1. You’ve candle wax in between the keys on your keyboard.
2. You cast your circles in Photoshop or CorelDraw.
3. Your altar is done in 3D.
4. Your favourite book is Zen and the Art of CGI Programming.
5. You firmly believe in Virtual Memory.
6. You begin focusing by typing in < CENTER >.
7. Your entire BOS is on disks.
8. You are aware of disturbances on the net.
9. You can become one with the computer. It is a living thing.
10. As a Windows user, you have had in depth conversations with CyberLoki.
11. You paint pentacles on the tops of all your CD’s to offer them extra protection.
12. You use ICQ as an oracle.
13. Gods and Goddesses send you emails in your dreams.
14. You hold weekly rituals on IRC.
15. You inscribe magickal runes and symbols on your computer monitor with your finger. This is especially powerful when your monitor is dusty.
16. Numerology is interpretted differently by each techno witch and relates to how much email you receive in one day.
17. You channel energy from your mouse and outwards, towards the arrow on your screen.
18. Divination by computer hum.
19. Releasement rituals entail writing lengthy rants to email discussion lists. You are purified of negativity when you receive forgiveness for doing so.
20. Beauty spells involve scanning in pictures of yourself and altering them to the way you want to look.
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: Can you identify a familiar area in the northeast USA just from nighttime lights? It might be possible because many major cities are visible, including (right to left) New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond andNorfolk — Boston of the USA’s Northeast megalopolis is not pictured. The featured image was taken in 2012 from the International Space Station. In the foreground are two Russian cargo ships with prominent solar panels. This Northeast megalopolis of the USA contains almost 20 percent of the people of the USA but only about 2 percent of the land area. Also known also as the Northeast Corridor and part of the Eastern Seaboard, about 10 percent of the world’s largest companies are headquartered here. The near continuity of the lights seem to add credence to the 1960s-era prediction that the entire stretch is evolving into one continuous city.
Moonless evenings in February, March and April present the best time of year to see zodiacal light in the Northern Hemisphere evening sky. Meanwhile, from the Southern Hemisphere, the zodiacal light is best seen before dawn during these months of the year. The light appears when the evening twilight has left the sky (about 80 to 120 minutes after sunset). It looks like a hazy pyramid of light in the west after true darkness falls.
This light can be noticeable and easy to see from latitudes like those in the southern U.S. I’ve seen it many times from the latitude of southern Texas, sometimes while driving a lonely highway far from city lights, up to one hour or so after evening dusk leaves the sky. In that case, the zodiacal light can resemble the lights of a city or town just over the horizon.
Skywatchers in the northern U.S. or Canada sometimes say wistfully that they’ve never seen the zodiacal light. But on February 6, 2013 – on our Facebook page – we received the beautiful photo above from Jim Peacock in northern Wisconsin. He captured the zodiacal light over Lake Superior. Sometimes the camera will pick up faint objects that the eye can’t see. But Jim said this northern Wisconsin zodiacal light was visible to the eye. He said:
Yes, it was very visible to the eye … it reached high above the horizon. Was so cool to see over Lake Superior.
You definitely do need a dark sky location to see the zodiacal light, someplace where city lights aren’t obscuring the natural lights in the sky. Remember, the zodiacal light is a pyramid-shaped glow in the west after dark. It’s even “milkier” in appearance than the starlit trail of the summer Milky Way. It’s most visible after dusk at this time of year because (as seen from the Northern Hemisphere) theecliptic – or path of the sun, moon, and planets – stands nearly straight up with respect to the horizon after the sun sets in February and March
The zodiacal light can be seen for up to an hour after dusk. Unlike twilight dusk, though, there’s no rosy color to the zodiacal light. The reddish skies at dusk and dawn are caused by Earth’s atmosphere, and the zodiacal light originates far outside our atmosphere. When you see the zodiacal light, you are looking edgewise into the plane of our own solar system. The zodiacal light is actually sunlight reflecting off dust particles that move in the same plane as Earth and the other planets orbiting our sun.
Remember, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, your late winter/early spring months (August, September, October) are the best time for you to see the zodiacal light in the evening. Right now (February, March, April), you should be looking for the zodiacal light before dawn.
Bottom line: From the Northern Hemisphere, on a moonless night, try to find the elusive zodiacal light. It looks like a hazy pyramid of light extending up from the place where the sun went down. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere now, the zodiacal light is best before dawn.
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded the website EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website and blogs frequently about astrophysics, the night sky and other topics related to Earth, space and the human world. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. “Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers,” she says.
Ace of Pentacles
Prosperity, pleasure and beauty can be realized.
Berkano
Berkano is the Rune of birth and rebirth. This may symbolize a time when you are capable of great personal growth. Love may be in the air as well.
Scorpio the Scorpion
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is determined, forceful, emotional, intuitive, powerful, passionate, exciting and magnetic. This person is probably an acquaintance you made at work.
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.
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 Red Dragon represents success, achievement and fulfillment. The three tiles under the Red Dragon tile will influence the power your Red Dragon currently has in your life
The Green Dragon indicates beginnings. The Green Dragon’s tile set will suggest places where you should consider putting your energy.
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.
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.
Crow is always on the alert for trouble—and their loud caws! warn each other of impending danger, Very little escapes Crow’s keen vision—which is why many cultures associate Crow with the keeper of knowledge. Crow has flapped his way into your life today to bring a message of watchfulness—have you built your nest high enough to really understand what’s going on around you?
Shuffling the Cards, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today
Past Influence whose impact on your life is waning.
Creation
The Creation card suggest that your creative powers are at or near their peak and that the raw material from which you can craft new and lasting creations is all around you. The question is can you free your mind from your everyday routines to take advantage of this powerful moment in your life? As Eric Fromm said, “Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” The full force of Creation can only be realized by those who are prepared to sacrifice the comfort concomitant with sticking to the tried and true.
Present Influence whose impact on your life is very strong.
Futility
Sadly sometimes our desires lead us down paths which have no end and offer us no chance of achieving the results we want. If we persist we end up like Sisyphus: forever rolling a boulder uphill only to have it roll back downhill before we ever get to the top. Futility suggest the existence of just such a situation–we are chasing a prize that will never be ours. Futility indicates a need to rethink our ambitions and direct our energies towards a goal or goals that can be attained.
Future influence whose impact on your life is growing and will be very strong in the future.
The Hand
Although the exact meaning may vary, The Hand is a symbol of some form of personal power in many cultures and religions. The presence of The Hand is an indication that your personal powers are at or near their zenith. The Hand suggest a time when you should leave your mark on the world.
Justice represents the expression of fairness without bias. Simply put, Justice embodies the notion that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. Justice denotes the need to remedy situations lacking equality for all. Depending on the circumstances, Justice may be asking us to curb our partiality, or conversely, Justice may indicate a time for you to demand fair treatment.
As a daily card, Justice suggest that we are part of a situation that is out of balance. If you have shown unwarranted bias towards others now is the time to make amends. On the other hand, if you have been the victim of bias, now is the time for you to demand fairer treatment.
Meaning: The eye has always been a powerful symbol for different cultures. Some believe that the soul resides in them, while others think it’s possible to curse a person merely by looking at them. Through our eyes we connect and express emotions and thoughts. Thus, this is one of the most powerful runes in the set, emphasizing the importance of any rune close to it. The Eye symbol is also related to “vision” is all senses, including the physical. This rune can represent our eyes and optic nerves. It can also represent activities such as research, analysis, photography and creative visualization. When it appears, there’s an urge to observe, to explore, to understand deeply what is before you. This rune is usually related to sudden realizations. Not necessarily a ‘shock’ (unless some violent rune is close it, like the Scythe and the Man), but more related to the lifting of veils. Your eyes are suddenly open, and you see things that were unknown to you before. A change of perception and focus in life is to be expected when this rune appears… whatever the situation is, the way you see it will be transformed.
The Eye rune also says that now it’s time for you to go after what you want. Your focus is powerful right now, and everything you concentrate on can become successful.This rune often represents a lonely journey towards a goal… it suggests a calling and a connection to something bigger, a sense of purpose. Your path is clear to you now; you know which way to go, even if you don’t know where exactly it’ll take you. In a spiritual level, This rune can represent a development of one’s psychic skills, or an advancement in one’s spiritual path. As you connect yourself to a deeper source, and learn to trust, you gain wisdom and your eyes see far. A higher power seems to be guiding you in times when the Eye appears. Like the Sun rune, this rune can mean that right now all eyes are on you. But unlike the former symbol, when the Eye appears there’s some discomfort related to such attention. It may be excessive and even unwelcome. In fact, this is one of this rune’s most negative facets: it may show an invasion of privacy, when someone (or even you) pry into another’s life and scrutinize their every move. Beware of flatterers and stalkers. The Eye cautions against obsession and the tendency to spy on other people’s affairs. In a relationship reading, the Eye can symbolize a predestined bond to another person.
Note that this does not promise a happy ending, but simply says that this connection is powerful and will be very important in your life. In fact, because the Eye rune is a solitary one, it is possible that the people in the relationship cannot be together due to difficult circumstances. Still, your bond that person will transform you. In a negative way, this rune can cautions against invading your partner’s personal space or stalking them.
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 staunch and worthy defender of the tried and true. He represents the positive aspects of tradition and conformity.
ANALYSIS: Ing is a Danish / Anglo-Saxon name for Freyr, the God of agriculture and fertility. Agriculture represents one of the first attempts by mankind to control the environment, and the fertility of crops, animals and people has always been the primary concern and religious focus of most Pagan agrarian societies. From the earliest Sumerian accounts to modern-day British folk custom, people throughout history have sought to ensure the success of their crops.
The vast majority of people in Western society have lost all contact and connection with the land and the process of growing things.
The spiritual consequences of this segregation from the earth have been disastrous, since most people find it difficult to relate to deity in a purely man-made environment. The shape of this rune can be likened to that of a field, but its real significance may lie in its balance, representing the harmonious relationship between ourselves and the four elements / four directions. Inguz reminds us of that ancient connection between the Gods and the land, and re-links (the real meaning of the ‘religion’) us with our spiritual natures through the realm of the physical. It is quite literally a grounding rune, and by reintroducing us to the earth, it reconnects our bodies, our minds and our spirits.
The Lovers indicates both the most powerful of unions and the most of challenging conflicts humans must face. On one side The Lovers’ embodies love and union on a cosmic scale—a love so strong, so inherently good that it actually makes the lovers better, more than they really are. All of the elements are there for the perfect union. The Lovers represent all powerful unions in general, and the elements that create/sustain them. The problem The Lovers face is temptation and the decision to act morally or abandon their ethics to take advantage of other opportunities that would be defined as transgressions.
You can be very relationship-focused today, dear Aries, and others are paying you special attention. You’re not content simply to hang out with people at the moment – you’re more inclined to want to be active and get things done with someone in your corner. A Venus-Mars parallel aspect can enliven your romantic or social connections and can also boost your personal magnetism. It can be stimulating and rather straightforward to come to a nice you-me balance in your relationships.
Taurus
Taurus
There can be a pleasing focus on putting your affairs into order today, dear Taurus, or for beautifying and organizing your work environment. It’s a good day to connect with others in general, but particularly to make nice with customers, co-workers, and/or bosses. This is a strong day for career thinking or method breakthroughs. You are especially noticed for your dynamism and strength today, and might meet someone special while going about your work or health activities.
Gemini
Gemini
You can feel especially hopeful and motivated today, dear Gemini. There is good energy for playful activities, creative charm, and romantic connections. You seem to get along with everyone right now, from all walks of life, and romantically speaking, you’re in great form. The ability to successfully combine grace and assertion helps you out today, and adds to your persuasiveness. Promotional or publishing activities can be in good shape now.
Cancer
Cancer
The Moon in your home and family sector all day points to some need for familiarity and comfort, dear Cancer. Even so, there are pleasing levels of excitement and activity associated with your personal or domestic life. You want to get things done, and won’t tolerate things being out of whack. This is a time for intimate excitement as well, and perhaps some positive movement in your financial affairs. Coming to a good balance between work and down time seems almost easy today.
Leo
Leo
This can be an exciting day for learning of all kinds, dear Leo, communicating with increased charm and punch, and making stimulating connections. There can be lively interactions today. You’re also putting things together on a mental level in creative ways, and could get to a wonderful new insight or a new level of understanding in your studies or research. This is a good time to sell your ideas to others, to present your case in some manner, and to work on projects with great vigor and passion.
Virgo
Virgo
There is a strong focus on money, possessions, and business matters today, dear Virgo, but for many, this may simply be about wanting to feel comfortable and secure. It’s a good day for thinking breakthroughs on work projects and methods, as well as new ideas about money. This can be a very resourceful time when you make the most of what you have. While you can probably make some interesting purchases now, there can be a little impulsiveness or a larger appetite for things in general today.
Libra
Libra
You can be admired for your dynamism and straightforward approach today, dear Libra, and you have more persuasive power than usual. Emotionally speaking, you are in no mood to deal with mundane affairs – you need some excitement and freedom of movement. Personal magnetism is strong today, and interactions can be animated. There is a desire for harmony and willingness to take real steps to get to a position of mutual benefit, making negotiations very successful now.
Scorpio
Scorpio
You have a tendency to stay in the background today, dear Scorpio, and quite willingly at that. It definitely doesn’t take away from your personal appeal – in fact, it may add to it. There can be a lot going on behind the scenes, in your mind, and under the surface of things. For some, there can be a private meeting or affair, a fun secret, and excitement in your personal life. There can be especially creative, dynamic ideas about handling the home or personal life as well.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
This can be a fun and animated day in your social or romantic life, dear Sagittarius. Today, you can be excited about plans, and news can come through that you’ve been waiting for. Group activities and cooperative efforts can be in focus and especially useful or dynamic. Communications can range from pleasant to inspiring. There is charm in your presentation, and personal magnetism, particularly amongst friends and over your networks. You may be taking the lead and succeeding at it.
Capricorn
Capricorn
This can be an especially creative day on practical levels, dear Capricorn, with money, money-making ideas, business, career projects, and reputation matters. You are magnetic, particularly in your work or in a public capacity, and some of you may even meet someone special or a romantic interest through your business activities. You may be taking the lead or managing in especially charming, successful ways today. Some of you could find a great buy.
Aquarius
Aquarius
You have a stronger desire for pleasure and excitement today, dear Aquarius, and you can be in great shape on the level of communications, mental interests, and making connections. There may be a breakthrough in your studies or a new level of understanding reached with someone important to you. You are projecting both strength and warmth, and people are taking note! It’s a good day for magnetic attraction. Starting something with high profile appeal is favored now.
Pisces
Pisces
This is not the best time to follow an exacting schedule, dear Pisces, as very creative energy is with you now and you may tap into it more easily if allowed some free time and space. Passions from deep within are stimulated today, and for some, an unusual attraction or desire can emerge, possibly even from a dream, or a private longing can take strong hold. This can be a good time to take action on a financial matter for some. You are looking for harmony in your relationships, and willing to go to great lengths to achieve it.
Charming, quirky, and outgoing, it might surprise some that you require a lot of time to yourself to recharge and refresh yourself just to get back on track. You are an interesting conversationalist, including as many people as possible in the conversation, and you are extremely versatile as well. You bend over backwards to help those you care about. Your compassionate side is well-developed, but so is your business sense. You have a good head for business, although it may take you some time to choose the right career path for you.
Famous people born today: Eddie Murray, Abe Vigoda, Steven Jobs, Paula Zahn.
Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, February 24th
Aries
Aries
You can be especially excited about projects and plans, dear Aries, and perhaps a little worked up about opinions and perspectives today. As the day advances, you’ll be seeing more and more opportunities through, of all things, responsibilities. Committing yourself to a goal, a cause, or a pet project can actually help bring you down to earth and get your mind off emotional conundrums. You’re eager to work on your to-do list today after some rather unfocused days behind you.
Taurus
Taurus
Today, you are likely to be feeling especially excited about a person, an idea, or a feeling – whatever it is, you can feel alive and motivated, dear Taurus. You are reminded of your commitments, in a pleasant way, and can feel especially good about working on a project or endeavor – one that’s designed to last. This is a good time for enthusiasm in a relationship, as well as getting some solid work done. Career planning efforts can be worthwhile now.
Gemini
Gemini
While you can begin the day a little scattered but highly motivated, dear Gemini, you tend to finish it in very realistic terms. A commitment to make improvements comes easily, especially with or about a partner. You can be filled with a strong desire to accomplish something solid and practical. There is great energy for new ideas and interests, but also willingness to put your plans into motion – a nice combination! A friend might come through for you today.
Cancer
Cancer
You can feel especially excited about an idea and possibly some breakthrough thinking today, dear Cancer. Both emotional and mental energy run high, and you can feel quite motivated to tackle projects or duties that you may have let slide or avoided. You may want to use this energy to sort out financial support issues. Later today is strong for work, research, and investigation. Focusing on something absorbing can do wonders for your sense of purpose. You can be drawn to details and excited about finding solutions to problems.
Leo
Leo
There can be quite a bit of excitement in your conversations today, dear Leo, and you can find yourself quite enthusiastic about new ideas. Others may not seem to be keeping up with you, but if you can work independently, you can accomplish a lot. As the day advances, you’re more inclined to find an area of focus and work towards a specific goal. There is a “back to business” feel to the moment, and you’re interested in long-term results. While much of the day you tend to be quite self-motivated and do well on your own, later on you seem to be better off thinking up plans with a partner.
Virgo
Virgo
You have the power of increased mental energy with you today, dear Virgo, and a real need to put ideas into motion – or your money where your mouth is – with Mercury and Mars coming together in a parallel. This may benefit your daily activities and projects most, as you can feel especially excited about trying out new things or simply getting things done. As the day moves forward, there is good energy for applying yourself to something productive and purposeful in a more focused manner, particularly related to work and home life. A pet project and something to focus your attention on can add to your feelings of purpose and direction. You can feel good about committing to something specific, and making headway.
Libra
Libra
You can be feeling especially enthused about producing and moving forward in your projects today, dear Libra. There may be an exciting conversation or thoughts about a money-making pursuit, and willingness to put ideas into motion. Details that you may have missed in recent days begin to fill your consciousness, making this a good time for paying more attention to a particular area of interest. You are more focused and willing to put in effort as the day advances, and you can end the day in a very practical frame of mind.
Scorpio
Scorpio
You have more than usual mental energy today, dear Scorpio, as well as courage to express your more cherished ideas and opinions. As the day progresses, focusing on family or a practical project can relieve stress, particularly if you cut out distractions and concentrate on one thing at a time, one step at a time. While wit and speed are favored much of the day, slow and steady wins the race later today. You’re in great shape for taking care of business and dealing with details that may have been missed (or that you didn’t care to see) in the past.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
There is great enthusiasm with you today, dear Sagittarius, particularly related to expressing yourself and learning new things. Conversations can be inspiring, helpful, and revealing. Not everyone is working at the same pace, but you don’t seem to need approval or help just for now. Coming out of some emotional, high-flying days, you begin gearing up to take care of business as the day moves forward. You are able to focus, and traditional methods seem to work best now – avoid skipping steps. You’ll feel more accomplished if you pay extra attention to details or duties that you’ve let slide.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Thoughts about money or business matters can be accelerated and progressive today, dear Capricorn. While you’re encouraged to be quick on your feet in the morning, it’s best not to be hasty with decision making. As For some of you, you could be in the position to defend your worth or your values. As the day advances, you’re more inclined to slow down and consider the details. Early day courage is good, but practicality and willingness to draw upon common sense as the day progresses can help you lock something down.
Aquarius
Aquarius
While there can be moments when you may be super hasty when expressing yourself early today, dear Aquarius, you’re also in an especially courageous, intelligent, and effective frame of mind. You are excited about an idea or project and ready to run with it. There can be a nice channel for expressing yourself and your personal interests. As the day advances, you’re in a stronger position to pay more attention to the nitty gritty details or practical angle of a project. Organizing or researching work can be attractive, and some of you could be making solid plans with a friend. A new level of respect or reliability in a relationship can be achieved now.
Pisces
Pisces
Mental energy is powerful today, dear Pisces, and you could be wanting to take action on an idea or new information about a matter from the past. You have the courage to confront or face problem areas and then move forward. There can be an important conversation or thinking with/about a partner. New insight into a private matter or relationship can come now, and can be very exciting. As the day advances, you’re more inclined to think in practical terms, and this helps you to hone in on your priorities. Dealing with responsibilities rather than hiding from them can in fact be quite satisfying now.
Ace of Pentacles
Berkano
Scorpio the Scorpion
The Green Dragon
The White Dragon
Creation
Futility
The Hand
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