Astronomy & Astrology

Commentary on Current Astrological Energy (Posted 6/5/2012 by JYN Star~ Day of Venus Transit)

~The Venus Transits and The Return of the Divine Feminine
(LotusLight & Govinda)

Venus passed between the Earth and our Sun on June 8th, 2004, and initiated an eight-year cycle
known as the “Venus Transits”. The Venus Transits cycle is a rare celestial event that occurs every
113 – 130 years, when Venus eclipses the Sun two times – at the beginning and at the end of an
eight-year period. The second Venus eclipse will occur on June 6th, 2012. Astrologically, Venus
represents our relationships with others. Communication is a major factor in all of our relationships.
Whenever Venus eclipsed the Sun in past recorded history, there was a major breakthrough in
communications. For example, at the time of the last Venus eclipse in 1874, the Transatlantic
Telegraph Cable was completed that created the first intercontinental communications by wire
between the East and the West. In 1761, another year of a Venus eclipse, there was a collaboration
of astronomers at 77 observation points from all over the world to determine the distance from Earth
to the Sun.

Today, we have expanded global communications for the masses through the Internet and satellite
systems. Our ability to communicate with each other worldwide is continually expanding.
The questions now become: What are we communicating to our world – love or fear? and, How is
our media (the Internet, computer games, the movie industry, cell phones, etc.), affecting society as a whole?

A successful relationship is created through good communication, mutual respect and consideration
for one another. This happens best when we recognize and honor the Oneness in all of us. When we
are able to do this, we will create peace between each other, our organizations, our governments and
countries. A good way to resolve conflicts with others is to recognize how we are the same, not how we are different. This creates a foundation from which we can build a positive, peaceful relationship.
For example, when a mother loses a child in war, regardless of her color or faith, the pain is the same. When someone is shown respect and love, the joy is the same. If you realize that you and your perceived enemy both want peace so that suffering may end, then you can begin to talk from a place of mutual understanding, rather than from aggravation.

                       
*~* The Divine Feminine Awakens *~*

Venus eclipsing the Sun represents an awakening of the Divine Feminine energies in our world.
For thousands of years, the world has been ruled by patriarchal societies. These masculine rulers have created wars, power struggles, destruction, pollution, fear, pain, separation and famine. They have shown little or no respect for feminine wisdom or our Mother Earth.

The patriarchal organizations of the world have repressed most knowledge of women’s roles in world history.  Recently, information has begun to be revealed that recognizes the truth of how women have affected our history. The books, The DiVinci Code, by Dan Brown and The Expected One, by Kathleen McGowan, both reveal the truth about Mary Magdalene and her relationship to Jesus, are good examples of such information. It is time for the pendulum to swing back towards the Divine Feminine and rest comfortably in the middle. To become whole, we need both the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine energies, equally in our lives.

As the Divine Feminine energy interfaces with human consciousness, it awakens and expands compassion within our hearts, and emotional healing can occur for all of Humanity. Compassion awakens the ability to feel and express unconditional love. To be able to love without attachments or expectations is the highest form of love that a human being can express. This kind of love supports the healing of others and our personal evolution/ascension.

One of the keys to accessing Divine Feminine healing energy is through forgiveness. Only when all is forgiven will total love be available to us. We must forgive others and ourselves for all of the perceived wrongs that have ever been done. We can heal ourselves if we are willing to feel and express all of our emotions, and then to forgive ourselves and others for all that we have perceived as wrong. This process will liberate us from the bondage of our emotional pain. Forgiveness is the key to releasing ourselves from our past. When we are liberated from our past and live fully in the “now” our true happiness may be realized and our power to create is maximized.

A Question Of Balance

Venus is the planet of love. The world needs creative solutions, feminine guidance and love in order to heal.  These energies will continue to increase during this period, in spite of the attempts of the fear tactics of male dominance.

Venus represents the heart and the feminine side of our being. The Sun represents our individuality and the masculine side of our being. Venus aligning with the Sun is symbolic of our Feminine (Anima) and Masculine (Animus) energies coming into unity and balance. Venus eclipsing (in front of) the Sun symbolizes our need to consider the feminine expression first, before the masculine, and to allow the feminine energies to guide and balance masculine expression.

Creativity Awakens!

Venus also represents the creative and artistic sides of our natures. The Venus Transit will catalyze previously hidden, latent, artistic talent and creative abilities. People who have never expressed an art form before will awaken their hidden talents. Artists will discover new modalities through which they can express themselves more deeply.  For example, many people who have never played a musical instrument will suddenly feel a desire to learn and express themselves through music. Some will want to join the local acting clubs, and so on.

Uncovering Secrets In Relationships

Again, communication is a key factor in all of our personal, business and international relationships. This Venus Transit is calling for a deeper honesty in relationships. Since the Venus transit from 2004 - 2012 coincides with the Uranus in Pisces cycle, communications between humans will develop on intuitive levels. The combined energies of these two cycles will catalyze heightened intuitive awareness of our hidden emotions and desires, as well as awareness of our partners’ hidden emotions and desires. Eventually, we will no longer be able to, or need to, hide our true feelings from each other. In time, we will develop total trust and love for each other.

~June's Transformational Gateway Reignites the Fires of Ancient Evenings by DL Zeta

We're passing through a gateway now that will carry us further into the dawning of a new time in human consciousness. This new time begins with the recalibration of our lives and our world.

Past, present and future meet at the intersection of energetic events throughout the month of June. This evening’s lunar eclipse falls on the third of three consecutive “supermoons” when the moon is at its closest point to the earth. These powerful energies create shake- ups in any
areas where we are stuck; likewise they will accelerate with light-speed the manifestation of our creative intentions.

Many felt the building energies of change throughout May, especially during the annular solar eclipse on May 20. The nature of the changes we experienced depended on where the solar eclipse fell in our personal astrology charts. The influences of the May 20 eclipse will last for days, weeks and months to come, triggering earth changes, sweeping social change and shifts in individual realities. All these are intricately interwoven in the fabric of the future that is just
beginning to unfold. Adding to May’s winds of change, today’s lunar eclipse features a tense t-square with Mars and Chiron. This eclipse helps cleanse our emotions with emphasis on how we move forward in life and how we bridge our physical and spiritual landscapes. We will revisit
these two questions time and again in coming weeks and months. 

Traveling Back to the Future

The paradox of eclipses is that even as they shake us loose from habits and patterns, they have a way of bringing us face to face with the past.  Because eclipses run in cycles, they unite us with life themes we initiated during earlier periods of our lives. Today's eclipse picks up with transitions we initiated in 1993. We are able to gain insight into past issues that are resurfacing now as we look back to the events of nearly two decades ago. An archaeological dig of the past is not
required for once you recall the dominant themes of two decades ago you will likely see contemporary versions operating in the present moment. 

Understanding the Transformative Power of Eclipses

Eclipses are alignments of the sun, moon and earth that happen in pairs
and triads every six months. Where an eclipse falls astrologically
speaking - its timing and location - determines how and when we feel its
influences. Eclipses invariably signal change on the horizon. Most of us
hold cellular memories of eclipses we have experienced throughout the
history of our earthly incarnations. At times we may have difficulty
discerning present-moment influences from those eclipses of long ago
that spun out powerful events from their epicenters. These cellular
memories ignite within us the fires of ancient evenings and bring us
face to face with the journey of our soul - past, present and future.

June’s Transformation Crossroads is about Creativity

During moments when we join hands with our selves throughout time, we
are more able to step free of old patterns that are holding us back in
this lifetime. Within our own lives and across the globe, these energies
are leading to the breakdown of old ways of being.

Without familiar touchstones, we find ourselves increasingly navigating
with few points of reference. Such times call for (and support) creative
thinking. Areas where we step into new and previously unknown realities
receive strong support now. Every step we take in the direction of
reinventing ourselves and embracing the new will take wing. As we
welcome this new time into our hearts and minds, our manifesting ability
is off the charts. This is a good time to examine the intentions and
beliefs we hold; it is a good time to examine our highest visions and
update them if necessary.

The idea of stepping boldly into an unknown and changeable future may
prove a difficult proposition if you're feeling on edge now as layer
after layer of the unknown filters in. This is a true rite of passage
where we are called upon to strengthen our internal powers of knowing
and build a belief in new potentials and capabilities.

Eclipses and Past Life Memories

Eclipses hold the power to awaken memories of other lifetimes. As they
trigger the release of old energies, they reunite us with gifts and
talents we honed throughout time. In the days and weeks following an
eclipse, we may suddenly begin to practice a talent we weren't aware we
had. Eclipses also have a way of activating soul contracts. It is
possible to meet people who seem like longtime friends; often they are
friends of past times returning for an encore to remind us of who we are
at levels not readily accessible to our conscious mind.

Things to Look for in Coming Days and Weeks

Eclipses signal major endings and beginnings. These changes can affect
many areas of our lives, including jobs, relationships, finances, living
situations, health and literally every facet of our existence. How we
experience these changes depends on our level of enmeshment in physical
reality. If our present identity self resists, change will still happen.
When we resist, change tends to erupt like boils on the surface of our
present reality. If we welcome and flow with change, it integrates
slowly until it seamlessly becomes part of our lives. As we embrace
change, we open to many new opportunities and resources flow.

Venus Transit Emphasizes the Sacred Feminine

On June 5 Venus will transit the face of the sun. This is an event that
won’t happen again until 2117. During this time, we may experience
unparalleled opportunities mingled with moments of intense chaos and
challenge. Turnarounds and reversals are possible at this time. We may
feel ourselves at times undergoing change so intense it feels like it is
akin to the process of death and rebirth. In a sense this is the case as
the old within us dies to make way for the new.

During this time of the Venus transit, we are asked to honor the sacred
feminine, which centers on love, beauty, values and prosperity. As we
embrace these themes we find our lives flowing easily and effortlessly;
synchronicities abound.

Identity Shifts and the Power of our Infinite Self

We are asked now to adopt a new identity forged from June's
transformative fires. This new aspect of our consciousness holds the
power to carry us through the new times ahead. It is important

The Power of Self-Love, Clarity and Transparency

During this time, you may see others around you reacting as pressures
mount. Each person will respond differently depending on where they are
in their journey and what part of their life is feeling the brunt of the
energies. Hold each person in a space of love regardless of what they
are saying and doing. Remaining in a place of love with all that comes
before you will allow you to move through this time with clarity of
intent and transparency of emotions. It is the ego’s misinterpretation
of prevailing energies that will place a bull’s eye on your back and
make you magnetic to the energetic arrows flying in all directions
during this time of intensity.

Be sure to extend this love and understanding to yourself during this
time, for it is the nurturing warmth of self-love that will allow you to
move through this time free of guilt or self-judgment. Self-love is the
foundation that mastery is built upon. It is only by standing strong in
your connection with spirit that you will be able to assist others
during this passage.

The power of this time courses through your veins, enlivening and
empowering you to reach for your highest and best visions. There's
literally no time like the present moment.

Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events for 2012 from Sea-Sky.Org

January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower. The Quadrantids are an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower usually peaks on January 3 & 4, but some meteors can be visible from January 1 - 5. The near first quarter moon will set shortly after midnight, leaving dark skies for what should be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Look for meteors radiating from the constellation Bootes.

January 9 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 07:30 UTC.

January 23 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 07:39 UTC.

February 7 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 21:54 UTC.

February 20 - March 12 - Best Chance to see Mercury. The planet Mercury will be far enough from the Sun's glare to be visible shortly after sunset. Mercury will reach greatest elongation from the Sun on March 5, reaching a relatively bright magnitude of about -1. This will be your best chance to see the planet this year.

February 21 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 22:35 UTC.

March 3 - Mars at Opposition. The red planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view and photograph Mars.

March 8 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 09:39 UTC.

March 14 - Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The two brightest planets in the sky will be within 3 degrees of each other in the evening sky. On March 25 and 25, the crescent Moon will be near the two planets, creating a dazzling evening spectacle.

March 20 - March Equinox. The March equinox occurs at 05:14 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the southern hemisphere.

March 22 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 14:37 UTC.

April 6 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 19:19 UTC.

April 15 - Saturn at Opposition. The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons.

April 21 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 07:18 UTC

April 21, 22 - Lyrids Meteor Shower. The Lyrids are an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. These meteors can produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The shower usually peaks on April 21 & 22, although some meteors can be visible from

April 16 - 25. With no moon to get in the way this year, this really should be a good show. Look for meteors radiating from the constellation of Lyra after midnight.

April 28 - Astronomy Day Part 1. Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals. The theme of Astronomy Day is "Bringing Astronomy to the People," and on this day astronomy and stargazing clubs and other organizations around the world will plan special events. You can find out about special local events by contacting your local astronomy club or planetarium. You can also find more about Astronomy Day by checking the Web site for the Astronomical League.

May 5, 6 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Eta Aquarids are a light shower, usually producing about 10 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower's peak usually occurs on May 5 & 6, however viewing should be good on any morning from May 4 - 7. The full moon will probably ruin the show this year, washing out all but the brightest meteors with its glare. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Aquarius. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight, far from city lights.

May 6 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 03:35 UTC. The Moon will be at its closest point to the Earth, so this will be the largest full moon of the year.

May 20 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 23:47 UTC.

May 20 - Annular Solar Eclipse. The path of annularity will begin in southern China and move east through Japan, the northern Pacific Ocean, and into the western United States. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout parts of eastern Asia and most of North America. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

June 4 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 11:12 UT

June 4 - Partial Lunar Eclipse. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and the Americas. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

June 5, 6 - Transit of Venus Across the Sun. This extremely rare event will be entirely visible throughout most of eastern Asia, eastern Australia, and Alaska. A partial transit can be seen in progress at sunrise throughout Europe, western Asia, and eastern Africa. A partial transit can be seen in progress at sunset throughout most of North America, Central America, and western South America. The next transit will not take place until the year 2117. (NASA Transit Information | NASA Transit Map)

June 19 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 15:02 UTC.

June 20 - June Solstice. The June solstice occurs at 23:09 UTC. The North Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its northernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude. This is the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the southern hemisphere.

July 3 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 18:52 UTC.

July 19 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 04:24 UTC.

July 28, 29 - Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Delta Aquarids can produce about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower usually peaks on July 28 & 29, but some meteors can also be seen from July 18 - August 18. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Aquarius. The near first quarter moon will set shortly after midnight, leaving dark skies for what should be a good show. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight.

August 2 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 03:27 UTC.

August 6 - Curiosity Rover at Mars. NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is scheduled to land on the red planet between August 6 and August 20, 2012. Officially named Curiosity, it is an autonomous rover similar to the Spirit and Opportunity rovers that previously visited Mars. This much larger rover will carry many more instruments and experiments than its previous cousins. Curiosity’s high definition color cameras will photograph the Martian surface while a host of instruments will sample the soil and air and search for organic compounds.

August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower's peak usually occurs on August 13 & 14, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 23 - August 22. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. The near last quarter moon will be hanging around for the show, but shouldn’t be too much of a problem for a shower with up to 60 meteors per hour. Find a location far from city lights and look to the northeast after midnight.

August 17 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 15:54 UTC.

August 24 - Neptune at Opposition. The blue planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view Neptune. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes

August 31 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 13:58 UTC. Since this is the second full moon in the same month, it is known as a blue moon. This rare calendar event only happens once every few years, giving rise to the term, “once in a blue moon.”

September 16 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 02:11 UTC.

September 22 - September Equinox. The September equinox occurs at 14:49 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the southern hemisphere.

September 29 - Uranus at Opposition. The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view Uranus. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a tiny blue-green dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.

September 30 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 03:19 UTC.

October 20 - Astronomy Day Part 2. Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals. The theme of Astronomy Day is "Bringing Astronomy to the People," and on this day astronomy and stargazing clubs and other organizations around the world will plan special events. You can find out about special local events by contacting your local astronomy club or planetarium. You can also find more about Astronomy Day by checking the Web site for the Astronomical League.

October 15 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 12:02 UTC.

October 21, 22 - Orionids Meteor Shower. The Orionids is an average shower producing about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. This shower usually peaks on the 21st, but it is highly irregular. A good show could be experienced on any morning from October 20 - 24, and some meteors may be seen any time from October 17 - 25. The first quarter moon will set by midnight, leaving a dark sky for what should be a good show. Best viewing will be to the east after midnight. Be sure to find a dark location far from city lights.

October 29 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 19:49 UTC.

November 13 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 22:08 UTC.

November 13 - Total Solar Eclipse. The path of totality will only be visible in parts of extreme northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean. A partial eclipse will be visible in most parts of eastern Australia and New Zealand.
(NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

November 17, 18 - Leonids Meteor Shower. The Leonids is one of the better meteor showers to observe, producing an average of 40 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower itself has a cyclic peak year every 33 years where hundreds of meteors can be seen each hour. The last of these occurred in 2001. The shower usually peaks on November 17 & 18, but you may see some meteors from November 13 - 20. The crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving dark skies for what should be an excellent show. Look for the shower radiating from the constellation Leo after midnight, and be sure to find a dark location for viewing.

November 27 - Conjunction of Venus and Saturn. These two bright planets will be within 1 degree of each other in the morning sky. Look to the east around sunrise.

November 28 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 14:46 UTC.

November 28 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of Europe, eastern Africa, Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and North America. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

December 3 - Jupiter at Opposition. The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.

December 13 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 08:42 UTC.

December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower. Considered by many to be the best meteor shower in the heavens, the Geminids are known for producing up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour at their peak. The peak of the shower usually occurs around December 13 & 14, although some meteors should be visible from December 6 - 19. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Gemini. This year the new moon will guarantee a dark sky for what should be an awesome show. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight from a dark location.

December 21 - December Solstice. The December solstice occurs at 11:12 UTC. The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the southern hemisphere.

December 28 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 10:21 UTC.

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What are meteor showers? (stardate.org)

An increase in the number of meteors at a particular time of year is called a meteor shower. Comets shed the debris that becomes most meteor showers. As comets orbit the Sun, they shed an icy, dusty debris stream along the comet's orbit. If Earth travels through this stream, we will see a meteor shower. Depending on where Earth and the stream meet, meteors appear to fall from a particular place in the sky, maybe within the neighborhood of a constellation.

Meteor showers are named by the constellation from which meteors appear to fall, a spot in the sky astronomers call the radiant. For instance, the radiant for the Leonid meteor shower is located in the constellation Leo. The Perseid meteor shower is so named because meteors appear to fall from a point in the constellation Perseus.

What are shooting stars?

"Shooting stars" and "falling stars" are both names that people have used for many hundreds of years to describe meteors -- intense streaks of light across the night sky caused by small bits of interplanetary rock and debris called meteoroids crashing and burning high in Earth's upper atmosphere. Traveling at thousands of miles an hour, meteoroids quickly ignite in searing friction of the atmosphere, 30 to 80 miles above the ground. Almost all are destroyed in this process; the rare few that survive and hit the ground are known as meteorites.

When a meteor appears, it seems to "shoot" quickly across the sky, and its small size and intense brightness might make you think it is a star. If you're lucky enough to spot a meteorite (a meteor that makes it all the way to the ground), and see where it hits, it's easy to think you just saw a star "fall."

How can I best view a meteor shower?

If you live near a brightly lit city, drive away from the glow of city lights and toward the constellation from which the meteors will appear to radiate.

For example, drive north to view the Leonids. Driving south may lead you to darker skies, but the glow will dominate the northern horizon, where Leo rises. Perseid meteors will appear to "rain" into the atmosphere from the constellation Perseus, which rises in the northeast around 11 p.m. in mid-August.

After you've escaped the city glow, find a dark, secluded spot where oncoming car headlights will not periodically ruin your sensitive night vision. Look for state or city parks or other safe, dark sites.

Once you have settled at your observing spot, lie back or position yourself so the horizon appears at the edge of your peripheral vision, with the stars and sky filling your field of view. Meteors will instantly grab your attention as they streak by.

How do I know the sky is dark enough to see meteors?

If you can see each star of the Little Dipper, your eyes have "dark adapted," and your chosen site is probably dark enough. Under these conditions, you will see plenty of meteors.

What should I pack for meteor watching?

Treat meteor watching like you would the 4th of July fireworks. Pack comfortable chairs, bug spray, food and drinks, blankets, plus a red-filtered flashlight for reading maps and charts without ruining your night vision. Binoculars are not necessary. Your eyes will do just fine.

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 2012 Mercury Retrograde Dates:

Mer R Mar 11 2012 23:50 06°Ar48' R
Mer D Apr 4 2012 02:12 23°Pi52' D

Mer R Jul 14 2012 18:17 12°Le32' R
Mer D Aug 7 2012 21:41 01°Le26' D

Mer R Nov 6 2012 15:04 04°Sg18' R
Mer D Nov 26 2012 14:48 18°Sc11' D

Note: During Mercury Retrograde it is a good idea to not start anything NEW.  Hence, avoid signing contracts, or starting a new business, pursuing a new idea or concept.  This is a great time to focus on the RE's...re-do something, re-examine, re-focus, re-edit, re-flect, re-member...

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 Santos Bonnaci's (Mr. Astrotheolgy)  Lecture: Know Thy Self (Part I) 





This amazing lecture covers the holy science of 'as above, so below'.  In it Santos uncovers the true meaning of the astrological wheel, and how it relates to you as an individual, its role in the cosmos, in science, and its true meaning within the world of fairy tales, myths, and legends.  This lecture is a four part series.  Be prepared to REMEMBER ancient truths that have been lost to humanity as a whole, but which are now being remembered, as we wake up, and step back into the light.