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: The prominent ridge of emission featured in this sharp, colorful skyscape is cataloged as IC 5067. Part of a larger emission nebula with a distinctive shape, popularly called The Pelican Nebula, the ridge spans about 10 light-years following the curve of the cosmic pelican’s head and neck. This false-color view also translates the pervasive glow of narrow emission lines from atoms in the nebula to a color palette made popular in Hubble Space Telescope images of star forming regions. Fantastic, dark shapes inhabiting the 1/2 degree wide field are clouds of cool gas and dust sculpted by the winds and radiation from hot, massive stars. Close-ups of some of the sculpted clouds show clear signs of newly forming stars. The Pelican Nebula, itself cataloged as IC 5070, is about 2,000 light-years away. To find it, look northeast of bright star Deneb in the high flying constellation Cygnus.
Jupiter is the largest of all the true planets. Its mass is greater than all the rest of the planets combined. If it was only 20% larger it would develop enough heat at its core to be a star. Astrologically, Jupiter is the planet of expansion, growth and optimism. Known as “The Greater Benefic,” it symbolizes good luck and fortune. In the ancient Indian language Sanskrit Jupiter is called “guru” or teacher. This fits its association with the higher mind, philosophy, truth and religion. Perhaps Jupiter’s good fortune derives from the capacity to give us a larger view in which to see the world.
Expansive Jupiter in the technically-oriented sign of Virgo is a wonderful time to develop new systems and skills. A broader understanding of how things function is possible now. This includes a greater awareness of psychological patterns so that emotions are used more intelligently.
Traditional astrology considered Virgo to be a difficult place for Jupiter. The planet of expansion can feel constrained in the sign of details. Putting too much importance on minor matters and turning molehills into mountains are possible. A little flaw can be blown up out of proportion, distracting attention from the big picture.
The key, as is often the case with Jupiter, is judgment. If we are overly concerned with trying to make ourselves right or wrong, we can miss out on the information that’s available to us. Instead of trying so hard to measure the results, the gift comes from watching the process. There’s an enormous amount to be learned when Jupiter’s overview and Virgo’s precision operate well together.
Jupiter in Virgo is common among female tennis stars. Steffi Graf, Venus Williams and Martina Navratilova are among the sport’s all-time greats who each have this planetary placement. A taste for the unusual is shown by Jupiter in Virgo individuals Art Bell and Whitley Streiber.
Actresses Cate Blanchett and Anne Heche belong to this club, as do Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Philip Roth, Steve Martin and Michael Douglas. Other members include Michele Kwan, Chelsea Clinton, Lisa Marie Presley and Larry Bird.
Page of Pentacles
Introversion. A healthy admiration for new ideas and scholarly pursuits. Reflective. Good management and organizational skills. A bearer of good tidings.
Othala
Othala represents a solid, immovable home, prosperity and safety. Good fortune based on your heritage and character is yours to enjoy.
The Swastika
Over the next weeks and months this aspect should be one that requires little effort on your part to keep things moving forward. This is one of the few charms that has the same meaning upright or inverted.
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.
Today’s Meaning:
As an axe comes to a complete stop when it hits the tree so you have grown motionless. You now must draw back, step away from this quadrant of your life and begin again. Set a new path into motion.
General Description:
This Chinese incised jade Axe head was suspended round the neck, and worn as an amulet to protect the wearer from illness, accidents, and injuries, also as a charm against witchcraft. The Chinese had great faith in the supposed medicinal powers of jade, which was recommended and prescribed by their physicians. The Axe head was always considered to be an emblem of strength and power among primitive races; even today small axe heads are still regarded as effective talismans against disease in many countries, and great faith is placed in their supposed supernatural powers of healing.
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 Green Dragon indicates beginnings. The Green Dragon’s tile set will suggest places where you should consider putting your energy.
Winter
Symbol: The Scholar
The Scholar represents gain through intellectual pursuits. The Scholar’s mind is sharp and find solutions to the most difficult problems.
Wan 5
Symbol: House
The House tile represents a building in which you spend much time. If your reading is positive it may well be that this building has the important function providing you with a stable environment in which you are comfortable. If the reading is negative it may represent a structure in which you are stressed and uncomfortable.
Plum Blossom
Symbol: Innocence
The Plum tile reflects renewal and viewing your world with fresh viewpoints. It is an inherently “happy” tile. The Plum tile also suggests inexperience—a trait you must not allow to make you an easy target.
The Key indicates the existence of a powerful tool capable of favorably influencing your future. The Key may be an idea, physical entity, an action, a mentor, or the combination of a number of things. While readily available to you The Key may not be all that obvious. You might have to search for it, and it may take a fair dose of courage and faith to actually use it.
As a daily card, The Key indicates the presence of an idea or entity that can positively effect your life at this time. The advantage The Key will give you may concern a single element of your life such as your career, or it may have an impact on your life as a whole. The trick for you is to identify your Key and have the courage to use it.
Meaning: The presence of the spear signifies arguments, negative events, and all manner of strife of an upsetting nature. However similar to the ‘Tower’ tarot card if next to a positive rune it could mean the end of an argument or quarrel. If with the rings it means the healing or renewal of a relationship. If there are military connections it could mean promotion. If illness is within the equation it means a speedy and successful recovery.
Amore reversed signifies bonds may be broken and fights and betrayals are likely. Tread carefully. Beware of bad choices and lingering too long in relationships that harm you.
Today’s Challenge
Two of Wands Reversed
New ventures may prove unfruitful. Adversity may be experienced in all or any arena of life.
Today’s Ally
Libra
Libra denotes justice and balance. That which should rightfully be shall be.
The Lovers indicates both the most powerful of unions and the most of challenging conflicts humans must face. On one side The Lover’s 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.
The Hermit denotes a need to have some space between you and the everyday hustle and bustle of our busy world. The Hermit needs to retreat. Indeed, happiness for The Hermit requires seclusion, freedom from material wants, and time for intense introspection. The answers The Hermit needs cannot be found in our physical world. The truths he seeks are internal, spiritual, and the distraction of a well developed social life can only impede his quest for his personal truths. Still, although not anything remotely resembling extroversion, The Hermit does sometimes need to share time with others; so he can both learn and teach, guide and be guided. The Hermit’s time spent amongst people depletes his energy rapidly. To avoid mental and physical overload he has to retreat from social settings quickly.
Mars moves back into your solar eighth house today, dear Aries, where it will spend its final month in retrograde motion. There may be the need to revisit financial matters, issues of support, and debts. Ambiguity with finances, particularly debts and shared money or resources, could dominate now, or financial affairs require a second look. An old relationship that ended poorly may occupy your thoughts, or an old lover may return. There can be magnification of unexplored desires. This is a time for exploring anger and assertion over deeply buried matters, and finding better tools for managing your life on an emotional level. It can be a rich time of emotional discoveries. Today’s energies are strong for communications. You could find yourself quite absorbed in a pet project, or enjoying very useful conversations now.
Taurus
Taurus
Retrograde Mars moves into your partnership sector today, dear Taurus, where it will spend its final month of its retrograde period. It will then continue to transit this sector until August 2nd, enlivening close relationships. In the coming weeks while Mars is still retrograde, there can be extra attention necessary to partnerships or to relationship needs. There can be a need to reorganize your energy with regards to people and partnerships. You could be re-assessing the ways in which you approach relationships, as well as what it is you want from your connections. It’s a time when you may be looking to the past in order to improve the present and your future. Watch for pent-up anger and passive-aggressiveness in your relationships now, and consider ways to improve your approach to compromise and negotiation. Today is good for intuitively recognizing the value of things, as well as for money matters.
Gemini
Gemini
Mars leaves your partnership sector today, taking some of the pressure off close relationships, dear Gemini, and dips back into your work and health sector where it will spend the final month of its retrograde (until June 29th). There can be hidden treasure to be found in old programs, methods, and work projects. However, if you decide to revive something now, it’s best to come at it in new ways rather than repeating past mistakes. This portion of the Mars retrograde cycle emphasizes practical and work matters. How you organize your time is in question now. It’s a good time to examine your approach to daily routines, work, habits, and health goals. While you can experience delays and changes of plans, these can prompt new and improved methods. Today is strong for personal appeal. Others are valuing and appreciating you.
Cancer
Cancer
Mars moves back into your romance and creativity sector today, dear Cancer, where it will spend the final month of its retrograde cycle, after which it will turn direct and continue to activate and energize this area of your solar chart until August 2nd. This can be a time for rediscovering old passions, and possibly an old flame for some. There may be some delays in a creative project or even a romance, possibly due to setbacks, indecision, or stalling. However, you’ll have plenty of time for sorting out your desires, needs, and goals in the coming months. In fact, delays can lead to reorganization that ultimately improves your life. Old relationships and/or projects can be strongly on your mind now. Some of you could be bringing a past hobby back to life, but it’s important to approach it in a new way if it’s to last this time around.
Leo
Leo
Mars moves back into your sector of home and family today, dear Leo, where it will spend its last month of retrograde motion, after which it will continue to influence until August 2nd. You may be reviewing your living situation or conditions in the coming weeks. Old family issues or household projects may be revisited. Refocusing, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. It’s time to review how you have been handling your assertiveness on the home front and with family. Today, companionship is more important to you than usual. Some lines may get crossed in your communications, but these things should be easy to sort out. In fact, you are able to get serious and intimate rather quickly today, and some of you may be considering making a commitment.
Virgo
Virgo
Mars moves back into your communications sector today, dear Virgo, where it will spend its last month in retrograde. Some of the pressure you’ve been feeling on the domestic scene releases, and you turn your attention to courses, studies, and interests that may need special attention. Challenges with self-expression, pushing/selling your ideas, or with neighbors and siblings may occur for some of you in the coming weeks. However, this is a strong period for fixing problem areas and revising work you did in the past. Mars will turn direct on June 27th, and then continue to activate this sector of your chart, supplying you with the energy and motivation to pursue mental interests, making stimulating connections with others, learning, and sharing your ideas. Today is strong for improving your reputation as well as bonding with others who share similar goals and visions.
Libra
Libra
Mars moves back into your sector of money and resources today, dear Libra, where it will spend its final month of retrograde motion. Once it turns direct on June 29th, Mars will continue to activate this area of your chart all the way until August 2nd, so you have plenty of time to take charge of your resources and finances. In the coming weeks, there is a strong need to focus on sorting out your finances, as pressures decrease with communications and transportation. Money and security matters require some revising and reorganizing now. This period involves coming to a greater understanding of how the way you manage your resources impacts your confidence. It’s a powerful time for getting to know what drives you and what contributes to your sense of self-worth. Today, the Moon in your romance and entertainment sector inclines you to seek out fun and unique ways to express yourself.
Scorpio
Scorpio
Mars moves back into your sign today, dear Scorpio, where it will spend the last month of its retrograde, after which it will continue to transit your sign in direct motion until August 2nd. The usual channels for asserting yourself, pursuing your desires, and expressing anger are not available or could seem blocked or inappropriate in the coming weeks. Until you find new ones, you could feel a little frustrated. Watch that you don’t allow unacknowledged or buried desires drive your behavior. You may not be as quick to take action, and this is good for you now. Examine the ways anger has helped or impaired your life so that you can find better ways of managing it. Focusing on review, editing, and digesting rather than new initiatives is your best bet now, and may very well lead to better results down the road. Slow down, rethink, and regroup. Today’s energies are good for research, observation, and new insight into your relationships.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
Retrograde Mars leaves your sign and enters Scorpio today, dear Sagittarius, where it will transit for the final month of its retrograde and beyond. Once direct, Mars will work its way back through Scorpio until early August, when it re-enters your sign. Now and until June 29th, you’ll be reassessing your approach to your spiritual and emotional worlds and how you go about satisfying these needs. While some obsession with private matters or concerns about the past may need attention, this is a time for better understanding your more complicated, buried drives and desires. Honor your increased need for rest and reflection for best results now. Consider and reconsider plans. Today is strong for bonding with a partner, reaching a fair agreement or compromise, and for family relations.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Mars moves back into your solar eleventh house today, dear Capricorn, where it will spend its final month of retrograde motion, stirring up friendships, group associations, and long-term goals. Some of you could be dealing with frustrations and buried anger with friends in the coming weeks. Ambiguity in these areas of life may lead you to reassess matters. There may be frustration with goals or dreams not manifesting soon enough, when in fact this retrograde period is strong for making important edits to your plans. Certain projects may need further attention before pushing them forward. Some of you could be reconnecting with old friendships, groups, dreams, and plans. These need to be approached in new ways if you want them to succeed this time around and going forward. Today’s energies are strong for committing to a project or health endeavor.
Aquarius
Aquarius
Retrograde Mars moves back into your career and reputation sector today, dear Aquarius, where it will spend the last month of its retrograde. Some of the recent pressures on friendships or socializing can release now as your attention turns to practical goals. There can be some second-guessing or reassessing of your goals now, and part of the process can involve taking a second look at old goals, projects, and plans. You may be feeling as if you are only going through the motions when it comes to your duties and responsibilities, temporarily lacking ambition, fire, or motivation, until you find ways to get back on track. Refocus, backtracking, and review become necessary and recommended now. Time management will be especially important now and in the coming weeks. Today is strong for bonding in love relationships. There can be a sense of renewed commitment to a relationship or a creative project now.
Pisces
Pisces
Mars moves back into your solar ninth house today, dear Pisces, where it will spend its final month of retrograde motion. You may be dealing with waning energy or enthusiasm levels until you recognize that it’s about redirecting energy to the right channels. Legal or publishing matters can require a second look. Watch that you don’t focus too much on the frustrations of differing belief systems and opinions in your relationships with others. Look for old studies, interests, and passions that may spark a new interest, but if you revive them, be sure to approach them in fresh ways so that they aren’t left unfinished this time around. Today’s energies are especially good for family affairs and emotional matters. Honesty with those closest to you can help improve bonds. The Moon in your soul sector encourages more time taken for reflection and rest.
You are very insightful and often help others to better understand themselves. Artistically gifted, you have a real creative bent in addition to general “smarts”. You are exceptionally hard working and quite ambitious as well–a combination that virtually guarantees success.
Famous people born today: John Wayne, Peter Cushing, Helena Bonham Carter, Peggy Lee, Miles Davis, Stevie Nicks.
Your Birthday Year Forecast:
With the Sun and Moon in harmony in your Solar Return chart, the year ahead should be satisfying and balanced overall. You are in comfortable demand and personally popular, and you are able to achieve a decent balance between work and play; personal and professional life. For the most part, you are on top of your game this year, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there is less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!
Your ability to express yourself and to solve problems is enhanced this year. You may have opportunities to travel, and matters related to publishing, teaching, and writing should go especially well. You may find that you have the right information at the right time this year. You could also have big ideas and plans, as your mind is filled with ideas. Work, especially in communications, goes well. Relationships with young people may be particularly rewarding and positive. An optimistic attitude serves you very well this year. The desire to expand your mind is strong, and this is a good year to take up studies or to further your education. It’s also excellent for teaching and speaking. With greater receptivity to new ideas and perspectives, you are more likely to attract positive energies into your life.
You have a stronger focus on, and dedication to, work in the period ahead, sometimes taking it a little too far. Taking the time to pull yourself away from your pet projects or work will help bring more balance to your life, and will ensure that you don’t neglect other important areas of life. However, you can make significant headway in specific areas this year, and you are likely to feel a strong sense of direction and purpose.
You are likely to be popular with others when it comes to your ideas and communications this year, especially as you are communicating with optimism and cheerfulness, and this can bring rewarding experiences and opportunities into your life.
Your affections are strongly stimulated, and you are more acutely aware of your powers of attraction. You can enjoy an increase in personal magnetism, but be wary of competitiveness or tension in existing love relationships, as your passions are ignited in general, whether they’re feelings of love or anger!
There may be a project, idea, or person that demands much of your attention or occupies much of your thoughts. It’s a strong year for any project or studies that require concentrated effort. You are especially resourceful. You are willing to put in the effort and dedication to a mental interest or project. Business and promotional efforts can thrive. You can experience a strong desire to master a subject or deepen your knowledge and skillset.
Cooperation may be a major key to success this year, although personal relationships can be a little temperamental at times. This can be a strong period for learning, teaching, and sharing, and particularly good for publishing your ideas and work or for seeking advanced training. You are likely to make good contacts with others, particularly in love and friendship, although there can be some competitiveness and strife to deal with at times.
2016 is a Number Four year for you. Ruled by Uranus. This is a year of work and development. It’s “nose to the grindstone” time. It’s a time to deal with practical matters, and it’s not a time to be lazy or especially gregarious. Sometimes, it can be a year that feels hard, monotonous and routine, and/or lonely. Advice – get yourself organized, work to build your resources, keep busy.
2017 will be a Number Five year for you. Ruled by Mercury. This is a year of exploration and freedom. It’s a time when exploration and reaching out to others brings opportunities. It’s a good time to advertise and sell. Surprises are in store, and the routine is broken. This is a year when exciting relationships can be formed, or, if you are already in a partnership, new life is breathed into the relationship. Advice – explore, look for adventure, keep your eyes open for opportunities, mingle.
The Green Dragon
Winter
Wan 5
Plum Blossom
Amore
Two of Wands Reversed
Libra
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