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: Where is NASA’s rover Curiosity going on Mars? Its geographical goals are on the slopes of Mount Sharp, whose peak is seen in the background on the right. A key scientific goal, however, remains to better assess when and where conditions on Mars were once suitable for life, in particular microbial life. To further this goal, Curiosity was directed to cross the rugged terrain of Nautkluft Plateau, visible in the featured image on the foreground left. Curiosity iscrossing toward smoother uphill sites with rocks containing hematite and sulfates, sites that could give the rolling rover new clues on how long this part of Mars was wet — and hence more favorable for life — before drying out. Of recent concern, however, is Curiosity’s aluminum wheels, which are showing increasing signs of wear. Although already fulfilling the goals of its two year study, Curiosity’s mission has been extended as it continues to uncover valuable information about the extraordinary past of Mars, the next planet out from the Sun from Earth.
Now is the perfect time to look outside in the evening and learn a phrase useful to sky watchers. The phrase is: follow the arc to Arcturus.
First locate the Big Dipper asterism in the northeastern sky. Then draw an imaginary line following the curve in the Dipper’s handle until you come to a bright orange star. This star is Arcturus in the constellation Bootes, known in skylore as the bear guard.
Arcturus is a giant star with an estimated distance of 37 light-years. It’s special because it’s not moving with the general stream of stars, in the flat disk of the Milky Way galaxy. Instead, Arcturus is cutting perpendicularly through the galaxy’s disk at a tremendous rate of speed … some 150 kilometers per second. Millions of years from now this star will be lost from the view of any future inhabitants of Earth, or at least those who are earthbound and looking with the eye alone.
So that’s how to “follow the arc” to the star Arcturus in the constellation Bootes. Learn how you candrive a spike to the star Spica – and the planet Mars – in the constellation Virgo with the help of tomorrow’s sky chart.
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.
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.
Ace of Pentacles
Prosperity, pleasure and beauty can be realized.
Dagaz
Dagaz represents the fresh light of a new day. You are close to making a breakthrough. You have the will to change whatever you deem necessary. You may see the world with absolute clarity at this time.
Sagittarius the Archer
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is optimistic, freedom-loving, jovial, good-humored, honest, straightforward, intellectual and philosophical.
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.
This Reading is used to reveal key influences that will effect your life over the next month.
The Tile Drawn
Bamboo 1
Symbol: Peacock
This is the first tile of the first suit in a Mahjong set. Overall, it represents success. However it also warns that success sometimes turns to arrogance, which can lead to loss of everything that has been gained. The Peacock tile also suggests a change in your life path is forthcoming.
The White Rose indicates the need for or the presence of purity of intention. The question to ponder is, “Am I/he/she being self-serving, or other-directed?” The caution is that even if we are reasonably certain our motives are generous, if we are yet attempting to impose our idea of what should be, we are not acting at the level of the White Rose. When the White Rose appears, examine your own and others’ motives, and then trust the answer that brings you true peace of mind.
As a daily card, the Rose denotes a time in which you will be best served by allowing your actions to be guided by what is best for the greatest number even if the path indicated is not the one you feel is best for you.
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.
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.
Hi I’m Brigit, founder of BiddyTarot, and this is the Monthly Tarot Forecast for May 2016. We’ve drawn three cards, one for the Blessings, one for the Challenges, and one for the recommended course of action for this month.
Blessings card: Page of Swords
Our first card is the Page of Swords. This is our opportunity. The Page of Swords is ready for an adventure. He has his sword lifted high and he’s ready to get going. Particularly with it being the suit of Swords, you’re likely to start pursuing a new journey in communication, in writing, in something that requires thought. It might even be a new field of study. Perhaps you’ve had a journal sitting there — this could actually be the best month for you to start writing a journal, or doing a little bit more creative writing, or even doing a bit more public speaking. OK so let’s now check out what we’ve got for the Challenges…
Challenges card: Justice, reversed
I’ve drawn the reversed Justice card. Upright the Justice card is all about truth and things being fair and just. In the reverse position you might feel that something this month is unfair or unjust. And yes, you could leave it at that and say “Oh why me? Poor me,” but, I really feel like this card is encouraging you to get to the source of the real truth of the matter. And that’s often done by getting into your inner truth. So if you feel that something has happened to you that feels unjust, think about what role did you play, in that particular situation, that may have ended up having it feel unjust. And in that process, it’s about getting in touch with what is your inner truth, even though sometimes it’s hard to really acknowledge what that truth is. Perhaps there’s something that you might have wanted to do differently in that situation to avoid it all together.
Recommendations card: The Tower, reversed
And our final card is the recommended actions, and we’ve got The Tower, reversed. With The Tower reversed, you are being encouraged to “go there.” Go into those big, deep, dark places within yourself. Be ready to tear down the structures that you’ve created for yourself.
As you’re seeking out that inner truth, through the above Justice reversed card, you might get into places where you’re like, “Oh my goodness, I didn’t realize that things were that way,” or “Maybe I actually do have a role in this that I didn’t realize.” It may be a little bit disruptive, it may feel like what you thought was true and real is actually not, but it’s about reconstructing and creating a new possibility for yourself. And it’s also about getting in touch with what your core truth really is.
Remember, you’ve also got the Page of Swords that we had at the start, and he’s going to help you with writing. The process of writing and journaling can really help you to uncover those inner truths (Justice card) and help you go where you need to go, into those deep, dark places, that you might have been avoiding until now (The Tower).
So there you have it! May is a pretty big month, particularly as it pertains to your inner source of truth. Things might be a little bit different than what you actually thought…
Traditionally, representing the energy of a Queen, this card traditionally portrays a sensitive, vulnerable, omniscient woman who offers unconditional love. She is supremely empathic — sometimes to a fault. Her caring nature exposes her to everybody else’s emotions and needs.
This person sometimes has difficulty identifying her own best interests in the midst of her responsiveness to others. As a result, she sometimes appears slightly unfocused or perhaps overwhelmed, filled as she is with “spirits”. She represents the Grail Queen, as well as the Goddess of the Family.
We can imagine pots of gold waiting for us at every rainbow’s end; however, the potential treasures slip farther away if we push too hard. Although retrograde Mercury and Mars slow our progress, everything seems to be improving now that the radiant Sun harmoniously trines bountiful Jupiter. Meanwhile, the Moon’s shift into impetuous Aries at 1:04 pm EDT heightens our impatience. Happiness is ours if we don’t promise more than we can deliver.
Aries Horoscope MAR 21 – APR 19
Your recent hard work might be due for a reward with a larger paycheck or a sweet promotion. Fortuitous Jupiter trines the Sun in your 2nd House of Money, hopefully bringing you the recognition you deserve. But you may face disappointment if you expect good news right away. Although your anticipation level is high, retrograde season could still get the best of you. Don’t push your luck too far; instead, just show up with your best possible attitude and see what happens. Thankfully, spontaneity is one of your closest allies.
Taurus Horoscope APR 20 – MAY 20
You can turn new ideas into practical plans quite easily today because your common sense is working overtime. You are often satisfied with maintaining the status quo, but you want to step beyond your regular routine and experience life to the fullest. Thankfully, there’s no need to set aside your basic philosophical approach to simple living. It’s just that you now possess a wonderful opportunity to build on the foundation of what you already know. Feel free to broaden your horizons while still keeping your feet on the beaten path.
Gemini Horoscope MAY 21 – JUN 20
It pays to reach a little farther today while the planets are busy working on your behalf. You’re already thinking about the future while the Moon is moving through your 11th House of Long-Term Goals. Meanwhile, the sensible Taurus Sun’s harmonious trine to auspicious Jupiter enables you to balance optimism with realism. There is enough cosmic magic to empower you to pursue your dreams. Nevertheless, you still must push past whatever stands between you and success. Believe in yourself and the sky is the limit.
Cancer Horoscope JUN 21 – JUL 22
Leaning on your friends and associates for companionship today creates special moments to share your hopes and dreams with them. But don’t be overly concerned about falling short of your goals, for jolly Jupiter’s trine to the Sun in your 11th House of Groups suggests that social networking is as important as career success. Instead, use this time to strengthen your relationships without any sense of guilt. Ultimately, reestablishing your place amongst your peers enables you to be an integral part of your tribe.
Leo Horoscope JUL 23 – AUG 22
Steady growth feels restraining if you want to move at your own pace, which might be faster than everyone else’s. However, the Sun’s trine to jovial Jupiter in your 2nd House of Income allows you to obtain much-needed resources from your boss and your workmates as you bolt ahead of the pack. There isn’t any reason to slow down now; explore new territory without worrying about the usual resistance. Your positive attitude is a little thing that makes a huge difference.
Virgo Horoscope AUG 23 – SEP 22
New ideas are flowing into your imagination now, but you must be in the right frame of mind to receive them. You may already be in touch with a variety of alternative plans, but the Sun’s trine to philosophical Jupiter in your sign can blast the doors of awareness wide open today. Thankfully, this current growth spurt won’t likely feel like hard work or cause you any additional stress. Expanding your thinking is more fun than you might expect.
Libra Horoscope SEP 23 – OCT 22
An emotional breakthrough is possible today if you examine your feelings from a broader perspective before the upcoming changes impact your relationships. Letting go of fixed ideas isn’t always easy to do, but today’s Sun-Jupiter trine may seem like a free ticket to the destination of your choice. Nevertheless, it’s still up to you to use it. Take a risk or you might stay stuck in your current situation, wishing that you didn’t let this chance pass you by. Think big and then follow through with confidence and persistence.
Scorpio Horoscope OCT 23 – NOV 21
Your relationships feed your creativity now, especially if you listen carefully to others as they share their brilliant ideas. However, inspiration doesn’t just happen on its own; you must breathe it into life. Put on your thinking cap and be diligent about maximizing your cleverness potential. Once you begin your current masterpiece, stick with it, even if your certainty wavers or your muse slips away. You are closer to success than you realize if only you believe.
Sagittarius Horoscope NOV 22 – DEC 21
You may be pleasantly surprised by all the fantastic support you receive at work today. However, assistance arrives in funny ways and you could miss it if you are looking too hard in a different direction. Nevertheless, you have a wonderful opportunity now to improve the quality of your everyday life if you can get past your own resistance to change. The choice is yours; be courageous and let others nurture your current growth. Everything is easier with a little help from your friends.
Capricorn Horoscope DEC 22 – JAN 19
The importance of having fun cannot be overstated because you’re highly creative today if you’re free to play while you work. But there’s no reason to impose arbitrary limits on what you can do. Even if you don’t reach an unattainable goal now, you will still progress further along your path. Extending yourself as much as you can improves your chances of making the most of the current opportunities. Just be sure to find pleasure in whatever you choose to do. Passion fuels your success.
Aquarius Horoscope JAN 20 – FEB 18
Your dreams are a significant source of inspiration, yet you need to exercise a bit of caution today. It’s easy to get lost within your own mind, but auspicious Jupiter is so radiant now that you might not even realize if something is amiss. Fortunately, you have the power to direct your thoughts away from outrageous fantasies and turn them into profound visualizations that can change your life for the better. Channel your creativity into your work.
Pisces Horoscope FEB 19 – MAR 20
Your recent efforts may come to fruition today, but not necessarily in the ways you expect. You are more content with your life now and might stop to bask in the awareness of a job well done. Be careful or your blind optimism will lead to laziness, since this isn’t the time to relax yet. Reveling in your current accomplishments could be counterproductive if they are only part of a larger goal. Don’t let the next steps in your progress slip further behind schedule just because you’re feeling complacent. Continue to strike while the iron is hot.
Down to earth, practical, and responsible, you are a hard worker (some might say a workaholic!) with a strong will. A calm and capable aura surrounds you. Security and stability are what you crave most, and while you are generally very practical, you set your sights high.
Famous people born today: Catherine the Great, Benjamin Spock, David Beckham, Sarah Hughes, Lily Allen.
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!
Neptune transits sextile to your Sun this year. You are gentler, more intuitive, spiritual, and creative with this influence, and others are drawn to these qualities. Your natural ability to help others heal and calm down is enhanced. A higher purpose to your life is what you seek, and you rely more heavily upon your intuition in order to achieve it. You could find that your intuition is subtly enhanced and that you’re often in the right place at the right time, probably because your hunches are more likely to be correct. This aspect softens your disposition somewhat, as you tune into your imaginative and artistic side. This is a good year for self-improvement programs or efforts. The need to “get away from it all” — for some peace and quiet now and again — will be strong. A more sensitive, even mysterious, persona is projected this year, and this can attract pleasantly unusual circumstances (and people) into your life. You will want to spend more time away from chaotic situations.
This is an excellent year in which to advance projects revolving around communications – writing, speaking, selling, and so forth. Your reputation may be enhanced through word of mouth. Making new contacts through learning and mental pursuits figures strongly as well.
You are willing to put in the effort and dedication to a mental interest or project. You are focused, detail-oriented, and may be perfectionistic.
It’s a good period in your life for taking necessary steps towards making yourself feel more secure and safe, and for family or domestic activities. This is also a period when you more readily support or defend others.
Relationships can prosper as you deal with one another in a more balanced, fair, and peaceful way. The platonic elements of a relationship may be emphasized now. This can also be a very creative, artistic time, and an excellent period for opening up communications with others, as you are more sensitive than usual and more willing to listen. Getting your point across is easier, as it’s not only about what specific words you choose to communicate, you intuitively express the meaning and intention behind the words. You can effectively use words to soothe, heal, and teach this year. You are also especially open to new ways of looking at problems, thus it’s considerably easier to find solutions. You may be gaining respect for your ideas and intelligence.
However, you need to be aware of a tendency to be attracted to impractical ventures at times this year. As well, your energy can vary greatly from one period to the next, so take advantage of the “high” periods in order to offset the possible loss in productivity during the low-energy stages.
There is good energy for imaginative and creative activities this year. It’s a strong period for friendship, communications, learning, and connecting. You may be making good contacts with others, particularly through shared interests or schooling. Positive plans and lifestyle changes can be made at this time in your life. There will be times when you battle with varying energy levels, so take advantage of the periods of high motivation.
2016 is a Number Seven year for you. Ruled by Neptune. This is a year of preparation, chance, and refinement. It is not a time of dramatic changes. Instead, it’s a year when reflection on the past is helpful, and when refinements to your life path should be made. It’s a good year to study and analyze. Unexpected twists to your life story and “chance” meetings are probable. Advice – take stock of your life in order to prepare for more exciting years to come, examine the past and plan for the future, get in touch with your deepest needs and uncover your personal power, don’t strain yourself or actively try to expand.
2017 will be a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It’s generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice – take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.
This is a good day for taking things in stride, dear Aries. You’ll prefer to stick in the background so that you can get some peace and quiet, but you’re also inclined to want to work and produce. As the day advances, you’ll enjoy a stronger ability to do so. You are filling up with ideas, and your enthusiasm builds as a result. This occurs mostly on practical levels, about money, business, work, health, and methods. There are treasures in reworking current or old projects now. This can be a good money day for some of you.
Taurus
Taurus
You feel freer to express yourself as you wish today, dear Taurus. There is more confidence in yourself and your relationships, which by extension boosts your appeal. This can be a great time for exploring hobbies and other forms of expressive recreation. You are focused on refreshing and rejuvenating yourself, and channels open up for you to do so. This may be about reviving old interests and pastimes, as this is a great time for finding treasures in your past. For some, an old romance may be revisited.
Gemini
Gemini
This is a great day for focusing on the big picture and putting aside petty differences and problems, dear Gemini, particularly related to your emotional world, personal life, and home and family matters. There can be a feeling of being at peace with the past especially as the day advances, as well as a sense that you’re truly making progress. You feel at your best now when you let go of frustration or anger, and when you forgive. In fact, it motivates you to be a better person, and this is the kind of energy that is with you today and tomorrow. While you have more “work” to do in this regard, today is powerful for doing some healing.
Cancer
Cancer
There can be a conversation with a friend or inspiring news that lifts your spirits today and tomorrow as the Sun and Jupiter connect, dear Cancer. You can feel especially confident about a particular goal or idea. It can also be a nice time for enjoying your studies or a special interest. You are able to see the bigger picture, or a friend can help you to see a new, more optimistic perspective. Others might reinforce or add to your own ideas in pleasant ways. Answers come more easily when you share your problems today. Your faith in a particular goal, dream, or idea can build now.
Leo
Leo
You are likely to be feeling very enthusiastic about a project or business/financial matter today, dear Leo, as your ruler, the Sun, connects harmoniously with Jupiter in your resources sector. It feels as if hurdles are behind you! Enthusiasm for a project, particularly a practical or business-related one, is building now. You might find that looking to the past for a project or idea that might be revived is especially useful. There are treasures to be found in the past, but you’ll likely need to approach these in new ways. You can be feeling that you are in charge and stronger than usual today and tomorrow. There can be particularly good relations with people in authority or with business associates.
Virgo
Virgo
People may be seeing your best qualities in a new light today, dear Virgo, with the Sun shining its light on Jupiter in your sign today and early tomorrow. It’s a good time to get noticed in positive ways. Feelings are upbeat, and there is more calm in your demeanor, although you can also feel quite excited about current interests and prospects. There can be an idea or cause that motivates you. Creative and intellectual endeavors are especially favored now, and a lucky break of sorts might occur. There could be recognition for work you did in the past, or excitement over the revival of an old project.
Libra
Libra
On an emotional level, the day tends to play to your favor, dear Libra. You can solve an emotional dilemma quite easily and naturally now, or one seems to resolve itself, and you may be in the mood to share something private, which can come as a relief. You might experience a stronger attraction to what’s beneath the surface or hidden from sight, and you can delight in trying to figure things out. You might more easily see elements in your environment that can help you to make important improvements to your life and to your relationships, from the inside out. It can be a strong time for returning to an old problem and tackling it with new energy.
Scorpio
Scorpio
There can be a nice understanding or epiphany experienced today, dear Scorpio. The Moon is in harmony with your sign, stimulating and adding color to your affections and creative imagination. The Sun and Jupiter harmonize with each other, and with your sign, and this encourages positive thinking and actions that improve your life or your inner rewards. You are willing to let go of grudges, and you thoroughly enjoy sharing exactly why. Your social life is in strong shape right now, and partnering or teaming up can bring bigger rewards.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
The Moon in your home and family sector all day stimulates a stronger desire to stick with places, situations, and people you know well, dear Sagittarius. However, this is not a day of total introspection, as the Sun and your ruler, Jupiter, are moving towards a harmonious aspect. Particularly as the day advances, energy is quite positive and open. You are quick to forgive or put bad feelings behind you. Good energy is with you for solving a work problem or straightening out misconceptions. There can be a project, plan, or goal from your past that you’re excited about reviving. Others are seeing you in an especially positive light.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Today, you can experience the building of motivation and enthusiasm, dear Capricorn, particularly on creative or romantic lines. It’s a good time for sharing ideas with others, rediscovering old interests and possibly even old romances or friendships, and for reviving or editing creative and publishing projects. Your outlook is especially constructive and optimistic, and you project self-confidence and good will. This can attract the support, confidence, and cooperation of others. You are feeling more expressive than usual now, and more excited about sharing how you feel or your thoughts with others.
Aquarius
Aquarius
Emotional energy is stable today, but also quite positive and optimistic, especially as the day advances, dear Aquarius. You are enthusiastic, particularly about emotional, personal, and family matters. A positive show of support from people you care about may be in the offing. There is eagerness to put something behind you. It’s a strong time for thinking in terms of improvement – what you can do to make yourself a better life. You may be looking to past projects that may have been abandoned. These could be revived with fresh thinking and a few edits.
Pisces
Pisces
You are regaining your enthusiasm for your ideas, particularly past ones, dear Pisces, and expressing yourself far more positively and confidently, which secures the right responses from others. It’s a great time for meeting someone, and especially for enjoying the company of a person who is already in your life. There can be a settling of a past matter or an agreement made now. Positive feedback can fuel your motivation to do your best. Teaming up with a partner can be useful now, and you’ll find that people are giving one another the benefit of the doubt, which is something you appreciate more than most.
Ace of Pentacles
Dagaz
Sagittarius the Archer
Witches Of The Craft® 
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