you need to be careful what you wish for, not only that it might happen but also because you might not be that happy about it as you thought you might be originally.
Other than that, this Tuesday won’t put you too many troubles and will actually prove to be quite a lucrative day overall if you keep your eyes on the prize.
You can also read this special Cancer Daily Horoscope.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
It appears that the single natives are going to either adventure in a relationship just for the sake of it or stay and complain about them being single.
Maybe it would be wise for you to avoid such situation as well as entering into deals or pacts that you are not very sure of, no matter if they are with someone who you’ve known your whole life.
You can also read this special Leo Daily Horoscope.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Apparently this Tuesday is a particularly auspicious day for you, as it seems that those around you have been giving you all kinds of prompts and now something you really wanted is finally going to happen.
Don’t get your hopes too high because it is not something extraordinary but surely is something to make you smile and be happy.
You can also read this special Virgo Daily Horoscope.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
You are romantic and appear to be with your head in the clouds but in reality your feet are actually quite grounded and you see things exactly as they are.
So there is no wonder why you are being all angered about the assumptions others make about you and by the fact that they don’t appear to be taking you seriously.
You can also read this special Libra Daily Horoscope.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Quite a high ceiling for you today so enough space to grow if you really feel like it. Not necessarily with the help of people around but definitely with your intuition, you will not need them anyway.
However, be also cautious about the ideas you get because at your highs, you are not always that realistic and completely assured.
You can also read this special Scorpio Daily Horoscope.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Things are not going to be all red and lovely in your relationship today and there is no one you can really blame, not even yourself or the current disposition.
Maybe it is something that you two are not a perfect fit in and now it finally surfaces. Nothing to really worry about as it is not an essential characteristic, but definitely something to think about.
You can also read this special Sagittarius Daily Horoscope.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
When it comes to finances, you still have some things to learn from the wise people you have around you so maybe the following weeks will be better and struggle free.
For the mean time, you will remain quite frustrated about your situation, with very little prospects of seeing what is really going on in the back of your mind.
You can also read this special Capricorn Daily Horoscope.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You are quite pragmatic today but apparently not enough as the current disposition might demand of you so chances are you will still be left disappointed, no matter how low you set your expectations.
You still hope deep inside that things will exceed what you expect but unfortunately, this Tuesday will not be the case for that.
You can also read this special Aquarius Daily Horoscope.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
This is going to be quite a hectic day at work and chances are it will continue to be this way up until late at night if you are stubborn and active enough to decide to make plans for the evening.
If you choose to go home, chances are you will get some time to relax but if you choose the city, prepare for a lot of need of coffee and energy tomorrow morning.
You can also read this special Pisces Daily Horoscope.
Obon Festival 2024 in Japan: Meaning, Traditions and Dates
The Obon festival (お盆, also known as Bon festival) is an annual Japanese holiday that commemorates and remembers deceased ancestors. It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives.
Chochin (paper) lanterns are hung to guide the spirits and Obon dances (bon odori) are performed. Families have reunions and visit the graves of their relatives and make food offerings at altars and temples.
It is observed from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month. However, according to the solar calendar the 7th month is July but according to the lunar calendar, the 7th month is August. Obon is therefore celebrated at different times in different regions depending on which calendar is observed.
The official dates are August 13-15 though it will be celebrated between July 13-15 in some places. The Obon week in mid-August is one of Japan’s three major holiday seasons making it one of the busiest times of the year for traveling. Many Japanese people will leave their cities around August 10 and come back on August 17-18.
Obon traditions and celebrations
On the first day of Obon, people take the chochin lanterns to the graves of their families. They call their ancestors’ spirits back home in a ritual called mukae-bon. In some regions, huge fires are lit at the entrances of houses to guide the spirits to enter.
At the end of the Obon festival, families help their ancestors’ spirits return back to the grave by guiding them with their chochin lanterns. The ritual is called okuri-bon. Again, the ritual varies slightly between different regions of Japan.
Floating lanterns (toro nagashi) Please click here to read the rest of this article
Merry Meet dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends, Welcome to WOTC! A Thought for Today
I am back for the most part but still not feeling completely well. So, I will do the best I can today with today’s post and tomorrows.
Witches Of The Craft® 
You must be logged in to post a comment.