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.

2017 April 26

Mt. Etna Lava Plume
Image Credit & Copyright: Dario Giannobile

Explanation: Mt. Etna has been erupting for hundreds of thousands of years. Located in Sicily, Italy, the volcano produces lava fountains over one kilometer high. Mt. Etna is not only one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, it is one of the largest, measuring over 50 kilometers at its base and rising nearly 3 kilometers high. Pictured in mid-March, a spectacular lava plume erupts upwards, dangerous molten volcanic bombs fly off to the sides, while hot lava flows down the volcano’s exterior. The Earth’s rotation is discernable on this carefully time, moon-lit, long duration image as star trails.

First supermoon of 2017 on April 26

The Words of Confucius

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
This aspect needs to be lightened up a bit, things are getting to serious. Some humor or even a bit of flirting could lighten the tone greatly.

General Description:
The use of this, one of the most ancient charms, dates back to the commencement of our present civilization, and was in use previous to the Jewish dispensation. The symbol has been used in almost every religion, and was considered all powerful, efficient, and the perfect sign of the absolute. The triangle with the apex upwards symbolized all that was good and the inverted triangle all that was evil, and the two combined in the device portrays the triumph of good over evil. The seven discs represent the seven then known planets. This charm was worn to protect the wearer from every description of mischief and danger, and was a preserver from all evil.

Your Past, Present, Future Reading

The three Mahjong tiles in this reading represent your past, present and future situations.

That Which is Behind You

South Wind
Symbol: Fire
The South Wind tile is considered to be a very good sign in a reading. It almost ensures a satisfactory end to any problem.

Your Current Place

Circles 3
Symbol: Phoenix
The Phoenix tile indicates great happiness and joy. The Phoenix is said to be reborn out its ashes. Accordingly the Phoenix tile also denotes sure recovery from any setbacks encountered.

That Which is Before You

Circles 6
Symbol: Peach
The Peach tile represents the female spirit in its purest form. Where the Peach tile appears it is likely a woman or possibly a young girl will play an important role in outcome of your reading.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Phoenix

The mythical, endearing Phoenix has long been a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and coming full circle. Tired in both body and spirit the aged Phoenix combust into flames and from its ashes is reborn. The Phoenix does not indicate change so much as it does renewal and revitalization. It denotes the completion of a cycle and beginning anew.

As a daily card, The Phoenix suggest you are at a place where some aspects of your life have reached the end of a cycle. Your energies may be weakened from use and stretched over too many arenas to be as effective as they once were. As a result, now may be a good time for you to take a step back and allow yourself time to revitalize both your physical and spiritual self.

Get A Jump On Tomorrow…..

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, April 26th

Aries

If you’ve been holding onto anger and letting frustration build, dear Aries, a Mars-Pluto angle today can bring this to just under the surface. The trick will be to identify it and avoid letting this tense, edgy energy rule your behavior. Tensions related to career, long-term goals, and reputation may be at the root of things, but you can express these tensions through mechanical frustration, driving, and communicating. Aggressive Mars is in your communications sector in harsh aspect, and with Mercury retrograde in your sign and resultant misunderstandings, you should be particularly careful about what you say now. Watch for manipulative or compulsive behaviors and be careful about reacting too quickly to things that make you mad.

Taurus

You have more drive these days to pursue your material needs and wants, dear Taurus, but today, there can be a tendency to want more than the world can offer you in the present. Control or power games are tempting now, particularly if you feel frustrated about a matter of ownership or jealousy, but it’s not the solution to problems. You might also be a little too quick to jump to your defense – or to someone else’s – before you know the whole story. There is a bit of paranoid energy with us all today! Think up better ways to deal with irritating situations today – ways that will serve your interests not only today but down the road. The Moon is in your sign until tonight, and this keeps your personal plans on the front burner.

Gemini

Mars in your sign gives your personality a little more muscle these days, dear Gemini, which can be super when you need to accomplish something a little out of your normal comfort zone. However, sometimes you can step over yourself in your haste to get where you want to go. Today, Mars and Pluto connect in a tense aspect, and you might quickly grow frustrated with others who don’t seem to be talking straight with you. You are also feeling your desires with more intensity and urgency, complicating matters. Your best bet is to rise above the game playing and focus on softening and moderating your impulses, but it can be a little too tempting to get involved. As the day advances, your mood lightens, but you can be riled up in a different way – ideas coming to you now are exciting as your ruler, Mercury, moves to align with inventive, electric Uranus.

Cancer

You’re in a good cycle for taking action on private matters and activity behind the scenes or in relative solitude these days, dear Cancer. However, you don’t always see a direct route to achieving your goals or pursuing your desires. This is compounded today by Mars in your privacy sector in challenging aspect to Pluto. There can be anger issues emerging that are difficult to understand or define, but they may have their root in power dynamics with a significant other or with relationships in which you feel there is far too much imbalance. Aim to ferry excess energy or intensity into constructive channels. Or, consider ways to plan out your next move rather than push your agenda now when the chances of achieving your goals are small. As the day advances, you’re in a strong position for support from or enjoyment with friends.

Leo

Today’s energies are on the intense side as Mars and Pluto form a minor but challenging aspect, dear Leo. This influence tends to stimulate pent-up anger which can emerge as edginess and tension until you fully understand where it’s coming from. Interpersonal tensions are very likely. This might also emerge as impatience not only with others but with projects that don’t seem to be coming together soon enough. If teams are not cooperating or if you feel that you’re overloaded with more responsibilities than others, this can reach a difficult point. Pressures to meet health and work goals may be at the root of this, as you also want to experiment with new ideas and projects but can’t find the space for all of your pursuits now. Draw on your reserves of self-control now and channel your considerable energies into something truly useful to you.

Virgo

With Mars at the top of your chart these days, dear Virgo, you can be feeling more driven and ready to take action towards long-term goals. There can be times when you feel rushed or pressured to get where you want to go, however, and with Mars in minor but challenging aspect to Pluto today, this can be a time for feeling added tension. For some, this can be about balancing professional demands and responsibilities with relationship needs and personal time. For others, you may be fixating on problem areas or acting on fears that others are pulling the wool over your eyes. You might feel frustrated if others are blocking your way. It can be difficult to rise above the tensions of minor problems now, but feeling on edge can be a symptom of something deeper that’s worth exploring! In fact, later today you are in an excellent position to see things more objectively.

Libra

People in your life, particularly partners or a significant other, can seem a little controlling today, dear Libra. Power plays right now tend to have their root in fear of losing, whether it’s about losing a position, label, or person — such is the nature of a difficult Pluto, which is part of the day’s energy. You might become frustrated with an opinion not catching on or understood, or you might feel particularly restless and ready to take off somewhere “away from it all” but nevertheless find yourself emotionally stuck. As the day advances, however, you can mentally detach yourself from situations, and this makes you more objective and willing to let go of frustrations. In fact, tonight and tomorrow, you might come to surprising conclusions or insights into a partner or your relationships.

Scorpio

You are particularly aware of and sensitive to give-and-take in a relationship these days, dear Scorpio, and today, there can be a tendency to act compulsively or to see problems as bigger than they are with your two cosmic rulers, Mars and Pluto, in a challenging aspect. You may be feeling suspicious and frustrated if someone seems to be withholding information or actively hiding something from you. You can be driven to get to the truth of a matter or to find an answer to a problem, but this can come at the cost of time, energy, and perhaps most importantly, spirit. There can be agitation with communication or transportation delays, but impatience is only going to exacerbate the problem. Learn from what seems to be triggering your fears or frustrations, but aim to work on getting to a more peaceful, self-kind frame of mind.

Sagittarius

Mars in opposition to your sign these days can point to increased activities and periodic conflicts with others, dear Sagittarius. Watch that you’re not projecting your anger or will onto others during this period, as it can be very easy to do right now! Otherwise, it can be an enjoyable time when you can learn much about your desires through the mirror of your relationships. Because Mars is in challenging aspect to Pluto today, however, it would be wise to be especially mindful of automatic responses to others or frustrating situations. There is a tendency for fears of losing a position, title, or person to dominate or drive behavior today, and in your case, you or a partner/friend may be particularly possessive or acting jealously or controllingly as a result. Consider ways to release tension or resentment productively.

Capricorn

You are more motivated than usual to take on ambitious or time-consuming projects related to work and health these days, dear Capricorn, and this can very often work to your advantage. However, there can be times when you want things to happen “yesterday, ” and this urgency can interfere with your mood. Watch also for a tendency to magnify or obsess over small problems today. Try not to drive yourself too hard now, and if you feel pressure to do so, examine why this may be the case. It’s possible that with Pluto in your sign that you’re expecting too much from yourself or fearful of losing face, a position, or a title. However, pushing yourself too hard and the resultant stress will not get you any closer to your goals in the long run.

Aquarius

A Mars-Pluto conflict today may be a little easier on you than most signs because of Mars’ compatible position vis-a-vis your sign, dear Aquarius, but it can nevertheless serve up some tension. Passions rise, and conflicts can result. As well, there is the possibility that a sense of urgency to fill your desires or a competitive insistence within you may lead you to push yourself too hard or needlessly clash with others. This is a time when you might look at others suspiciously, as you can feel that they have a hidden agenda, or when you might be tempted to manipulate if you’re not confident you’ll get what you want by being upfront and direct. Resentments tend to dissipate later today, however, as you’re more than willing to see things objectively and increasingly interested in focusing on light, positive matters.

Pisces

Watch today for pushing too hard or taking the long, difficult route to your goals when uncomplicated may be best, dear Pisces. There is a tendency to misjudge what you can do or in what timeframe. Aim to bring problem areas and harbored resentments out into the open rather them allow them to drive your behavior. Manipulation can be a problem, and this may be a tendency on your part as you don’t seem to see a clear and direct route to your goals, or it may be that others are attempting to use you to serve their hidden agendas. Ferreting out the truth may be successful, but you may be better off thinking this through before confronting others, as delivery may be edgy today. Vulnerable relationships right now are friendships and family ones, but this is only temporary and can lead to greater understanding and the clearing of blocks.