Astronomy Picture of the Day – Volcano and Aurora in Iceland

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.

Volcano and Aurora in Iceland  

Image Credit & Copyright: Sigurdur H. Stefnisson

 

 Explanation: Sometimes both heaven and Earth erupt.   In  Iceland in 1991, the  volcano Hekla erupted at the same time that  auroras were visible overhead.   Hekla, one of the most  famous volcanoes in the world, has  erupted at least 20 times over the   past millennium,  sometimes causing  great destruction.   The last eruption occurred only twelve years ago but caused only minor  damage.   The green auroral band occurred fortuitously about 100 kilometers above the erupting  lava.   Is Earth the Solar System’s only planet with both auroras and volcanos?

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An Ancient Spell to Invoke The Protective Guardians of Your Home After Dark

In Iceland and part of Scandinavia it is still accepted that land and homes are protected at night by land wights, tall shadowy guardians who watch over boundaries and stand where roads or path meet, keeping away ill wishers, both earthly and paranormal. This belief was once upheld throughout northern and eastern Europe and Russia. In Iceland offerings are left for these spirits in field sacred to them. No one will build on this land. If you live in a place that is lonely or where vandalism often occurs after dark, try this spell. The spell will also protect against evening phone calls or visits from anyone who make you unhappy and perhaps pressurised you.

Items You Will Need

3 tall white candles; 3 candle-holders or a three candle holder in which the candles are at different heights, the tallest in the middle; a mirror (optional)

Timing

After dark whenever you feel your home needs protection.

The Spell

  • Place the candles in a row in a darkened room, facing an uncurtained window that does not have a street light directly  outside so that when you light the candles, you can see the flames reflected in the window. If you have no such windows place the candles before a mirror.

  • Light the candles one by one, for each candle saying: Be those the guardian  of my( or name the Person to whose house you are sending the protection) home. turn back the phantoms of the night, So all is till day remains as light.

  • Each candle now represents a guardian. Give each one a secret name. These may be for example, the names of angels or deities, or they may be names of your own making.

  • Blow out each candle in turn as you do so, naming the guardian and saying; Go peacefully (name) and in peace return.

  • Replace the candle regularly but keep the same names.

 

In the news

In the news

Artist's rendering of a Mars Exploration Rover

  • Ratko Mladić, a former Bosnian Serb Army commander, is arrested in Serbia pursuant to 1995 war crimes charges.
  • The Spirit rover (artist’s rendering pictured) mission on Mars is formally concluded by NASA after six years of planetary exploration.
  • Iceland’s Grímsvötn volcano erupts, causing flight cancellations in northern Europe.
  • The Democratic Rally, led by Nicos Anastasiades, win a plurality after an election in Cyprus.
  • PNS Mehran, a Pakistani naval base in Karachi, is attacked by militants.
  • At least 124 people are killed by a tornado, among the deadliest in U.S. history, in Joplin, Missouri.
  • Protests against the government continue in cities across Spain, despite a ban before elections.