Daily Cosmic Calendar for Thursday, February 23

Stop, look and listen! The cosmos wants you to be patient, calm and receptive to higher guidance. As mentioned in Wednesday’s calendar entry, the Moon in Pisces remains in a void limbo cycle until 6:49PM PST when the Moon enters fiery, independent-minded Aries. There is no need to dash out of the starting gate too soon since tensions are filling up the psychic atmosphere early on as Mercury opposes Mars (3:26AM PST). Reflect on your recent and current investment plans as the Moon unites with Vesta in Pisces (5:13PM PST). It is also wise to review insurance rates and coverage, and make sure your residence has adequate safety and security systems. Relationships are on the questionable side of the astro-psychic spectrum due to a feisty Sun-Juno square from Pisces to Sagittarius (5:37PM PST). Wear kid gloves when handling love bonds. Once the Moon enters Aries (6:49PM PST), your tendency will be to push forward in an assertive, willful manner. However, Vesta makes an off-kilter, 150-degree tie to Saturn (9:12PM PST) — becoming a further reminder to make sure you are safe at home and that your business affairs are rock-solid

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Wednesday, Feb. 22

Strange forces continue to be on the prowl following yesterday’s tumultuous happenings. Now you need to deal with a rather strident Mars-Saturn contra-parallel (12:01AM PST) that can send shock waves and negative emotions moving through primary partnerships. Be extra sensitive to dear ones under duress. Fortunately, the annual Sun-Pallas union in Pisces clocks in at 9:48AM PST. This solar conjunction to Pallas can help you perform some unconventional wizardry concerning problem-solving, strategy sessions, in-depth research, and strengthening your immune system. Communication channels receive an energizing burst during the monthly Moon-Mercury union (4:36PM PST), but shortly thereafter the monthly Moon-Mars opposition (6:25PM PST) ignites potential mischief-making with associates or dear ones while also beginning a lengthy void lunar uncertainty zone lasting for over 24 hours until 6:49PM PST tomorrow. Finish old business during the void-of-course lunar cycle, but don’t launch new, bold enterprises until the Moon enters Aries on Thursday evening. Meanwhile, Venus forming an off-kilter, 150-degree tie to Mars (8:26PM PST) throws a potential monkey wrench into the affairs of sweethearts. It is doubtful whether a shock-bringing Moon-Uranus parallel (11:00PM PST) will add a sense of calm. Do your best to bring happiness to a significant other without exhausting yourself in the process.

Calendar of the Moon for Wednesday, Feb. 22

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

Cosmic Calendar for Monday, February 20th

Slow your tempo across the board as the universe takes a well-deserved siesta. Except for a gentle and peace-loving Moon-Venus 60-degree sextile pattern (4:29AM PST), a dreamy-visionary Moon-Neptune parallel (7:13AM PST) and a logic-enhancing Moon-Saturn parallel (11:33PM PST), the cosmic scene is relatively quiescent. Love vibrations increase in wavelength – thanks to the Moon-Venus and Moon-Neptune contacts. Allow your multi-faceted personality to express itself with an experimental and improvisational tone to match the lunar currents flying high in Aquarius. Continue enjoying your affiliation with groups, clubs and organizations that fit well with your outlook on society and cultural values. Think more about your exalted destiny on Spaceship Earth rather than superficial interests. Join forces with like-minded souls who are trying to help their fellow human travelers awaken to their global citizenship. This is especially the case as this Monday evening morphs into Tuesday morning when a torrent of cosmic aspects arrives in concert with the Pisces New Moon.

Calendar of the Moon for February 20th

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

Calendar of the Moon for February 19th

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

Daily Cosmic Calendar for February 18th

Capture Technicolor dreams and amazing visions in a special notebook by your bed – particularly with the Sun making a parallel to Neptune (12:33AM PST). Keep in mind that parallel and contra-parallel formations – found by watching celestial bodies moving north and south of the Celestial Equator – can be just as prominent as zodiacal unions and polarities. The Sun embracing Neptune in this manner can accentuate the exploration of your religious beliefs and philosophy of life. Several hours after this alignment is exact, the Sun in the last degree of Aquarius makes a flowing trine with Saturn in the last degree of Libra (8:03AM PST). Hard work and perseverance are now the dynamic duo that can lead you to the promised land of worldly success. Another boost on this front can arrive when Mercury forms a supportive, 60-degree liaison with Pluto (1:24PM PST). With some extra elbow grease and focused attention, your business enterprises can be flourishing. Be aware that the Sun changes from airy Aquarius to watery Pisces (10:19PM PST) for the next 30-day solar zodiacal experience – opening the doors of perception to a higher order of existence.

Cosmic Calendar for Monday, Feb. 13th

For the start of a workweek, you cannot use the business-as-usual tag line in any realistic shape or form. As indicated in yesterday’s calendar entry, Mercury is on the move – forming a strong parallel with the Sun (8:11AM PST), a flowing trine to Saturn in air signs (10:45AM PST), entering Pisces (5:39PM PST) as well as uniting with far-out Neptune (10:48PM PST). By early tomorrow, Mercury will unite with Pallas – bringing three celestial bodies into the Zero Point of psychic, mysterious, and go-with-the-flow Pisces. Add on this morning’s Sun-Vesta subtle 30-degree rapport (9:50AM PST) and the presence of intense Scorpio Moon, and knowing which way economic markets are going to shift is a coin toss. Whereas Mercury aligning with both the Sun and Saturn early today suggests a need for pragmatism and logic, the annual Mercury-Neptune conjunction in Pisces as Valentine’s Day approaches is quite a different story. Whenever Mercury merges its essence with Neptune, several of the graphic and fine arts loom prominently on the horizon. Plunge into photography, film and video production, painting, music and dance for inspiration. Say no to addictive behavior in any form. Meditation and soul-searching are definitely back in vogue. Don’t be surprised if you feel the urge to problem-solve and strategize overnight as Mercury contacts Pallas at 3:32AM PST on Tuesday.

Cosmic Calendar for Sunday, Feb. 11th

Early birds are likely to fly high and soar above the static of the lower realms since the Moon in Libra makes harmonious trines of 120-degrees to the Sun in Aquarius (2:29AM PST) and Mercury in Aquarius (10:00AM PST). When you have the Sun, Moon and Mercury on a silver platter, rejoice in what the celestial hosts are offering to you. If some important communication channels have been recently blocked, now they have a chance to reopen. This is magnified as the Moon parallels Mercury (10:50AM PST). It also makes good sense to re-vitalize any literary, educational and publishing projects. However, make sure that Saturn is on your side – and not undermining your position due to excess fear moving through your emotions and thoughts – since the Moon unites with beautiful, ringed Saturn in Libra (1:10PM PST). Learn valuable lessons from mentors and teachers in your main fields of expertise. The Moon’s monthly union with Saturn also begins a short void cycle that lasts until 2:02PM PST when the lunar orb activates intense, passionate and driven Scorpio. By 5:23PM PST, psychic storm warnings are posted due to an abrasive, 45-degree link from the Sun to Pluto. Being too pushy, willful and headstrong won’t win you admirers. Opportunity can knock several hours later when a revelatory Pallas-Neptune union happens at the first degree of Pisces (10:39PM PST). Welcome insights pouring in from the higher planes of consciousness. Over the next 48 hours, Mercury will join forces with both Pallas and Neptune to create a triple conjunction right at the beginning of psychic, imagination and empathic Pisces. Your ability to solve key problems and be a savvy strategist helping friends, colleagues and loved ones will depend on tuning into soul-spiritual attributes as well as unlocking logical and common-sense clues from the three-dimensional world.

Cosmic Calendar for Friday, February 10th

There is an uncommon sense of planetary restlessness going on during this intense void lunar cycle that began yesterday when the Moon in Virgo joined forces with Mars. Before the Moon leaves void mode by entering affable, airy Libra at 11:55AM PST, you need to work with the following aspects – Venus trine Juno in fire signs (1:18AM PST), the Sun moving into an off-kilter, 150-degree link to Mars (3:32AM PST), Mercury forming a caustic, 45-degree tie to Pluto (5:47AM PST), Pallas making a flowing trine to Saturn in air signs (8:56AM PST), and the Moon parallel to Ceres (10:14AM PST). The two challenging alignments – the Sun-Mars and Mercury-Pluto connections – could increase worries and stress across the board. Trying to extinguish their explosive potentials is the trio of favorable link-ups combining Venus with Juno, Pallas with Saturn, and the Moon with Ceres. These three contacts can assist you with improving the rapport with loved ones, problem-solving and strategizing, as well as increasing your all-around productivity in arts, crafts and hobbies. Once the Moon is in Libra (11:55AM PST), treat a friend, relative or significant other to lunch or dinner at a favorite cafe. Visit an art gallery, cultural exhibit, museum or national landmark. Enjoy a night on the town and let the good times roll as the Sun is approaching an inspirational, 72-degree rapport with benevolent Jupiter (forming exactly at 12:03AM PST tomorrow).

Calendar of the Moon for February 10th

Calendar of the Moon

Rowan Tree Moon

Color: Orange-red
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon a cloth of orange-red set a row of red candles, Brigid’s cross, and a bell.
Offerings: Votive candles. Quicken a newborn idea into birth.
Daily Meal: Hot drinks with every meal. Keep food warm.

Luis/Gamelion Invocation

Call: Now is the quickening of the year.
Response: Now is the time of the first movement.
Call: Now the child stirs in the womb.
Response: Now the seed stirs in the earth.
Call: Now the plains flood and our fire is threatened.
Response: Now the cold water drowns our spark.
Call: Now is the time of the hard struggle.
Response: Now is the month of desperation.
Call: Now is the time of desperation to live.
Response: Now is the time of desperation to be born.
Call: We turn in our sleep as the earth turns.
Response: We dream with the sleeping earth.
Call: Each of our dreams is a lit candle in the dark.
Response: Each of our dreams is a single point of hope.
Call: They shine faint and alone in the night of struggle.
Response: They are alone as we are alone.
Call: Yet we are not alone in our dreams.
Response: We are not alone!
Call: We will keep our fires burning.
Response: We will burn against the night!
Call: We will warm our dreams with the force of life.
Response: We will not die alone in the cold!
Call: We will ward off all evil.
Response: Only good shall pass our gates.
Call: We will care for each other.
Response: We will never cease to care!
Call: We will survive the winter.
Response: We will survive!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
Protect the flame that warms your dreams
And dreams shall never die.

The Wiccan Book of Days for Feb. 10 – Unconventional Uranus

Friday, February 10th – Unconventional Uranus

It is now midway through Uranus’s rule as the planetary governor of the zodiacal month of Aquarius, and its unpredictable, radical, eccentric, and experimental influence may therefore be both especially concentrate and evident in world events. In Roman myth, Uranus (the Greek Ouranos) was the primeval sky God who mated with Gaia (Gaea), or Mother Earth, and fathered everything on Earth, as well as the Titans. He proved a cruel father, though, and at Gaia’s bidding, was therefore eventually rendered impotent by his Titan son, Saturn. The planet Uranus was discovered by William Herschel in 1781, and its sigil is a planetary orb centered on the letter “H.”

“Great Goddess Of Waters”

This is the feast day of the Persian War Goddess Anaitis(also called Anahita and Anat in the Near East), who was also linked with female fertility. Honor her by offering a libation of water collected from a natural flowing source.

Cosmic Calendar for Thursday, Feb. 9th

Even though Saturn is still virtually motionless since its station and shift into reverse two days ago, it is Uranus that keeps trying to run the celestial show. Every day so far this week, Uranus has been playing the game of interloper and shock-master by stirring up trouble as it tries to de-crystalize the blocks, limitations and restrictions that Saturn has made more entrenched on the world scene during the past few months. Following an inspirational, 72-degree link from Mercury to Jupiter this morning (3:51AM PST) – an alignment that provides a boost on the communication, literary and educational fronts – Venus forms a parallel to Uranus (5:16AM PST) some 13+ hours before these two planets make their annual union (6:30PM PST) – this year at 3 degrees of Aries. Yikes! Uncertainty, surprises and the unknown coming out of left field are up for grabs. Circumstances beyond your control can easily be in the cat-bird seat. Lunar parallels to Venus (2:37PM PST) and Uranus (3:29PM PST) act as stereo amplifiers whereby the unexpected takes charge, and you may have to temporarily function as a witness to events and experiences that are odd, bizarre and more in keeping with the Twilight Zone. It doesn’t help that the Moon makes its monthly union with the often feisty and volatile red planet Mars in Virgo (9:13PM PST) – simultaneously igniting a void lunar cycle that lasts until 11:55AM PST on Friday when the Moon enters sociable Libra. Escape the clutches of vampire-like associates who are more likely to drain you of life-giving energy than restore the innocent qualities of your heavenly soul. Say no to legal matters, key signings and long-term commitments during the void Moon mayhem happening for over 14 hours.

Astronomy Picture of the Day for February 8

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 February 8
See Explanation.  Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

Enceladus Backlit by Saturn
Image Credit: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA; Color Composite: Gordan Ugarkovic 

Explanation: This moon is shining by the light of its planet. Specifically, a large portion of Enceladus pictured above is illuminated primarily by sunlight first reflected from the planet Saturn. The result is that the normally snow-white moon appears in the gold color of Saturn’s cloud tops. As most of the illumination comes from the image left, a labyrinth of ridges throws notable shadows just to the right of the image center, while the kilometer-deep canyon Labtayt Sulci is visible just below. The bright thin crescent on the far right is the only part of Enceladus directly lit by the Sun. The above image was taken last year by the robotic Cassini spacecraft during a close pass by by the enigmatic moon. Inspection of the lower part of this digitally sharpened image reveals plumes of ice crystals thought to originate in a below-surface sea.

New Moon Report for Feb. 7th – Saturn Retrograde

New Moon Report

By Jeff Jawer

 

Saturn Retrograde

Tuesday, February 7

The planet of order’s backward period (lasting until June 25) is a time to cultivate discipline, patience and self-restraint. Making up for unmet obligations comes from hard work instead of guilt and shame. Balance in relationships is restored when individuals take responsibility for themselves instead of casting blame on others. Finding peace within is the first key to harmonious partnerships.

Cosmic Calendar for Tuesday, February 7th

Here’s a humdinger of epic proportions. Take a look at the following dizzying list of aspects – the Sun unites with Mercury in Aquarius (1:04AM PST), Saturn stations at 30 degrees of Libra (6:04AM PST) and very slowly begins to move retrograde, the Moon parallels Jupiter (9:36AM PST), Mars opposes Vesta (10:47AM PST), Venus makes an off-kilter, 150-degree tie to Saturn (12:01PM PST), the Full Moon occurs at 1:55PM PST (activating 19 degrees of Aquarius and Leo), Venus ends its cycle through the zodiac by entering Aries (10:02PM PST), and Juno trines Uranus in fire signs (10:54PM PST). That list represents 8 major heavenly happenings that are all interweaving their myriad qualities into one vast singularity in the psychic atmosphere. Keep in mind that the Sun-Mercury conjunction is actually an Earth-Sun-Mercury line-up in the solar system in which celestial seed-ideas are seeking entrance into receptive human minds. The Saturn shift into reverse motion will last until June 25, and this key planet doing backstrokes in Libra places an emphasis on what is more practical, sensible, logical and reliable in the material realm. In addition, you want to make a thorough re-evaluation of career aims, professional work and business plans – not to mention improve the quality of primary partnerships. Meanwhile, the Full Moon reminds you to send out healing thoughts and prayers to humanity on the edge of a pessimistic fall into the abyss. Your job is to rally the flying squadrons of enlightenment via individual and group meditations. While the Mars-Vesta opposition and Venus-Saturn 150-degree skirmish are clearly unsettling vibrations that can interfere with your best efforts to spread goodwill, the illuminating presence of the Full Moon – along with Venus starting a new cycle in the zodiac and Juno teaching Uranus a few things about style and beauty – can give you the positive boost necessary to have an award-winning day. May the Force be with you!

Cosmic Calendar for Monday, February 6th

Love vibrations are increasing in frequency – courtesy of a Moon-Venus flowing trine in water signs (1:29AM PST). While romance appears to be promising, surprises and shock waves can easily pop up due to a frictional, 45-degree connection from the Sun to radical-change agent Uranus (2:05AM PST). Expecting the unexpected is more the rule now than the exception. A short void lunar cycle from 4:32AM PST to 5:25AM PST is a reminder to finish old projects on a high note. Once the clock strikes 5:25AM PST, the Moon enters warmhearted and outgoing Leo for a change of pace. Advances on the cutting edge of science and metaphysics can suddenly show up as the Moon trines Uranus (9:01AM PST). Become more familiar with new technological marvels entering the marketplace and be fearless about exploring the ever-expanding online universe. However, more topsy-turvy conditions are likely to spontaneously manifest around the time that Mercury makes an abrasive, 45-degree link to its higher-octave planet Uranus (12:03PM PST). When Uranus begins to throw its erratic, iconoclastic and revolutionary weight around, stability and comfort are hard to find. Instead, you need to periodically check in with your intuitive awareness and fly more by the seat of your pants. Keep preparing for tomorrow’s enlightening Full Moon energy-field and Saturn turnaround in motion.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for February 5th

Can you withstand another 24-hour time-period when the cosmos hands you a cream-puff instead of a stick of dynamite? Anytime a day happens when the celestial seasonings come down to a pinch of salt, be thankful. First of all, even though you only need to be aware of a supportive, 60-degree rapport from the Moon in Cancer to Mars in Virgo (3:02PM PST) – which can be physically and emotionally invigorating – it is still wise to get a jump on what is going to occur two days from now on Tuesday February 7 when Saturn shifts from direct to retrograde just about 8 hours before the Full Moon. In addition, February 7 will bring forth several other planetary shenanigans that will keep you on your toes for the entire day. Plus – the 48 hours before any Full Moon constitute the time-period of preparation for the enlightening spiritual vibrations that are seeking to descend into the earthly realm when the solar and lunar orbs tug at each other from either side of our beleaguered planet. Spend part of today learning important lessons from the annals of history in order that you stop making the same mistakes you made years and decades ago. Cancer Moon reminds all of us to review and reflect about our past actions in order to become more illuminated and selfless human souls. Immerse yourself in a bestselling biography or tune into some of your favorite film classics.

New Moon Report for Jan 27th – Mercury in Aquarius

New Moon Report

by Jeff Jawer

 

Mercury in Aquarius

Friday, January 27, 10:12 am PST, 1:12 pm EST

Intelligence matters with clever Mercury in cerebral Aquarius. We can break out of our usual patterns of perception to understand the world from different angles. Cooler heads allow us to step out of the shadows of emotion and discover new concepts. However, friendly conversations may stimulate minds but could be less successful at touching hearts.

Cosmic Calendar For Friday, Jan. 27th

It was the great Al Jolson – of vaudeville, stage and early screen fame – who used to say: You ain’t seen nothing yet. That is a very good summation for the cosmic challenge going on during the next 48 hours as a deluge of aspects – many of which are on the discordant side of the astro-tracks – arrives in our neck of the universe. Here’s the short list of what is on tap today. The Moon remains void in Pisces until the lunar orb enters fiery, independent and forceful Aries at 10:29AM PST. Mercury squares time-keeper Saturn (1:22AM PST) and makes a supportive, 60-degree alliance with emotionally-empowering Juno (2:51AM PST). Mercury then enters the universal air sign of Aquarius at 10:13AM PST where it will stay until February 13. Meanwhile, Venus is parallel to nurturing Ceres (11:15AM PST), the Moon in Aries unites with revolutionary Uranus (1:40PM PST) and productivity-enhancer Ceres (3:41PM PST) while the Moon moves on to a parallel with recently reversed Mars (7:42PM PST) followed by a potentially fireworks-generating Venus-Mars contra-parallel (8:42PM PST), and the celestial seasonings conclude with a splendid, inspiring Venus-Vesta union in Pisces (9:07PM PST) that can be good for love and money matters. The discord today is coming from challenging aspects such as Mercury square Saturn, the Moon uniting with Uranus and forming a parallel to Mars. Venus-Mars in contra-parallel formation may be another hard-to-handle alignment. Emotions are somewhat frayed and you may need to earn your stripes when it comes to being crystal clear in financial discussions (due to Mercury at odds with Saturn). On the favorable front are pretty much the rest of the aspects and that can manifest as success and achievements across the board.