Tag: Astronomy

Astronomy Picture of the Day

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.

2012 January 31
See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

The Helix Nebula from the VISTA Telescope
Credit: ESO/VISTA/J. Emerson; Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit  

 

 

Explanation: Will our Sun look like this one day? The Helix Nebula is one of brightest and closest examples of a planetary nebula, a gas cloud created at the end of the life of a Sun-like star. The outer gasses of the star expelled into space appear from our vantage point as if we are looking down a helix. The remnant central stellar core, destined to become a white dwarf star, glows in light so energetic it causes the previously expelled gas to fluoresce. The Helix Nebula, given a technical designation of NGC 7293, lies about 700 light-years away towards the constellation of the Water Bearer (Aquarius) and spans about 2.5 light-years. The above picture was taken three colors on infrared light by the 4.1-meter Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) at the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. A close-up of the inner edge of the Helix Nebula shows complex gas knots of unknown origin.

Spell of the Day for Jan. 28th: Finding Spell

Spell of the Day for Jan. 28th: Finding Spell

Timing: Full Moon

You Will Need:
Green Candle
Green Lodestone or Crystal

Light the green candle for luck and prosperity.
Hold the green lodestone in your power-hand and charge it with your desire to find your missing property.
Feel the power flowing into the stone as you slowly chant the following three times:

“I Pray to the Moon when she is round
Luck to me shall then abound
What I seek for shall then be found
In sea or sky or solid ground”

Carry the stone with you at all times until the lost item is recovered.

Lunar Almanac for Saturday, January 28th

Witchy Comments=  

Lunar Almanac for Saturday, January 28th
Waxing, Crescent Moon Age: 5 ¾ days.
Ascending Node is at 11° Sagittarius.
Moon in 17th degree of the Sign Aries, the Ram;
also in 17th deg. of the Constellation Pisces, the Fishes.
Moonrise: 9:39 morn. Midheaven: 4:18 eve. Moonset: 11:10 eve.

 

GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast

~Magickal Graphics~

Eyes of the Wolf Spell (Wolf Moon)

Eyes of the Wolf Spell

(Wolf Moon)
 
 
As the first full moon after the winter solstice or Yule, the Wolf Moon is one of the most important of the high moons. A full moon occurs when the sun and the moon are aligned on opposite sides of the earth. This alignment of the two celestial bodies has a strong effect on the earth. This alignment of the two celestial bodies has a strong effect on the earth, producing a time when energy is high. This is why full moon rituals can be incredibly powerful times for doing magick.
 
When looking through the eyes of the wolf, the idea is to perceive the true nature of people, events and experiences. Expand your perception and awareness using the instincts of the wolf. The wolf is part of a pack that use their knowledge and wits to survive a time when the earth is cold and barren.
 
This is also when new patterns are conceived, setting the stage for what is to come. This is also the ideal time for foretelling the future, clairvoyance, and divination practices.
 
At midnight, begin by drawing a circle of light. This is done by standing at your altar and pounding the stick end of your wand on the altar nine times. Pick up you athame and point it toward the north point of your circle. Starting and ending in the north, draw a magickal circle of light clockwise around the circle. Next, call in the elements of earth, air, fire and water.
 
Standing in the middle of the circle, call in the powers of the wolf:
 
“On this full moon night at this hour
I call now upon the ancient animal powers
To guide me in the ways of the wolf
Where instinct and wit prevail
Through darkness, wind, rain and hail
I am the wolf, the wolf is me
So be it! Blessed be!
 
As you enjoy your evening, imagine seeing through the eyes of the wolf. Imagine dreaming with the eyes of the wolf. In the morning pull up the circle and thank the elements. Also than the wolf for its guidance and power.

Riding To The Stars (Wolf Moon)

Riding To The Stars

Wolf Moon
 
 
Stars are like horses. When you wish upon a star, it carries your wish like a winged horse flying across the sky. Ride like a dreamer into the morning light and in the light of a new day your wishes will come true.
 
About an hour before dark, think about and decide what you would like to wish for. Be clear what you want. Go outside this evening and wait for the first star to appear in the sky. As you wait, go over your wish.

Upon seeing the first star, recite the following verse:
 
“Starlight, star-bright
First star I see tonight,
May I ride the magick carpet of your light,
Floating to the stars like fireflies,
Rising to that place where dreams come true,
When I’m blessed in all things I do.
By the light of the first star, so be it!
 
Later when going to sleep, envision the first star that you saw in the evening sky. Imagine yourself moving into the star and riding it across the sky. At the other side, see an image in your mind of your dream becoming reality. See it. Touch it. Hear it. Smell it. Taste it. Be it.

Astronomy Picture of the Day for Jan. 27th

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.

2012 January 27
See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

NGC 3239 and SN 2012A
Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, University of Arizona 

 

Explanation: About 40,000 light-years across, pretty, irregular galaxy NGC 3239 lies near the center of this lovely field of galaxies in the galaxy rich constellation Leo. At a distance of only 25 million light-years it dominates the frame, sporting a peculiar arrangement of structures, young blue star clusters and star forming regions, suggesting that NGC 3239 (aka Arp 263) is the result of a galaxy merger. Appearing nearly on top of the pretty galaxy is a bright, spiky, foreground star, a nearby member of our own Milky Way galaxy almost directly along our line-of-sight to NGC 3239. Still, NGC 3239 is notable for hosting this year’s first confirmed supernova, designated SN 2012A. It was discovered early this month by supernova hunters Bob Moore, Jack Newton, and Tim Puckett. Indicated in a cropped version of the wider image, SN 2012A is just below and right of the bright foreground star. Of course, based on the light-travel time to NGC 3239, the supernova explosion itself occurred 25 million years ago, triggered by the core collapse of a massive star.

Lunar Almanac for Wednesday, January 25th

Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

Lunar Almanac for Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Waxing, New Moon Age: 2 ¾ days.
Ascending Node is at 11° Sagittarius.
Moon in 10th degree of the Sign Pisces, the Fishes;
also in 13th deg. of the Constellation Aquarius, the Water-Bearer.
Moonrise: 8:16 morn. Midheaven: 2:10 eve. Moonset: 8:14 eve.

 

~Magickal Graphics~

New Moon Report for Jan. 24th – Mars Retrograde

New Moon Report for January 24th

By Jeff Jawer

Mars Retrograde

Monday, January 23

Aggressive Mars, already restrained by its presence in refined Virgo, goes into hibernation during this retrograde period that ends on April 13. Yet tying up loose ends, perfecting skills and streamlining systems are constructive ways to use this transit. Re-establishing healthier routines of diet and exercise makes this an excellent time to get in shape. Delays and complications in completing projects can produce irritation and increase criticism, yet focusing on one task at a time enhances efficiency.

Lunar Lore for Jan. 23rd

Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics 

Plant when the moon is in Taurus or Aquarius
during light of moon.
– “Old Farmer’s Almanac,” circa 1745
…
Selene or Luna: the moon personified, properly the full moon,
who loved the sleeping Endymion.
Endymion: moonlight on a bank, field, or garden.
Phoebe: the moon as the sister of the sun.
– Brewer, “Dictionary of Phrase & Fable”.
…
But sun and moon, those watchmen of the world,
With their own lanterns traversing around
The mighty, the revolving vault, have taught
Unto mankind that seasons of the years
Return again.
– Lucretius, De rerum natura (On the Nature of Things)

  
~Magickal Graphics~

Calendar of the Moon for Jan. 21st

Calendar of the Moon
21 Beth/Poseideion

Day of the Leprous White Lady

Color: White
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a white cloth lay a skull, three white candles, a pair of white gloves. and a bowl of milk laced with clear liquor.
Offerings: Tend one who is ill.
Daily Meal: Dairy-based.

Invocation to the Leprous White Lady

(To be spoken Call And Response. The Call is spoken and the Response is whispered.)
White as the skin of a pale corpse,
White as the snow that freezes the world,
White as the owl that swoops down on its prey,
White as the maggot devouring dead flesh,
White as the belly of the worm,
White as the frosted eyes of the blind man,
White as the teeth of the predator,
White as the hame of the forgotten ghost,
White as the hair of the sacred hag,
White as the scent of soured milk,
White as the bones scattered on the earth,
White as the ashes scattered in the wind,
White as the moon that brings madness to the brain,
You walk across the twisted land
And bring illness to all that cross your path.
We accept, White Lady, that this is part of life;
That each devouring dragon in the blood
Is as dear to you are any of us.
You are the one who keeps our numbers
From carelessly overrunning the Earth.
You are cruel, yet we honor your necessity,
And ask only that you pass us by for yet one more year.
Turn your face from us, White Lady,
And do not come to our beds
Until you come partnered with a swifter death.
White as the bones scattered on the earth,
White as the ashes scattered in the wind,
White as the Leprous White Lady who walks alone.

(All blow out the candles and leave in silence.)

Lunar Almanac for Saturday, January 21

Days Of The Week Comments
Lunabar Moon Almanack for Saturday, January 21, 2012

Waning, Balsamic Moon Age: 27 ¼ days.

Ascending Node is at 11° Sagittarius.

Moon in 3rd degree of the Sign Capricorn, the Goat;

also in 7th deg. of the Constellation Sagittarius, the Archer.

Moonrise: 5:45 morn. Midheaven: 10:47 morn. Moonset: 3:54 eve.

  
Magickal Graphics

Calendar of the Moon for Friday, Jan. 20

Calendar of the Moon
20 Beth/Poseideion

Winter Waning Moon

Colors: Silver, white, and black
Element: Water
Altar: Upon a black cloth place a silver or white runner, four silver candles, a cauldron with dry ice in it, a silver vase containing some naked birch twigs, some dry stalks of burdock, a few briar canes, a round moon-shaped mirror, a silver bell; and goblets containing pale white wine, anise liqueur, white corn syrup, and extract of bitter almonds, a spool of silver thread, and a small vial of jasmine oil.
Offerings: Do community service for the mentally ill.
Daily Meal: White food.

Winter Waning Moon Invocation

(As the invocation is spoken, one who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual unwinds the silver spool of thread, and given part of it to every one present to hold.)

Call: Hail Luna of the dying month!
Response: Hail Selene of the fading moon!
Call: Bound in the silver web, be free,
Response: Dying in formless flame, now live,
Call: Maddened where madness is a joy,
Response: Fearful where fear is resurrection,
Call: Hold thou fast to this frail thread
Response: Until the last false light be shed.
Call: Until the Earth brings forth the dead,
Response: Until the ancestors forth are led.
Call: White of star, white of bone,
Response: We will lead each other home.
Call: We are risen in her light,
Response: Where the dying live again,
Call: Silver serpent, silver spider,
Response: All show fair within her mirror.

Chant (to be done with eyes closed): LUNA LUCINA LUMEN LUMEN

(While the chant goes on, the thread is rewound. One who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual brings the goblets around for each to drink, one at a time. For the first, they say, “Taste madness.” For the second, “Taste purity.” For the third, “Taste sweetness.” For the fourth, “Taste bitterness.” Anoint all with jasmine oil, and say, “Scent of dreams.” The bell is rung, and all exit.)

Lunar Almanac for Thursday, January 19th

 Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics 

Lunar Almanac for Thursday, January 19, 2012

Waning, Last Quarter Moon Age: 25 ¼ days.

Moon at Ascending Node.

Moon in 5th degree of the Sign Sagittarius, the Bowman;

also in 5th deg. of the Constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion.

Moonrise: 3:51 morn. Midheaven: 8:50 morn. Moonset: 1:47 eve.

 
~Magickal Graphics~

Moon Almanac for Tuesday, January 17th

Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics Lunabar Moon Almanack for Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Waning, Last Quarter Moon Age: 23 ¼ days.

Moon in Via Combusta.

Moon in 7th degree of the Sign Scorpio, the Scorpion;

also in 0th deg. of the Constellation Libra, the Balance.

Moonrise: 1:36 morn. Midheaven: 6:53 morn. Moonset: 12:05 eve.

~Magickal Graphics~

Pagan Studies – Moon Miscellany

Pagan Studies – Moon Miscellany

 
New Moon – White Goddess of birth and growth.
Full Moon – Red Goddess of love and battle.
Old Moon – Black Goddess of death and divination.
 
All hail to thee, Queen of heaven!
Thou showest two horns to mark six days,
And on the seventh will divide thy crown in two.
On the fourteenth day, turn thy full face unto us.
 
Seven is the Moon’s mystic number, because each one of its four phases is completed in seven days.
 
Nineteen is a sacred number in Old Irish and Celtic lore, for the sequence of Moon phases within a single zodiac sign is repeated every 19 years.
 
The Mansions of the Moon, abodes of the soul, refer to the position of the Moon at noon on each of the 28 days in a lunar month.
 
Bow to the new Moon, especially the first new Moon of the year, as a sign of respect. It is courting disaster to point at the Moon at any time. Turn a silver coin in your purse or pocket at the first sight of the new Moon to gain luck.
It is bad luck to see the new Moon for the first time on your left, or behind you, or through the branches of a tree. A new Moon on Saturday means foul weather. A full Moon on Sunday brings bad luck and toilers of the sea should not set sail.
 
The Roman astrologers of classical times considered the Moon sign of a horoscope to be of far greater significance than the Sun sign.
 
Marsilioi Ficino, the Florentine philosopher of the Renaissance, defined the planetary image of the spirit of the Moon as an archer riding a doe, a huntress with bows and arrows, a little boy, a goose, or a single arrow.
 
Diana, Goddess of the Moon and patroness of witches, was regarded as a demon by the early Christians.
 
Waxing: as the size of the Moon increases, its form takes the shape of the capital letter D: D for Daring. This marks a time for creativity, expansion, and development. You may glance up at the sky in the late afternoon to see the pale waxing half Moon beckoning. Later on as darkness falls, it shines like a beacon of hope in the west, raising your spirits and assuring the success of your ventures.
 
Waning: rising later night after night, the Moon diminishes in size, now assuming the form of the letter C: C for Caring. The time has come to relax, restore energy, and quietly dispel negative influences in your life. Banish fear, unworthy desires, and selfish motivations as the Moon wanes.
.
Excerpted From Elizabeth Pepper, The Witches’ Almanac, Ltd.

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