Category: Daily Posts

Astronomy Picture of the Day – The Colorful Clouds of Rho Ophiuchi

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.

2016 July 5

The Colorful Clouds of Rho Ophiuchi
Image Credit & Copyright: Tom Masterson

 

Explanation: The many spectacular colors of the Rho Ophiuchi (oh’-fee-yu-kee) clouds highlight the many processes that occur there. The blue regions shine primarily by reflected light. Blue light from the star Rho Ophiuchi and nearby starsreflects more efficiently off this portion of the nebula than red light. The Earth’s daytime sky appears blue for the same reason. The red and yellow regions shine primarily because of emission from the nebula’s atomic and molecular gas. Light from nearby blue stars – more energetic than the bright star Antares – knocks electrons away from the gas, which then shines when the electrons recombine with the gas. The dark brown regions are caused by dust grains – born in young stellar atmospheres – which effectively block light emitted behind them. The Rho Ophiuchi star clouds, well in front of the globular cluster M4 visible here on the upper right, are even more colorful than humans can see – the clouds emits light in everywavelength band from the radio to the gamma-ray.

Moon in Cancer

Moon in Cancer

 

 

The Moon is traveling through Cancer today. Beware of mood swings. Cook some soul food. Cuddle up with someone.

The restlessness of the Gemini Moon gives way to an instinctive need for peace and quiet. Feelings of belonging and safety are what motivate us under this influence. The Moon feels right at home in the sign of Cancer, as it rules the sign. This Moon position has much healing potential. Although insular by nature, our feelings run deep, making it an ideal time to get in touch with what motivates us.

The Moon in Cancer generally favors the following activities: Domestic activities, those that involve awareness of personal needs. Home decor, family get-togethers.

 

Source

Cafe Astrology

Earth Sky News for July 5th: Binocular challenge: Venus and moon

Binocular challenge: Venus and moon

By

Tonight – July 5, 2016 – you’ll have your first chance of many in the coming months to spot the brightest planet Venus near the waxing crescent moon. It’ll be a challenge to see them, but Venus is very, very bright. You might be able to do it if your sky is extremely clear all the way to the western horizon and if you use binoculars.

The new moon happened yesterday, on July 4, at 11:01 UTC. At U.S. time zones, that translates to 7:01 a.m. EDT, 6:01 a.m. CDT, 5:01 a.m. MDT and 4:01 a.m. PDT. So, with a level horizon and clear sky, you have a good shot at witnessing the young moon’s first appearance in your evening sky for this month. Start scanning in the west about 30 minutes after sunset.

Just don’t delay! The moon and Venus will follow the sun below the western horizon before nightfall. Although the moon and Venus rank as the second-brightest and third-brightest, respectively, of all sky objects (after the sun), the luster of these brilliant worlds will be tarnished by the harsh glow of evening twilight.

You’ll almost surely need binoculars to see them. But, if you do spot them, remove the binoculars and try to see them with the eye alone.

If you miss the young moon after sunset on July 5, try again after sunset July 6. Day by day, the evening crescent waxes (increases) in size, climbs higher up at sunset and sets later after sundown. Given clear skies, you’re bound to see the evening crescent soon.

So the moon will be easy in a day or two … but how about Venus?

Venus is the sky’s brightest planet, and she’s climbing away from the glare of sunset, too – but at a snail’s pace in contrast to the moon. For the rest of this month, Venus will still set soon after the sun, not staying out as late as nightfall.

When will you see Venus? The Observer’s Handbook from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – a trusty guide for many amateur astronomers – says to wait until mid-July.

However, we expect earlier sightings, especially photographically. That’s because Canada is so far north on the sky’s dome (twilights are still long there at this time of year), and because modern equipment makes it possible to catch Venus extremely low in the sky.

So give it a try! And by the way the next few nights are a wonderful time to try, in part because the lighted face of the waxing crescent moon will be pointing directly toward Venus.

Let the moon be your guide.

Three other planets are easy to spot in the July evening sky. As darkness falls, it’ll be hard to overlook Jupiter, the second-brightest planet, in the western sky.

As seen from mid-northern latitudes, the planets Mars and Saturn light up the southern sky at nightfall, as shown on the sky chart below. South of the equator, look for Mars and Saturn pretty much overhead on these July evenings.

Bottom line: If you’re up for a challenge, try catching the young moon and the planet Venus – with cameras, binoculars or the eye alone – low in the west as dusk begins to fade into nighttime on July 5, 2016. Good luck!

 

Author

BRUCE MCCLURE

Bruce McClure has served as lead writer for EarthSky’s popular Tonight pages since 2004. He’s a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also writes and hosts public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York.

Article published on EarthSky

Your Daily Influences for July 5, 2016

Your Daily Influences
July 5, 2016 

 

The Lovers
The drawing of two forces together, choices, temptations. The fight between the sacred and the secular. Accord of the inner and worldly self.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fehu
Fehu reversed represents material stagnation, possibly poverty as well as infertility.

 

 

 

 

The Menat
A few prayers to your diety of choice would serve you well when dealing with this aspect. Your questions or requests stand a better chance of being answered in the next few days if you do so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Daily Charm for July 5th is The Tau Cross

Your Daily Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
A journey that you or someone close to you must make will have a positive influence on this aspect. This trip may be over a great distance.

General Description:
This charm was worn by the ancients to protect the wearer against disease and snake bites. The Jews used it as an amulet for epilepsy and erysipelas. It is still used in Ireland as a talisman against sickness. The Tau is one of the most ancient crosses and the forerunner of the Latin Cross. Moses used the Tau Cross with the brazen serpent attached, to save the Children of Israel in the wilderness from the attacks of the fiery serpents. The Cross has always been the symbol of life eternal. It was this mark, the Tau Cross, that was placed upon the foreheads of those exempted from Divine wrath in Jerusalem. :

Your Ancient Symbol Card for July 5th is Solitude

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Solitude



Solitude is represented by a single person standing at the end of a boardwalk staring out at a vast, empty panorama. They are truly alone, but may not feel loneliness. They are at a place in their life where the need to withdraw from the our secular world is strong, because their focus should be on their inner self, their morality, and their dreams. The view before them is empty, but it is a canvas on which they may paint their future–a future restricted only by the size of their imagination and courage. For them Solitude is a choice. They chose to take the walkway that distances them from the rest of us. It is also a choice that can be undone. Just as they chose to take a path that leads them away from us, they may choose to turn around and come back at anytime.

As a daily card, Solitude suggest a period in which you need to distance yourself from those around you and explore your inner-self, what is driving your day to day life and decide if you are really on the life path that is best for you. This is a time to revitalize your spirit, and draw your dreams for the future.

Your Daily Witches Rune for July 5th is The Eye

 

Today’s Witches Rune

The Eye

Meaning: The eye has always been a powerful symbol for different cultures. Some believe that the soul resides in them, while others think it’s possible to curse a person merely by looking at them. Through our eyes we connect and express emotions and thoughts. Thus, this is one of the most powerful runes in the set, emphasizing the importance of any rune close to it. The Eye symbol is also related to “vision” is all senses, including the physical. This rune can represent our eyes and optic nerves. It can also represent activities such as research, analysis, photography and creative visualization. When it appears, there’s an urge to observe, to explore, to understand deeply what is before you. This rune is usually related to sudden realizations. Not necessarily a ‘shock’ (unless some violent rune is close it, like the Scythe and the Man), but more related to the lifting of veils. Your eyes are suddenly open, and you see things that were unknown to you before. A change of perception and focus in life is to be expected when this rune appears… whatever the situation is, the way you see it will be transformed.

The Eye rune also says that now it’s time for you to go after what you want. Your focus is powerful right now, and everything you concentrate on can become successful.This rune often represents a lonely journey towards a goal… it suggests a calling and a connection to something bigger, a sense of purpose. Your path is clear to you now; you know which way to go, even if you don’t know where exactly it’ll take you. In a spiritual level, This rune can represent a development of one’s psychic skills, or an advancement in one’s spiritual path. As you connect yourself to a deeper source, and learn to trust, you gain wisdom and your eyes see far. A higher power seems to be guiding you in times when the Eye appears. Like the Sun rune, this rune can mean that right now all eyes are on you. But unlike the former symbol, when the Eye appears there’s some discomfort related to such attention. It may be excessive and even unwelcome. In fact, this is one of this rune’s most negative facets: it may show an invasion of privacy, when someone (or even you) pry into another’s life and scrutinize their every move. Beware of flatterers and stalkers. The Eye cautions against obsession and the tendency to spy on other people’s affairs. In a relationship reading, the Eye can symbolize a predestined bond to another person.

Note that this does not promise a happy ending, but simply says that this connection is powerful and will be very important in your life. In fact, because the Eye rune is a solitary one, it is possible that the people in the relationship cannot be together due to difficult circumstances. Still, your bond that person will transform you. In a negative way, this rune can cautions against invading your partner’s personal space or stalking them.

 

 

Additional information about Today’s Witches Rune courtesy of Your Spiritual Journey Australia

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for July 5th is Aeon

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

Aeon



Aeon deals with our journey and constant transformation through time. It denotes both endings and beginnings, our ability to redeem ourselves through action, and hope for the future. Aeon teaches us to accept our past–embrace it as an essential component of our being–but not to allow it to keep our spirits from moving towards the future and finding our personal utopia.

Casting the Stones, The Persona Rune Cast Reading for July 5

The Persona Rune Cast Reading

This is a very simple five Rune cast used to explore your personality.

bw-naudhizWhere You Are In Life
Naudhiz

Naudhiz may foretell needs unmet and friction in relationships. You may be in a time where you should be very careful in whatever endeavor you take on. Also it may be that you are about to learn some of life’s hard lessons and come out the other side of this period a stronger being.

 

 

bw-mannazYour Primary Thoughts
Mannaz

Now is the time for you to explore your inner self and those of others. Your intelligence and creativity are very well honed at the moment. Cooperation from and with others should be very easy to attain.

 

 

 

bw-laguzWhat You Desire
Laguz

Laguz is the feminine Rune. It denotes a deep sexuality and fertility. Laguz also represents that which is ever changing and renewal. You may be in a tremendous spiritual growth period.

 

 

 

Your Goals
Ehwaz

Ehwaz reversed indicates a restless soul in need of change. Although you may hunger for something different, do not act in haste.

 

 

 

Your Future Deeds
Wunjo

Wunjo denotes joy and shared bliss. It may also represent a job well done and the satisfaction one feels from completing such a task. Wunjo brings good fortune and harmony.

Your Lucky Tarot Cards for the Week of July 4th

Your Lucky Cards

This reading represents elements that favor you this week

The Hermit

The Hermit denotes a need to have some space between you and everyday hustle and bustle of our busy world. The Hermit needs to retreat. Indeed, happiness for The Hermit requires seclusion, freedom from material wants, and time for intense introspection. The answers The Hermit needs cannot be found in our physical world. The truths he seeks are internal, spiritual, and the distraction of a well developed social life can only impede his quest for his personal truths. Still, although not anything remotely resembling extroversion, The Hermit does sometimes need to share time with others; so he can learn or teach, guide and be guided. The Hermit’s time spent amongst people depletes his energy quickly. To avoid an overload he has to retreat from social settings quickly.

When The High Priestess is among your personal cards, the influence of The Hermit may be increased. Having The World or The Lovers in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Hermit.

The Hierophant

The Hierophant represents the protector of a culture’s heritage and traditions. His purpose is to defend and teach the established ways and beliefs a group embraces. He is inherently conventional and a true believer in the power of the group. He loves the structure of the group and its values. It is the task of The Hierophant to bring new members into the group—to prepare the uninitiated to take their rightful place in his culture. In this sense he is very much like a teacher or a priest. He also acts as the repository of his group’s history. The Hierophant is certainly not one to buck proper authority. However, he is staunch and worthy defender of the tried and true. He represents the positive aspects of conformity.

When The Emperor is among your personal cards, the influence of The Hierophant may be increased. Having The Fool or The Lovers in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Hierophant.