Category: Daily Posts

Astronomy Picture of the Day for June 15

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 June 15

M65 and M66

Image Credit & Copyright: Bill Snyder (Heavens Mirror Observatory)

Explanation: Nearby and bright, spiral galaxies M65 (top) and M66 stand out in this engaging cosmic snapshot. The pair are just 35 million light-years distant and around 100,000 light-years across, about the size of our own spiral Milky Way. While both exhibit prominent dust lanes sweeping along their broad spiral arms, M66 in particular is a striking contrast in red and blue hues; the telltale pinkish glow of hydrogen gas in star forming regions and young blue star clusters. M65 and M66 make up two thirds of the well-known Leo Triplet of galaxies with warps and tidal tails that offer evidence of the group’s past close encounters. The larger M66 has been host to four supernovae discovered since 1973.

Lighten Up – Circle Etiquette

Never summon Anything you can’t banish.

Never put asafoetida on the rocks in the sweat lodge.

Do not attempt to walk more than 10 paces while wearing all of your ritual jewelry, dream bags and crystals at the same time.

When proposing to initiate someone, do not mention the Great Rite, leer, and say, “Hey, your trad or mine?”

Never laugh at someone who is skyclad. They can see you, too.

Never, ever

set the Witch on fire.

Looking at nifty pictures is not a valid path to mastering the ancient grimoires. Please read thoroughly and carefully from beginning to end so that your madness and gibberings will at least make some sense.

A good grasp of ritual and ritual techniques are essential! In the event of a random impaling, or other accidental death amongst the participants, (see next rule) a quick thinker can improvise to ensure successful completion of the Rite. Make them another sacrifice, Demons like those.

Watch where you wave the sharp pointy items.

Avoid walking through disembodied spirits.

Carry an all purpose translators dictionary in case the ritual leader begins talking in some strange and unknown language.

Avoid joining your life force to anything with glowing red eyes.

If asked to sign a contract or pact and you are experiencing doubts or reservations, sign your neighbors name. Malevolent entities rarely ask for photo ID.

Blood is thicker than water. Soak ritual garments an extra 30-45 minutes.

While drunken weaving may be mistaken for ecstatic dancing, slurring the names of Deities is generally considered bad form.

The Daily Cosmic Calendar for June 15

Here’s another gift from the gods and goddesses who run the show from the invisible universe. The Moon continues its exalted march through earthy Taurus. Planting and growing your favorite flowers, herbs and vegetables makes sense with the Moon in this resourceful sign.  In addition, the lunar orb makes a supportive, 60-degree link to the healing-comet known as Chiron (5:12AM PDT). Shortly thereafter, the Moon and Venus link-up in a subtle and yet still substantial, 30-degree rapport (6:23AM PDT).  Of course, if conducting business as an expert is your cup of tea, then today’s lunar transit in Taurus can also be rewarding and a delight. Discover new ways to amplify your investments and pad your bank account. Giving you an intellectual boost is a supportive, 60-degree tie from the Moon to Mercury (5:01PM PDT).  If you have a lot of tasks and errands on your to-do list, it may be better to accomplish them today than tomorrow as Saturday contains a long stretch of void lunar vibrations. Have an impromptu party at your place tonight or attend a play, poetry recital or film debut.