Tag: The Craft
April 29 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.
2022 April 29
Portrait of NGC 3628
Image Credit & Copyright: Wilhelm Michael Kasakow, Olaf Guillaume
Explanation: Sharp telescopic views of NGC 3628 show a puffy galactic disk divided by dark dust lanes. Of course, this portrait of the magnificent, edge-on spiral galaxy puts some astronomers in mind of its popular moniker, the Hamburger Galaxy. It also reveals a small galaxy nearby (below), likely a satellite of NGC 3628, and a very faint but extensive tidal tail. The drawn out tail stretches for about 300,000 light-years, even beyond the upper left edge of the frame. NGC 3628 shares its neighborhood in the local universe with two other large spirals M65 and M66 in a grouping otherwise known as the Leo Triplet. Gravitational interactions with its cosmic neighbors are likely responsible for creating the tidal tail, as well as the extended flare and warp of this spiral’s disk. The tantalizing island universe itself is about 100,000 light-years across and 35 million light-years away in the northern springtime constellation Leo.
April 29 Today in History
Today’s Important Historical Events
1862 New Orleans falls to Union forces during US Civil War
1864 Battle of Gate Pa (Pukehinahina): 1,700 British troops suffer their worst defeat of the New Zealand Wars at the hands of 230 entrenched Maori warriors in Tauranga
1916 Irish republicans abandon the post office in Dublin and surrender unconditionally, marking the end of the Easter Rising
1945 US Army liberates 31,601 people from the Dachau Nazi concentration camp in Germany
1975 Vietnam War: US begins to evacuate its citizens from Saigon in Operation Frequent Wind in response to advancing North Vietnamese forces, bringing an end to US involvement in the war
1990 Wrecking cranes began tearing down the Berlin Wall at the Brandenburg Gate
1991 Cyclone strikes the Chittagong district in Bangladesh, killing 139,000 people and leaving 10 million homeless
1997 Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993 comes into force, outlaws production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons among its signatories
Today’s Historical Events
1091 Battle at Monte Levunium: Byzantium Emperor Alexius I beats Petshegene force invading from the north
1429 Joan of Arc arrives at the siege of Orleans
1522 Emperor Charles V names Frans van Holly inquisitor-general of Netherlands
1540 Emperor Charles declares all privileges of Ghent ended
1550 Emperor Charles V gives inquisiters additional authority
1553 Flemish woman introduces practice of starching linen into England
1587 English naval officer Francis Drake sails into Cadiz, Spain and sinks the Spanish fleet, thereby “Singeing the King of Spain’s Beard” and delaying the Spanish invasion by a year
1623 11 Dutch ships depart for the conquest of Peru
Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV
1912 Frank Wedekind‘s play “Tod und Teufel” premieres in Berlin
1932 1st broadcast of “One Man’s Family” on NBC radio, longest-running dramatic serial on US radio (ends 1959)
1940 1st radio broadcast of “Young Dr Malone” on CBS
1943 Noël Coward‘s comic play “Present Laughter” premieres in London
1945 Conscientious objector Desmond Doss saves approximately 75 wounded soldiers in the Battle of Okinawa at Hacksaw Ridge. Later depicted in the Oscar-winning film “Hacksaw Ridge”.
1953 The first U.S. experimental 3D-TV broadcast showed an episode of Space Patrol on Los Angeles ABC affiliate KECA-TV
1953 6th Cannes Film Festival: “The Wages of Fear” directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot wins the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film
1956 WLUC TV channel 6 in Marquette, MI (CBS/NBC/ABC) begins broadcasting
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1784 Premiere of Mozart‘s Violin Sonata in B flat, K.454 at Kärntnerthor Theater in Vienna; violinist Regina Strinasacchi, and Wolfgang Mozart on piano
1967 Aretha Franklin releases her single “Respect” (written by Otis Redding); Billboard Song of the Year, 1967
1968 “Hair” opens at Biltmore Theater NYC for 1750 performances
1969 “Trumpets of the Lord” opens at Brooks Atkinson NYC for 7 performances
1984 “Oliver!” opens at Mark Hellinger Theater NYC for 17 performances
1990 “Change in the Heir” opens at Edison Theater NYC for 16 performances
1991 “Our Country’s Good” opens at Nederlander Theater NYC for 48 performances
1991 “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” single released by Alan Jackson (ASCAP Award Country Song of the Year, 1992; Billboard Song of the Year, 1991)
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1751 The New York Gazette and Post Boy carries first public report of a cricket match played in America; New York XI v London XI on the site of what is today the Fulton Fish Market in Manhattan, NYC
1892 Charlie Reilly is baseball’s 1st pinch hitter
1901 27th Kentucky Derby: Jimmy Winkfield on His Eminence wins in 2:07.75
1918 Tris Speaker ties career outfield record of 4 unassisted double plays
1922 1st official International Weightlifting Federation Champ in Tallinn, Estonia
1930 123 runs are scored in 7 major league games
1931 Cleveland Indians pitcher Wes Ferrell no-hits St Louis Browns, 9-0
1934 Pittsburgh is last major league city to play a home game on a Sunday
April 28, 2022 Daily Horoscopes Digest
Click here for Georgia Nicols daily horoscopes
Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today you want to know what’s going on financially, especially behind the scenes. You want information about cash flow – where it’s coming from and where it goes. You also want to know how to use your wealth and assets to make your life easier.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
You’re powerful today because Mercury in your sign is lined up with Pluto. This gives you almost X-ray vision. (Oh yeah, you will easily see the subtext of things.) You will know if someone is lying to you or misrepresenting the truth.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Today your ruler Mercury is dancing with Pluto, which gives you a powerful mind that can turn inward. That’s why this is a good time to look inside yourself at a deep level to try to understand yourself better. You are intrigued with mysteries and hidden knowledge. (“I see dead people.”)
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
You might attract someone powerful to you today. However, more likely, you are the powerful person dealing with others whether on a one-to-one basis with a friend, or dealing with a group or an organization. Today you will rally your forces and set them marching!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Discussions with bosses, parents and people in authority will be powerful today. You might influence others or in turn, someone might influence you. If you have an idea that you want to share, you might be a bit obsessive about it. People will listen because you’re a natural leader.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is a wonderful day to study or learn something because you want to know what goes on beneath the surface of things. You’re attracted to mysteries and problems and hidden dimensions. It’s an excellent day to learn something new and have profound discussions with others.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
You might give serious thought to your finances, especially your shared wealth with others, which includes your debt. You might also give more thought to wills, inheritances and estates because you want to get to the bottom of things so that you have a true grasp of a situation.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
You might be obsessed trying to convince someone about something today. Or vice versa, you might attract someone to you who is pushy in their views? One thing is certain, you have the ability to have a strong effect on others today. Use this wisely.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Today you have the ability to see how to introduce reforms at work and how to do your job better. You might also see how others can do their job better. In the same vein (the other arm), you might see ways to improve your health. This is a good day to get rid of what you don’t need.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You’ll be convincing when talking to children or young people today. They will hang on your every word. Likewise, romantic discussions will be powerful, especially because you are quick to see what’s going on beneath the surface of things. You can’t be fooled today.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Family discussions will be powerful and very much to the point today. In fact, certain secrets might be revealed. This is also a good day to tackle repairs and improvements to bathrooms, plumbing areas and anything to do with garbage and recycling.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You might be obsessed with a certain idea today, which crowds every other thought out of your mind. However, you also have a strong focus, which will help you to concentrate on whatever you need to think about. If talking to others, you’ll be convincing!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actress Jessica Alba (1981) shares your birthday today. You appear to be poised and calm. You have a refined quality about you. You are charming, observant and an excellent listener. This year will be slower paced and have a stronger focus on partnerships. You will definitely make friends more easily this year. Strive to maintain a peaceful environment for yourself.
April 28 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.
2022 April 28
Lyrid of the Lake
Image Credit & Copyright: Jeff Dai (TWAN)
Explanation: In the early hours of April 24 this bright Lyrid meteor flashed along the central Milky Way. For a moment, it cast a bright reflection across Lake Nian, Yunnan province, China. The annual Lyrid meteor shower, one of the oldest known, is active in late April, as our fair planet plows through dust left along the orbit of long-period comet Thatcher. The trail of the bright fireball points back toward the shower’s radiant in the constellation Lyra high in the northern springtime sky and off the top of the frame. Just rising in that starry sky, light from a third quarter moon also cast a glow on the peaceful waters of the lake.
April 27, 2022 Daily Horoscopes Digest
Click here for Georgia Nicols daily horoscopes
Moon Alert
Avoid shopping or important decisions from 9 AM to 12:30 PM EDT today (6 AM to 9:30 AM PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Pisces into Aries.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today you will put your interests and needs second to the needs of someone else because you feel genuinely concerned for their welfare. You’re not being a martyr. This is probably the appropriate thing to do. (True generosity is giving what is needed.)
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
You might idealize a friend today. Certainly, you will feel protective and close to someone. You might also embrace a group, especially a charitable group with a mandate to help those in need. This is because your idealism is aroused today.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Because it’s easy to admire someone in a position of authority, you might develop a crush on a boss or someone “important”. You might also use your influence with someone in power (or your own influence) to help a third party. This is a perfect day for artistic, creative decisions. (Check Moon Alert.)
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Travel for pleasure will appeal to you today because you have a strong need to escape somewhere for some peace and quiet. Not only peace and quiet, you need a chance to restore and replenish yourself! White sands and turquoise waters would be ideal.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Keep your pockets open today because gifts, goodies and favours from others will come to you. Meanwhile, you might use your own resources or the resources of someone else to benefit a third party, especially someone in need. Personally, romantic affection will be dreamy and memorable!
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Relations with close friends and partners will be warm and mutually sympathetic today. In fact, a friend could become a lover. Whatever the case, your approach to your closest relationships will be mature, warm and giving. You might see ways to turn your hopes into reality.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
If you can do something to make your workspace more attractive today, you will enjoy doing this. Remember that more than any other sign, you are affected by your surroundings – colour, composition, space, smell and lighting. Meanwhile, relations with coworkers are warm and reassuring today.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today romance is the stuff of movies. New love might come into your life. Existing romantic relationships will glow. Your love for someone will take on a spiritual aspect because you will want what is best for them. Relations with children will be tenderhearted. The arts will inspire!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
This is a lovely day to entertain at home, especially with family. It’s also great day to explore redecorating ideas or shop for beautiful things for your home. (If shopping – check Moon Alert above.) Family discussions will be warm and mutually sympathetic.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You might spend a lot of time daydreaming or being lost in thoughts of fantasy today. You have a refined appreciation of the beauty in your daily world and a desire to make your surroundings as lovely as possible. It’s easy to appreciate who you are and what you have.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
If shopping today, you will be tempted to buy beautiful things for yourself and loved ones. Definitely, take note of the restrictions of the Moon Alert – see above. Nevertheless, this is also a good day for business and commerce because you will be inclined to attract favourable situations to you.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today Venus is lined up with your ruler Neptune – both in your sign. This will help you to visualize your ideas and translate your hopes and dreams into a physical reality. The abstract to the concrete. Your relations with others will be warm and mutually sympathetic.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actress Sally Hawkins (1976) shares your birthday today. You are poised, calm and collected. Sometimes you are mystery to others. People enjoy your charming, friendly personality. They respect you. This is an exciting year for you because it’s a beginning of a new nine-year cycle. Get ready to explore. Be courageous. Open any door!
Some Witchcraft/Magickal Correspondence Digest for Wednesday
Mercury/Neptune/Air/North/West/Southwest/Female/Male/Gemini/Virgo
Magickal Intentions: Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear, Loss, Travel, Money Matters
Color: black, light blue, brown, gray, green, magenta, orange, peach, purple, red, silver, turquoise, violet, white, yellow; orange is the primary color
Number: 3, 5
Metal: mercury
Charm: distaff, rod, runes, staff, iridescent garments
Stone: moss agate, amethyst, bloodstone, emerald, hematite, lapis lazuli, lodestone, pearl, ruby, sapphire, sodalite, all blue stones
Animal: bear, dog, fox, magpie, swan, weasel
Plant: almond, bayberry, chamomile, cherry, cinnamon, cinquefoil, clove, coltsfoot, ginger, hazel, hazelnut, jasmine, lavender, millet, oak, peppermint, periwinkle, rosemary, sage, St. John’s wort, sweet pea, tamarind, lemon verbena, violet
Incense: cassia, cedar, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, mastic, mint, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, storax, dried and powdered citrus peel, and all incense made from aromatic bark, wood, and seeds
Goddess: Carmenta, Hecate (Queen of Crossroads), Hel, Ishtar, Ma’at, the Morrigan, Nike
God: Anubis, Bragi, Elath-Iahu. Enki, Garuda, Hermes, Maximon (Black Magician), Mercury, Nebo (Wise God of Wednesday), Odin, Shango, Ullr, Vishnu, Wayland, Woden
Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Michael, Miel, Raphael, Seraphiel, Tiriel
Courtesy of Moonlight Musings
Spell for Today – Spell to Strengthen Your Psychic Shield
Spell to Strengthen Your Psychic Shield
The night before the Full Moon, find a place where your altar will not be disturbed for 24 hours. Put the cauldron in the center with a red candle on the right side, black candle of the left side, and white candle in the back; but do not light them yet.
Sprinkle a mixture of equal parts of elder blossoms, marjoram, mint and rue in an unbroken circle around the cauldron. Into a tiny vial, measure equal drops of clove, frankincense, jasmine, and lavender. Set the sealed bottle in the cauldron and leave until the night of the Full Moon.
On Full Moon night, take a cleansing bathe and robe yourself in white. Carry a good protective or purification incense through every room in the house. Make certain that the smoke drifts into closets. Return to the altar and light the candles.
Take up the dagger or sword. Face the East and raise the sword in salute. To salute in this manner, simply hold the sword point upward in front of you. Say:
By the power of the rising sun,
all evil in my life is done.
Turn to the South, salute, say:
By the power of darkening night,
my shield is strong, my armor tight.
Turn to the North, salute, say:
By Full Moon in blackening sky, I am not alone.
My help is nigh. The Goddess’s hands around me stay,
To keep me safe by night and day.
Begone, foul spirits, unbidden here.
I send you back, I do not fear.
For I have won. I am set free.
You have no further power over me.
Face the altar and take up the vial of oil. Put a drop of oil on your finger and anoint your forehead, heart, solar plexus, wrists and ankles. As you do this, visualize a shining blue suit of armor slowly descending over your body until you are entirely protected. Cap the bottle and store in a safe place.
Thank the Powers for their help and extinguish the candles. Apply the oil and repeat the chants whenever you feel the armor is slipping.
April 27 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.
2022 April 27
Moon Shadow on Jupiter
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS; Processing & License: Thomas Thomopoulos
Explanation: What is that large dark spot on Jupiter? It’s the shadow of Ganymede, Jupiter‘s largest moon. When Jupiter’s moons cross between the Jovian giant and the Sun, they created shadows just like when the Earth’s moon crosses between the Earth and the Sun. Also like on Earth, if you were in a dark shadow on Jupiter, you would see a moon completely eclipse the Sun. Unlike on Earth, moon shadows occur most days on Jupiter — what’s more unusual is that a spacecraft was close enough to record one with a high-resolution image. That spacecraft, Juno, was passing so close to Jupiter in late February that nearby clouds and the dark eclipse shadow appear relatively large. Juno has made many discoveries about our Solar System‘s largest planet, including, recently, rapidly expanding circular auroras.
Explore Your Universe: Random APOD Generator
A Thought for Today
Until we meet again dear sisters, brothers, and honored guests blessed be.
April 25, 2022 Daily Horoscopes Digest
Click here for Georgia Nicols daily horoscopes
Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Pisces.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
This is an excellent day for business negotiations and dealings with finance and commerce because you’ll be quick to see the big picture. You will also be ready to act and explore any opportunity that comes your way. This is a winning day!
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today the Sun is in your sign along with Mercury; and Mercury is dancing with lucky, moneybags Jupiter. This gives you a chance to see the big picture and view things with confidence and optimism. This is why you are courageous and hopeful about your future.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
This is an excellent day to do a little soul-searching and explore your own ideas and values, especially regarding spiritual matters. Your hopes and wishes are important today. Furthermore, you are taking a look at how you fit into the bigger picture around you.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Your interactions with friends, as well as groups and organizations, will be upbeat and positive today. In fact, your ability to work with others today will be extremely successful because you are quick to grasp group values and needs. People will listen to you today.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
This is a fabulous day to make your pitch to a boss, parent, teacher or any member of authority because you see the big picture, and will present your ideas with clarity and vision. (Oh yeah, people will be impressed.) This is because today you easily see the overall pattern of things.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is a marvellous day to study and do something to satisfy your intellectual curiosity about something. Philosophical and religious subjects in particular will appeal to you because you’re interested in exploring big answers to big questions. Travel plans will be ambitious!
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Your ability to negotiate important decisions with others about shared property, inheritances, taxes and debt is top-notch today. You see the big picture, which also allows you to see future possibilities as well as present solutions. Impressive!
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Discussions with others will be optimistic and upbeat today because you are in a positive frame of mind. Because of this, you will also attract positive-thinking people to you, as well. Take note: This is the perfect day to mend broken fences with someone who is close to you.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Discussions about work-related travel will go well today. This is also an excellent day to deal with foreign interests and people from other cultures, especially related to your job or your health. Something to do with a pet might lift your spirits today.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
This is a marvellous day for artists and anyone who is involved in a creative project. This is also a wonderful day to start a vacation or to enjoy social outings with others, especially in groups. Sports events and fun activities with children will particularly delight!
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Family discussions will go well today. This is a good day to begin an ambitious home-repair project or to explore real-estate opportunities. Dealings with the law and legal matters will be positive. You find it easy to “think big” today. Good day for family discussions about future plans in general.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
This is a lovely day for a trip or a chance to explore new ideas and meet new people, especially people from other cultures and different countries because you want to do anything to expand your experience of the world. Your mind is sharp, clear and alert to all possibilities today. You are optimistic and positive!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Channing Tatum (1980) shares your birthday today. You are determined and focused. You are hard worker with a strong sense of responsibility. Others know that they can rely on you. This year is the last year of a nine-year cycle for you, which means wrap up whatever you are involved in. Clean your plate to be ready for next year when your new cycle begins.
April 26 Daily Tarot Card, Rune, Witch’s Rune, Ogham Divination
Tarot Card
Click here for more about the 7 of Cups from the Shadowscapes tarot deck on tarotx.net
7 of Cups
I. The meaning of the Seven of Cups Shadowscapes Tarot
The young girl’s mind now lost its way in the clouds. Her eyes were now filled with stars, her spirit drawn to the fanciful light of the moon as she looked toward the whole castle in the sky. She was not much aware of the dangerous standing position at the moment, maybe in a moment of excitement, she could carelessly step forward and fall from the cliff to the bottom of the dim white mist below. The wind blew and flipped her hair and clothes in an exciting melody.
In the meantime, the boy, standing in a somewhat safer position, with a little thought, turned his eyes towards the castle located on the surrounding cliffs. Perhaps it will be difficult to reach the place, but they can completely succeed, his desire is strong enough to achieve what he wants.
But that girl was the exact opposite. “Look!” She shouted while her fingers cupped the boy’s shoulders, urging him to listen to his desires. He nodded his head, trying to refute the thought of “how can we get to that heavenly city?” and continued to …
Rune
From TheRuneSite.com – Younger Futhork Runes
Óss
Sound: “o” as in “oh”
Stands for: God and also Mouth
Casting meaning: This rune represents the power of communication, oral bonds, and the commanding force of word and song.
More commonly Know by its Elder Futhark rune name – Ansuz
with a slightly different meaning
Sound: “aa” as in “aah”
Stands for: Mouth (or Divine Breath)
Color: Purple
Casting meaning: Ansuz is a rune that symbolizes stability and shows us order. It is also a rune that indicates intellectual activities and directly represents the divine breath of all life and creation.
Witch’s Rune
From thecarnutiannemeton.com – Witch’s Rune
Flight
Rune of Communication
As the bird fly’s in and out of this realm and the other it carries with it a message of transforming urgency. As quick as the birds direction can change also is the news it brings.
Keywords
communications, movement, travel, information, greater knowledge
Ogham
From thepeculiarbrunette.com – Ogham
Straif
Pronunciation – Str-ef
Tree Association – Blackthorn
Meaning – Adversity, omens, secrecy, and is sometimes known as the tree of the dead due to its connection with spirits and the Underworld. This thorny tree-shrub is symbolic of the sword, arrow, and spear. Now is a time to focus on the root of a problem instead of its effects. Confront challenges head-on, and do your best not to become overwhelmed by the difficulties that lie before you. Brace for the unexpected; life may be taking an unforeseen turn. It can be an excellent time to keep knowledge and information to yourself until the path ahead is more apparent.
If reversed – Transitions, changes, and death. Straif reversed is a sign of caution. Things may be falling apart in your life right now so that they can come together more positively later.
Inscription and Magical Uses – Use this ogham wisely. It can help to develop the courage and fortitude you need to overcome the unpredictable challenges headed your way. Change is headed your way, helpful for use in keeping your mindset upbeat and instilling hope.
Folklore – Blackthorn has developed a bad reputation over the years since it thrives in winter when everything else seems to be dying. It is often associated with cailleach (Dark mother or Crone) and the Morrighan. Blackthorn was often used to create a shillelagh (Irish walking stick) which was often the weapon of choice for bataireacht (BAHT-air-ahct) (Irish stick-fighting martial arts).
April 26 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.
2022 April 26
Planet Parade over Sydney Opera House
Image Credit & Copyright: Prasun Agrawal
Explanation: The world is waking up to a picturesque planet parade. Just before dawn, the eastern skies over much of planet Earth are decorated by a notable line of familiar planets. In much of Earth’s northern hemisphere, this line of planets appears most nearly horizontal, but in much of Earth’s southern hemisphere, the line appears more nearly vertical. Pictured over the Sydney Opera House in southern Australia, the planet line was captured nearly vertical about five days ago. From top to bottom, the morning planets are Saturn, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter. As April ends, the angular distance between Venus and Jupiter will gradually pass below a degree as they switch places. Then, as May ends, Jupiter will pass near Mars as those two planets switch places. In June, the parade will briefly expand to include Mercury.
Notable Submissions to APOD: Morning Planet Parade 2022
April 26 Today in History
Today’s Important Historical Events
1478 Pazzi conspirators attack Lorenzo de’Medici and kill Giuliano de’Medici in Florence
1920 Harlow Shapley and Heber D. Curtis hold “great debate” on the nature of nebulae, galaxies and size of the universe at US National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
1945 Marshal Philippe Pétain, leader of France’s Vichy collaborationist regime during World War II, arrested for treason
1956 First modern container ship, the Ideal X, leaves Port Newark, New Jersey for Houston, Texas
1986 World’s worst nuclear disaster: 4th reactor at Chernobyl nuclear power station in USSR explodes, 31 die, radioactive contamination reaches much of Western Europe
2005 Under international pressure, Syria withdraws the last of its 14,000 troop military garrison in Lebanon, ending its 29-year military domination of that country.
Today’s Historical Events
757 Paolo Orsini replaces his brother Pope Stephen II, as Paul I
1220 German king Frederick II grants bishops sovereign rights
1336 Italian Renaissance poet Francesco Petrarch famously climbs Mont Ventoux
1467 The miraculous image in Our Lady of Good Counsel appear in Genazzano, Italy
1478 Pazzi conspirators attack Lorenzo de’Medici and kill Giuliano de’Medici in Florence
1514 Copernicus makes his 1st observations of Saturn
1564 William Shakespeare is baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
1607 Jamestown expedition makes first landing in America at a place named Cape Henry, in what would become Virginia, but they quickly depart for a better site
Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV
1954 “Seven Samurai”, Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshiro Mifune, is released
1967 KSPS TV channel 7 in Spokane, WA (PBS) begins broadcasting
1982 Rod Stewart is mugged, gunman steals his $50,000 Porsche on Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
1991 “Dinosaurs” premieres on ABC-TV
1992 “Growing Pains” final episode on ABC TV
1992 “Who’s The Boss” final episode after 8 years on ABC TV
1993 NBC announces Conan O’Brien to replace David Letterman on “Late Night”
1994 TV series “Due South” about Canadian Mounties starring Paul Gross premieres in Canada
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1835 Frederic Chopin‘s “Grand Polonaise Brillante” premieres in Paris
1855 Composer Gioachino Rossini leaves Italy
1936 Dmitri Shostakovich completes his 4th Symphony
1947 “Bless the Bride” musical opens in London
1965 Charles Ives‘ 4th Symphony premieres at Carnegie Hall, New York, 11 years after the composer’s death
1967 “Hallelujah, Baby!” opens at Martin Beck Theater NYC for 293 performances
1969 “Celebration” closes at Ambassador Theater NYC after 110 performances
1969 “George M!” closes at Palace Theater NYC after 435 performances
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1900 Newly renamed American League opener in Cleveland draws 6,500 (still as a minor league, was Western League)
1901 Jimmy Collins, having left the Boston Beaneaters (NL), captains and manages his first game for the Boston Americans (loses 10-6 at Baltimore Orioles)
1905 Cubs Jack McCarthy becomes only major league player to throw out 3 runners at plate in 1 game, all were ends of a double play
1912 1st homerun hit at Fenway Park (Hugh Bradley, Red Sox)
1920 Husband and wife team Ludowika & Walter Jakobsson representing Finland, win the pairs skating gold medal at the Antwerp Olympics; Ludowika is the only German-born athlete at the Games
1920 Ice hockey makes its Olympic debut at the Antwerp Games with center Frank Fredrickson scoring 7 goals in Canada’s 12-1 drubbing of Sweden in the gold medal match
1931 Lou Gehrig hits a HR but is called out for passing a runner, mistake costs him AL home run crown; he & Babe Ruth tie for season
1935 Frank Boucher is given NHL’s Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship permanently for winning it 7 of 11 years
A Laugh for Today
Wishing you a terrific Tuesday!
A Thought for Today
Until we meet again blessed be dear sisters, brothers, and honored guests.
April 25, 2022 Daily Horoscopes Digest
Click here for Georgia Nicols daily horoscopes
Moon Alert
After 6:30 AM EDT today (3:30 AM PDT) there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Pisces.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
This is a good day to begin your week! You have money and earnings on your mind. Meanwhile, something going on behind the scenes might support your situation. Certainly, you’re full of moneymaking ideas. (Nevertheless, if you think something fishy is going on – it is.)
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This is a strong day for you, and a great way to begin your week! The Sun and Mercury are in your sign promoting conversations with friends and groups. You might feel competitive. You will definitely enjoy artistic, creative friends.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
You make a great impression on others now. In fact, today in particular, people are aware of personal details about your private life. Fear not, you look good! Having said that, you will be happy to work alone or behind the scenes today. Good day for research.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
This is a popular week for you! In particular, you will enjoy the company of younger people. Today travel plans or opportunities to explore new avenues in publishing, the media, medicine and the law exist. Do whatever you can to expand your world.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
This will be a strong week for you because the Sun is at the top of your chart casting you in a flattering spotlight. This means bosses, parents, teachers and VIPs (including the police) admire you, even if you don’t do anything special. (It’s smoke and mirrors.)
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
You might discuss travel plans with a partner or close friend today. You have an urge to get out of town, or do something that will give you a feeling of adventure. Listen to what someone has to say today because cooperation and teamwork are theme of your day.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This is a good day to tidy up loose ends about taxes, debt and the wealth and resources of others. You’re ready to roll up your sleeves and work hard today and this week. Fortunately, others will help you. You might see ways to improve your job or get a better job.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Remember to get more sleep because you need more rest this week. Meanwhile, this is an excellent day to explore social outings, the arts and anything to do with sports. Playful activities with children will delight. You might find yourself in a competition of some sort?
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You’ll find it easy to work hard this week because you want to be productive, efficient and effective in all your actions. Motivation is everything. If this is your motivation, then you will accomplish a lot. A discussion with a female family member will go well today.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
This will be a playful week for you! It can be a productive week for those of you in the arts or any kind of creative activity. This is a good time to work with children. In fact, discussions with relatives, neighbours and daily contacts will be positive today.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Home and family will continue to be a major focus for you this week, including home repairs. Family discussions are likely. Today, you might address financial matters and discuss specific purchases or major expenditures. It’s all good.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
This will be a fast-paced, busy week for you, so eat supportive, nutritious food. (Hey, your body needs fuel to run on!) You’re pumped with energy now with fiery Mars in your sign. On top of that, today the Moon is in your sign improving your luck just a little. Yay!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Hank Azaria (1964) shares your birthday today. You are often misunderstood because you hide your deepest thoughts. You are sensitive, emotional and highly intuitive. When you were, you are a perfectionist. This year you will prosper. You might get a promotion, an award. You will be acknowledged for your excellent efforts. Pursue your dreams by taking some risks!
Spell for Today – Honey Jar and Candle Spell
This magic spell can be worked on anyone’s name you want to sweeten. Depending on what relationship the person has to you, what special items you put into the name-packet, the colour of candle you choose, and the oil you dress it with, this trick will cause the person you name to like you more, to love you more, to favour your petition, to want to help you, to be sympathetic to your cause, or to forgive any wrongs you have committed. It can be used to influence and sweeten a judge in a court case, a loan officer at the bank, a boss from whom you want a raise, a teacher in your school from whom you want a good grade, a lover with whom you want a reconciliation, an in-law who has been back-biting you, or friend who has cut you off because of a foolish quarrel.
The following ingredients are needed
a jar of sweetener (see below)
a piece of paper
a pen
optional herbs, curios, and/or bodily concerns (see below)
a candle (choose the appropriate colour at the candle magic page)
a candle-dressing oil such as Special Oil No. 20 or Love Me oil
Get a small jar of sweetener. This can be honey, Karo Syrup, Crystal Syrup, home-made brown sugar syrup, Log Cabin Syrup, Vermont maple syrup, Bre’r Rabbit Blackstrap Molasses or whatever you desire — as long as it is in a container with a metal lid. You can buy the goods in a pint-size glass Mason jar or pour the sweetening of your choice into a jar of your own at home. All that matters is that it should be a short, squat jar with a metal lid, filled up to the shoulder of the jar.
In the old days, when skin colour was a lot more important to people than it is now, it was recommended that the colour of the sweetener match the skin of the person you wanted to sweeten. Thus, for a white judge, you might use Crystal Syrup, and for a Latino loan officer you might use light brown sugar syrup, and for a dark-skinned lover you might use Bre’r Rabbit Blackstrap Molasses. Frankly, these days specifying a person’s skin colour is not as meaningful as it once was (for which we can all be thankful), and today many folks prefer to use honey for the spell, no matter what the target’s skin colour is, because it is a natural sweetener and not man-made. I believe that if you just follow your own intuition and decide which sweetener you like the best, you can be confident that you have made the right choice.
Next, prepare your paper. Again, in the old days, we would be told to use white paper for a white person, tan paper for a high-brown, and rough old grocery-bag paper for a person of dark colour, but these days the type of paper you use can simply be a matter of personal style. I use the smooth, tan-coloured light-weight shopping bag paper because that is my choice, based on the way i was taught, which was that such paper is “pure paper” and better than parchment from the art-supply store. I prepare my paper by tearing it neatly on all four sides so there is no machine-cut edge. Of course some folks prefer parchment paper more, and they trim it square with scissors — and the spell still works for them. So go ahead and prepare your paper just as you wish and that will suffice.
Once you have got your paper together, write the person’s name three times on it, one name under the other like so
Jane or John Doe
Jane or John Doe
Jane or John Doe
Then you rotate the paper 90 degrees and write your own name across the person’s name, also three times:
Your Name
Your Name
Your Name
The result will be that the two names are crossed over each other, like a cross or a tic-tac-toe grid, and the other person’s name will be under yours. This is called crossing and covering their name. If the sweetening is being done for love, you can use a red ink pen. Otherwise, the colour of the ink does not matter. Now all around the crossed names, write your specific wish in a circle. If you need a guideline, lightly sketch the circle-shape with a pencil and then follow around it when writing with your ink pen. You must write your wish in one continuous run of script letters, with no spaces — AND WITHOUT LIFTING YOUR PEN FROM THE PAPER. Do not cross your t’s or dot your i’s. Just write the words in one run and be sure to join up the end of the last word with the beginning of the first word so the circle is complete. Then you can go back and cross your t’s and dot your i’s. To make it easy to connect the word together at the end, i have found it best to make my petition in the form of short commands, such as “help me favour me help me favour me” or “love me love me love me” or “forgive me come back forgive me come back.”
If you make a mistake — for instance, if you lift your pen in the middle of writing your petition-circle — throw away the paper and start it all over again. You want it to be perfect.
Other ingredients can be added to the name-paper if you wish — a piece of court case root for a court case spell, two rose petals for a love spell, a lump of sugar for a family member, two clove buds for friendship, bayberry root or sassafras root for a money spell, a pair of Adam-and-Eve roots for love, two small Lodestones for sexuality, a pinch of deer’s tongue leaves for a proposal of marriage, a square of camphor for cleaning out bad things of the past, and so forth.
If you are sweetening someone for love, then in addition to the name-paper and whatever optional herbs, roots, or minerals you choose, you must also get one of the person’s hairs and one of your hairs. If the hairs are long enough, tie them together. Otherwise, just lay them crosswise to each other. In either case, place them on the name-paper. Don’t ask me what to do if you can’t get their hairs ’cause I can’t help with that. Either work the spell without the hairs and expect a much lower rate of success or get the hairs! Don’t load the paper up with lots of other stuff thinking that if you can’t get the hairs that six different love-herbs and two lodestones will be as strong as two hairs. They won’t be.
Fold the paper toward you to bring what you want your way and speak aloud your wish as you do so. Turn the paper and fold it again, and again, always folding toward you, to bring what you want your way. Speak aloud your wish each time you fold the paper toward you. Fold it until it will not fold any more.
Open the jar of honey or syrup. To make room for the folded paper packet, you will need to eat some of the contents. Take out a spoon’s worth, and as you eat it, say, “As this honey [or syrup] is sweet to me, so will i become sweet to John Russell Brown [or the name of the person you are working this on].” You can do this three times — taking out three small spoonsful of sweetener and speaking your wish aloud each time. Push the folded paper packet down into the jar and close up the lid.
Dress an offertory candle (a 50 cent, 6″ long candle or a 25 cent 4″ long one, nothing fancy) with an appropriate anointing oil, or use Special Oil No. 20, which is specifically indicated in this type of spell. Use a white candle for general blessing and healing, a red one for sexual love, a pink one for reconciliation, a brown one for a court case, and so forth. (For a longer list of colour symbolism, see the page on candle magic.)
Stand the candle on the lid of the closed-up jar and light it. You can melt the candle to the lid with hot wax if need be.
Let the candle burn all the way out. Do this every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for as long as it takes. Add teach new candle on top of the remains of the last one. I have seen people’s syrup-jar spells like this done for court cases that were continued for so long and required so many candles that you could not see the jar under all the dripped-on wax!
April 25 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.
2022 April 25
The Great Nebula in Carina
Image Credit & Copyright: Ignacio Javier Diaz Bobillo
Explanation: In one of the brightest parts of Milky Way lies a nebula where some of the oddest things occur. NGC 3372, known as the Great Nebula in Carina, is home to massive stars and changing nebulas. The Keyhole Nebula (NGC 3324), the bright structure just below the image center, houses several of these massive stars. The entire Carina Nebula, captured here, spans over 300 light years and lies about 7,500 light-years away in the constellation of Carina. Eta Carinae, the most energetic star in the nebula, was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but then faded dramatically. While Eta Carinae itself maybe on the verge of a supernova explosion, X-ray images indicate that much of the Great Nebula in Carina has been a veritable supernova factory.
April 25 Today in History
Today’s Important Historical Events
1660 English Convention Parliament meets and votes to restore Charles II
1792 Guillotine first used in France, executes highwayman Nicolas Pelletier
1846 Thornton Affair: Open conflict begins over the disputed border of Texas, triggering the Mexican–American War
1945 “Elbe Day” – US and Soviet forces meet at Torgau, Germany on the Elbe River during the invasion of Germany in WWII
1953 Francis Crick and James Watson‘s discovery of the double helix structure of DNA is published in “Nature” magazine
1954 Bell labs announces the 1st Solar Battery made from silicon. It has about 6% efficiency.
1990 Hubble space telescope is placed into orbit by space shuttle Discovery
Today’s Historical Events
1185 Sea battle at Dan-no-ura: Minamoto Yoritomo beats Taira-family
1362 Muhammad VI ruler of Granada killed with a lance personally by Peter I of Castile, along with 36 followers and his head sent to Muhammad V (or 27 April)
1449 Anti-pope Felix V resigns
1507 German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller is the first to use the name America on his world map “Universalis Cosmographia”
1541 -26) Liege flooded after heavy down pour
1604 Count Maurits’ army lands at Cadzand
1607 Battle at Gibraltar: Dutch fleet beats Spanish Portuguese fleet
1607 Shortly before making landfall in America, Captain Edward Maria Wingfield is named President of the Jamestown governing council
Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV
1947 Lou Thesz beats Whipper Watson in St Louis, to win National Wrestling Association world heavyweight title
1954 WDEF TV channel 12 in Chattanooga, TN (CBS) begins broadcasting
1956 Noël Coward‘s musical “South Sea Bubble” premieres in London
1957 WUHY TV channel 35 in Philadelphia, PA (PBS) begins broadcasting
1964 “New Phil Silvers Show” last airs on CBS-TV
1964 11th National Film Awards (India): “Shehar Aur Sapna” wins the Golden Lotus
1978 ABC premiere of crime drama “Vega$”
1983 “Nightline” expands from ½ hour to a full hour
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1792 “La Marseillaise”, later the national anthem of France, is composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg
1896 Fight in Central Dance Hall starts fire at Cripple Creek, Colorado
1896 Sidney Jones & Harry Greenbacks musical “The Geisha” premieres at Daly’s Theatre, London; runs for 760 performances
1926 Giacomo Puccini‘s opera “Turandot” premieres in Milan
1961 “Young Abe Lincoln” opens at Eugene O’Neill Theater NYC for 27 performances
1968 “Half a Sixpence” opens at Broadhurst Theater NYC for 512 performances
1970 “Park” closes at John Golden Theater NYC after 5 performances
1985 Roger Miller‘s musical “Big River” opens at Eugene O’Neill Theater NYC for 1005 performances
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1876 Chicago Cubs 1st NL game, beats Louisville 4-0 (1st NL shutout)
1901 Erve Beck hits American League’s 1st home run
1901 In last of 9th, Detroit Tigers, trailing by 13-4, score 10 runs to win one of greatest comebacks in baseball (1st game in Detroit)
1905 Latest day of 1st-class cricket in an Aust season (NSW v Qld)
1920 Magda Julin of Sweden beats teammate Svea Norén for the gold medal in women’s singles figure skating at the Antwerp Olympics
1933 Philadelphia Phillies’ Dick Bartell is 1st MLB player to get 4 consecutive doubles in 9 innings
1933 NY Yankee Russ Van Atta shuts out Washington Senators 16-0
1947 Lou Thesz beats Whipper Watson in St Louis, to win National Wrestling Association world heavyweight title
Witches Of The Craft® 
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