Category: Daily Posts
The Moon Goddess
A Little Thought from Me to You….
Astronomy Picture of the Day – Galaxy Cluster
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.
2017 March 10
Galaxy Cluster Abell 2666
Image Credit & Copyright: Bernhard Hubl, CEDIC 2017
Explanation: The galaxies of Abell 2666 lie far beyond the Milky Way, some 340 million light-years distant toward the high flying constellation Pegasus. Framed in this sharp telescopic image, the pretty cluster galaxies are gathered behind scattered, spiky, Milky Way stars. At cluster center is giant elliptical galaxy NGC 7768, the central dominant galaxy of the cluster. As the cluster forms, such massive galaxies are thought to grow by mergers of galaxies that fall through the center of the cluster’s gravitational well. Typical of dominant cluster galaxies, NGC 7768 likely harbors a supermassive black hole. At the estimated distance of Abell 2666, this cosmic frame would span about 5 million light-years.
Earth Sky News for Friday, March 10th: Comet Encke nearest sun today
Comet Encke nearest sun today
Comet Encke, known for its short orbital period of 3.3 years, is at its closest point to the sun today (March 10, 2017). This point called its perihelion, with the word stemming from the Greek words peri, meaning near, and Helios in honor of the Greek god of the sun. Is the comet visible in our sky now? No. It was visible in February and possibly until early March, whipping around the Circlet asterism in the constellation Pisces, in the west shortly after sunset. Now, however, Comet Encke has plunged southwawrd and become lost in the glare of evening twilight.
Comet Encke visits us often and is now on its 63rd known visit to our part of space, with uncounted visits before those 63. And thus it’s a well-studied comet and an interesting comet, for many reasons.
Encke is considered a short-period comet, and its orbit is much shorter than – for example – the brighter and more famous Comet Halley, known for its appearances to the unaided eye in Earth’s sky. Halley’s orbital period is about 75-76 years, and it last appeared in Earth’s sky in 1986 and will next return in 2061. Is Encke the shortest-period comet known? Not exactly, although it’s the shortest-period comet that becomes visible to observers using modest telescopes or binoculars. The exceedingly faint main-belt Comet 311P/PANSTARRS, for example, has a slightly shorter period of 3.2 years.
Comet Encke has a fascinating history. As its official designation implies, 2P/Encke was the second comet recognized as periodic, after 1P/Halley. Prior to the time of those recognitions, comets will little understood objects – considered bad omens by the early skywatchers – thought to appear only once, ever, in our sky.
It was Pierre Méchain‘s 1786 observation of Comet Encke that was the first one to be noticed by science. That is because Johann Franz Encke later used Méchain’s observation as the first observation in a series, in which he was able – through laborious calculations – to link observations of comets in 1786 (designated 2P/1786 B1), 1795 (designated 2P/1795 V1), 1805 (designed 2P/1805 U1) and 1818 (designed 2P/1818 W1), showing that all of these differently designated objects were in fact one comet.
In 1819, Encke published his conclusions in the early journal Correspondance Astronomique, correctly predicting the comet’s return in 1822.
The recovery of Encke’s Comet by Carl Ludwig Christian Rümker on June 2, 1822 was another great victory for the ability of the scientific method to make testable predictions. We say “another” victory because Comet Halley had been the very first comet ever predicted to return, and subsequently recovered on time, in 1758. Hence, 1P/Halley and 2P/Encke.
Notice that the pace of scientific discovery was much slower then!
Read more about Comet Encke’s history here.
This video, captured by NASA’s STEREO mission, shows the motion of Comet Encke and its tail as it approached the sun in April 2007. At that return, scientists studied the movements of hundreds of dense chunks of glowing ionized gas within the comet’s tail, finding evidence of turbulence that helped explain both the solar wind’s variability and its unexpectedly high temperatures. Read more about this image from NASA/ STEREO.
In addition to calculating Comet Encke’s orbital period of 3.3 years, Encke also calculated that the comet’s orbit decays by 2.5 hours at each return near the sun. The reason for the decay remained a mystery until Fred Whipple – who was also the first to describe comets as dirty snowballs – explained it in 1950. Whipple said Comet Encke’s orbit becomes continually shorter because matter boils off its surface, producing a jet-like force that reduced the motion of the comet.
More recently, other theories have been proposed as to why a comet’s orbit might decay. The Yarkovsky effect, although usually applied to asteroids, can offer another viewpoint. Comets receive light from the sun. Some of it they absorb and some of it they reflect back. This emitted light is usually infrared. The Yarkovsky effect proposes that the heated photons from this emission generate a force on that comet since they have momentum.
Simply put, the Yarkovsky effect is nothing but another case of Newton’s 3rd law. Hot photons hit the surface of the comet and the “comet pushes back” as they bounce off it.
By the way, Comet Encke spawns a meteor shower – a long-lasting one in which many very bright meteors, or “fireballs” can be seen – known as the Taurids. The South and North Taurids appear in late October and November each year and occur as Earth passes through debris in space left behind by Comet Encke.
Read more about the Taurids here.
Bottom line: Comet Encke, known for its short orbital period of 3.3 years, sweeps closest to the sun on March 10, 2017. The comet is now on its 63rd known visit to our part of space.
Article published on EarthSky
The Wisdom of Buddha
The Wisdom of Buddha
The mind is everything. What you think you become.
Your Charm for Friday, March 10th is Solomons Seal
Your Charm for Today
Today’s Meaning:
This aspect needs to be lightened up a bit, things are getting to serious. Some humor or even a bit of flirting could lighten the tone greatly.
General Description:
The use of this, one of the most ancient charms, dates back to the commencement of our present civilization, and was in use previous to the Jewish dispensation. The symbol has been used in almost every religion, and was considered all powerful, efficient, and the perfect sign of the absolute. The triangle with the apex upwards symbolized all that was good and the inverted triangle all that was evil, and the two combined in the device portrays the triumph of good over evil. The seven discs represent the seven then known planets. This charm was worn to protect the wearer from every description of mischief and danger, and was a preserver from all evil.
One for the Animal Lover In All Of Us
Advice from The Owl
Invocation to the Owl
Your Animal Spirit Guide for March 10th is The Owl
Your Daily Witches Rune for March 10th is The Crossed Spears
The Daily Witches Rune
The Crossed Spears
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.
Your Ancient Symbol Card for March 10th is The Phoenix
Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today
The Phoenix
The mythical, endearing Phoenix has long been a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and coming full circle. Tired in both body and spirit the aged Phoenix combust into flames and from its ashes is reborn. The Phoenix does not indicate change so much as it does renewal and revitalization. It denotes the completion of a cycle and beginning anew.
As a daily card, The Phoenix suggest you are at a place where some aspects of your life have reached the end of a cycle. Your energies may be weakened from use and stretched over too many arenas to be as effective as they once were. As a result, now may be a good time for you to take a step back and allow yourself time to revitalize both your physical and spiritual self.
Your Elder Futhark Rune for March 10th is Jera
Shuffling the Cards, Your Influences for the Week of March 10th
Your Influences for the Upcoming Weekend
Tarot Influence
Six of Cups Reversed
Preoccupation with the past. Over dependence on outdated ideas and morals.
Astrological Influence
Virgo
Virgo denotes intelligence and a drive for perfection taking command–the dealing with all aspects of life honorably.
Element Influence
Earth
Earth is the card of everyday life. Earth makes riches of all kinds available to those who are in tune with her.
Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for March 10th is The Universe
Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today
The Universe
Like The Sun, The Universe brings good blessings. The Universe appears where all is in balance. It allows you to act effectively not only as an individual but as a member of a group too. The Universe promises contentment, fulfillment and completeness to those under its influence. It doesn’t guarantee there will not be moments of strife or discord in your life, but it does indicate that your trials and tribulations will be overcome; that ultimately you will know inner-peace and contentment. The Universe suggests you have found or will find your place in the scheme of things—that place where all is as it should be.
Learn the Tarot: The Sun Card
TAROT CARD MEANINGS
The Sun
You are in the right place at the right time.
General Meaning
The Sun card is about the self — who you are and how you cultivate your personality and character. The Sun’s radiance is where one’s original nature can be encountered in health and safety. The limitations of time and space are stripped away; the soul is refreshed and temporarily protected from the chaos outside the garden walls. Under the light of the Sun, life reclaims its primordial goodness, truth, and beauty. If one person is shown on this card, it is usually signifying a human incarnation of the divine. When two humans are shown, the image is portraying a resolution of the tension between opposites at all levels. It’s as if this card is saying “You can do no wrong — it’s all to the good!”
In the Advice Position
Let your light shine. Be confident in the sacred power of your original nature.
The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.
The Sun card advises you to have confidence in your natural divinity. Throw off any cultural conditioning that keeps you from being authentic with yourself. Step into the full light of truth and reveal your motives and principles. Once done, you will no longer give away power to the people that criticize and shame you. Focus on the positive and the real. Your authentic shining self can be a light for others if you project it without contrivance.
Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017
Your Daily Tarot Card for Friday, March 10th is Strength
Your Daily Tarot Card for Today
Strength
Strength denotes an inner power, mastery of will and development of inner might. Through mastering one’s emotions and learning from both success and failure the person Strength represents has reached a place where they are influential without applying physical force, able to weather the roughest of storms, and not likely to abandon the less fortunate. Strength also denotes a large capacity for forgiveness and compassion. Strength is not as much about winning as it is about achieving balance, overcoming hardship, and using well crafted persuasion to gain allies.
Doggie Break
When you got to go, you got to go………..
Get A Jump on Tomorrow, Your Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, March 11th
Get A Jump on Tomorrow…..
Your Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, March 11th
Aries
You’re dealing with competing urges today, dear Aries, largely between going it alone and sharing your activities with a companion. As much as possible, try not to procrastinate or commit to something that seems a little beyond your means today. In an effort to do it all, you may overreach and regret it later. Taming restlessness can go a long way towards having a good day, and with your ruler, Mars, in parallel aspect with Venus, there can be fantastic opportunities to enjoy yourself. Old personal plans or pursuits can capture (or recapture) your interest, and you can have a lot of fun with them. Of course, old problems may emerge now, but resolving them can lift a burden from you and life feels that much easier as a result.
Taurus
Relationships energize you today, dear Taurus, and you can be feeling particularly motivated to get what you want or to pursue your desires. Personal appeal is strong, although you can also be a little retiring and not very easy to get close to just for now. As well, you have a tendency to weigh pros and cons rather than jump into action now. You experience equally powerful pulls to socialize and to do your duties now, and it can be difficult to settle on any one thing. This can either keep you on the fence and in a state of limbo or overdoing something when it would be better to blend and compromise.
Gemini
You are less decisive today than you have been, dear Gemini, and this is a sign to make adjustments rather than forge ahead. Take steps to narrow things down, pace yourself, and prioritize if you feel a little overwhelmed. Wait a couple of days before launching new projects or buying big items, just to be sure you maintain interest in these things. Expectations of others, or of your own goals, may be too high, and adjustments need to be considered. If you can rise above the minor irritations of the day, you can recognize clear opportunities to enjoy yourself, particularly with friends or throwing yourself into ventures that excite you.
Cancer
You are eager to learn and experience new things these days with a strong emphasis on your adventure sector, dear Cancer, but you might find yourself very frequently house-bound and really quite enjoying the peace and comfort of this position. Today you can feel a little torn between sticking to what’s familiar and chasing a new experience. Allow your thoughts to wander, but take more care when making the bigger decisions. Plans may not get off the ground just for now, but this is a temporary condition. If you stay on the fence, you are likely to feel like you’ve missed out, so you’ll need to decide whether to adjust your expectations, find a compromise, or make a decision and own it.
Leo
The Sun (your ruler) forms a minor but challenging aspect with Jupiter today, dear Leo, and interactions with others may not go especially smoothly just for now. You may be wavering between keeping things light and taking things a little further. Mixed signals can be the result. This is a time for adjusting your expectations if you’ve been overshooting. Enthusiasm can run high but then fall suddenly, much like a sugar high. There can be some opportunities for pleasure and enjoyment emerging now, and you’ll have better luck with them if you aim to let go of the tendency to overthink.
Virgo
It can be difficult to feel truly satisfied today, dear Virgo, as an awkward angle between the Sun and Jupiter can divide your interests. The key is to get over the idea that you need to go hard or not at all. Moderation can be difficult to practice today but will help bring you down to earth, ready to see and grab the opportunities of the day. Focus on freeing yourself of unnecessary mental burdens. Relationships can feel a little out of sync, but merely need adjustments, particularly when it comes to expectations of one another and of the relationship itself. Avoiding big purchases or business decisions may be wise.
Libra
You can be anxious to help others or get your work done today, dear Libra, but you also have a strong need to do things independently or to pursue personal interests. This dilemma can only be resolved by toning things down and compromising, but it can be challenging getting to that state. Decisions about work or health can be difficult to make today. You can be in an indulgent mood, often feeling more like relaxing than working, yet not truly comfortable if you let things go. The tendency to gloss over problem areas is strong, and as a result, decisions made now may not be very wise. Even so, if you can act moderately, you’re in great shape to enjoy the creative opportunities coming your way now.
Scorpio
Decisions can weigh on you quite heavily today, dear Scorpio, and the answer may be to avoid overdoing things. Moderation is wise right now, but difficult to practice with the Sun and Jupiter in aspect. You have equally strong desires to connect with others and to keep to yourself right now, but if you get too hung up on decision making, you can miss out on getting much of anything accomplished. This is a day for making adjustments and compromises that are not especially straightforward but necessary. Clarity will come in your personal life within a couple of days.
Sagittarius
Conflicts between sticking with what’s familiar and breaking new ground can emerge today, dear Sagittarius, and for many, this may instead be about trying to balance your social and familial life and having trouble deciding how to do it all. You can swing between remaining in a state of limbo to acting upon impulse today, but it’s better to find the middle road and aim for moderation. You don’t need to go hard in more than one area now. If you can manage to resist pressures from others, this is an intense day for creative thinking. You can be filled with a need to create, connect, and share, and some of your motivation can be to capture someone’s interest.
Capricorn
Routines and regular life seem particularly dull to you today, dear Capricorn, but restlessness is likely to irritate you until you tame expectations, which can be way too high right now. There can be equally powerful and competing desires to produce and accomplish, as well as to pursue your personal interests or explore your options. Becuase you’re only human after all, you can’t manage both at once, so aim to tone things down. Otherwise, you’re likely to be stuck in limbo, not quite satisfied with anything that transpires. There could be a misstep in a work matter or a disconnect with a boss or parent. Wires can get crossed. The chances of being misquoted also run high. However, there can be quite a bit of enjoyment at home or with family today.
Aquarius
You can feel on one hand that you want to do something out of the ordinary and explore new places or ideas, dear Aquarius, and on the other, the need to get comfortable. This is due to the Sun in your resources sector encouraging you to play it safe and stick to what you know brings you pleasure in an awkward aspect with Jupiter in your adventure and spirit sector stimulating the desire to branch out and trying something entirely new. Attempt to dream up ways to satisfy both your freedom-seeking side and your equally strong need to keep things straightforward and familiar, and aim for moderation so that whatever you decide to do doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Pisces
You’ve had some great days for thinking and expressing yourself, dear Pisces, and today you may need to give things a rest. Try not to overthink. However, if you are leaning towards making a commitment today, make sure you are considering all the factors. You might end up taking on a challenge or project that eventually becomes a burden, as there is a tendency to overestimate your interest in something or underestimate the time and energy that you’d need to complete it. Today is excellent, however, for putting new spins on old ideas, as well as for renewed interests and finding something valuable to you that you’d lost. Do your best to enjoy the moment.
Witches Of The Craft® 
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