Excerpts from a Cat’s Diary

Author prefers to remain anonymous

Day 752— My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I’m forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

Day 761—-Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving in and out of their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, note must try at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair……must try doing this on their bed.

Day768—I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was given the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called (shampoo). What sick minds could invent such a liquid? My only consolation is the piece of the thumb still stuck between my teeth.

Day 771—There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary confinement throughout the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they called ” Beer”. More importantly I over heard that my confinement was due to my Power of Allergies. Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

Day 774—I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half wit. The bird on-the-other-hand has got to be an informant he speaks with them on a regular basis. I am certain he is reporting on my every move. Due to his placement in a metal room his safety is assured. But, I can watch and I can wait. It is only a matter of time.

Wiccan Magick

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.

2016 January 5

The Lagoon Nebula in Hydrogen, Sulfur, and Oxygen
Image Credit & Copyright: John Nemcik

Explanation: The majestic Lagoon Nebula is filled with hot gas and the home for many young stars. Spanning 100 light years across while lying only about 5000 light years distant, the Lagoon Nebula is so big and bright that it can be seen without a telescope toward the constellation of the Archer (Sagittarius). Many bright stars are visible from NGC 6530, an open cluster that formed in the nebula only several million years ago. The greater nebula, also known as M8 and NGC 6523, is named “Lagoon” for the band of dust seen to the right of the open cluster’s center. The featured image was taken in the light emitted by Hydrogen (shown in brown), Sulfur (red), and Oxygen (blue) and displayed in enhanced color. The featured picture is a newly processed panorama of M8, capturing twice the diameter of the Full Moon. Star formation continues in the Lagoon Nebula as witnessed by the many globules that exist there.

January 6 before dawn: Moon, Venus, Saturn

Wednesday before dawn – January 6, 2016 – get up early to see the waning crescent moon and dazzling planet Venus near each other in the twilight. In fact, get up early and be rewarded four times over. Four planets – Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn – make a graceful arc across the early morning sky now.

The moon and Venus rank as the second-brightest and third-brightest celestial bodies, after the sun. Even if you get up as little as one-half hour before sunrise, you’ll still have a good chance of spotting these two brilliant beauties in the morning twilight glare.

If you want to see the planet Saturn and the star Antares in the vicinity of the waning moon and Venus, you probably need to get up more than an hour before sunrise. Ideally, you’ll be up and about about one and one-half hours before the sun to view Saturn and Antares in the neighborhood of the moon and Venus.

But we said four planets, and so far we’ve mentioned only two. The other two are Mars and Jupiter.

The sky chart below shows the approximate positions of the morning planets as seen from mid-northern latitudes. From anywhere worldwide, though, the lineup of planets enables you to planet-hop – jump from one planet to another.

For instance, you can locate Mars roughly midway between the sky’s two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter. You can find the planet Saturn very close to Venus, the sky’s brightest planet.

Starting around January 20, 2016, Mercury will join the predawn/dawn planet festival to showcase all five visible planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn – in the same sky for the first time since January of 2005.

Bottom line: The moon and Venus are close together on the morning of January 6, 2016. Saturn and the star Antares are nearby. The other very bright planet, besides Venus, is Jupiter. It’s higher in the sky before dawn than the other planets. Mars is about midway between Jupiter and Venus.

About

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure is the chief writer for the popular EarthSky Tonight pages. Since joining EarthSky in 2004, he has written thousands of astronomy articles, enjoyed here by millions. He also writes, gives planetarium shows and hosts a wide assortment of public astronomy programs in and around his home in upstate New York. If you ask an astronomy question on our site, it’s likely to be Bruce that answers it. His love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and he has sailed the North Atlantic, earning his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. Bruce is also a sundial aficionado. He says his number one passion – besides his wife Alice – is stargazing.

Article is published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

Your Daily Influences
January 5th, 2016

The Seven of Wands Reversed
Employ caution and courage in your ventures. Knowledge is your ally, arrogance your enemy.

Raidho
There may be delays in reaching your goals. You may become disassociated from those around you. Try to keep your lines of communication open.

The Food Charm
Your health vibration is very high! You are energetic and feel you can accomplish anything. This aspect reflects positive vibrations due to diet. This will continue for a few weeks.

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Your Daily Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
The frog represents good health, physically and emotionally. This aspect shall remain in a good light as long as you maintain good health.

General Description:
This is an old Roman Amulet but the charm dates from prehistoric times. The Frog was the emblem of Hegt, the Egyptian goddess of abundance fruitfulness, fertility and plenty. From Egypt these myths spread and similar goddesses were worshiped under different names — Ishtar in Assyria, Belit in Babylonia, Al-ilat in Arabia, Aphrodite in Greece, Venus in Rome. The Frog, cut in amber, is a popular talisman. In Italy Greece and Turkey, it is still worn to bring good health, prosperity, and abundance of all the good things of this earth.

Your Animal Spirit for Today
January 5, 2016

Blue Jay

Blue Jay encourages you to be a little sassy today! If there’s something you’ve been wanting, ask for it. If there’s an issue that needs confrontation, don’t sweep it under the rug or Blue Jay will drag it back out into the open. One word of caution, though—Blue Jays will eat the young of other birds—so be direct, but not destructive.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Journey

While physical travel may be involved, The Journey represents an individual’s spiritual trek from one point to another. The Journey is represented by a sailboat gliding across an open sea. Like those traversing the ocean The Journey requires that we move off the firm ground of our present state and strike out for a new destination. The trip itself may well be full of adventure and challenges. There may be times when we lose sight of where we came from and possibly not even know where we’re going. Storms may crop up without warning. Diversions may slow our progress to our destination down. While it’s good to have an idea of where you want to go, it’s equally important to remember that often it’s the getting there and not the destination that is the most rewarding. To take such a spiritual voyage takes courage and conviction that direction in which your are moving is right for you.

As a daily card, The Journey indicates a time in which you are likely to derive insight and spiritual growth by moving off your everyday path. Although the time span is short, this movement may have a profound and enduring effect on your life. Indeed you may be on the verge of experiencing a revelation, or enjoying a period of self actualization. Be open to new paths and you may well end up with some very positive changes in your life.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Universe

Like The Sun, The Universe brings good blessings. The Universe appears where all is in balance. It allows you to act effectively not only as an individual but as a member of a group too. The Universe promises contentment, fulfillment and completeness to those under its influence. It doesn’t guarantee there will not be moments of strife or discord in your life, but it does indicate that your trials and tribulations will be overcome; that ultimately you will know inner-peace and contentment. The Universe suggests you have found or will find your place in the scheme of things—that place where all is as it should be.

Today’s Witches Rune

The Rings

Keywords: Love, relationships.

Meanings: The Rings is the rune of love and when it is the leading stone, it is a positive answer to your question. It is very much a rune of relationship and can indicate engagement, marriage or a new/renewed relationship. It can also indicate the need for a fresh approach to an existing relationship.

Casting the Stones, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today

This is a three Rune cast intended to shed light on what is, what was, and what will be.

The Past
Gebo

Gebo represents the coming of gifts and favors. While each are usually positive events, they often carry obligations with them. Gebo often represents strong bonds such as deep friendships and marriage.

The Present
Ansuz

Ansuz represents mankind’s spiritual connection to God and the universe. It is often referred to as the “God Rune.” This Rune embodies reason, truth and justice. It denotes the coming of knowledge and true counsel from a higher authority.

The Future
Fehu

Fehu is the Rune of prosperity, good luck and unbridled creative energies. Being associated with Frey, this Rune is also a powerful omen of fertility. Fehu is one of the three Mother Stones and should never be taken lightly.

Your Rune For Today
Wunjo

Wunjo denotes joy and shared bliss. It may also represent a job well done and the satisfaction one feels from completing such a task. Wunjo brings good fortune and harmony.

Additional information about Today’s Rune, Wunjo

wunjo : glory

Phonetic equivalent: w

DIVINATORY MEANINGS:

success, recognition of achievements, reward, joy, bliss, achievement of goals, contentment

MAGICAL USES:

for success in any endeavor, to motivate, to complete a task.

ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES:

Baldr, Asgard

ANALYSIS:

Wunjo is the last rune of the first aett, and thus represents both the end of one cycle and preparation for the next. It is a very positive, stable rune, and is another place where people tend to get stalled along their journey. Christian poets related it to heaven, but in fact it more closely resembles the Pagan Valhalla, since this particular paradise is not a permanent one.Like the wealth of fehu, the glory of wunjo is only an illusion.

We have achieved success on one level only, and there are many more lessons to be learned. It is, however, a welcome respite which allows us to rest, re-charge our batteries and prepare ourselves for the rest of the journey. It also gives us some perspective, allowing us to look back and reflect on the road thus far. Wunjo gives us a glimpse of what is possible, but if we try too soon to reach out and grab it, like the Grail it will disappear between our fingers.

Get A Jump on Tomorrow…..

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, January 6

by Rick Levine

Tarot.com is a Daily Insight Group Site

If You Were Born Today, January 5

Extremely versatile, you are multi-talented, clever, and imaginative. You are highly compassionate and sensitive, sometimes to the point of despondency, and it can take time in your life to find effective ways to manage this trait. Emotional impulsiveness is something you are likely to struggle with in your life time. When focused, you have strong leadership skills and a strong will as well. You are independent and unique, very perceptive, and highly original.

Famous people born today: Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Marilyn Manson, Walter Mondale.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, January 5th

Aries

Mercury turns retrograde today, dear Aries, and will be retrograde until the 25th. Now and until the 8th, some review of old friendships or connections may be in order. From the 8-25 is good for editing or reworking business plans and projects. This morning has the potential of being both tense and confusing. Try not to act or overreact to what you hear or perceive now. Chances run high that you’re not seeing things especially clearly, and neither are other people you’re dealing with. Later today, an annual Sun-Pluto alignment suggests rather serious focus on your achievements and ambitions. There can be frustration about the image you are currently projecting, which prompts you to want to take more control of your reputation or professional image. This is a time for making important resolutions regarding changes that help you to feel you’re acknowledging your deepest ambitions and goals.

Taurus

Mercury turns retrograde this morning, dear Taurus, just when it’s being challenged by Mars. This morning can be hectic and possibly confusing as well, particularly regarding money and love matters. Mercury’s retrograde affects you mostly in terms of career and responsibilities until the 8th, and then from the 8-25, in terms of general outlook, travel, publishing, and education. This can be a time for looking back, fixing errors, editing, and possible slowdowns or delays. This morning, watch for lending out money or for confusing intimate situations. Know your boundaries and enforce them. Later today, a Sun-Pluto alignment occurs, and this annual event reminds you of your deeper ambitions, and possibly shines some light on your fears as well, largely regarding the road ahead, long-term plans, skills, knowledge, and faith in your future. Your stronger need to reinvent yourself through new ideas, knowledge, and life experience comes to the fore. There can be tension and fear experienced in this respect, but also a growing determination to live a more powerful, engaging life and to honor your commitments and beliefs.

Gemini

Mercury is challenged by Mars this morning, dear Gemini, increasing the possibility of errors due to impatience. Compounding this is Mercury’s station at about the same time, as Mercury turns retrograde. Try to avoid speaking and acting hastily now, as there is a real chance that what we’re seeing now is incomplete or misleading. Mercury’s retrograde itself will last until 25th, and influences your general outlook, belief system, faith and optimism, travel, publishing, and education until the 8th, after which it’s affecting your sector of shared finances and intimate relationships. There could be some delays or slowdowns with any of these things, but this can also be a good time for reviewing, reworking, and renewing old projects that are still viable. This morning, watch for self-deceptions in relationships, and avoid banking on iffy situations. Later today, the Sun’s annual conjunction to Pluto occurs, illuminating some of your deeper desires and fears. Questions of trust may be brought to the surface. Self-honesty is especially important now.

Cancer

Mercury turns retrograde this morning, dear Cancer, and will remain retrograde until January 25th. Until the 8th, this retrograde affects you largely in the areas of intimate relationships and shared finances or debts; then, from the 8-25, your close partnerships and negotiations are strongly influenced. With retrograde Mercury, attention can be turned to the past, old problems and projects that were left unfinished, and there can be a new look at old issues. There can also be some delays, distancing, and timeouts experienced in a relationship for some of you. While the cycle itself is helpful, the shift itself can be disorienting even on regular days. The morning’s Mercury-Mars and Venus-Neptune challenges can lead to cloudy thinking, but can also aggravate ego issues – many of us will really feel we are right, and perhaps communicate too quickly. Aim to observe rather than act impulsively now. Later today, the Sun aligns with Pluto in your partnership sector. Through someone else, you may be seeing sides of your own nature that may not be especially flattering, but if you are brave and honest with yourself, you’re likely to learn a lot about yourself, your ambitions, your fears, and your desires now. Make a plan to be more self-aware and to iron out complicated problems in your closest relationships.

Leo

Mercury turns retrograde this morning, dear Leo, and will continue to move in retrograde motion until the 25th. This will especially affect your partnerships and negotiations until the 8th, and then your work, health, and self-care efforts from the 8-25. There can be the need for review, going over recent work and decisions, editing, redoing, recycling, and revisiting in these areas of life. As the shift occurs today, other influences add to its disorienting energy. Avoid, as much as possible, hasty communications and actions, as they may be premature, based on information that is incomplete, or on wishful or fearful thinking. This is not an objective time. Later today, the Sun aligns with Pluto as it does once a year, and a light is shone on your deeper ambitions and fears, particularly regarding your work and health. You might solve a complex problem or reorganize something from top to bottom – perhaps even find a new way to approach an old health problem. Even so, some of you could become quite riled up and tense over problem areas in your life. Aim for self-honesty.

Virgo

Mercury turns retrograde this morning, dear Virgo, and will be retrograde until the 25th. This affects your own personal outlook, as well as specific areas: until the 8th, your work, health, and habits; from the 8-25, your romantic relationships, children, recreational pursuits, hobbies, and creative projects. This is a good time for taking a second look at any of these things, doing editing work, research, and review. You may be renewing old projects or putting the finishing touches on a project. An old date or friend may resurface for some of you. This morning, as the shift occurs, it can be quite challenging to see things clearly, yet you could feel provoked or up in arms about a situation. Watch for hasty actions and reactions, particularly verbal ones, but also quick moves and decisions. Later today, there can be a heightened awareness of your deeper fears and desires, particularly regarding a love relationship or a creative project. Whether it’s about recognition for your uniqueness or attention from a love interest, the desire can be hard to deny, as much as you’d like to believe otherwise. Face your feelings, embrace them, and then decide how you can better manage them going forward.

Libra

Mercury begins its retrograde today, dear Libra, lasting until the 25th. Until the 8th, areas most affected can be romance, children, creative projects, and the pursuit of pleasure. From the 8-25, your home and family life are under retrograde Mercury’s influence. There can be the need to review and edit plans already in place, or you could be going over the past in order to better understand the present. Delays and slowdowns are possible now, and these can be blessings in disguise, as they afford you the opportunity to improve and edit things before moving forward. There can be a second chance available now. This morning, however, it can be very easy to get completely worked up over something that may not truly matter in the long run. Try not to rush into making a statement or taking action. Some insecurities can be brought to the surface today. Chances are in fact high that the information circulating around you is false or incomplete, and it’s important that you don’t feed into others’ misconceptions of you. Later today, a Sun-Pluto alignment brings you into new awareness of deeply buried desires and resentments, and possibly fears, regarding family and home matters. The goal should be: don’t fixate, fix.

Scorpio

Mercury turns retrograde this morning, dear Scorpio, and will continue to move in retrograde until the 25th. Until the 8th, this retrograde largely affects your home and family life, and there may be the need to go over recent home-related projects or to put something on hold. Focus can be on past problems that now return for a second look. From the 8-25, Mercury retrograde backs up into your communications sector, and you could be dealing with editing work on old projects, delays or transportation and communication equipment improvements/breakdowns, and so forth. Take this chance to look at old problems in new ways and to improve plans, studies, and projects. This morning’s energies are chaotic and confusing. Watch for impatience, which can lead to frustrating situations. Others may seem to be withholding information or can be hard to pin down. Later today, the Sun aligns with Pluto, and while you should certainly watch that you don’t become too fixated on a particular line of thought, or too pushy with others for answers, it’s a good time to tap into your ambitions and desires. Come up with a plan to improve your studies and communications.

Sagittarius

Mercury is retrograde from today until the 25th, dear Sagittarius. The shift itself occurs this morning, when other problematic astro events occur as well. As a result, the chances of tripping up run high now. It’s better to keep an open mind and avoid anger triggers. Speaking too soon about a matter is not advised now. Until the 8th, retrograde Mercury affects your communications systems. While you may not be able to rely on your usual ways of connecting and getting around, you can find new ways to improve your mobility. From the 8-25, retrograde Mercury affects your income and valuables, and a review of your financial situation is in order. You may find a lost item or discover a new resource altogether – on that you previously overlooked. Avoid pushing conversations in close relationships now. Venus in your sign is challenged by Neptune to top things off, and this can point to up and down feelings based on an inability to see things clearly, particularly relationships. Later today, a Sun-Pluto alignment can heighten your awareness of your deeper ambitions and fears regarding your earning power, money matters, and security. This is a good time to think up strategies to spend and save more effectively.

Capricorn

Mercury is retrograde from today until the 25th, dear Capricorn. This is a period of review and renewal on a mental level. While it occurs in your sector of finances and resources until January 8th, retrograde Mercury will back up into your sign and spend the rest of its retrograde cycle in Capricorn. This is a time for looking back and considering what you want to bring forward with you, and what should be left behind. Some delays and slowdowns are possible now, but they are likely to be blessings in disguise. This morning can be temperamental. It’s especially important to avoid impulsive purchases, decisions, and communications. What we’re perceiving now may not be accurate, or rather, it may be based on incomplete information. We may not be seeing relationships and the value of items clearly. Later today, the Sun aligns with Pluto in your sign. This shines a light on personal ambitions and fears, which can be slightly uncomfortable if you haven’t been in touch with them, but also wonderfully revealing. Acknowledge your deeper needs, wants, and desires, but then come up with a plan to achieve those that are healthy and empowering.

Aquarius

Mercury has just recently entered your sign, dear Aquarius, and today, it turns retrograde. By the 8th, it will back up into the sign just behind yours (Capricorn) and will spend the rest of its retrograde period, until the 25th, in Capricorn. This is a period for looking to past decisions and projects, especially those in your recent past, in a new way, perhaps reconsidering, giving something a second chance, or renewing and editing something important to you. The shift occurring this morning, however, can be a little problematic, as it occurs when Mercury is challenged and a Venus-Neptune square casts a veil over our perceptions as well. While you could feel pressured to make a decision or a statement, try to hold off doing so until you are in a more objective frame of mind. The Sun passes over Pluto in your privacy sector today, as it does once a year, reminding you of your more deeply buried feelings, fears, and ambitions. Those things that leave you feeling insecure or guilt-ridden need to go, but first, their source needs to be uncovered. You have a good chance today for learning about the attitudes that have been driving self-destructive behavior.

Pisces

Mercury turns retrograde today, dear Pisces, and will continue in its retrograde motion until the 25th. The shift this morning comes at a difficult time, astrologically, and there can be quite a bit of confusion. Avoid quick decisions and drawing hasty conclusions now. You may not be seeing the value of things clearly at this time. Objectivity can be difficult to achieve today. The retrograde period itself, however, presents you with the chance to go over old projects and ideas, seeing them in a new light. There may be some delays or slowdowns, and possibly some lack of clear communication with a friend during this cycle, but generally a chance to better understand your life, connections, and goals. Later today, the Sun aligns with Pluto in your friendships and ideals sector, shining a light on ambitions as well as fears in these areas. This can motivate you to make amends, make connections, or start anew. You are given a very honest glimpse into problem areas, and it’s up to you whether you use this energy to fixate or to fix.