Get a Jump on Tomorrow…..

Your Horoscopes for Tuesday, March 1

Aries

You are learning a lot by observing rather than jumping into action with the Sun in your solar twelfth these days, dear Aries. Today’s energy can be slightly on the challenging side as you can have a sense that someone is quietly working against you, or you can wrestle with some guilt about a matter that you didn’t handle well in the past. Generally speaking, this is a time for settling your debts and obligations, and for letting go so that you can move forward with less guilt and more freedom. Aim to rid yourself of unnecessary baggage and regrets. The Moon in your adventure sector is encouraging you to move forward and on.

Taurus

Your mood is one part playful and two parts serious today, dear Taurus, which can baffle the people around you and perhaps even confuse yourself! A tendency to stress over little things is with you now. As such, you might want to approach the day with as impartial an attitude that can be mustered up. There can be a feeling of urgency about getting things done, but rushing will not cover the flaws. Slowing down and making refinements will do the trick, and luckily, this is exactly what suits you best. Take things easy, be gentle on yourself, and sort out conflicting feelings today.

Gemini

One-on-one interactions can be a little more emotional than usual today, dear Gemini. While you may be communicating with acquaintances with an easygoing attitude, relations with loved ones can involve some defensiveness or guilt-ridden overtones. Confusion or conflict about where you are headed may be an issue now. Wait for tomorrow if you have to bring up something important to discuss, when energy is smoother. In fact, you may have moved on by then!

Cancer

If you are able to tune out distractions, which admittedly can be difficult to do today, you can accomplish a great deal, dear Cancer. This is a day when your eye for detail can be both a pro and a con, depending on how you handle your discoveries. Your ability to spot flaws increases, and this way you can hone in on exactly the things that need improvement and work on fixing them. Try to avoid seeing the world around you for its flaws and then stressing about it. A good part of you simply wants to enjoy life and avoid the problems, but it can be hard to get to that state of mind right now!

Leo

Find ways to truly unwind on your breaks today, dear Leo, as you’re in need of emotional refreshment. Try to let go of some of the intensity, even if you feel that it helps drive and motivate you, in order to take a load off. Feelings can be conflicting today, but being on a fence can stimulate you to make changes and improvements. While you may want to avoid new financial decisions or initiatives today, your thinking on these levels improve as soon as tomorrow.

Virgo

You could be looking for extra reassurance today, dear Virgo. While relationships are stronger than usual, making executive decisions is not your forte for the moment. Some uncertainty is likely, and you would be wise to use today and tomorrow to get into better touch with your deeper needs. Center yourself, for in the coming weeks, it can be very difficult to discern which desires are truly your own, as you tend to absorb the desires of others as your own. Look within for answers. Surround yourself with familiar people, objects, and situations, as this will help.

Libra

This can be a hectic day, particularly as you may sense that others (or circumstances) are getting in the way of projects, dear Libra. Juggling your own personal interests with your obligations can be difficult as both are compelling. Your daily routine may be more difficult to get through than you’d like. You are especially curious today, but your enthusiasm might be misinterpreted as intrusive, particularly if it doesn’t take place face-to-face, so take a little extra care to get your written message right. Any tension felt today can point you in the right direction for making improvements. Look for ways to simplify your life.

Scorpio

You’re more interested in building on what you have than taking on new things today, dear Scorpio. These days are strong for personal recognition – for your personality, not necessarily your worldly accomplishments. The inner entertainer is to the fore. However, today, you take more comfort in sticking with familiar things and people. Any activity that grounds you and reminds you of your connection to the earth is appropriate now, even if others are encouraging you to do a little more.

Sagittarius

The Moon is in your sign all day today and tomorrow, dear Sagittarius, and this brings buried or shelved emotions to the surface, perhaps even in an urgent fashion. You are more sensitive to the atmosphere around you, and your desires might seem like immediate needs. Before rushing to fulfill them too quickly, try to process your feelings. While it seems as if you know exactly what you need, with a deeper look, you might discover that these sudden desires are about something else altogether. Feelings may seem to block or conflict with your recent plans, which should prompt you to adjust your course rather than abandon ship.

Capricorn

With the Moon in the sign behind yours today and tomorrow, dear Capricorn, this can be a time for tucking yourself away in some manner. Find some quiet time to absorb recent events, even if you are called upon frequently today. Emotionally, you’re not as equipped to deal with pressures and demands, and decision making requires more time than usual. You may be bringing some level of closure to a project or a situation, and possibly even an attitude that has kept you from succeeding. This a time for making assessments and recognizing what should stay and what should go.

Aquarius

There has been a stronger focus on practical matters and the material world these days, dear Aquarius, and today, you’re likely to consider how your larger dreams and visions fit into recently made plans. You might attract people to you who share or enjoy your unique perspective, but it can be hard to know where to put your energy. Any roadblocks encountered now can in fact assist you in the long run, as long as you don’t give up too easily. Make refinements and adjustments that take into account your ideals, as you’re unlikely to be satisfied with any endeavor that you can’t proudly stand behind.

Pisces

Conflicting feelings and desires are likely today with a quarter Moon occurring this evening, dear Pisces, which seem to pit professional and personal interests against one another. You might feel a little lost or off-track today, but this is a temporary feeling, and in fact can help motivate you to make the necessary adjustments to put your plans back into motion. Professional matters are a big concern and interest today, and so are responsibilities. You may feel a little swamped, but if you slow yourself down enough to prioritize, you’ll be able to tackle what really matters first and let the rest fall into place as you go along.

If You Were Born Today, February 29

You are a highly creative and sensitive person with a special, quiet magnetic appeal. You are loyal in partnership and often give more than you receive. You can be somewhat crisis-oriented, as you instinctively move towards new learning experiences. Your main challenge in life is to put the past behind you and to avoid letting worries and fear rule your life. While you are an eternal student of human nature and of life itself, you have much to teach others.

Famous people born today: Dinah Shore, Tony Robbins, Antonio Sabato Jr., Joss Ackland, Dennis Farina, Ja Rule.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology

Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, February 29th

Aries

This a strong day for doing catch-up work and for efforts made to produce or put towards favorite projects, dear Aries. You have not only the necessary energy, but the foresight and patience as well, to make significant headway in whatever you throw yourself into today. Relationships with friends can settle down and you can feel that others are more reliable than they have been lately. You might offer important advice; alternatively, a good business idea could come to you today. Your vision is practical and you are especially concerned with what is likely to work in the long-term.

Taurus

This can be a good time to discuss practical matters and future plans, dear Taurus. You’re in a practical frame of mind and you are interested in making investments in worthwhile projects. This can be a time to look for help or support if you need it. Sometimes it pays off to allow others “in” on your problems, and today can be one of those times. If you need to handle or manage a tricky financial or relationship matter, today is strong for doing so, and you’re likely to have few regrets. It’s also good for taking care of business. You have a stronger feeling of stability and clarity today, and you are a sign who especially appreciates this kind of constancy.

Gemini

While there may be some reserve in your relationships and connections today, dear Gemini, there can be a nice feeling of constancy. You tend to enjoy variety and excitement, but from time to time, you need to know you can depend on others. Conversations with a partner can be especially constructive. Old wisdom can come through now. Attention to strengthening projects and relationships in the present can do much for them down the road. It’s a good day for dedicating yourself to a project or activity that requires your full attention. It’s not the best day for situations that overstimulate the senses.

Cancer

This is a good time for realistic assessments, dear Cancer, particularly when it comes to home, family, work, financial, and health matters. You have the ability to take a look at what needs to be improved or changed and to make adjustments with few if any regrets. It’s a day for meeting responsibilities and feeling good for doing so. Your mood may be on the subdued side, and you can be particularly interested in taking care of details. Any kind of work that requires analysis or research is likely to go especially well. Old wisdom, or simply good advice from someone you trust, can be applied with success now. It’s also a fine time for making relationship “repairs” without much in the way of fanfare – showing affection through actions is well-supported right now.

Leo

This is a good day for making solid progress on a pet project, for help and support between friends, and for making realistic judgments of quality and worth, dear Leo. This can be a fine time to make important purchases, plans, and designs. You are interested in the practical elements of a creative project and could be considering how to monetize (or better monetize) a hobby or talent. You meet your obligations gracefully and good feedback from others motivates you further. You’re showing your affection in practical ways, and while relating may not be as spontaneous or demonstrative as you usually like them to be, you appreciate people who are steady and reliable.

Virgo

This can be a strong day for practical improvements around the home, in the family dynamic, in work, and/or with your health, dear Virgo. You might pick up a new skill or make progress on a home or work project. Security now and down the road is something that you’re becoming more and more invested in, and today, you are especially interested in securing your future. You appreciate familiar people and places, and see the value of traditions and routine more than usual. This can be a good day for making an important purchase. Today is also strong for closing a project and for editing activities.

Libra

This can be a good day for feeling appreciated, dear Libra. Appreciation is unlikely to be shown through dramatic gestures, but rather through actions, presence, and practical support. Constructive and possibly instructive conversations can be had with or about children, lovers, or creative projects with your communications sector linking up positively with your sector of romance, fun, children, and creative expression. Alternatively, you may be attending to practical details that help improve or secure relationships and projects along these lines. There can be more to do than usual, but a certain enjoyment of filling your responsibilities and a sense of being “on track” today.

Scorpio

Financial matters can be faced with realism today, dear Scorpio, and possibly quite happily at that! A conservative and moderate approach wins the day, and this applies to practical matters as well as relationship and emotional affairs. There are times for bold moves and times for a slower, steadier approach, and today favors the latter. Keep things simple, and discover how simplicity enriches your life. The Moon continues to transit your sign until evening, however, which inclines you to a more spontaneous approach to the world, after which emotions tend to settle in. A partner may not be especially demonstrative, but showing their reliability or affection in their actions.

Sagittarius

Your practical frame of mind today can be appreciated by others and can be put to good use, dear Sagittarius. You may even feel good about filling responsibilities or putting in some hard work. It’s also a strong time for expressing your views or taking care of communications that are your duty or obligation. You might receive news that reminds you of important responsibilities today, or there can be a serious discussion that helps you move forward. This can help you with a greater sense of clarity and purpose, and you can thoroughly enjoy a sense of being organized and prepared today. Friends, siblings, neighbors, or classmates can come through for you.

Capricorn

There can be enjoyment of duties and responsibilities today, dear Capricorn, and something could emerge that gives you a solid feeling that you’re on the right track. You also feel better equipped to make important decisions, particularly about money matters or the care of personal possessions. This is a time for appreciating simple pleasures and comforts rather than for pushing too far or giving in to the feeling that you need more in order to be happy. You feel better today if you take a conservative approach. Love matters and relationships in general are also strongly influenced by practical considerations right now. You’re framed very well today – people appreciate you for the traits you most naturally project.

Aquarius

You are especially appealing to others today, dear Aquarius, in a quiet way. You are radiating appealing energy, even if you are keeping your emotional distance. This is a promising day for your social life. A commitment of sorts to a friend, group, or common goal can make you feel good. It may not be an especially spontaneous day, but it’s one in which you can accomplish quite a bit. Clarity and a sense of purpose are driving forces now. Advice can be useful, whether you’re giving or receiving it. Relationship advances may not be obvious or showy, but bonds can be strengthened through actions and practical support.

Pisces

There is an increased love of order, organization, and clarity today, dear Pisces, and you could find it’s a fine time to take care of business and connect with others in practical ways. You may be attending to a responsibility towards an important person in your life and finding it quite easy and even pleasurable to make a personal sacrifice in order to help someone out. The day favors steady progress, shows or reliability, and small efforts to secure future endeavors. Your judgment on a business level is in great form now. The Moon’s move to the top of your solar chart this evening stimulates a desire to make plans.

Your Love Horoscopes for the Week of February 29th

General Horoscope

Love planet Venus is in a happy place this week as she’ll connect beautifully to both stabilizing Saturn and exciting Uranus. The end result? A happy balance in your love life. It’ll be one that allows you to enjoy something new with your partner without feeling a loss of security in the relationship. Then, Mars enters fiery Sagittarius by Sunday, which will give everyone more of a drive to pursue adventurous experiences in matters of the heart.

Aries Horoscope MAR 21 – APR 19

You’re willing to experiment more this week in your social life in order to get what you want out of your love life. This might mean joining a new group on a topic that fascinates you. As you attend an orientation meeting it’s possible that you’ll meet someone who captures your interest. Another possibility is that you’ll ask a friend to set you up with someone you’d normally not consider your type. Be bold and audacious!

Taurus Horoscope APR 20 – MAY 20

After Saturday, you’ll feel driven to pursue intimacy with your partner without worrying about the consequences your more insecure side tends to preoccupy itself with. What if you lived in a world where you loved deeply and with wild abandon? What if you learned to ask for what you want in bed without feeling embarrassed? Courageously pursuing the love you know you deserve is a birthright. Now, it’s your time to realize this.

Gemini Horoscope MAY 21 – JUN 20

The dynamic between you and your partner is about to become much more interesting. On Monday, you’ll feel as if your shared philosophy or morals define much more of your relationship than ever before. It’ll be a stabilizing and comforting situation. Then, after Saturday, you might decide it’s time to spice things up with your mate. Consider exploring uncharted territory together. Whether you travel abroad or decide to expand your horizons in bed is up to you!

Cancer Horoscope JUN 21 – JUL 22

If your partner has anything to do with your career progress this week, it’ll surely amp up your desire for him or her. It is possible that there is a connection, and it might be as simple as your mate cheering you on as you strive to achieve a remarkable career goal. Or, there might be an extra challenging project you’re working on. If your partner has any ability to help, he or she will likely jump right in.

Leo Horoscope JUL 23 – AUG 22

Are you ready for a major boost in your sex drive and overall satisfaction? This Saturday, Mars will move into your romance sector for the first time in two years. As a result, you’ll enjoy an extended opportunity to pursue pleasure and ensure that your needs are met. In addition, if you’re already partnered up it’s likely that you’ll feel more passion for your lover than ever before. Wonderful!

Virgo Horoscope AUG 23 – SEPT 22

You might get busy with your partner this week — but not in the way you expect. After Saturday, it’s possible that you’ll begin a major home renovation project. This can be anything from ripping apart your kitchen to painting the house. If you and your partner are physically involved in this home repair, it’s likely that you’ll have an easier time getting through it. Otherwise, expect a few domestic quarrels.

Libra Horoscope SEPT 23 – OCT 22

Love planet Venus is still moving through your true love sector, which is the main ingredient for all of the current romantic sweetness you’re enjoying. This week, she’ll be at a favorable angle to both Saturn and Uranus. As a result, expect to feel secure in your relationship, but not at all bored. In fact, your lover may encourage you to try something new that you’ve always wanted to but was afraid to in the past. You’re bold and beautiful!

Sagittarius Horoscope NOV 22 – DEC 21

This will be a 5-star week for you romantically. First, on Wednesday, you and your lover may enjoy a conversation that leads to the two of you daring to try something new together. This can be anything from a recreational activity to something more passionate in the bedroom! In fact, after Saturday your sex drive will amp up in a major way thanks to Mars moving into your sign. Go after what you want with wild abandon!

Capricorn Horoscope DEC 22 – JAN 19

If you feel yourself retreating more, don’t fight it. Instead, recognize that it might be time to give yourself a time-out from life’s chaos. This includes any potential romantic drama. If the relationship department has made many demands on you recently, you might feel exhausted from it and need a break. Don’t rob yourself of the opportunity to recharge. Life isn’t always about going full throttle. Reflect for a bit and decide if this relationship deserves all the energy you’ve been putting into it.

Aquarius Horoscope JAN 20 – FEB 18

Make the most of Venus as she moves through your sign, since it’s a great time for personal and relationship improvements. In fact, this week will be extra dynamic and offer you some major romantic potential. On Monday you might decide that one of your friends has everything you really want in a long-term lover. Don’t be afraid to go after this potential. If you’re already in a relationship, you and your mate will enjoy extra domestic harmony on Wednesday.

Pisces Horoscope FEB 19 – MAR 20

Your love life might feel more “in the closet” these days, but most likely this is by choice. Perhaps you have felt a stronger need to keep your romantic life private. This might be more about ditching social media for a while or avoiding parties and other social events in favor of connecting alone in your own little world together. Or, it’s possible that you and your partner are working through a rough patch in your relationship. If so, expect healing this week.

Tarot.com is a Daily Insight Group Site

Weekly Astrology: February 29 – March 6, 2016

Who’s up for an adventure?

By Maria DeSimone, Weekly, Astrology

 

Tarot.com is a Daily Insight Group Site

Weekly Forecast: Feb 28 – March 5, 2016

a message from Kelly M. Beard

To read more of Kelly’s insight, please visit her website, Lunar Reflections Blog

The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity.  Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto).  And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning into the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path.  It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction.

*NOTE*  There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.  

Weekly Forecast: Feb 28 – March 5, 2016

2/28 ~ Sun (essential Self) ~conjunct~ Neptune (delusions & illusions):

This transit tends to make you very sensitive (rational or not) to others. If you are one of those people who tends to put everyone else’s needs before your own, watch out, because this makes that urge even stronger. Be aware of two things: (1) most times people who focus so much on others, to the exclusion of their own needs, is because there is something about their own life they do not want to face; and (2) you could get lost in your so-called altruism to the point where you lose touch with reality. This energy is best used alone to meditate and contemplate your own world unless you can be completely detached in your charity work. I use this little motivation to decide – is your life so perfect and abundant that you can afford to spend so much time and energy on another’s life? If so, GREAT!  Go for it! If not, however, then “charity begins at home” – work on YOU!

2/29 ~ Venus (relationships) ~sextile~ Saturn (responsibility):

This energy has to do with your obligations within the context of relationships. They are not difficult obligations (in this case) but more emphasis is placed on enjoying serving those you love. This is also what I would call the “keep it real” energy, regarding relationships. This energy makes you want to really sit down and define your terms within your relationships (which I am a total advocate of). It’s really hard to grow to the next level when each person is not clear on what the other expects. Of course, this starts with you knowing what you want/don’t want and what you are willing to compromise about so you can articulate that clearly.

3/2 ~ Venus (relationships, love & money) ~sextile~ Uranus (clarity & inspiration):

This energy, thanks to Uranus, activates a certain spark of electricity in the air. New relationships will have an unusual aspect to them and old ones can break-to-realign in a positive, even fun way with this energy. No monotonous routine, humdrum people or boring collaborations with this one. Use it to access your unique genius and deep well of creativity and then share if you can, with other like-hearted Souls. Take advantage of this energy to tap into areas you may not have realized were available to you before. Keep it light and upbeat; socialize and enjoy the experience of different people or new activities. Keep in mind, however, any relationships begun this week may not be based on qualities needed for long term survival. It is more a time to enjoy the people and experiences that pass through at this time and accept this gift!

3/5 ~ Mercury (ideas, thoughts & concepts) ~square~ Mars (desire & actions):

This activation can be a tough one for some. If your beliefs are out of alignment with your actions, if you are not self-aware or act-out unconsciously, being selfish or childish, than watch out, because squares test you to grow and change in some way. Often, this also means that you are suppressing your nature in some way, which is never really a good idea. When you suppress your Soul, it can make your human more sensitive or defensive, taking things personally as a threat or challenge. If you catch your Self feeling irritable for no apparent reason, try to step back and gain some perspective before responding to your own thoughts or another’s words. Mercury & Mars getting together, in this challenging way, can provoke debates and, in some people, actual fights, so be careful. The deeper aspect of this activation is that some part of you wants to express, perhaps in a new way, and your monkey-mind has got you all off track. Mars demands that you know who you are and what you want, and is the Divine Masculine part of you, which is supposed to hold good boundaries, protect you and negotiate on your behalf in the world. If you know something that you are not acting on, this can be frustrating. If you are acting in ways that are not allowing you to think things through, this too can cause accidents, problems and delays. It is best to pull in until you are clear. And also keep in mind, you may not be out of alignment in the above ways, but those around you may be and will likely have no context for what they are feeling and therefore, become indiscriminate with their choices & actions.

 

The Witches Correspondences for Monday, January 29th

Day: Monday ( Moon-day)

Planet: Moon

Colors: Silver and White and Grey

Crystals: Moonstone, Pearl, Aquamarine, Silver, Selenite

Aroma: Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood, Moon Oil, African violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, and Wormwood
Herb: Moonwort

The sacred day of the Moon, personified by such goddesses as Selene, Luna, Diana, and Artemis. The Moon is ruler of flow affecting the changeable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, its powers are at their most potent.

Magical aspects: peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friendships, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility

Monday is ruled by the moon – an ancient symbol of mystery and peace. Monday is a special day for mothers as the cycle of the moon has long been associated with the female menstrual cycle. Those wishing to conceive a baby would be wise to try on a Monday as the magic of motherhood is strong and pregnancy is in the air.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving agriculture, animals, female fertility, messages, reconciliation’s, theft, voyages, dreams, emotions, clairvoyance, home, family, medicine, cooking, personality, merchandising, psychic work, Faerie magic, and Goddess rituals.

Moon in Sagittarius

Wandering Soul
If your Moon is in Sagittarius, you’re tilted optimistically toward the far-horizon. You might even walk on your toes. You’re a light-hearted soul, with an instinct for following the most meaningful path.
The Sagittarius Moon can be described as radiant, fun and visionary, with many notable pioneers born under this sign. They’re often optimistic about the future and open hearted, both qualities of which can be contagious. They appreciate life as a grand adventure, and never stop exploring and learning new things.

Social Creature
The public style of the Moon in Sagittarius is engaging and charismatic, and they’re sure to hold their own in large gatherings. Their intellectual curiosity keeps them asking the questions, and putting people at ease with their sharp insights and wit.

True of mutable signs, they’re at home in the rhythm of change. They’re at their best with a varied social calendar as they adapt to and enjoy being around people of different cultures and outlooks.
The Moon in Sagittarius gets flashes of inspiration, along with the hopeful optimism to bring their many ideas to fruition. True of fire signs, they’re risk takers, and often will shrug off warnings from others, drawing on a well of trust in both fate and their instincts. More cautious souls might find them reckless, but then stand back and watch in amazement all those times when luck is on their side.

Love’s Banquet
In romance, the “Sadge” Moon thrives with a mate that is a fellow traveler on a parallel path. They have a need for complete emotional freedom from a partner that can keep up with their active pace.
Life’s banquet can be savored together for as long as it stays a vital match, for they’ll shake free of anything that has lost its luster.

The Moon in Sagittarius has a mission, and can’t be held back by outdated relationships or ideas. Jupiter rules their Moon’s sign, and that means their eyes are on the future. The comfort zone for Moon Sagittarius people is a fast-paced, meaningful and varied home and work life.

They thrive when there’s a swiftly evolving nature to their work and love lives. Along their speedy way, they’ll shine a focused light on lost dreams and leave a wake of encouragement and inspiration behind them.

Keywords:
Animal lovers (especially horses and dogs), friendly, optimistic, adventurous, active, curious, independent, enthusiastic.

The Shadow Side:
Restless, detached, tactless, careless, superficial

Quality and Element:
Mutable and Fire

Famous People with Moon in Sagittarius:
Martha Stewart, Liam Neeson, Oprah Winfrey, Anthony Hopkins, Justin Timberlake, Donald Trump, Al Pacino, Stephen King, Charlie Sheen, Mariah Carey, Albert Einstein, Christopher Reeve, Joan Rivers, Freddie Mercury, Kevin Costner, Vincent Van Gogh, Amadeus Mozart

Source

Molly Hall, Astrology Expert
Article published on About.com

Sun & Moon Data for Monday, February 29th

Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 134.22° SE
Sun Altitude: 33.86°
Sun Distance: 92.098 million mi
Next Equinox: Mar 19, 2016 11:30 PM (Vernal)
Sunrise Today: 6:24 AM↑ 99° East
Sunset Today: 5:47 PM↑ 261° West
Length of Day: 11 hours and 22 minutes

Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 246.79° WSW
Moon Altitude: 5.29°
Moon Distance: 249697 mi
Next New Moon: Mar 8, 20167:54 PM
Next Full Moon: Mar 23, 20167:00 AM
Next Moonset: Today10:12 AM
Current Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 62.7%
 

Source

timeanddate.com

February 30 Was a Real Date

Today, the month of February has 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years. But February 30 has been a real date at least twice in history.

February 30 happened in Sweden in 1712 .

Sweden added the date to its 1712 calendar following an earlier calendar error; the Soviet Union observed February 30 in 1930 and 1931 in an attempt to cut seven-day weeks into five-day weeks and to introduce 30-day months for every working month.

Sweden’s 30 Days of February
In 1700, Sweden, which included Finland at the time, planned to convert from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.

Therefore 1700, which should have been a leap year in the Julian calendar, was not a leap year in Sweden. However, 1704 and 1708 became leap years by error. This left Sweden out of synchronization with both the Julian and the Gregorian calendars, so the country reverted back to the Julian calendar.
February 30, 1712, came into existence in Sweden when the Julian calendar was restored and 2 leap days were added that year. Sweden’s final conversion to the Gregorian calendar occurred in 1753, when an 11-day correction was applied so that February 17 was succeeded by March 1 that year. Not everyone was pleased with the calendar reform. Some people believed it stole 11 days of their lives.

The Soviet Revolutionary Calendar
February 30 existed from 1930–1931 after the Soviet Union introduced a revolutionary calendar in 1929. This calendar featured five-day weeks, 30-day months for every working month, and the remaining five or six days were “monthless” holidays. The abolition of the seven-day week in favor of a five-day week was intended to improve industrial efficiency by avoiding the regular interruption of a non-working day.

Restored Week in 1940
However, the Gregorian calendar continued to be used in the Soviet Union during this period. This is confirmed by successive dates found in daily issues of Pravda, the official newspaper of the Communist Party, in which February had 28 days in 1930 and 1931, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The Soviet revolutionary calendar was discarded as it was difficult to eliminate the Sunday rest tradition. The original seven-day week was restored in 1940.

The 13th century scholar Johannes de Sacrobosco claimed that February had 30 days in leap years between 45 BCE and 8 BCE in the Julian calendar, when February was shortened to give the month of August the same length as the month of July. However, historical evidence relating to the Julian calendar refutes Sacrobosco, who was critical of that particular calendar.

Source

timeanddate.com

5 Weird Facts About Leap Years

1. Blame It On Augustus

We owe leap years to Julius Caesar, but also to his successor, the Emperor Augustus.

The Ancient Romans used to follow a calendar that had 355 days a year, but it eventually grew hopelessly out of sync with the seasons, making it difficult to celebrate festivals at the same time each year. So in 45 BC, Julius Caesar decreed that a new, reformed calendar would be adopted that had 365 days a year, with an extra day every “leap year” in order to keep the seasons and calendar properly in sync.

However, the Roman priests who devised the new calendar initially made a mistake. They set the leap year to occur every third year. The priests realized soon enough that this wouldn’t work, and in 8 BC Emperor Augustus officially corrected the calendar so that leap years came every fourth year.

So Caesar can take credit for leap years in general, but the four-year tradition is Augustus.
And have you ever wondered why February is shorter than every other month? That’s also because of Augustus. The Roman Senate, to honor him, renamed the month of Sextilis as Augustus (August). But originally August was only 30 days long, and this was a problem because Julius Caesar’s month (July) was 31 days long. It wouldn’t do for Augustus to have a shorter month than Caesar!

To make August as long as July they borrowed a day from February, reducing it from 30 days during a leap year to only 29, and 28 days every other year. This permanently left February as the odd, shortened month that it is.

2. The Extra Day Swindle

In February 1997, John Melo was convicted of home invasion and sentenced to ten years and one day in prison. Seven years later, he filed a motion complaining that the Department of Correction had miscalculated the length of his sentence. Why? Because it had failed to credit him for the additional days he had to serve on account of the February 29’s during leap years.

Melo’s motion was allowed, but he didn’t win the case. In 2006 the Superior Court ruled (Commonwealth vs. John Melo) that not only did his case have no merit, but it had been a mistake to ever allow it to proceed in the first place, noting that he had clearly been sentenced to a term of years, no matter how long each year may be.

Melo may not have had a compelling case. However, it is true that the extra day in February can be somewhat unfair. For instance, if you’re a salaried employee you essentially have to work an extra day for free during a leap year, whereas hourly employees get an extra payday. Similarly, banks often don’t include February 29 when they calculate the interest they owe their customers, thereby giving themselves an extra bonus day of profit at everyone else’s expense.

3. Leap Year Capital of the World

In 1988, the town of Anthony, Texas, with a population of 8000, declared itself to be the “Leap Year Capital of the World.”

Its justification for this title was that two members of its Chamber of Commerce were born on leap year days. But in a moment of honesty a member of the Chamber also admitted that, “We just voted arbitrarily to name this as the leap year capital of the world because no one else has.”

As of 2016, the town of Anthony continues to pride itself on being the Leap Year Capital, with festivities planned for February 29.

4. Leap Year Mother and Daughter

On February 29, 2008, Michelle Birnbaum of Saddle River, New Jersey gave birth to her daughter, Rose. What made this unusual was that Michelle herself was also a “leapling,” having been born on February 29, 1980.

The odds of a child being born on February 29 are 1 in 1641. However, the odds of both a mother and daughter sharing that birthday are somewhere in the range of 2 million to one. [NorthJersey.com, 2/24/2012]

Though quite long, those odds are still much better than the odds of winning the Powerball Lottery — approximately 292 million to one.

5. Happy Aldrin Day!

Over the years, would-be calendar reformers have proposed many alternative ways of dividing up the year. Often these plans would give special status to the leap day.

For instance, in July 1989 Jeff Siggins published an article in Omni Magazine proposing that the Gregorian Calendar be scrapped and replaced by his “Tranquility Calendar.”

This would be a scientifically-based calendar that would set July 20, 1969 (when humans first landed on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility) as Day Zero. All years after that would be referred to as “After Tranquility” (AT). So, as of February 2016, we are in the year 46 AT.

Siggins would rename the months after famous scientists — such as Archimedes, Copernicus, Darwin, etc. — and he would designate the leap day as Aldrin Day, after the astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Taking a more mystical approach, Randy Bruner, a Cincinnati psychic, came up with the Dreamspell Calendar based on the Mayan Calendar. His system would transform the leap day into a “Day out of time,” which means it wouldn’t be included as a day of the week. It would be a non-day when people could “celebrate time is art.” [What exactly does that mean? Your guess is as good as mine.]

One of the most popular alternative calendar systems of the 20th Century was the World Calendar, created by Elisabeth Achelis of Brooklyn, New York in 1930. It would have shifted February 29 to June 31 and made it a world holiday.

Finally, we here at weirdnews.about.com would like to propose that February 29 be designated as Official Weird Day — in honor of all things that don’t quite fit in.
 

Source

timeanddate.com