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 February 28

A White Oval Cloud on Jupiter from Juno
Image Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, SwRI, MSSS; Processing: Roman Tkachenko

 

Explanation: This storm cloud on Jupiter is almost as large as the Earth. Known as a white oval, the swirling cloud is a high pressure system equivalent to an Earthly anticyclone. The cloud is one of a “string of pearls” ovals south of Jupiter’s famous Great Red Spot. Possibly, the Great Red Spot is just a really large white oval that turned red. Surrounding clouds show interesting turbulence as they flow around and past the oval. The featured image was captured on February 2 as NASA’s robotic spacecraft Juno made a new pass just above the cloud tops of the Jovian world. Over the next few years, Juno will continue to orbit and probe Jupiter, determine atmospheric water abundance, and attempt to determine if Jupiter has a solid surface beneath its thick clouds.

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Don’t miss moon and Venus February 28

 

Article originally published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.

Tossing the Tiles for March 2017

March
Wan 6
Symbol: Fire
The Fire tile is a strong warning that something is wrong or out of balance. The Fire tile is a warning. Your resources are in jeopardy. These endangered resources may be financial or spiritual or physical. In fact, resources of all types may be in danger.

 

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Golden Egg

The Golden Egg denotes the opportunity for substantial material gains. However, the Golden Egg is also a reminder that unmanaged greed ensures what gains are made will be lost.

As a daily card, The Golden Egg suggest that the prospects for you to increase your financial wealth are very strong today. Seize whatever opportunities come your way, but don’t ride them too long or you may find yourself no better off than you were before they came along.

Learn the Tarot

The Star

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Rise above your day-to-day and connect with the divine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Meaning

The Star Tarot card is about reconnecting one’s soul with the divine — the transcending of personality, family, community, and reputation. It has to do ultimately with the freedom to be one’s self. The soul is responding to celestial influences — forces that can provide the personality with a stronger sense of purpose. The Star card helps us to remember our exalted origins and our attraction to a higher union.

This card could also be called The Celestial Mandate — that which refers us back to our reason for being, our mission in this lifetime. The Star reminds us that, in a sense, we are agents of divine will in our day-to-day lives. If we let go of the idea that we are supposed to be in control, we can more easily notice and appreciate the synchronicities that are nudging us along. In this way, we become more conscious of the invisible helping hand, and we better understand our place within — and value to — the larger cosmos.

In the Advice Position

Your time is better spent in reflection and spiritual pursuit.

The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.

The Star card advises that you rededicate yourself to your higher values, increase your spiritual cultivation and meditation practice, and surrender to the greater good. Connect to your higher self — a being of a larger realm traveling on an evolutionary course that started long ago and runs indefinitely into the future. This is the part you wish to contact and communicate with.

Now is a period for quiet contemplation. Listen for the voice within. Anything that would interfere with this communion may not be serving your best interests right now.

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Get A Jump on Tomorrow…..

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, March 1

 

Aries

There can be some mental agitation today if you are forced into a routine, dear Aries. This is not a time to feel boxed in! However, it’s an important day for tapping into your intuition. You thrive with imaginative or creative activities now. For some of you, a private, romantic day is in store. Some of you could be moved to help someone out today. While practical matters may suffer a little, you imagine possibilities that you normally may not entertain. Aim to get in better touch with your dreams and spiritual heart. You may be daydreaming and procrastinating now. Make extra room for time to yourself and healing activities. Releasing resentment and embracing compassion can be helpful now.

Taurus

This can be a day of illumination, dear Taurus, with Neptune aligned with the Sun. For some, it can be a time of illusion, however. As they come together in your solar eleventh house, the Sun and Neptune may awaken yearnings for kinship, friendship, and involvement on the soul level. You may be taking care of others, or you may be seeking support. Some of you could become more aware of the more confusing elements of your connections, or of a deceptive or inconsistent element in a relationship, while for others, this transit awakens a longing to find a kindred spirit. There is some tension building behind the scenes today, and you may be feeling this particularly strongly on a mental level. Watch for impulsive communications and exaggeration in your social life.

Gemini

Your ruler, Mercury, forms minor but challenging aspects to Jupiter and Uranus today, dear Gemini, and there can be some tension if you feel confined or restricted – a theme that will continue tomorrow. Ordinary ideas and plans don’t seem to cut it for you now. You could have a strong desire to shake things up but aim to know why and how before doing so. Be a little more mindful of what you communicate today as well. The Sun and Neptune come together today at the top of your solar chart, inspiring you to dream big and illuminating your loftier goals, dreams, and ideals. The day favors fantasy and imagination, but not necessarily precision. Spiritual longing or elements of your goals or career that fail to satisfy may be magnified today, however. This is a time for incorporating imaginative, creative, and alternative methods into what you do, and for fleshing out your projects and plans.

Cancer

You may feel a little overstimulated or wound up on a mental level today, dear Cancer, but it’s important to tune out distractions and stimulants. This way, you can take advantage of a Sun-Neptune alignment occurring in favorable relationship to your sign. This transit encourages the release of tension and resentment and the embracing of compassion. You might find inspiration in what others say or from the information you come across today. It may take longer to arrive at an answer, but the results will be so much better if you take your time. Your fantasies of escaping, getting away, or enjoying more exotic experiences are in focus today. Meandering away from your usual routine can lead to valuable insights and interesting experiences. For some, money ideas or money itself can emerge in unusual ways. However, while it’s important to be open to new feelings, try to keep your feet on your ground as you dream big.

Leo

You may be excited about trying out new theories or breaking new ground, dear Leo, but you need to avoid skipping steps in your haste. As well, you may feel unnecessarily tense if you push yourself now. Your ruler, the Sun, moves into an annual alignment with Neptune today, illuminating your more idealistic yearnings and spiritual needs, particularly related to relationships. If you’ve been feeling a lack on an intimate level, this can be magnified now. However, for some, this can be a time of increased intimacy and connection. There can be questions of boundaries in your relations with others, and possibly some confusion over shared resources or financial transactions. Be a little more vigilant if you’re dealing with these matters today. Consider that for situations in which you are too personally invested, you may not be seeing things clearly. Intuition is heightened now – you need only trust it and listen to it.

Virgo

You can be excited about new plans and experiences now, dear Virgo, but avoid pushing too hard. You are easily distracted from your priorities and may end up chasing the wrong things and missing deadlines. Avoid hasty communications and decisions now. The Sun and Neptune meet in your partnership sector today, and your magnetic powers are strong, but not necessarily discriminating. You can magnetize people and situations to you that are draining and complicated. Yearnings for something more in your relationships can come on strongly, but for some of you, there can be a magical connection with someone. There is a tendency for others to misinterpret your words or actions in a way that suits their lives, perhaps more than yours! Watch for this, but do listen to your own needs to help and support people you care about. You may want to put a dream into action now, particularly related to a partnership.

Libra

There can be impatience in your communications today, dear Libra, or you could find others skipping steps, and this affects you, leaving you in a rather harried state of mind. Try to wind your thoughts down today so that you can tune into the messages of a Sun-Neptune alignment. This yearly influence has been occurring in your work and health sector for many years now, and it can be a time for awakening to a need to incorporate more of your spiritual or emotional needs into the work you do and the habits or routines you have in place. You are not very content with the ordinary and dull elements of your life now. However, instead of wasting too much time straying aimlessly from your priorities, consider taking a measured break or moments to refresh yourself. Look for hidden and unusual trends and themes today, particularly in your work. You may be thinking about, or you could discover, an alternative or mind-body health method or program. Helping others can be a satisfying activity today.

Scorpio

You are likely to feel especially impatient with dull thinking and routine matters today and tomorrow, dear Scorpio. However, you may want to avoid quick reactions and decisions just for now as you may not be seeing the whole story. A Sun-Neptune alignment occurs in your creative sector, however, and this can help calm you down, although it can also magnify feelings of longing if you’ve been neglecting your spiritual needs, which you see quite suddenly and dramatically now. Even so, it can be a fabulous time for imagination, creative expression, and romance for some of you. There can be a feeling of being in the right place at the right time or connections made on a soul level now. Keep your feet on the ground as you dream big, and you’ll be in a good position. You will attract more positive experiences into your life if you focus on finding ways to make yourself happy rather than looking to others to do it for you.

Sagittarius

It may be all too easy to become riled up on a mental level today, dear Sagittarius, particularly with Mercury in challenging aspect to your ruler, Jupiter. While you are seeking mental stimulation, you may be impatient to get an answer or you might be procrastinating when it comes to your priorities. It’s particularly appropriate to allow extra time for rest and relaxation with the Sun and Moon coming together at the bottom of your solar chart today. This annual influence can stir up longings as you see what you may be missing on a spiritual or emotional level. However, it can also be an inspired time when you release negative or pent-up feelings. There can be unusual happenings, particularly related to friends and family, and perhaps the discovery of surprising feelings and desires. These are unlikely to be new – the Sun is acting as a spotlight on some of the issues that are operating under the surface of things, and this is a good time for getting in touch with your inner self.

Capricorn

Don’t fall prey to the idea that you need to speed up in order to enjoy life more, dear Capricorn. This can lead to errors and regrets. In fact, a Sun-Neptune alignment can help you tune into different priorities that involve slowing down. It’s a powerful time for truly seeing and acknowledging your spiritual needs and dreams. Your need for more color, imagination, and sensitivity in your life comes into sharp focus now, while other requirements and duties blur. It’s important that you don’t go too far with this, of course, but even if you have duties to fill, make a resolution to pay more attention to your spiritual needs down the road. Today can be strong for marketing, selling ideas, promotional activities, and creative communications. Details may be overlooked, however.

Aquarius

With Mercury in challenging aspect to your ruler, Uranus, you have a strong need for new ideas and fresh methods or approaches, dear Aquarius, making routine seem particularly dull. However, you have a tendency to become tense too quickly or to speak too soon and abruptly under this configuration, and it’s a good idea to keep these things in check. However, the Sun forms its annual conjunction with Neptune today, and this is a tension diffuser. In fact, as things slow down, you begin to look at your life from a different perspective, questioning the things you automatically assume are priorities. This shouldn’t be taken too far – that is, practical matters need your attention as well – but the Sun helps you recognize unmet needs so that you can do something about them. This can be a very strong day for creative business or practical ideas – particularly unusual ones that catch on regardless – but be careful with spending now.

Pisces

This may not be the most productive day, dear Pisces, but it’s likely to pump you up on an inspirational level. This is a time for reconnecting with your dreams. You can be excited about plans, but you may overlook details and make errors if you rush through. Try to avoid excessive mental stimulation. However, your personal appeal is strong now with the Sun and Neptune, your ruler, coming together in your sign. As well, you’re coming off a Solar Eclipse in your sign, and you’re standing out. As long as you keep your expectations realistic, you can enjoy a new beginning of sorts. Your naturally compassionate, intuitive, and perceptive personality is framed well – others are acknowledging and appreciating you! Even so, if you’ve been neglecting your spiritual needs, this can be a time when you feel more longing.

 

Source

Cafe Astrology

If You Were Born Today, February 28

You are hungry for knowledge and for applying your intelligence to projects that are meaty and important. You have a calm exterior that draws others to you. It’s as if you might heal others only with your presence, as you have a very comforting effect. Even so, you have an independent streak that is unmistakable, and you are stronger than others might imagine. Extremely appealing, most of you find it easy to attract who and what you want into your life. Limitations upset you, and you demand (nicely) to have your freedom and to be loved for who you are. Famous people born today: Bernadette Peters, Mario Andretti, Brian Jones, Gilbert Gottfried.

Your Birthday Year Forecast

Your birthday this year occurs shortly after a New Moon/Solar Eclipse, suggesting a time of new beginnings and fresh energy. You are instinctively starting a new phase in your life. It’s time to give your life a makeover and to branch out into the untried. This can be a year in which you experience important turning points, or you could begin new projects or goals that have a long-term impact on your life.

Bursts of creativity and energy emerge to help you to further your goals this year, although often erratically. It is easier than usual to break free from habits that have previously held you back from going after what you want in life.

You have strong predilections for assertive and fiery actions this year. Bursts of creativity and energy help you to further your goals. Energy and motivation levels are variable, so take advantage of the periods when you feel inspired. People can’t easily push you into doing much of anything right now, as you seem to need to feel inspired from within. You are breaking free from habits that have previously held you back from going after what you want in life. This can be a year when bursts of restlessness, rebellion, and impatience figure prominently. You assert your will and individuality powerfully, and you are quick to fight for freedom. You may resist others and challenge them if they are trying to hold you back. Ideally, confrontations engaged in this year clear the air and help you to move forward.

This is a potentially excellent year, nevertheless, for putting dreams into motion and giving life to your ideas. You are capable of very hard work when you’re inspired, and you can produce some pretty fantastic things now.

You seek out nourishment from others, and you naturally nurture and support them in return. Needs and cravings seem to be in harmony, or at least not in conflict, with those of your loved ones. You feel more purposeful through your efforts to help and support.

You are taking particular pride in your relationships. It’s a good time to strengthen and support others and to build trust. You instinctively know how to behave in ways that boost others’ confidence, while maintaining your own. This can be a pleasantly ambitious period.

This is a year of major turning points and new beginnings. You’re able to bring both enthusiasm and practicality to your endeavors this year. There can be significant culminations of projects. You are a true innovator this year, although you can have some trouble with follow-through. When you are motivated, you can accomplish great things, bringing new life to old goals. Watch for impatience and seek out healthy channels for releasing pent-up energy.

 

2017 is a Number Four year for you. Ruled by Uranus. This is a year of work and development. It’s “nose to the grindstone” time. It’s a time to deal with practical matters, and it’s not a time to be lazy or especially gregarious. Sometimes, it can be a year that feels hard, monotonous and routine, and/or lonely. Advice – get yourself organized, work to build your resources, keep busy.

2018 will be a Number Five year for you. Ruled by Mercury. This is a year of exploration and freedom. It’s a time when exploration and reaching out to others brings opportunities. It’s a good time to advertise and sell. Surprises are in store, and the routine is broken. This is a year when exciting relationships can be formed; or, if you are already in a partnership, new life is breathed into the relationship. Advice – explore, look for adventure, keep your eyes open for opportunities, mingle.

Source

Cafe Astrology