If you are choking on an ice cube, don’t panic! Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto! The blockage will be almost instantly removed.
Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.
Avoid arguments about lifting or lowering the toilet seat by simply using the sink.
For high blood pressure sufferers: Just cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins.
A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, and then you will be afraid to cough.
Have a bad toothache? Smash your thumb with a hammer and you will forget about the toothache.
You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn’t move and does, use the duct tape.
Note: When applying these home remedies, remember to be really nice to your family and friends. You never know when you might need them to empty your bedpan.
The many faces of the Divine Feminine have inspired and heartened people for millennia. Now, as we head half way through the year, it can helpful to know which goddess will be your guide for the rest of 2016. Is it Kali, she who destroys in order to create? Or Artemis the fiercely independent huntress? There are many goddesses to guide you, but one will be just right for the life-phase you are in.
This quick quiz will show you which goddess is by your side for the rest of the year, urging and encouraging you to be the person you are meant to be. Take the quiz here:
Which of the following is TRUE for you?
1. This year, what I long for MOST is freedom.
2. This year, what I long for MOST is a fresh start.
3. This year, what I long for MOST is love.
4. This year, what I long for MOST is to be healed.
5. This year, what I long for MOST is wisdom and learning.
6. This year, what I long for MOST is creativity.
If you answered TRUE to 1, ARTEMIS is your goddess. To the ancient Greeks, this goddess was a feisty, wild woods-dweller, in tune with nature and animals. Artemis encourages us to connect with the outdoors, with animals, and with our own fiercely independent spirits.
If you answered TRUE to 2, KALI is your goddess. This Hindu deity is the one to call if something in your life needs to go in order to make room for something new. Kali destroys what is stale so that new life can come in.
If you answered TRUE to 3, VENUS is your goddess. If love relationships or the longing for love are paramount for you this year, the Roman goddess Venus can help you to open your heart.
If you answered TRUE to 4, KWAN YIN is your goddess. This Asian bodhisattva is the most prayed-to deity on earth. Kwan Yin reminds us that the healing power of her understanding and compassion are always available to you.
If you answered TRUE to 5, ATHENA is your goddess. The ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and learning is often shown companioned by an owl, the traditional wisdom-bird to many. If you desire deep wisdom or want to do well in some course of study, Athena will help you to clear your mind.
If you answered TRUE to 6, BRIGID is your goddess. This fiery Celtic goddess of poetry and crafting (among other things) is a great help in unlocking your creative potential.
You might want to do a little research on your goddess, and then find images or statues of her to remind you of her help and guidance as you follow your path throughout the year.
By Cait Johnson, co-author of Celebrating the Great Mother (Inner Traditions, 1994).
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.
Explanation: These three bright nebulae are often featured in telescopic tours of the constellation Sagittarius and the crowded starfields of the central Milky Way. In fact, 18th century cosmic tourist Charles Messier cataloged two of them; M8, the large nebula left of center, and colorful M20 near the bottom of the frame The third, NGC 6559, is right of M8, separated from the larger nebula by dark dust lanes. All three are stellar nurseries about five thousand light-years or so distant. The expansive M8, over a hundred light-years across, is also known as the Lagoon Nebula. M20’s popular moniker is the Trifid. In the composite image, narrowband data records ionized hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur atoms radiating at visible wavelengths. The mapping of colors and range of brightness used to compose this cosmic still life were inspired by Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. Just right of the Trifid one of Messier’s open star clusters, M21, is also included on the telescopic canvas.
Tonight – June 24, 2016 – if you’re located around 40o north latitude, it’s your latest evening twilight for the year. The longest evening twilights always happen around the summer solstice. Although the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice, and longest day, happened a few days ago, on June 20, the latest twilight at 40o north latitude always occurs several days afterwards, on or near June 24.
The parallel 40o north passes through the cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Columbus, Ohio; it sweeps through the northern suburbs of Indianapolis, Indiana and Denver, Colorado.
The year’s latest sunsets don’t come exactly on the solstice either. For 40o north latitude, the latest sunset happens about a week after the summer solstice, on or near June 27.
Let us introduce you to the three different kinds of twilight:
Civil twilight starts at sundown and ends when the sun is 6o below the horizon.
Nautical twilight occurs when the sun is 6o to 12o below the horizon.
Astronomical twilight happens when the sun is 12o to 18o below the horizon.
It’s the land of the midnight twilight from 50o north latitude to the Arctic Circle (66.5o north latitude).
It’s the land of the midnight sun from the Arctic Circle to the North Pole (90o north latitude).
At the temperate zones and the tropics, the longest period of twilight after sunset or before sunrise happens around the summer solstice, and the shortest period around the equinoxes. At 40o latitude, astronomical twilight ends about 2 hours after sunset on the summer solstice; and on the equinoxes, astronomical twilight ends about one and one-half hours after sunset. Believe it or not, the duration of astronomical twilight reaches a secondary peak around the winter solstice, lasting about one and two-thirds hours after the sun goes down at 40o latitude.
Bottom line: Although the latest sunset won’t happen at 40o north latitude for another few days, the latest twilight happens on June 24.
Author
BRUCE MCCLURE
Bruce McClure has served as lead writer for EarthSky’s popular Tonight pages since 2004. He’s a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also writes and hosts public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York.
Nine of Pentacles
Material wealth enjoyed alone. Knowledge of the workings of those things in your best interest. Love of home and garden.
Elhaz
Watch for hidden traps. Look for holes in your defenses and fill them.
The Greek Vowels
This aspect will be influenced by a sudden strong stroke of ill fate. This mis- fortune will be unpredictable and will last only a short time, but will bring with it poor health, unhappiness and a bout of failure.
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 Three Dragon Reading for the Upcoming Weekend
In Chinese Culture the Dragon is generally considered a sign of great luck and power. However the Red, Green and White Dragons in Mahjong represent three distinct influences that can affect your life. The Dragon Reading creates a relationship between sets of tiles to each Dragon to explore how the Three Dragons will influence you now and in the near future.
The White Dragon is indeed a wily fellow. His domain is the great unknown, and the tile set under him suggests an area or areas that could affect your life in unexpected ways.
West Wind
Symbol: Metal
The West Wind tile represents an obstacle that must be faced before you can make progress towards your goals. This obstacle may be anything from a person to needing to find work.
Fall
Symbol: The Farmer
The Farmer represents rewards gained through hard work and faith in oneself. He harvests riches from the planting and nurturing of his crops.
Bamboo 2
Symbol: Duck
The Duck tile symbolizes a long lasting relationship with the strength to overcome all obstacles. It suggests fidelity and trustworthiness as well. Regardless of the type of partnership in question, the 2 Bamboo tile indicates a strong, healthy relationship.
Balance denotes the benefits of keeping the use of your energies justifiably proportioned between your pursuits. The symbol Yin and Yang is used to represent the balance. Yin and Yang is possibly the most elegant and sometimes elusive definition of Balance there is. While Balance is rarely if ever perfect, being far out of Balance means that while one part of you may be thriving tremendously, another part of your life may be wilting.
Luis corresponds to the letter L in the alphabet, and is associated with the Rowan tree. This symbol represents insight, protection and blessings.
The Rowan tree has often been associated with protection against enchantment and magic. Rowan sticks were often used to carve protective charms on, and hung over a door to prevent evil spirits from entering. The berries, when split in half, reveal a small pentagram inside.
The Rowan indicates protection as well as knowledge – insight about what is taking place in your surroundings.
Luis Correspondences
Mundane Aspects: Keep your awareness high, and go with your intuition when it comes to the people and events in your life. Trust your judgment, and don’t allow yourself to be lulled into a false sense of security.
Magical Aspects: Keep yourself true to your spirituality, staying grounded even in times of doubt. This will help protect you from that which might bring you emotional, physical or spiritual harm.
Meaning: The first meaning of this rune is quite obvious: it represents women. Any woman that is important in the question, whether you know her or not, will be represented by this rune. Mother, sister, aunt, grandma, a female boss, friend, lover or even enemy… all can be symbolized by the appearance of this rune.
In a more general sense, this rune is related to traditional female abilities and characteristics, such as giving birth, nurturing, comforting and healing. When this rune appears, you can count on the sympathy of others towards you or your situation. In its most negative aspects, the Woman rune can show over-protectiveness, a patronizing attitude or co-dependency. It often strives to maintain the status quo, refusing to change even if the situation is bad.
The Woman rune is connected to nurturing – nurturing a relationship, a person or a project. Like the Moon rune, it can be related to finding a safe place to rest and heal, but while the Moon implies a solitary retreat, the Woman often shows that you need to go back to the people you trust, the people you feel safe with.
Healing is another strong aspect of this symbol, as well as teaching. You can be both the patient/student or the healer/teacher when this rune appears. This rune is also connected to creativity, but in a way that is different from the Romance rune. While the latter is about the conception of a project – the initial stages of creation – the Woman is about the birth of this project. When your creation is brought out into the world, fully manifested.
In relationship readings, this rune isn’t bad, but rather weak. While it can indicate subtle ties between people, these are usually so, so subtle that the partners can easily drift away from each other. It can show that one of the partners sees the other as someone who needs to be protected and healed, rather than an equal. Usually, the romance is a bit stagnated when this rune appears, or very close to becoming a friendship.
The Empress is “The Earth Mother” of the Tarot. She embodies all that is nurturing, clean and wholesome. Her powers resonate from her drive to create and care for life on a grand scale. She is in tune with Nature’s rhythm and realizes that life’s most pleasurable moments often stem from the simplest things. She is not afraid to enjoy herself–to let loose—to the point of being lavish. Abundance and luxury are important to her. The Empress is completely comfortable with her femininity and her sexuality. She is sensual, earthy, generous, and likes the good life. Still, her driving force is a need to create and nurture, and fulfilling this need overrides everything else.
Laguz is the feminine Rune. It denotes a deep sexuality and fertility. Laguz also represents that which is ever changing and renewal. You may be in a tremendous spiritual growth period.
The Present Situation That You Will Find Yourself In Othala
Othala represents a solid, immovable home, prosperity and safety. Good fortune based on your heritage and character is yours to enjoy.
The Future Which You Will Have A Glimpse of Ehwaz
Ehwaz represents movement. You may be closing in on reaching your current goals. Your life may be changing for the better. Harmony with others should come easy for you at this time.
Your Personal Power Cards for the Upcoming Weekend
This reading represents strengths you were born with and will emerge this weekend.
The Emperor
The Emperor is gifted with the skills to successfully lead others. He can turn chaos into order, provide structure to that which is unbound. He is quick of mind and confident in his power and right to rule, and does so in a just manner. Although stern by nature, he truly is the ultimate father figure. He will provide as needed, teach those with unanswered questions, protect the vulnerable, set and maintain boundaries. His perfect world runs on schedule and is free of any disturbances. What the Emperor must be wary of is setting boundaries and rules where none are needed. If he isn’t he may well become a tyrant.
When The Hierophant or Justice are among your personal cards, the influence of The Emperor may be increased. Having The Empress in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Emperor.
The Fool
This card represents the dreamer in you, the idealist, the mystic. The Fool desires to do great things, but is often unaware of just how difficult great things are to do. He must always be very careful of the choices he makes, and remember knowledge is his ally. The Fool often symbolizes a new beginning, unrestrained optimism, and curiosity that hasn’t been dulled by time. While The Fool may well indicate a lack of experience or grasp of the pitfalls along the path he is taking, it is equally true that his lack of experience leads him to believe all things are possible, which brings even impossible goals within his grasp.
When The Hanged Man or The Star are among your personal cards, the influence of The Fool may be increased. Having The Devil in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Fool.
The Hierophant represents the protector of a culture’s heritage and traditions. His purpose is to defend and teach the established ways and beliefs a group embraces. He is inherently conventional and a true believer in the power of the group. He loves the structure of the group and its values. It is the task of The Hierophant to bring new members into the group—to prepare the uninitiated to take their rightful place in his culture. In this sense he is very much like a teacher or a priest. He also acts as the repository of his group’s history. The Hierophant is certainly not one to buck proper authority. However, he is a staunch and worthy defender of the tried and true. He represents the positive aspects of tradition and conformity.
You need more than usual rest, time to yourself, and opportunities to digest and process recent events today, dear Aries. Even so, you are in a good frame of mind for work and long-term goals. You are entertaining strong ideas about where you’d like your life to go, and how to get there! Motivation builds as you feel a sense of purpose or destination. Others may be showing you more respect or they may be admiring your work. There can also be more demand for your work or projects opening up to you. This can also be a good time for making big, positive changes in your daily routines or with your habits.
Taurus
Taurus
You are more sensitive to the needs of others today, dear Taurus, but also to your own need to feel that you belong. While you may be wrestling with your expectations of others right now, you are very far-sighted when it comes to projects and goals. These days, you are commanding attention in a positive way, and you are approaching your life with more confidence and self-assurance. There may be opportunities to study, travel, and connect to people and ideas that expand your mind and worldview. You are in a strong position to sniff out good opportunities and to gravitate towards pursuits that are destined to be successful.
Gemini
Gemini
Demands on your time are rather strong today, dear Gemini, and you’re especially sensitive to how you’re coming across or how you’re performing. Fortunately, you’re appreciated by others for the most part, although there can be some criticism coming from a partner. This is a good time to get your priorities straight and to put in a little extra effort. With Jupiter and Pluto coming to their final trine tomorrow, this is a good time for improved family and domestic matters as well as for making positive lifestyle changes. Financial support may be available to you. Business and home matters can expand or improve, and you’re likely to find more support or backing for what you’re doing.
Cancer
Cancer
Satisfying the wanderlust in you, even in a small way, can be rewarding now, dear Cancer. Break the routine and do something different, creative, and imaginative. Allow for some freeform activities, but also take advantage of the focused, ambitious Jupiter-Pluto influence with you now. Learning, sharing, and connecting are in strong focus and can take on deeper, more meaningful layers. Your views toward love and commitment can transform. You could find motivation to pursue a dream project. Transportation and communication opportunities can open up. There are wonderful opportunities emerging for friendships as well as personal influence.
Leo
Leo
You are paying closer attention to those things you normally sweep under the carpet, dear Leo. This can be helpful in moderate doses, after which you may be inviting a bit of drama! Self-improvement endeavors are highly favored now, not only because the Moon is in your psychological solar eighth house, but because of a Jupiter-Pluto connection that stimulates personal ambition. This can be about money on the surface of things, but it’s more likely to be about gaining the ability to experience more of life on your own terms. While it’s a more introspective day than most, you are getting along with others and feeling supported. A project begun last fall may be spreading its wings or could need your attention. You can be especially motivated to produce, build, accumulate, and prove your worth.
Virgo
Virgo
With the Moon in your opposing sign all day, dear Virgo, this is the time of month when you seek out companionship and tend to avoid executive decisions in favor of collaboration. However, with Jupiter’s trine to Pluto occurring now, you’re actually in a great position to make decisions that further personal plans and goals. Your confidence in yourself is building, and you are likely to find it easier to ask for – or take – what you want from life. This is a good time for picking up or renewing a satisfying hobby. Look for opportunities to express yourself in new or improved ways. Some of you could be trying out a new look or attitude, and it’s likely to be quite successful now.
Libra
Libra
While this is a good time for focusing on work and routines, dear Libra, there is nothing ordinary or routine about your attitude today. In fact, you’re looking to make some long-term changes as Jupiter and Pluto move towards their final trine in a set that began in October. This is a great time for giving a lifestyle change an extra push. It’s a time of emotional bravery – you are ready to face up to fears that may have been holding you back from pursuing happiness wholeheartedly. Improvements can be especially noticeable surrounding finances, family and home matters, and personal development. Support from or of family can be rewarding now. You find it easier to address tricky issues and to express your deeper emotions. This can be a good time for physical renovations in addition to emotional ones, particularly around the home.
Scorpio
Scorpio
This is a good day for entertaining your more playful and/or creative ideas, dear Scorpio. Even so, it’s also a time for tuning into your serious ambitions and ideas with Jupiter and Pluto coming together in a trine. This is the last of three such aspects in a set that began in October, and it’s an empowering influence. This is a time for discovering more meaning and purpose in your life, particularly related to communicating, connecting, and sharing. You are building more faith in yourself, and others more readily see and appreciate your efforts. You are turned to as an expert on a matter, and/or teaching and guiding others can figure strongly. You’re feeling more passionately about what you do and what you believe, and this is reflected in the work you do.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
With the Moon in your sector of family and home all day, dear Sagittarius. You are more likely to stick with familiar and comfortable people and situations rather than venturing out or taking a risk, just for the time being. Even so, with Jupiter and Pluto connecting in a trine tomorrow, this is a strong period for entertaining personal ambitions. You are coming across well and attracting respect. Whether it’s about work or an important goal, you’re more focused on achieving. Look for ways to boost relationships with higher-ups. Your talents may be recognized and appreciated, or you could simply enjoy developing and using them.
Capricorn
Capricorn
You are more curious than usual today, dear Capricorn, looking to branch out and experiment. The pace of your life seems quickened, mostly in a pleasant way. It’s best not to be rooted to one place or task, as this is an important time for diversifying. A Jupiter-Pluto influence with you now stimulates your ambition and encourages belief in yourself and your future. It’s a good time to put your feelers out, make connections, do research, and pay special attention to your intuition. This can be a time for sharing ideas and teaching or guiding others quite successfully. It can be very satisfying to learn new things and meet new people.
Aquarius
Aquarius
Balance is sought today, dear Aquarius, and emotions tend to settle down. You are seeking out more comfort and safety, but you’re also prepared to temporarily upset the balance in order to secure these things. A Jupiter-Pluto connection motivates you to make important, empowering lifestyle changes. Ambition to get to the bottom of emotional problems in your life is strong now. This is about facing fears and breaking through taboos. There can be a nice feeling of growth and improvement experienced in a special relationship, or through more honesty with yourself. Bonds are strengthening. This is a solid period for support and counseling as well.
Pisces
Pisces
The Moon is in your sign all day, dear Pisces, and you can feel as if you are beginning anew on an emotional level. This is an appropriate time for leaving behind emotional issues that have been annoying you or undermining your personal comfort. It’s time to start fresh. There can be some challenges meeting the expectations or demands of others today, but you are in a good position to make adjustments that get you to a better balance. A Jupiter-Pluto connection enriches your relationships with more meaning and understanding. Relationships can prosper and grow, and mutually beneficial partnerships may be formed.
The Greek Vowels
The White Dragon
West Wind
Fall
Bamboo 2
The Future Which You Will Have A Glimpse of
The Emperor is gifted with the skills to successfully lead others. He can turn chaos into order, provide structure to that which is unbound. He is quick of mind and confident in his power and right to rule, and does so in a just manner. Although stern by nature, he truly is the ultimate father figure. He will provide as needed, teach those with unanswered questions, protect the vulnerable, set and maintain boundaries. His perfect world runs on schedule and is free of any disturbances. What the Emperor must be wary of is setting boundaries and rules where none are needed. If he isn’t he may well become a tyrant.
This card represents the dreamer in you, the idealist, the mystic. The Fool desires to do great things, but is often unaware of just how difficult great things are to do. He must always be very careful of the choices he makes, and remember knowledge is his ally. The Fool often symbolizes a new beginning, unrestrained optimism, and curiosity that hasn’t been dulled by time. While The Fool may well indicate a lack of experience or grasp of the pitfalls along the path he is taking, it is equally true that his lack of experience leads him to believe all things are possible, which brings even impossible goals within his grasp.
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