Enlightenment Quiz

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The following is a rest of your level of enlightenment. Score one point for each correct answer, subtract one point for each wrong answer. Add your total number of right answers to the total number of wrong answers, divide by the total number of questions on the test, then wonder why you’ve tried to follow it this far.
Select the answer which best completes the following statements:

Yin and… A Zen koan is …….. Just before total God-realization I would see… Lao-Tsu is.. Jivatman and Atman merge to become… The word or words which best describes the relationship of God, Guru And Self is… Which of the following is not a name of the Lord? If you swap a Swami with a Yogi you get… Carlos Castaneda is: Om Mani Padme means: The sound of one hand clapping is: Linguine is to fettucine as kundalini is to: The Tao Te Ching is: You arrive at a party and your host says, “Far out, I want to take the responsibility for creating space in your universe so you can experience your experience.” He means: If three devotees can meditate for a total of nine hours, how many devotees would it take to mow the lawn? If three devotees can mow the lawn in one hour, how many stoned devotees would it take to meditate until nobody cared? If shakti was rising toward the fourth chakra at a rate of 3.5 pranayamas per second, and at the same time an energy force was traveling in the opposite direction at a rate of 4.8 pranayams per second, what time would it be in Chicago if we woke up in Los Angles?

A) Yout B) Tonic C) Yenta D) Yang A) Jewish Buddist B) All of the above C) None of the above D) None of the above A) A blue pearl B) Nothing C) Everything D) How would I know? A) Shrimp with fried rice B) The Atman Brothers C) A Japanese word for sneeze D) One of the above A) Jivatmanatman B) The Atmnn Brithers C) Jivatman & Atman Inc. D) Mr & Mrs Atman A) Oneness B) Twoness C) Penpalness D) Just good friends A) Jehova B) Elohim C) Yahweh D) Charlton Heston A) A Swogi B) A Salami C) Yogurt D) Heartburn A) a flamingo dancer B) A resort near San Juan C) The 2nd baseman for The LA Dodgers D) The gutarist for Santana A) O manny, pardon my home B) Money talks, nobody walks in Sanskrit C) If u cn rd ths msg u cn Gt a gd jb D) Never having to say you’re Sorry A) Very quiet B) similar to smiling with one lip C) A Zen record shop D) Like the “p” in swimming A) Eenie meenie B) Halloweenie C) Harry Houdini D) Pepto Bismol (this is a silly answer) A) The new premier of China B) A new record by Cheech and Chong C) I Ching’s older brother D) A massage parlor in Tokyo A) “Have a good time” B) “Don’t eat the Sweedish meatballs” C) “I just completed est training” D) Nothing anyone would understand

 

True-False

_______Ramakrishna is a cereal made with rice and maple flavoring.

_______Satori is better than nirnana and samadhi except on weekends and holodays.

_______Sufi dancing is like square dancing only rounder.

_______The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a novel by Harold Robbins.

 

Score

0-5 points: You are hopelessly attached to the wheel of life and death. Try again next incarnation!

6-10 points You are largely unconscious and stuck in worldly pleasures

10-15 points You are so-so on the enlightment scale. Keep reading the New Sun.

15-20 points You are a very conscious being; with a little good karma you could go a long way.

20-25 points You are very close to God-realization–early November at the latest.

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2015 December 18

Herbig-Haro 24
Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage (STScI / AURA) / Hubble-Europe CollaborationAcknowledgment: D. Padgett (GSFC), T. Megeath (University of Toledo), B. Reipurth (University of Hawaii)

 

Explanation: This might look like a double-bladed lightsaber, but these two cosmic jets actually beam outward from a newborn star in a galaxy near you. Constructed from Hubble Space Telescope image data, the stunning scene spans about half a light-year across Herbig-Haro 24 (HH 24), some 1,300 light-years or 400 parsecs away in the stellar nurseries of the Orion B molecular cloud complex. Hidden from direct view, HH 24’s central protostar is surrounded by cold dust and gas flattened into a rotating accretion disk. As material from the disk falls toward the young stellar object it heats up. Opposing jets are blasted out along the system’s rotation axis. Cutting through the region’s interstellar matter, the narrow, energetic jets produce a series of glowing shock fronts along their path.

December solstice brings longest days for whole Earth

The 2015 December solstice will come on December 22, at 4:48 Universal Time. This is December 21 at 10:48 p.m. CST for central time zone in North America. For us in the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice ushers in our shortest period of daylight and longest period of darkness for the year. And yet – if we consider the length of the day in another light – the longest days of the year come each year in December for the entire globe.

When we say the longest days of the year come each year around the December solstice for the entire globe, we’re talking about day not as a period of daylight – but as the interval from one solar noon – or midday – to the next.

In December, a day – one rotation of Earth relative to the noonday sun – is about one-half minute longer than the average 24 hours.

Keep in mind that the clocks on our walls don’t measure the true length of a solar day. To measure the time from one solar noon to the next, you need a sundial. A sundial will tell you the precise moment of local solar noon – when the sun reaches its highest point for the day.

The featured photo at the top of this post shows an analemma. It shows sun’s declination – its angular distance from the celestial equator – and difference (in minutes) between time as measured by the clock and time as measured by the sun.

So it’s December now, and that means one rotation of the Earth relative to the sun – what we call a solar day – is about one-half minute longer than the average 24 hours, for the entire globe.

Days are always longer – as measured from one solar noon to the next – than 24 hours around the solstices (and less than 24 hours around the the equinoxes).

The days are at their longest now – for the whole globe – because we’re closer to the sun on the December solstice than we are at the June solstice. Earth’s perihelion – closest point to the sun – always comes in early January. When we’re closest to the sun, our planet is moving a little faster than average in its orbit. That means our planet is traveling through space a little farther than average each day. The result is that Earth has to rotate a little farther on its axis for the sun to return to its noontime position. Hence the longer solar day.

Half a minute longer doesn’t sound like much, but the difference adds up. The longer days cause noontime to come earlier by the clock before the December solstice than at the December solstice. Moreover, the longer days cause noontime to come later by the clock after the December solstice than at the December solstice. Because the clock and sun are most out of sync right now, some befuddling phenomena cause people to scratch their heads.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the year’s earliest sunset precedes the December winter solstice, and the year’s latest sunrise comes after the December winter solstice.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the year’s earliest sunrise precedes the December summer solstice, and the year’s latest sunset comes after the December summer solstice.

Although the solstice brings the shortest/longest period of daylight, the earliest sunset/sunrise always comes before the solstice, and latest sunrise/sunset always comes afterwards.

The fact that we’re closest to the sun in early January also means that Northern Hemisphere winter (Southern Hemisphere summer) is the shortest of the four seasons. At the same time … ‘tis the season of bountifully long solar days.

Bottom line: As measured from one solar noon to the next, December has the longest days – the longest day/night cycle – for the whole Earth.

 

About The Author:

The Words of Confucius

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

Your Daily Influences
December 18th, 2015

 

 

The Empress Reversed
This card represents infertility, instability and the loss of material possessions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jera
Jera denotes positive, recurring cycles, fertility and a time to harvest rewards from your hard work.

 

 

 

 

The Menat
You will find focusing on this aspect difficult, because truths will be obscured by dreaminess and illusion. You will not accomplish much here in the next several weeks, and therefore should focus your attention elsewhere

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Crystal

The Crystal glows with the power of mystical truths transformed into material realities. The Crystal denotes a self with a powerful connection to the spiritual world that allows them to literally soak up cosmic wisdom and apply it favorably to their everyday life. It suggest a tremendous growth of one’s spiritual self that will greatly impact the querant’s secular life.

As a daily card, The Crystal indicates a time when you are likely to be well served by allowing your spiritual self to guide your day to day behavior.

 

 

 

 

 

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, December 19th

 

Aries

There can be new insight into a business or life path matter today, dear Aries, but do watch for being too insistent with others. Apply your determination to a project instead. Conversations can be intense and passionate today, or they could become quite heated in a less pleasing manner! Something that’s communicated could be interpreted as provocative and might frustrate, but the sooner you pull yourself off the track of a negative line of thought, the better. Investigate, probe, and observe now for best results. A partner or significant person in your life can be supportive, and a relationship can open up. Even if it reveals some uncomfortable matter, it’s one step towards healing and repairing.

Taurus

There can be a tendency to either dwell on a problem or opinion today, dear Taurus, or to determinedly follow a personal interest and investigate a matter more fully. You can be feeling quite fired up about an idea or topic, and might embark on a little adventure that gets the adrenaline pumping. While you should avoid trying to “convert” someone to your line of thinking, you should definitely take advantage of your spirited, passionate approach and apply it to something constructive and worthy of your attention. As you pursue your interested heartily, others are more likely to see your perspective given a little time. Your powers of attraction run very high right now. A relationship can turn a corner with an open, honest approach to any problem areas.

Gemini

You can really probe to the heart of a matter today, dear Gemini, and your powers of persuasion are strong as long as you avoid pushing too hard when people are involved! Watch how you express yourself today, as there is a tendency to be a little too controlling or on edge. Use the intense energy of the day to push forward a creative project or focus your determination on something productive, such as for making plans, research, or investigating a matter further. Observe, but wait to act on your observations. The more open and honest you are with yourself, and the more you understand yourself and your motivations, the better your decisions. There is also good energy for service-related matters, business sense, and health discoveries. Repairing relationships with others is possible with an open-hearted, humbly confident approach.

Cancer

There can be expectations and perhaps even demands in a relationship today, dear Cancer, or a tendency to probe and get serious about a relating matter. You can come to a very happy position, however, if you combine resources and work together with someone special, instead of competitively.
You should not have to be force-fed ideas and perspectives, and it’s important to lay down your boundaries. You’ll have the most success if you use your powers of reasoning and compromise. Shared ideals or beliefs can be found now and can be a source of comfort, and possibly also attraction. There can be an emotional awakening to your love for someone or your own desires and needs. The Moon in Aries and your public sector stimulates your desire to be on top of things.

Leo

There is a strong desire and drive to be efficient today, dear Leo. You can be an operator in the better sense of the word right now. You can work your way through difficult problems or challenges in a step by step manner. Mercury in alignment with Pluto in your work and health sector stimulates your determination and focus to get ahead on a project or endeavor. Avoid being overbearing if people are involved, and do take time to really work at something you love, as you can make great progress now. Good energy for redoing or reworking a project is with you now. You may need to revisit decisions made now at a later date, but you might also lay down important ground work now. Researching a health or healing method can be rewarding now.

Virgo

Very strong energy is with you in the first half of the day for repairing or improving a relationship with the power of sensitive communication, dear Virgo. However, the atmosphere can also be rather charged with Mercury and Pluto in alignment in your creativity and romance sector. Conversations can be powerful, but can also become heated or loaded if matters are pushed too far. This can be a good day for breaking new ground or making a new commitment to a creative project, or for some, possibly even a romance. Use intense emotions and compulsions constructively through art or intimacy. There is a dramatic and competitive touch to everything you do today. If you are engaging in a competition of sorts, physical or mental, you are more likely to come out a winner right now through sheer determination.

Libra

You’re inclined to do some digging for answers today, dear Libra, and important or serious conversations can revolve around family or home life. As much as you want answers, try not to push things too far, and don’t allow others to push you, either, whether this is about pushing you to believe something, to do something you don’t want to do, or pushing your buttons! Channeling extra energy into making plans or organizing the home, and possibly family activities, can be successful. Fortunately, you a Venus-Chiron trine this morning helps to smooth things over, and it also helps you to evaluate financial and business matters quite accurately. You are in tune with what things and people are most valuable to you, and this helps you to gravitate towards what and who you need. Your powers of attraction run high.

Scorpio

Your mind may latch onto a dilemma or problem, possibly a past issue that hasn’t been resolved, for example, dear Scorpio. Be careful not to rub people the wrong way with the appearance that you might know better than everyone else, even if you don’t intend it (and even if you do know better right now!). Use your natural smarts to maximize your capacity for healthy communication today, as reaching out and connecting can bring unexpected opportunities right now, and your insight into a matter can be appreciated, particularly if you deliver it in a diplomatic manner. Comfort, beauty, and ambiance are especially important when it comes to your relationships today, so make sure the mood is pleasing and harmonious. Through your interactions, you have the chance to heal and grow.

Sagittarius

Creative problem solving comes easily now, dear Sagittarius, particularly when you apply your thinking to practical and professional matters. You could become thoroughly absorbed by a financial matter or fixated on something you want to purchase. Luckily, you are in a good position to judge value. Important conversations can occur now, and you can get much from them, as long as you look beyond the insistence of the messages you are receiving. An issue surrounding values, money, or questions of ownership can quickly become heated. Alternatively, you may be feeling conflicted on an inner level about your feelings towards someone. However, at the end of it all, you could learn a great deal from the differences that at first seemed so glaring. Watch today for a tendency to resort to manipulative tactics to get what you want. It’s probably not a good idea to be brutally honest – subtlety is best now. You can be quite temperamental about whether others value you, as you have a stronger need these days for being treated with respect.

Capricorn

With Mercury and Pluto aligning today in your sign, dear Capricorn, you may very well be the topic of discussion now! You might also own this energy and find yourself doggedly pursuing an answer or truth, or eloquently persuading others. This can be a strong day for making changes to your immediate environment and relationships, particularly involving communications, that truly help you to feel better and to connect more easily. Conversations could trigger deeper issues, and provocative comments may be taken the wrong way. However, challenges today seem to light a fire under you to make improvements. Look for the lesson and cut out the negative thinking spiral. There is good energy for support and healing through relationships, and especially friendships.

Aquarius

There can be a tendency to fixate on a certain topic or idea today, dear Aquarius. This can be positive if you are working on a project that needs your attention. However, watch for compulsive thinking, and avoid adamancy with your beliefs, as this can cause some stress. Watch that you are not your own worst enemy today by saying or doing things that invite negative reactions. There can be resistance to letting something go and possibly frustration with a feeling that you are in the dark about a matter. However, there is also helpful energy for seeing the good and the beautiful in people, and this can encourage you to push forward gently. An intense discussion about your past or about private matters may be part of the picture. It’s an excellent time for cutting through appearances and uncovering something previously unknown or hidden, and for uncovering your own buried needs.

Pisces

If it’s easy to trigger sensitivities today, dear Pisces, try to examine what kinds of things pull up the most frustration, as they are clues to unresolved issues that may be driving your behavior or causing undue stress in your life. Avoid pushing something that you can’t change. There can be strong opinions that can dominate your thinking, particularly among friends, with associates, or in your networking activities. Releasing pressure could involve letting go of something that you’ve been overthinking, or you might try redirecting thoughts to constructive ideas, particularly plans for the future. Others might notice a talent of yours, and the chance to show off your abilities can arise. It’s an exciting day for personal charisma.

If You Were Born Today, December 18

You are a proud, idealistic person who is sometimes quite stubborn and set in your ways. You are more emotional than is obvious, and having a purpose and direction in life is vital to your emotional health. You need to feel proud of what you do, and the more you do, the stronger a leader you are. Your manner is regal and respectable, you are far from petty. Relationships define you, and many of you have a hard time being alone. You have great respect for others who are clever and witty.

Famous people born today: Brad Pitt, Keith Richards, Katie Holmes, Ray Liotta, Christina Aguilera, Steven Spielberg.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, December 18th

 

Aries

Intensity, passion, and emotional attachment are more prominent themes in your love life with Venus transiting your intimacy sector these days, dear Aries, and you might find that attracting resources from outside sources comes more easily. It’s a good time to work out money problems or other issues of sharing with a partner, and this is especially true this week. While there can be some confusing signals coming from someone close to you this tonight, once past that, it’s a strong time for repairing relationship woes, if necessary, or of coming to a better understanding of your relationship situation. The Moon enters your sign this afternoon, and this brings your emotions to the surface. You could have a feeling of urgency when it comes to filling your needs.

Taurus

Venus has been moving through your partnership sector, dear Taurus, and this tends to warm up close relationships or brings pleasant people into your experience. Today, however, you can feel a little caged in, but it’s a temporary feeling. Try to put worries about your past behind you so that you can better enjoy the present. Tonight and tomorrow are, in fact, excellent for naturally gaining respect without having to prove yourself. Your better qualities are emphasized, and your ability to connect with others enhanced further. You’re entering a slightly less sociable phase this afternoon – two and a half days when it’s natural to need to recharge your emotional “batteries”. It’s not the best time for visibility, but some level of withdrawal is necessary for busier times to come.

Gemini

Ideally in the last couple of days you have become clearer about what is expected of you, and what you can expect from yourself, dear Gemini. Now, it’s time to absorb what you’ve learned but also to release some of the pressure. Pay close attention to how you feel in a group or with a particular friend today. Decide whether your interactions are empowering and encouraging, or if they leave you feeling drained. Consider ways to keep yourself busy, absorbed in things you love doing, so that you are not as vulnerable to the ups and downs of your social life, and embrace a greater sense of peace. Tonight and early tomorrow brings warm energy for putting faith in and learning from someone.

Cancer

New attractions and desires can abound today, dear Cancer, but may not settle in for the long term. Emotional outbursts, rebelliousness, or impulsiveness are tendencies now if you’re feeling stressed. Take a deep breath and try to tackle things one at a time, step by step. Later today, you feel a little more playful and love matters tend to be laced with a touch of drama. Tonight and tomorrow are good for strengthening a love bond. Open your heart! With the Moon moving into your public sector this afternoon, it’s that time of the month when you should be on your best behavior. It’s time to take care of business, tend to professional priorities, and keep your cool (unless you want something private to come to light).

Leo

While there is generally good energy with lovers or love interests these days, dear Leo, there can be some tension and indecision affecting your mood. You value familiarity in love with Venus in your sector of home and family these days, and can sometimes feel a little off center if schedules change or plans are disrupted. Today, expect the unexpected and aim to be flexible. You may be unsure whether you want to play it safe for go out on a limb. Bringing peace, harmony, and beauty to your home environment can be a strong need, and tonight and into tomorrow morning, you should find it easier to do so. It’s also a time for healing and better understanding your affections.

Virgo

You can learn a lot about your relationships today and tomorrow, dear Virgo, and also about your own needs, wants, and desires. Read too much or dig too deeply and you will only get yourself into sticky and ambiguous territory, however. This can be revealing if you’re aware, but perhaps a little disruptive if you’re avoiding deeper issues. What is most appropriate now is to take a step back to observe your interactions today without detaching yourself from the intimacy of your interactions. These days, verbal rapport and open lines of communication are especially vital to engage your heart. Tonight and tomorrow are strong for showing support of important people in your life, particularly through kind words and verbal support. It may also be a good time for making a decision about finances.

Libra

While these days are good for relationships and personal magnetism, dear Libra, today you may be feeling a little out of step, particularly if you are waiting or relying on others. Try not to dwell on feelings of being ignored and instead attempt to immerse yourself in things that you love doing. There can also be a strong desire to spend on clothes, furniture, and entertainment, or anything that makes you feel comfortable, secure, and pampered. Of course, it’s important to consider the future if you do, as comfort in the present may not be worth longer-term feeling of insecurity or worry over resources. If you move past your fears and look within, you can take fuller advantage of a lovely Venus-Chiron aspect coming into orb tonight and perfecting tomorrow. This is a time for opening your heart and putting fears behind you. Others may be putting faith in you, and they’re appreciating your more unusual and unique qualities.

Scorpio

Today, you may be struggling with your seemingly at odds needs for closeness and intimacy and your desire for independence, dear Scorpio. This can lead to mixed signals that throw others for a loop until you recognize that there are ways to combine the two needs. This energy can also be felt in terms of desires for unusual things, activities, and pleasures that are different or reflect your inner unrest and need for change. There could be some erratic behavior in a partner or love interest. Insecurities are likely to dissipate dramatically once you get in touch with your heart. You are more courageous in love tonight and tomorrow. Have faith in someone, and they will want to do right by you.

Sagittarius

Avoid behaving erratically in your relationships today, dear Sagittarius, and instead attempt to get to the root of any unrest stimulated now. You may be dealing with private matters of the heart, and should try not to make premature or rebellious decisions. People may surprise you or make changes now that can be a little disruptive. Tonight and tomorrow morning, be open to sharing something of yourself. It doesn’t have to be a commitment or a statement if you’re not ready to make one; it can simply be some current feelings or stories about the past. The Moon moves into your romance and creativity sector late afternoon, and this points to a stronger sense of fun.

Capricorn

There can be some feelings of unrest experienced today, dear Capricorn, and perhaps some off timing socially. It makes sense to try to get to the root of any unusual desires that come over you now, as they may simply be a symptom of the need for a small change in your relationships or patterns of relating. Later today, you might derive special pleasure and satisfaction from groups of like-minded individuals, or with friends and associates. Camaraderie is especially important to you right now, and this is a good time for building faith in a relationship. There can be healing powers to your words. Opening up to warm feelings brings rewards now.

Aquarius

You can experience some over-sensitivity to what you might perceive as criticism today, dear Aquarius, even if none is intended. Inner restlessness can lead to overindulgence. Try not to speak too soon of unrest, as you may simply need a change of pace. Later today and into tomorrow, there is good energy for understanding a business or financial matter better, or the motives of a person you work with or for. It’s important to be open to learning from and through others and to share your own expertise as well. Comfortable activities delight you most right now, but as the day progresses, there is a stronger tendency to reach out and communicate.

Pisces

Emotions can fluctuate today when it comes to money and possessions, dear Pisces. You must first learn to define what is yours before you feel confident about giving to and sharing with others. However, look for inspiration from a loved one, as someone could awaken a new perspective or way of thinking in you. You fare best when you are reaching out beyond your usual bounds these days, so aim to deal with fears of change in order to move past them. Insecurities are better handled tonight and tomorrow. This afternoon, the Moon leaves your sign, and this tends to take emotional pressure off.

 

 

 

 

Weekend Love Horoscope

December 18-20: Bad news

Maria DeSimone on the topics of videos, love, horoscopes, astrology

 

Ouch! This weekend, no matter how you slice it, communication will cut like a knife. The sharp edges created by Mercury, Uranus and Pluto are only exacerbated by an inflamed Aries Moon all weekend long. The bottom line to this weekend is that it’ll literally be “every man for himself” with this type of energy.

Conversations are not likely to be for the faint of heart because they certainly won’t be mild mannered. Steer clear of any touchy subject matter and if you notice that your lover is looking particularly inflamed — don’t feed the fire. Above all, try not to make any important decision this weekend about your love life. Mental clarity is out the window.

This Weekend’s Romantic Rating*

* Heart ratings are based on the lunar cycle. They range from low to full, with low indicating a rocky weekend for romance and full indicating plenty of passionate potential.

 

Tarot.com is a Daily Insight Group Site

 

 

 

 

 

The Balance of the Signs & the Elements for Friday, December 18th

 

SAGITTARIUS STRONG
Inspiring, broad vision, enthusiastic, goal seeking, truthful, adventurous. Can be reckless, unrestrained, tactless.
CAPRICORN STRONG
Disciplined, responsible, reliable, industrious, conscientious, practical, achieving. Can be pessimistic, overly conventional, rigid, materialistic, callous.
PISCES STRONG
Compassionate, sensitive, self-sacrificing, gentle, intuitive. Can be escapist, impractical, hyper- sensitive, gullible.

BALANCE OF ELEMENTS

AIR WEAK
We may have a difficult time being objective or detached. We may not be especially communicative.

BALANCE OF MODES

FIXED WEAK
We may be open to change but may not have much follow-through.
MUTABLE STRONG
We are flexible, adaptable, willing, open to change, and possibly flighty or nervous.

 

 

 

 

 

Astrology of Today – December 18, 2015

Summary:

• The Moon is in Pisces until 4:26 PM.
• The Moon is void from 10:14 AM until 4:26 PM.
• The Moon is in Aries from 4:26 PM forward (until Sunday, December 20th, at 7:12 PM).
• The Moon is waxing and in its Waxing Crescent phase until 10:14 AM / the Moon is in its First Quarter phase from 10:14 AM forward.
• A First Quarter Moon occurs today at 10:14 AM.