The Balance of the Signs & the Elements for August 23rd

TAURUS STRONG
Stable and enduring, strong values, unyielding, earthy, acquisitive, strong desires. Can be stuck, stubborn, overly possessive, self-indulgent.
VIRGO STRONG
Meticulous, discriminating, pure, practical, health conscious, hard working. Can be hyper-critical, petty and perfectionistic.
SAGITTARIUS STRONG
Inspiring, broad vision, enthusiastic, goal seeking, truthful, adventurous. Can be reckless, unrestrained, tactless.

BALANCE OF ELEMENTS

EARTH STRONG
We are especially in touch with the physical world. We consider what we’ve learned and experienced in the past in order to make the most of the present. We can be cautious, practical, and possibly unimaginative. We are deliberate and can pace ourselves well. We need hands-on experience and are not impressed with theory as much as we are with results. Routines are tolerable and comforting.
AIR WEAK
We may have a difficult time being objective or detached. We may not be especially communicative.
WATER WEAK
There may be some insensitivity or lack of empathy now. We may be out of touch with what we’re feeling or with our emotional needs. We may be tougher than usual now, and more inclined to follow mental or practical considerations than we are to listen to our intuition.

BALANCE OF MODES

CARDINAL WEAK
This is not a time that we tend to naturally initiate actions. We may be stronger at following up than starting anew. Survival mechanisms may be weaker now.
MUTABLE STRONG
We are flexible, adaptable, willing, open to change, and possibly flighty or nervous.

Astrology of Today – August 23, 2016

• The Moon is in Taurus all day (until Wednesday, August 24th, at 7:39 PM).
• The Moon is waning and in its Waning Gibbous phase.
• A Full Moon occurred on the 18th, and a Last Quarter Moon will occur tomorrow.
• Mercury is in its pre-retrograde shadow (Mercury will be retrograde from August 30-September 22).
• The Sun spends its first full day in Virgo (the Sun transits Virgo August 22-September 22).

11th August 2015 – 9th September 2016: Jupiter in Virgo

a message from Sarah Varcas

To view more of Sarah’s insight, please visit her website, Awakenings, Intuitive Astrology for Heart and Soul

The Web of Life

After the buoyant confidence of Jupiter in Leo since July 2014, its arrival in Virgo heralds a time of quiet activity which will build firm foundations for the future. Jupiter in Virgo resonates deeply with Mother Earth, reminding us her future is integral to our own. We simply cannot separate the two. During its stay in Virgo, Jupiter connects with the Moon’s North Node at a powerful Blue Moon in June 2016. Between now and then we have a precious opportunity to realign with the needs of our beautiful planet, just as she has met ours for millennia.

Jupiter speaks now of the inherent creativity we often overlook. Many consider themselves uncreative when in fact they may simply lack ‘artistic talent’. In fact we are creative in every moment, giving life to thoughts and feelings, words and deeds. We may not have a specific objet d’art to show for it come nightfall, but each day we are artists working on the canvas of our lives. Jupiter in Virgo reminds us that every moment is a brushstroke, every decision moulds the clay of who we are. It knows how vital each one of these is. No longer seduced by size and stature as it was in Leo, it resonates with the tiny moments and apparently inconsequential actions that create the life we live today.

In the coming months the development of mindfulness will support us considerably. The more present we can be to the moment, not losing ourselves in fantasy or fear, the more we can shape the fruits of our creativity in alignment with the flow of conscious becoming. Jupiter in Virgo honours the power of gentleness, the healing potential of quietude, the blessings of knowing intimately the tiniest lives on this planet, the smallest parts of a whole. It knows that within the microcosm we find the macrocosm, within the mundane we find the divine and within our lives we have absolutely everything we need to awaken, right here, right now. It knows that the answers we seek may not be written boldly across the heavens but in the light of a distant star which has already met its fiery end before we perceive its light. Our destiny may not impress others and thrust us into the limelight, but be instead a quiet repose which knows that all things come to those who wait.

As human beings we are blessed with great potential and so much hope. As a race we have squandered such riches in pursuit of power – over life, other people, even over Mother Nature herself. Jupiter in Virgo turns our attention to how life begins, how we create from nothing and manifest form. It asks us to pay close attention to the elements we combine to create our desired life and the feedback we receive from nature herself as we do so. She speaks to us clearly if we will but listen, and her messages will be evermore important as Jupiter journeys through Virgo. In a busy world where there’s barely time to breathe, it’s vital we shift the focus from striving to collaboration, from control to alignment. As Jupiter now crosses the fixed star Regulus, whose shift into Virgo in 2011heralded another step forward in the birth of the Aquarian Age, we’re reminded that without Mother Earth we are nothing. It is she who should be the centre of our world, not ourselves, for in her we find everything we need and all that is vital to our physical and spiritual survival.

The time has come to honour our planetary mother every single day. For each step upon her to be placed with love, for each breath to be taken with gratitude. It is time to reflect on how our creations align with the ecosystem into which we have been born. What is the price of our becoming? Of fulfilling our hopes and dreams? How can we further peace on this planet, mutual respect and sustainability whilst fulfilling our own individual potential and weaving a meaningful life?

No matter who we are or what we dream, we carry the life of our descendants in our hearts, of future generations to be blessed with this beautiful planet as we have been. We hold in our hands the destiny of the birds and the bees, the seas and oceans, air and soil. Our every thought, word and deed act as nourishment or poison to the world around us. As we pursue our own fulfilment we can facilitate collective awakening or hinder its advance. It was never an ‘either/or’ but a ‘both/and’. Both you and me at peace in our own lives as Mother Nature flourishes around us.

There is much to be done now, plans to implement, dreams to realise, awakening to be embraced. Jupiter in Virgo bids us join hands with all of life to act in alignment with becoming, not in competition with it. If we meet barriers and obstacles along the way stop… look… listen….the cosmos is speaking, our Mother is offering guidance as to timing or temperament, the viability of our hopes and dreams. She is forever watching, waiting, blessing and supporting us. All she asks is that we do the same, honouring her as partner in the shaping and formation of our lives.

Sarah Varcas

Totally Useless & Random Facts for a Tuesday!

Here are some random facts for you . . .

1. All the alien drool in the movie “Aliens” is KY Jelly.

2. The original design for the Space Needle in Seattle looked like a big balloon floating up from the ground. Eventually it evolved into the final design, and the balloon became a flying saucer.

3. It’s illegal in Indiana to catch fish using dynamite, guns, a crossbow, or your bare hands.

4. It’s bad etiquette to eat a hot dog in more than five bites. At least according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.

5. Judge Judy was a real judge in New York criminal and family court from 1982 to 1996 . . . and she had the same personality and style she does on TV. She got her show after “60 Minutes” did a feature on her in 1993.

Source

95.7 The Hog

August 23rd

Vocanalia

Vulcan was the ancient Roman God of fire and smithcraft. He had his own Flamen, the Flamen Vocanalis.
Very little is known about his festival and worship, but he did have a temple on the Campus Martius. Mythologically, Vulcan was the father of the fire-breathing monster Cacus, and his two consorts were Maia and Hora—also worshiped during his festival.

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

Tuesday is a Mars day, and just like the god of war, this is the time to tap into magicks to call for strength and courage. This day of the week is for rebels and warriors. If you are facing a challenge of any kind, need a boost to your courage, or want to enhance your passions, Tuesday is the day of the week for you.

Some suggestions for Tuesday enchantments would include:

*Wearing the fiery colors associated with this day: scarlet, red, black, and orange. Don some of the more daring and bewitching colors of your wardrobe on Tuesdays and turn a few heads

*Carrying a bloodstone in your pocket or wearing garnet-studded jewelry to reinforce your convictions

*Working with protective and fire-associated plants such as the snapdragon, thistle, and holly to boost your shields and bravery

*Burning spicy-scented energy-enhancing candles to add a little magical aromatherapy to your home

*Cooking up a hearty meal featuring carrots, peppers, and garlic (all Mars foods and spices) to empower yourself for victory and success

The Witches Correspondences for Tuesday, August 23rd

Tuesday (Tiw’s-day)

Planet: Mars

Colors: Red and Autumn Shades

Crystals: Bloodstone, Ruby, Garnet, Flint, Rhodonite, Iron and Steel

Aroma: Basil, Ginger, Black Pepper, Mars Oil, Dragon’s blood and patchouli

Herb: Basil

The day of Mars. This day could only ever symbolize the sheer power of the god of war! The ideal spells to be cast on this day are that of force, power war and protection.

Dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified as Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, and Tyr.

Magical aspects: controlled power, energy, and endurance, passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving courage, physical strength, revenge, military honors, surgery, the breaking of negative spells, dynamic energy, matrimony, war, enemies, prison, hunting, politics, contests, protection, victory, and athletics.

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, August 23rd

Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

National Day (Romanian)

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Taurus
Taurus: Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value, and become hard to alter. Brings out appreciation for beauty and sensory experience.

Incense: Bayberry

Color: Red

Tuesday’s Witchery

Tuesday is the day to work any magick that falls in the category of increasing strength, courage, bravery, and passion. All of these intense emotions are linked to this day’s energies, and spells designed around these themes will have extra punch when performed on this magickal day.

So, let’s add a little passion and conviction into your life! Break out the daring red pieces of your wardrobe, and put a little pizzazz into your day. Work with Lilith, and see what she has to teach you about personal power and sexuality. Meditate on Tiw/Tyr and Mars, and see what those ancient warrior gods will show you about new tactics, strategies, and claiming personal victories in your life. Practice conjuring up that astral weapon from the meditation and use it wisely for protection and for courage.

Create a philter for courage and protection or handcraft your own Witch’s jar to remove negativity from your home. See what other Witch crafts you can conjure up with Tuesday’s magick. Create some kitchen magick on this Tuesday by whipping up a spicy stew-add in a few Mars-associated ingredients such as carrots, peppers, and garlic. Empower the stew for success, and then treat yourself and your family to a good, hearty meal. Try working with a little aromatherapy and burn some spicy or coffee-scented candles to increase your energy level.

Check the sky at night, and see if you can find the reddish planet Mars up in the heavens. Not sure where to look? Check an astronomy magazine or search the Web for more information. Become a magickal warrior and move forward in your life with strength, courage, and compassion. Embrace the side of yourself that loves a good challenge and that is passionate and daring! Banish fear, and face your future with strength and conviction. Believe in yourself and in your dreams, work hard, and you will win every time.

Source

—-Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

The Witches Tuesday

Tuesday is the day of the week between Monday and Wednesday. The name comes from Middle English Twisday, from Old English Tiwes dæg, named after the Nordic god Tyr, who was the equivalent of the Roman war god Mars.

In Latin, it is called Martis dies which means “Mars Day”. In Romance languages except Portuguese, the word for “Tuesday” is similar to the Latin name: mardi in French, martes in Spanish, martedì in Italian, dimarts in Catalan, and marÅ£i in Romanian.

Portuguese uses numbers instead of pagan names and so their word for “Tuesday” is terça-feira.
The English and Scandinavian names are derived from the Nordic god Týr:

Old English: Tiw, Tew, or Tiu
Swedish: Tisdag
Danish: Tirsdag
Norwegian: Tirsdag or Tysdag
Icelandic: Týsdagur
Finnish: Tiistai (borrowed)

The German word Dienstag and the Dutch word Dinsdag seems to be derived from the god referred to by the Romans as Mars Thingsus, the god of the thing, which might also be Týr, or possibly some other Germanic god.

The Russian word for “Tuesday” is vtórnik, meaning “second”; that is, counting Tuesday as the second day of the week.

Quakers traditionally referred to Tuesday as “Third Day” eschewing the pagan origin of the English name “Tuesday”. This has also been the custom in Iceland since about the 11th century when Jón Ögmundsson changed it to Þriðjudagur, meaning “Third Day”

In the Greek world, Tuesday (the day of the week of the Fall of Constantinople) is considered an unlucky day. The same is true in the Spanish-speaking world, where a proverb runs En martes, ni te cases ni te embarques (On Tuesday, neither get married nor begin a journey). For both Greeks and Spanish-speakers, the 13th of the month is considered unlucky if it falls on Tuesday, instead of Friday.

The Hindi/Bengali/Nepali/Gujarati/Punjabi/Marathi/Urdu word for Tuesday is Mangalwar, with Mangal being the Sanskrit name for the planet Mars.

In the Thai solar calendar, the day is named for the Pali word for the planet Mars, which also means “Ashes of the Dead”; the color associated with Tuesday is Pink.

Tuesday is the usual day for elections in the United States. Federal elections take place on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November; this date was established by a law of 1845 for presidential elections (specifically for the selection of the Electoral College), and was extended to elections for the House of Representatives in 1875 and for the Senate in 1914. Tuesday was the earliest day of the week which was practical for polling in the early nineteenth century: citizens might have to travel for a whole day to cast their vote, and would not wish to leave on Sunday which was a day of worship for the great majority of them.

In business, particularly office work, studies have shown that Tuesday is usually the most productive day of the week. Some of these people consider Tuesday to be their least favorite day, because they are not as relaxed as Monday (due to the weekend preceding it), yet they still have most of the work week ahead of them.

In French, Tuesday is “Mardi”, associating it with the planet Mars. Tuesday is also associated with the dwarf planet Pluto. This marries Tuesday with ideas of strife, battles to be won and pressing issues and jobs to get sorted. It is not a day to relax. This same meaning can be seen in the Spanish “Martes” and the English “Tuesday” (“Tyr’s day.”) In India, Tuesday is called “Mangalvar”, for the Vedic planet Mangala or Mars.

Source

Pagan Calendar

A Little Do You Know for Your Tuesday, August 23rd

According to the Heathen Calender Today Freyfaxi is Celebrated

Summary Freyfaxi

Calendar Heathen

Date Aug 23 Every year

Description
Freyfaxi: Freyfaxi marked the time of the harvest in ancient Iceland. Today the Asatru observe this date as a celebration of their harvest with blot to Freyr and a grand Feast from the gardens and the fields.

References

http://odin.org/faq.html
Pagan Calendar

On Tuesday, August 23rd, We Celebrate….

Vulcanalia (Rome)
JUTURNA

Themes: Fire; Water; Fate; Divination; Protection; Balance

Symbols: Fire; Water; Fountains

About Juturna: During the festival of Vulcan (the god of fire and the forge), Romans wisely invoked Juturna, a fountain goddess, to keep fire from damaging the land or homes. On another level, we can call upon her to put out emotional fires that have gotten out of control.

To Do Today: Historically, Vulcanalia was a time to divine using the smoke from incense (then put out the fire with Juturna’s water). Choose your incense so it matches your question: rose or jasmine for love, mint for money-related matters, vanilla for health. The smoke may respond by creating a symbolic image or by moving in a particular direction. Movement toward your left is negative, to the right is positive, and smoke circling the incense stick reflects mingled fortunes or uncertain fates. When you’re done scrying the smoke and have put the incense out, keep the mixture of ash and water. This symbolizes the balance between fire and water. Carry this with you in a sealed container, breaking it open amid aggravating situations. Releasing the contents invites Juturna’s coolheadedness to keep anger reigned in.

To internalize Juturna’s protective, balancing energies, simply stop at any water fountain today for a refreshing drink of her water. Whisper her name just before the water meets your lips to invoke her presence.

Source

365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco

The Goddess Book of Days for August 23rd

Festival of Nemesis, Greek Goddess of Fate. She is also Moira, Fortuna, the Three Fates (Lachesis, Clotho, Atropos), the Morrigan (Ana, Badb, Macha), the Three Mothers (Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Parvati), the Furies or Eumenides, the Erinyes, Befana, Old Woman, Hecate, and the Noms.

Source

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

The Pagan Book of Days for Tuesday, August 23

Odin’s Ordeal(7)/Nemesea/Vertumnalia/Vulcan and the Nymphs

Day of the Nemesea, the celebration of the Greek Goddess Nemesis, defender of the relics and memory of the dead from insult and injury. Day of the Vertumnalia, held in celebration of Vertumnus, Roman God of the change of the seasons and the transformation of flowers into fruits. It is also the festival of Vulcan and the Nymphs.

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

Tuesday, August 23

Tuesday is dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified in Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, Tuisco and Tyr. Tuesday rules controlled power, energy and endurance.

Deity: Tiwaz

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Planet: Mars

Tree: Holly

Herb: Plantain

Stone: Agate

Animal: Crab

Element: Fire

Color: White

Number: 2

Rune: Tyr (T)

Celtic Tree Month of Coll (Hazel) – August 4 – September 1

The Runic Half Month of As (August 13 – August 28)

Goddess of the Month of Hesperis – August 9 – September 5

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

A Little Conjuring for Your Tuesday

Tuesday – is associated with Mars

Candle colors – Red or Orange

Magickal Work for Tuesday – Taking Action, Crossing, Uncrossing work, Aggression, Cut & Clear work, Law Stay Away, All Battles

Source

Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies
Starr Casas

The Sky This Week for August 23 to August 28

Planets, Pallas, and the Big Dipper will all make wonderful viewing this week.

By Richard Talcott

Tuesday, August 23

• The three evening planets form a pretty isosceles triangle above the western horizon tonight. Jupiter stands highest and lies some 4° from both Mercury and Venus, while the two inner planets appear 6° apart.

• The western twilight vista isn’t the only exciting one happening this evening. As those three planets set, shift your gaze about 25° above the south-southwestern horizon. There you will find fiery Mars flanked by golden Saturn some 4° above it and ruddy Antares 2° below it. The two bright planets form a straight line with the 1st-magnitude star tonight.

Wednesday, August 24

• Last Quarter Moon occurs at 11:41 p.m. EDT. It rises around midnight local daylight time and climbs high in the southeast by the time twilight starts to paint the sky. Earth’s only natural satellite lies next to the Hyades star cluster in the constellation Taurus the Bull.

Thursday, August 25

• Mars passes 4° due south of Saturn today. The Red Planet shines twice as bright as its ringed companion, and the two make a stunning pair with the naked eye and through binoculars. Both are worth examining through a telescope as well. Mars’ sports an orange-red disk that spans 11″ and shows several subtle dark markings. Saturn measures 17″ across while its dramatic ring system stretches 38″ and tilts 26° to our line of sight.
Friday, August 26

• Distant Neptune reaches opposition and peak visibility one week from today, but the view now is essentially the same. The ice giant planet rises during evening twilight and climbs nearly halfway to the zenith in the southern sky by 1:30 a.m. local daylight time. The magnitude 7.8 planet lies in Aquarius, 1.1° southwest of 4th-magnitude Lambda (l) Aquarii. You’ll need binoculars to spy Neptune and a telescope to see its blue-gray disk, which spans 2.4″.

Saturday, August 27

• Venus and Jupiter lie closer to each other today than at any time since May 2000. At their tightest, just 4.2′ separate them. Unfortunately, this happens in late afternoon from North America. By twilight, the two worlds have pulled slightly apart — 5.5′ from the East Coast and 12.1′ from the West Coast. Still, that’s close enough that many people will see the two merge into one. Binoculars will provide spectacular views, clearly splitting the pair and revealing Mercury 5° to their lower left and just above the horizon. Most telescope-eyepiece combinations will show Venus and Jupiter in the same field, with Jupiter spanning 31″ and Venus 11″.

Sunday, August 28

• Evenings this week are great times to explore the constellation Sagittarius the Archer. This star group lies due south and at peak altitude around 9 p.m. local daylight time, just as the last vestiges of twilight fade away. The brightest stars within the constellation form the shape of a teapot — a distinctive asterism once you’ve found it. The central regions of the Milky Way pass through Sagittarius, so it’s always worth exploring the area through binoculars or a telescope.

Source

Astronomy Magazine