#Solar cycle 25

[recurring-polynya]

☀️happy solar maximum to those who celebrate!!☀️

[multisnapshott]

Huge Hole Found in the Sun: What It Means for Earth

A Huge Hole Found in the Sun Sparks Global Interest A massive coronal hole has been spotted on the Sun’s surface, sending streams of high-speed solar wind toward Earth. Scientists and space weather agencies around the world are closely monitoring the development, as these phenomena can trigger geomagnetic storms that impact satellites, power grids, and even cause spectacular auroras. But what…

[swldx]

Geophysical Alert Message wwv

:Issued: 2024 Dec 14 1205 UTC

# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

#

# Geophysical Alert Message

#

Solar-terrestrial indices for 13 December follow.

Solar flux 164 and estimated planetary A-index 4.

The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 14 December was 2.67.

Space weather for the past 24 hours has been minor.

Radio blackouts reaching the R1 level occurred.

Space weather for the next 24 hours is predicted to be minor.

Radio blackouts reaching the R1 level are likely.

[futurefatum]

NASA NEVER EXPECTED THIS! 23 year high (Tone: 100)

Increased solar activity could lead to geomagnetic storms in early September! Stay updated and be prepared. #SolarStorm #SpaceWeather #NASA

August 31st, 2024 by @StefanBurns NASA NEVER EXPECTED THIS! Sunspots blow past 200 to 23 year high ABOUT THIS VIDEO: The video, titled “NASA NEVER EXPECTED THIS!” hosted by Stefan Burns, discusses recent solar activity and its potential impacts on Earth. Over the past 48 hours, multiple solar storms have been detected, some of which may be Earth-directed. The video highlights a record number…

[neosciencehub]

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Discovers Massive Sunspot with Potential for Solar Flares

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Discovers Massive Sunspot with Potential for #SolarFlares. @neosciencehub #NASA #SDO #SunspotDiscovery #SpaceWeather #EarthImpact #SpaceScience #Astronomy #SolarObservation #SolarPhenomena #SolarDynamics #Astrophysics

In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has illuminated a colossal sunspot on the surface of the Sun, harboring energy capable of unleashing M-class solar flares. This development comes as the peak of solar cycle 25 approaches, marked by a surge in solar activities such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar flares, and storms. The identified sunspot, named…

[spacenutspod]

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E170 Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest space and Astronomy news. I'm Anna, your host, and today we have a packed episode covering exciting developments from NASA's Voyager mission to solar flares and lunar rovers. Let's dive into some fascinating stories from across the cosmos. Highlights: - Voyager 2's Ongoing Journey: NASA has made the tough decision to power down the plasma science instrument aboard Voyager 2, now over 12.8 billion miles from Earth, due to diminishing power supply. Despite this, Voyager 2 continues its groundbreaking exploration with four other active instruments, extending its mission well into the 2030s. - Solar Flares and Geomagnetic Storms: The sun unleashed two powerful flares, including an X 7.1 class flare, the second strongest of the current solar cycle. This eruption caused disruptions to radio communications and is expected to trigger a geomagnetic storm, offering a spectacle for Aurora watchers. - Annular Solar Eclipse: Sky watchers in select locations witnessed a stunning annular solar eclipse, transforming the sun into a "ring of fire." This rare celestial event was visible across parts of the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, southern Chile, and Argentina. - NASA's Lunar All Terrain Vehicle: As part of the Artemis missions, NASA is developing the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), an unpressurized rover for future lunar exploration. A prototype, the Ground Test Unit (GTU), is being tested at Johnson Space Center to refine the design and ensure safe lunar operations. - Vulcan Centaur Rocket's Second Flight: United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket is set for its second test flight, a crucial step towards certifying it for the US Space Force. This mission, carrying a mass simulator, aims to assess the rocket's performance for future national security missions. - ESA's New Norcia Antenna: The European Space Agency has installed a massive 122-ton reflector dish for its newest deep space communication antenna in New Norcia, Australia. This will enhance ESA's ability to communicate with distant spacecraft and support international missions. For more space news, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There, you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed, and listen to all our previous episodes. Don't forget to follow us on social media. Just search for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe. Sponsor Link: One great deal today from NordVPN...the secure VPN service you need in your life for not very much money. Check out our great deal: www.bitesz.com/nordvpn

[whencyclopedia]

The Wheel of the Year is a symbol of the eight Sabbats (religious festivals) of Neo-Paganism and the Wicca movement which includes four solar festivals - Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox - and four seasonal festivals - celebrating or marking a significant seasonal change. Contrary to modern-day Wiccan claims, there is no evidence of an ancient Wheel of the Year in its present form but it is clear that the Celts of thousands of years ago celebrated the festivals the wheel highlights, even if these celebrations were known by another name now long lost. In the ancient Celtic culture, as in many of the past, time was seen as cyclical. The seasons changed, people died, but nothing was ever finally lost because everything returned again – in one way or another – in a repeating natural cycle. Although time in the modern world is usually regarded as linear, the cyclical nature of life continues to be recognized. The modern-day Wheel of the Year was first suggested by the scholar and mythologist Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) in his 1835 work, Teutonic Mythology, and fixed in its present form in the 1950s and early '60s by the Wicca movement. The wheel includes the following holy days (most dates flexible year-to-year): Samhain (31 October) Yule (20-25 December) Imbolc (1-2 February) Ostara (20-23 March) Beltane (30 April-1 May) Litha (20-22 June) Lughnasadh (1 August) Mabon (20-23 September). These eight festivals are designed to draw one's attention to what one has gained and lost in the cyclical turn of the year. As in the ancient Egyptian civilization (and others), the Celts believed that ingratitude was a 'gateway sin' which then led a person into the darkness of bitterness, pride, resentment, and self-pity. By pausing to reflect upon gratitude for what one had been given in a year, as well as what one had lost but still cherished in memory, one maintained balance.

[astrolocherry]

29/3/25 ~ A Solar Eclipse in Aries

~ exalting the darkness, the unspoken, the unfinished into the light, Spirit in our line of vision

ARIES - You will continue in managing to actively show through the choices you have made that it is possible to do what others once insisted could not be done. People who achieve mastery have the ability to be outrageous

TAURUS - Let your golden age begin! When you feel that you have reached the end, when life seems drained of all purpose.. well, what a wonderful opportunity to start all over again, to turn over a new page..

GEMINI - Remembering why you started, reigniting the fire where the dream first began. Though your changes are becoming conspicuous to others, so for now, keep them safe while you nurture them. You must discern what is wise and to be influenced by

CANCER - This eclipse magic is an ancient heirloom for you. This represents blissful change - the kind that feels like pure luck, though don't forget how you manifested this, through your inner shifting and transforming who You are

LEO ~ You have hidden away from change long enough, afraid of hurt - but you have been hurt anyway.. now hope is returning, and along with her, welcome back your courage, and prepare for your brand new days

VIRGO - You are releasing the pain. Now you have acknowledged your pain, and cried your heartbreak out, all will be well, once you realise the source of your confusion is your unbalanced emotions. Help is here. And will be with you soon.

LIBRA - There is the crackle of something imminent stirring within. An opportunity for talent to be recognised. You are being told that it is the law that you do so, now, and that you complete the work- work hard, learn about yourself, and capture the Divine moment - for all of our sakes

SCORPIO - You must take your place as a being who can survive, and support themselves, as another moment of coming into your power. Once this is done, you will be protected, cared for, and find the perfect protector and provider who is inspired by your independence and strength

SAGITTARIUS - The past hurt you. But it is over now. It is by your own hand the harm you suffer from is done. You hold the very knife that is inflicting the thousand cuts. You can put it down. Allow yourself to come back to us from this land of unburied pain

CAPRICORN - You who will now come closer to alignment with true Self, in tender form, will grow strong, and become powerful - but never a danger to all that is. You are proof of the beauty of this world, and its worth, and honouring yourself is to honour all Divine life

AQUARIUS - You will be protected as you move through a great transition. You will live fully again, and any who seek to harm you cannot come near. Your subconscious mind has the answer to that problem. Assume that it has the solution, and is waiting to reveal it to you

PISCES - This is atonement and re-balance. There have been some very sticky, unhealthy energies you have experienced. Don't feel empty, remember your magic. Insisting on being tough and distancing out of self-protection will only bring more of this cycle

Cherry~

[elminx]

Energy Update: Mercury Retrograde, Nov-Dec 2024

Starting on November 25, Mercury enters its fourth and final retrograde of 2024. The retrograde runs from 22° to 06° Sagittarius and makes thrice repeating aspects with Jupiter in Gemini, Saturn in Pisces, and Chiron in Aries. Mercury will also conjunct the Sun (as it does every retrograde) and trine retrograde Mars in Leo.

The Basics

Mercury, our planet of communication, technology, and travel, is the fastest-moving planet in our solar system and retrogrades three to four times every year. This means that Mercury’s retrograde cycle is “business as usual” and isn’t something that should be feared but it is a change in the energy signature of one of our personal planets, so it’s worth paying attention and making adjustments where necessary.

Retrogrades don’t mean that the planet ACTUALLY is moving backward, of course. It is a perspective shift in our perception of the planetary movement through our skies. In this way, our perspectives and perceptions can get a bit twisted during these times and it is easy to miss key details or communicate ineffectively.

During Mercury’s retrograde, Mercury traces its path backward in our skies and it is considered better to go over your work rather than start something new. Mercury passes over these degrees in the sky thrice: the first time during its pre-retrograde shadow, the second time while it moves backward during its retrograde, and again a third time while it moves forward in its post-retrograde shadow. Because of this, we all get the cosmic opportunity to relearn and refocus on certain things that are going awry in our lives.

By looking at the degrees of Mercury’s retrograde and comparing it to your birth chart, you can understand how Mercury’s retrograde cycle might affect you. If you don’t want to do this yourself, you can always purchase a Mercury retrograde transit chart from me on Kofi.

Mercury retrogrades affect some people more than others. By order of significance, these people are most likely to be affected by a Mercury retrograde:

If you have Sun, Moon, Ascendant in Gemini and Virgo, or Mercury closely conjunct (within 2°) to your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant

If your natal Mercury was in retrograde or out of bounds

If the current retrograde crosses over your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant (in conjunction) or makes a square or opposition

If the current retrograde crosses over your Mercury, Venus, or Mars or makes a square or opposition with them

If the current retrograde makes a trine with one of your personal planets or a sextile to your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant

If you work in a job that involves technology, communication, or travel or are currently undergoing a task that involves one of these domains during this retrograde cycle

If you live with, are in a relationship with, or closely work with a person who meets the above criteria

One can assume that the more of these factors in play, the stronger you may experience the effects of a Mercury retrograde cycle. This isn’t to say that what you experience will be bad or wrong – some people experience a lot of freedom from Mercury’s journey. The more open you are willing to give up control and stay open to the ever-changing landscape of a Mercury cycle, the easier it will be.

The Nitty Gritty

Now that we’ve reviewed the basics let’s look at the specifics of THIS Mercury retrograde cycle. Mercury will retrograde backward from 22°-06° Sagittarius. Sagittarius is our mutable fire sign. Overall, it is concerned with higher education, big thinking, luck, and travel – all aspects that fall within the domain of Jupiter, its planetary ruler. Jupiter is currently in the sign of its exile, Gemini. Interestingly, Sagittarius is also the sign of Mercury’s exile. Gemini and Sagittarius are 7-7 Sun Sing opposites, which is a fancy way of saying that they sit in opposition with one another on the horoscope wheel. This interplay between Mercury and Jupiter – both in the other’s home signs – will play out strongly during this retrograde.

Jupiter is our cosmic cheerleader; it wants to go big and never go home. The problem with its placement in Gemini is that Gemini has endless rabbit holes and diversions for Jupiter to fall into; not only can Jupiter not go home (something that it strives towards), but it can also become hopelessly lost in the labyrinthian double-mind of the twins. This is further exasperated by Jupiter’s ongoing retrograde. We are already distracted by this before Mercury even begins their regularly scheduled shenanigans. Luck isn’t on our side right now because luck isn’t on anybody’s side.

Mercury and Gemini, the sign it naturally rules (along with Virgo), rely on luck an awful lot. They need luck to access what they know out of the scattered filing system so that they speak the right things and they need luck to be believed (or at least given the benefit of the doubt) when they are speaking nonsense that might prove to be true at a later date. I do not mean to belittle Gemini here; they are just mutable air – the essence of pure thought. Not every idea is a good idea, and Gemini doesn’t discriminate. That is one of their best and worst qualities.

And the only sign that relies on luck more than Gemini is Sagittarius. They are cosmic opposites, after all, which any good astrologer can tell you means that they are actually quite similar. Sagittarius is mutable fire – pure inspiration. Sagittarius often seems to have been born to leap before they look. And trust me, the universe (or whatever you want to call it) catches them many times more than seems reasonable.

These two signs are front and center to this retrograde, and both are at a disadvantage. (roll twice, take the worse result – IYKYK)

There are a couple of ways of looking at what is about to happen between Mercury and Jupiter over the next two months (58 days if we’re being exact):

Luck will be iffy, so I should shore up some for a rainy day. Luck is out for lunch, so I should eat elsewhere too. Luck has gone haywire; I can use this.

Neither is right or wrong; a lot depends on your comfort with luck streams and how much you rely on them. Whatever you choose, this will have a particular effect on our lives. When Mercury retrograde makes our vision blurry, and we’re out of luck, we should watch for opportunities that look too easy. Both Gemini and Sagittarius are known for taking the easy road to their detriment. All that glitters is definitely not gold during this time, and you should be wary of the golden-tongued swindler. Check the fine print before you agree to anything during this time.

The days in question where Mercury will oppose retrograde Jupiter in Gemini: 11/18 during Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow, 12/04 during Mercury’s retrograde, and on 12/26 during Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow. Because Mercury and Jupiter are in each other’s native signs, this will be in effect through the next sixty days, but it will appear the strongest around these dates.

Mercury in Sagittarius will also square Saturn in Pisces three times, once when Saturn is retrograde and twice after it has stationed direct during our Taurus full moon on 11/15. Saturn can be seen as the opposite of Jupiter—where Jupiter is constantly expanding, Saturn contracts. Saturn holds fate, time, and consequence within its portfolio. I don’t mean the whimsical tit-for-tat fate of modern Western mysticism; I mean the type of fate that is unavoidable and determined by being alive in a particular place at a specific time. Saturn holds the fated consequences of aging and eventually dying – both in ourselves, our others, and in every living thing that we share breath with. This is why Saturn is often called the Greater Malefic because time is relentless and unending. On a long enough timeline, everything turns to dust. On a long enough timeline, beauty fades. On a long enough timeline, everything that ever was is undone.

In a way, we can view youth as Jupiter who says “Let’s do it all!” and Saturn as our late twenty-something who comes to the realization that choices must be made because there will never be enough time.

Its worth noting that Jupiter and Saturn will be moving ever closer to exact square with one another through this retrograde (exact on 12/24 in close t-square with retrograde Mercury). This is going to make the days on and around this event (including Christmas proper) tense and dramatic. Where Jupiter says push, Saturn grunts Pull, which will likely cause things to grind to a standstill. Don’t expect communication to be easy during this time, or to get much done with any efficiency. I would expect some major blowups between the big personalities in family systems with neither party being able to see or comprehend the other’s point of view. Since this will happen in the clean up phase (post-retrograde shadow) of Mercury’s cycle, it might be for the best if people can really get whatever is eaten them off of their chests. But tempers will have to calm down and regroup before any true reconciliation can happen.

Expect the days that Mercury squares off with Saturn (11/12, 12/06, and 12/27) to be thick and slow as molasses. Some people will undoubtedly have to face the consequences of their actions (or inactions) during this time – especially our words and the many other ways that we communicate. Travel around the holidays is going to be slow and filled with terrors (watch out for accidents and people being very reactive to delays).

Lastly, Mercury will trine Chiron in Aries three times. This is the light at the end of this tunnel, but more like the Hermit lantern than anything – perhaps the light that guides us through the tunnel is more accurate. Chiron is not a planet but rather an asteroid that astrologers have noted with extra interest. It is often called the Wounded Healer after its namesake, a centaur from Greek mythology. Like most true healers, Chiron doesn’t heal – not exactly. Rather, it shines a beacon on what is hurting so that you can face it head on and heal yourself.

Some people really enjoy this process. Others run screaming from it with every fiber of their being. You probably know where you fall on that spectrum, stay very aware of that as we move through our Mercury retrograde cycle. Although as an asteroid, Chiron doesn’t carry the heavy significant of Jupiter or Saturn, most people still feel its impacts, especially when Chiron directly aspects their natal birth chart by birth position or through a major transit like this.

The wisest advice I’ve ever seen about Chiron is that although it sometimes hurts, its wise to remember that Chiron is working for you, not against you. This is a light in our tunnel, and it can point your directly at what you need to change, evolve, reevaluate, work on, etc. in your own life. But you need to be looking and its on you to then do the work to fix what needs fixing.

Chiron has had a much bigger part in this year than most. Firstly, it has been involved in every single Mercury retrograde of the year, where its been helping us to self reflect and grow. Secondly, it played a major role in the stellium that involved our eclipsed new moon in Aries, Chiron, Mercury. and the North Node during April. If that lunation was difficult for you, the remnants of it may rise to the surface for further integration.

Chiron is a reminder that things hurt when we are hurt, or ill, or otherwise in need of healing. And that you might need to hurt more to get through the scar tissues, expel the disease, burn out the fever, or whatever healing analogy you want to get better. Chiron is also the Wounded Healer because it has a wound that can never be healed. Some things can’t be fixed, and that is a hard part of the Chironian lesson as well. Instead, we must learn and adapt to where we are; sometimes the answer is moving the marker rather than trying to walk all that way all by ourselves.

Mercury trines Chiron thrice: first on 11/19 in its pre-shadow, a second time on 12/02 in retrograde, and a third time on 12/31 in its post-retrograde shadow. The big flex is to remember these dates may be painful, but necessary.

The other component of this retrograde cycle is Mars sitting in Leo in its own pre-retrograde shadow. Mars retrogrades on 12/06 which means part of these two personal planets’ retrogrades overlap (from 12/06-12/15). Schedule less during this time. Since almost everyone will have a personal planet ruled by either Mercury OR Mars; people will just – in general – but awful to deal with during this time. Don’t sweat the small stuff and try not to take things personally because everyone is going to be in it.

Retrograde Mercury meets up in a fire trine with retrograde Mars around 12/13 which just screams “Red Flags”. Don’t let someone pull you into a fight if you don’t want to fight. Not my shit, not my monkeys (yeah, its bad enough that we are mixing our metaphors here) should be your mantra during this time. Mars in Leo is egotistic to begin with, and that is going to come to bite someone in the ass. Do the best to make sure its not you, and step out of the way of the falling rocks. Both planets are in retrograde so this is a disaster happening in slow motion – you have time to move if you keep your eyes open. Note that this trine never quite reaches exactitude, which is a deep metaphor for these two retrogrades happening simultaneously.

The full moon on 12/15 is at 23° Gemini (ruler of Mercury) and coincides with Mercury stationing direction. This is our ah-ha moment. What comes up on this day does so for a reason. See it, acknowledge it, use it to your advantage. It may be hard to take action on your insight (Mars Retrograde) so write it down so that you can at a later date when life feels a little bit easier.

Since Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow moves through the end of December and into the New Year (and Mar’s retrograde brings us into March), there isn’t an easy road in sight. Take the low road instead. Enjoy the scenic views and really dig in to what you learn along the way. This is a great time to rewrite, review, renew, revisit, and revise. It is ill advised to start a new job, a new relationship, or a new project during this time unless you are willing to follow it through deep into Wonderland and back out again. But follow the white rabbit, if you dare.

The Details

11/07 – Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow 06° Sagittarius 11/12 – Mercury in Sagittarius square retrograde Saturn in Pisces (1) 11/15 – Full moon 24° Taurus, Saturn stations direct 12° Pisces 11/18 – Mercury in Sagittarius opposed retrograde Jupiter in Gemini (1) 11/19 – Mercury in Sagittarius trine Chiron in Aries 11/21 – Sun enters Sagittarius 11/25 – Mercury retrogrades 22° Sagittarius 12/01 – New moon 09° Sagittarius 12/02 – Retrograde Mercury trine Chiron in Aries (2) 12/04 – Retrograde Mercury opposed retrograde Jupiter in Gemini (2) 12/05 – Sun conjunct retrograde Mercury 12/06 – Mars retrogrades 06° Leo, Retrograde Mercury in Sagittarius square Saturn in Pisces 12/13 – Retrograde Mercury in Sagittarius sextile Venus in Aquarius, Retrograde Mercury in Sagittarius trine retrograde Mars in Leo (not exact) 12/15 – Full moon 23° Gemini, Mercury stations direct 06° Sagittarius 12/24 – Jupiter in Gemini square Saturn in Pisces 12/26 – Mercury in Sagittarius opposed retrograde Jupiter in Gemini (3) 12/27 – Mercury in Sagittarius square Saturn in Pisces (3) Mutable T-square 12/31 – Mercury in Sagittarius trine Chiron in Aries 01/04/25 – Mercury exits its post-shadow retrograde 22° Sagittarius

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[samaelzdraws]

Transmechanicus Biologis Study Log #726//Expunged

Magos Xanthor Vell, Formerly of Ryza Forge - Log Date: 943.M41

Location: Designation Nullius-57, Segmentum Obscurus

“Knowledge, even forbidden, cannot be unwitnessed.”

Subject: Xenobiological Study of Orkoid Symbiosis with Alien Fungal Organism: Golden Cordycep and Host Species “Gargantuan Hammerfist Champignat”

Status Note: This record is no longer recognized by the Mechanicus due to the heretical nature of my affection for the greenskin xenos. I continue my studies in exile, sustained by the machine-logic of truth and the song of biological revelation. Praise the Omnissiah, even if He no longer hears me.

INITIAL DISCOVERY

Upon my fifth solar cycle surveying Nullius-57—a geothermically volatile world rife with fungal ecologies and Orkoid spore-nodes—I came across a remarkable insectoid entity. The local feral Ork population (primitive even by greenskin standards) referred to this beast as “Hammer-Hands-Big-Bug.” My own designation, however, is the Gargantuan Hammerfist Champignat.

Vital statistics:

• Height: Approximately 6 meters at rest (measured dorsally)

• Length: ~25 meters from anterior claw-socket to abdominal tip

• Locomotion: Octopedal with significant muscle mass in posterior three pairs of legs—capable of near-sonic percussion via specialized forelimb mandibles

• Diet: Primarily fungivorous; secondary carnivorous behavior observed against smaller insectoid competition

The Hammerfist’s mandibles exhibit convergent morphology with Terran Odontodactylus scyllarus (mantis shrimp), able to deliver percussive strikes potent enough to shatter basalt. On three occasions I recorded the creatures engaging in territorial duels—sonic vibrations from the impact alone rendered smaller fauna comatose. A marvel of biomechanical design.

THE GOLDEN CORDYCEP

During a dissection of a deceased specimen (likely deceased due to fungal overgrowth from local sporepits), I noticed a peculiar golden-hued fungal growth adorning the abdominal chitin, clustered near soft tissue seams and around neural ganglia.

At first I assumed Cordycep sp. parasitica, given the obvious fungal infiltration. However, tissue scans revealed a non-destructive relationship: mycoproteins were reinforcing torn muscle fiber and emitting localized biochemical signals promoting regeneration.

Subsequent histological assays and auspex-readings confirmed: this is no parasitism. It is symbiosis. The fungus integrates with the host’s immune response, stimulating cell mitosis and supplying metabolic resources drawn from its own photosynthetic conversion and fungal substrate digestion.

I designate this species: Mycocladium aureum symbiotica.

FERALS AND FUNGUS

The true revelation came when I observed the feral Orks interacting with the Hammerfist carcass. A group of five, evidently local hunters, approached the deceased creature. One of them—massive even by Ork standards—was grievously wounded. The entire right hemisphere of his face had been sheared away, likely by a hammerfist blow.

Without ceremony, the Ork scooped the golden mold with his crude bone-dagger and slathered it directly into the wound. I recorded every detail:

• Within eight hours, the bleeding had ceased.

• By thirty-six hours, rudimentary tissue regrowth was visible—ruddy green with streaks of golden fungal weave.

• In three days, the Ork had returned to hunting, now sporting a partial fungal exo-plate over the affected region.

The Orks believe the fungus is a form of divine ichor, a gift from Gork (or possibly Mork). Some wear its dried form as ritual armor or chew it during rites of battle-healing. Crude. Inefficient. And yet… functional.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I remain in exile. But I am not alone. The Orks tolerate me—barely. Some call me “Squig-brain-with-light(glowing)-eyes.” I take it as a term of endearment.

My laboratory is mobile. My data is redundant across twelve cortical backups. One day, perhaps, the Imperium will learn to see past its fear. Until then, I watch. I record. I learn.

And when the Hammer-Hands-Big-Bugs thunder through the canyons, I listen. For in the rhythm of their strike lies a pattern.

I am getting more and more accustomed to this new lifestyle

[calmwaterstarot]

What can we expect from 2024 dear!?? 😌

2024 has a lot going on; there are so many astrological transits happening that have a huge impact on all of us.

January 1, 2024: Mercury went direct after being in retrograde for several weeks. This means communication gets better, legal documents can be signed without issues, and anything related to speech is cleared up.

January 20 - September 1, 2024: Pluto enters Aquarius. This is going to be a wild ride. The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was around the late 1700's, and during that time, the world underwent MASSIVE change. Both the American and French Revolutions occurred, coups happened with governments, royalty was dethroned, battles and wars were fought, the first wave of feminism began, etc. There's so much more than this. You should see the list. I'll include it here--start around 1777 and go through 1798. Pluto represents death, rebirth, and transformation, while Aquarius represents humanity and technology. When you pair these two, you're looking at major transformation socially, politically, economically, and technologically. There's a brief retrograde into Capricorn for one last time during our lifetime, and then Pluto will return to Aquarius for another 20 years. It's interesting to note that the rise and fall of empires throughout history is around 250 years. The cycle for Pluto is 245 years. Coincidence? I think not.

February 16, 2024: A stellium in Aquarius. A stellium occurs when three or more planets are in the same house/sign in an astrological chart. This Aquarius stellium will feature Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Pluto. The last time this occurred was in February, 1962, and was commonly referred to as the "Age of Aquarius." This time period brought about major changes in the fields of technology, science, and aerospace. I'm afraid that during this time, though, there will be a strong focus on AI and its advancement. Pay attention to headlines regarding an upgrade in technology.

March 25, 2024: Lunar eclipse in Libra. Major historical events typically coincide with lunar eclipses, and since this one will be in Libra, I foresee society wishing for balance, harmony, peace, and justice. I believe this will be a time that humanity will call for us to take a deeper look at how we can end strife and get along with each other. Be ready for major calls for wars and upheaval to end (even though it's happening now, this will be on a much larger scale with this eclipse).

April 8, 2024: Solar eclipse in Aries. On the flip side of the lunar eclipse, we have the solar eclipse in Aries. This will be a time where we start anew and are ready to charge down a new path. Mars' energy represents war, destruction, violence, revenge, but also strength. This particular eclipse is warning us about war and destruction on a collective level because it'll be conjunct the North Node (the direction we're all going). I believe we're headed into a total collapse and rebirth when we add in the Pluto in Aquarius energy, but it's something that needs to happen for us to evolve as a civilization.

May 25, 2024: Jupiter in Gemini, which is actually in detriment. This means the energy is weaker in this sign for the planet. Expect changes in telecommunications (voice, data, and video) and social media, since Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication.

June 2, 2024: Neptune is anaretic. Anaretic means that a planet has entered the 29th degree, which holds a sense of finality because this planet has transited all 30 degrees (starting at 0). It's ready to move on and cut ties. What does this mean for Neptune? Well, the planet of illusions will lift its veil and a lot of what we've held onto in our beliefs will die out. Some people will still try to hold on (sunk-cost fallacy) because they're stubborn, but the majority of people will release, mourn, and deal with the fallout that's going to be super messy. Imagine the feeling of being betrayed by someone you love. That's what Neptune lifting it's veil is going to feel like for most. Again, collectively, we NEED this energy for healing and spiritual growth.

July 21, 2024: Full Moon in Capricorn. Most of the time, nothing major happens on full moons, but this one is interesting because it falls on an anaretic degree, just like Neptune. Capricorn represents structure, discipline, rigidity, and order (its ruler is Saturn), so we're going to see some upheaval in regards to these issues. The old way of doing things will no longer serve the same purpose. This is the equivalent of saying, "Out with the old, in with the new."

August 5, 2024 – August 28, 2024: Mercury Retrograde in Virgo and Leo. With Mercury rx in Virgo, this might be a time where you lose or misplace documents, feel irritated, have constant miscommunication, or face scrutiny from the general public. Remember to write down important deadlines and keep everything organized so you don't lose anything. With Mercury rx in Leo, I'm fully expecting some celebrity scandals during this time. Otherwise, it'll be a time of thinking about trying something new or wanting to get out and do something fun.

September 17, 2024: Lunar Eclipse in Pisces. This will happen in the 25th degree (an Aries degree), so anyone with heavy Pisces placements will have creative breakthroughs during this time. We'll see a rise in great music, art, poetry and literature, as well as film and visual arts. This time period might feel very dreamy and whimsical on the art scene.

October 2, 2024: Solar Eclipse in Libra. We had the lunar eclipse in Libra in March, so now, the solar eclipse will bring justice and balance. Anyone with Libra placements in early degrees will feel the need to purge what's not working. Even though most Librans are peaceful, this will be a time of upheaval. Expect people to help the oppressed even more (seeking justice) in a world that needs to be more fair and balanced (Libra energy).

November 19, 2024: Pluto goes direct in Aquarius for twenty years, until March 8, 2043. Buckle up! It's going to be a bumpy-but-necessary ride.

November 25, 2024 – December 15, 2024: Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius. We all know what happens during Mercury rx, but what happens when it's in Sagittarius? Sagittarius represents higher education and learning, all things foreign and travel-related, religion, and spirituality. Expect religious or spiritual leaders, as well as educational leaders at universities, to have private documents leaked, misinformation stemming from foreign countries and media, as well as travel issues (delays, being rerouted, lots of crowds, etc.). This will not be a good time to travel.

December 6, 2024 – February 24, 2025: Mars Retrograde in Cancer and Leo. This is going to be...interesting. Mars hates being in Cancer; it's in detriment. Why? Cancer represents empathy and compassion, while Mars represents a more masculine energy that strives towards war, violence, and destruction. Cancer wants to provide a resolution to all of the conflict occurring, while Mars isn't having it. Expect masculine energies, especially men, to be more irritated and aggressive during this time. This duo can bring about discussion regarding balancing masculine and feminine energy, which we all have. Because Cancer is represented by the Moon, or the "mother" in astrology, expect some discussions about fertility and reproduction, birth rates (especially the low birth rates of some countries), marriage (or lack thereof), and any social dynamics with males and females. These discussions will carry over into 2025.

2024 is going to be a year that'll go down in history, that's for sure. One silver lining in all of this is that Venus does NOT retrograde this year, so we might see or hear about fewer breakups, and we might see or hear about more people entering into relationships and staying together.

[apod]

2024 June 15

Prominences and Filaments on the Active Sun Image Credit & Copyright: Steen Søndergaard

Explanation: This colorized and sharpened image of the Sun is composed of frames recording emission from hydrogen atoms in the solar chromosphere on May 15. Approaching the maximum of solar cycle 25, a multitude of active regions and twisting, snake-like solar filaments are seen to sprawl across the surface of the active Sun. Suspend in the active regions' strong magnetic fields, the filaments of plasma lofted above the Sun's edge appear as bright solar prominences. The large prominences seen near 4 o'clock, and just before 9 o'clock around the solar limb are post flare loops from two powerful X-class solar flares that both occurred on that day. In fact, the 4 o'clock prominence is associated with the monster active region AR 3664 just rotating off the Sun's edge.

∞ Source: apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240615.html

[ikajo00]

Non-alien human alien #2 History

The discovery of humans

From the records in the archives of the Intergalactic Federation. Written and submitted by A. Storm.

Once upon a time, many, many solar cycles ago, the people of Earth, aka humans, sent out a device called the Voyager to explore their own heliosphere. The Voyager travelled through the solar system and then passed the limit into the bigger galaxy of the Milky Way. By this point, the device had been travelling for nearly half a century, or fifty solar cycles. Not long there after, the planet of Earth lost all contact with this device. While it wasn’t forgotten, it wasn’t treated as a big thing either. Humans at this point stood in front of a more immediate problem of trying to salvage the heating of the planet, caused by their own actions.

And then, a millennium and half went by. Humans survived, because that’s what they do, and eventually managed to amend most the damage they themselves had caused. Cleaner technology was developed, and extinct species was successfully brought back using advanced cloning technology. Which can’t be applied to humans, nor is it desired. Space exploration had been put on hold in favour of improving and saving their home world.

It was at this point the Voyager was discovered by a transport ship belonging to the Federation. Leaving junk in space is, as many are aware, illegal according to intergalactic law. Prompting the ship to retrieve the device and inspect it to see which planet had manufactured it (to issue a fine). It was then they made the discovery that would shake the Intergalactic Federation to its core. Because the device contained a disk made from a yellow metal humans call gold. Proving that not only did Earth have life, but it was also sentient. Running opposite to the established consensus that the terra planet in the fifth yellow system (Earth) had too extreme weather to sustain life. And even if it could sustain smaller lifeforms, it would be unable to form sentience.

A delegation from the Intergalactic Federation was sent to the coordinates recorded in the device. Using the information retrieved from the disk, a tool for translation and communication was established. Though some of these would later turn out to be aimed towards the animal sounds recorded, not the human voices.

Arriving near Earth, the delegation sent a message to the beings on the planet. Humans were naturally quite surprised that they had suddenly gotten alien visitors. (*Author's note. Humans use alien to describe any sentient species not originating from Earth. Moreover, humans tend to use aliens more broadly to describe anything deemed strange and not of human origin.) After some negotiation, the delegation was allowed to land in the country known as California, part of the North American Union of Independent Nations, NAUIN for short.

The delegation had believed that since humans could life and thrive on Earth, the planet was probably not as bad as estimates had suggested. They were wrong, because the planet was much, much worse than they had expected. No sooner had they landed before they were bombarded with immense heat (most galactic populations tend to prefer temperatures between 15-25°C, with some exceptions), and had to relocate to a structure with artificial weather. If that would have been all, maybe Earth wouldn’t have gained its status as a death world, but the delegation soon learned that different regions of the planet had different weathers and climates. While some were mild, most were not. Heavy winds, heavy rains, locations where it is exceedingly cold, locations where it is exceedingly hot. Places where the number of solar hours are not consistent throughout the solar cycle. On top of that, there were extreme weathers, called monsoons, tornadoes, hurricanes, and electric storms.

Moreover, Earth has active tectonic movements, as its tectonic plates are not fused. And these tectonic plates float on top of molten rock. Meaning there are volcanic activity, and earthquakes. Continental shifts that, over millions of years, move the planets continents around.

We can’t forget the most distinct feature of Earth. Water. While most life forms require liquid in order to survive, humans are made of around 80% of water. And their home world consists of mostly water. Undrinkable, salty water. Filled with plants and living things (more on aquatic life on Earth in Planet of Oceans: Earth), it surrounds all the continents on the planet. Most beings in the known galaxies can’t come in contact with saline water, as it would corrode their exoskeleton, cause chemical burn, or even melt some more gelatinous lifeforms.

Does saltwater impact humans? While they can’t drink it without treatment first, humans will actively seek out these large bodies of water. Travel on it, play in it, and explore it with an interest only matched by their interest in space.

Then, there were the other creatures living on Earth. Most of which are straight up deadly. Even the more peaceful creatures can be deadly. Size isn’t always a factor either. One of the deadliest creatures on Earth is a tiny, flying insect called a mosquito that sucks blood. The creatures themselves can’t kill, but they tend to be carriers of parasites and diseases.

The diversity of creatures capable of killing was truly astonishing. And the humans were quite quickly included in this category. Because the delegation quickly found out that while humans has invented many weapons to make killing easier, they can kill with their bare hands. Or simply make a weapon out of anything. This is not an exaggeration.

It should be noted that the Intergalactic Federation has classified humans as extremely dangerous, and humans has been designated as a special S-class predatory species. Especially when working as a group. The social structures of humans allow them to divide work to the individuals most suited for each task while the collective benefit. In fact, the humans managed to reverse engineer the technology they received from the delegation and then extrapolated from that. Allowing humanity to achieve space travel of their own in record speed of only two years. Two years after they successfully terraformed a planet within their solar system (Mars), Earth joined the Intergalactic Federation. This was ten years ago. (See Record of the Earth – Space Summit, and The Human Wonder.)

While it isn’t forbidden to visit Earth and its colonies, it is not recommended, as they all tend to be deathworlds. Humans have chosen planets otherwise deemed inhabitable as their colonies. Simply because they resemble their home planet. Meaning they are actively choosing to live on other deathworlds as well. When interacting with humans, it is recommended to first try and pack bond with humans, as humans will pack bond with literally anything. And once pack bonded, the human(s) in question will do everything to keep you safe. But break any human taboos (see Forbidden Human Practices), and you will learn intimately why humans are considered a predatory species by the standards of the Intergalactic Federation.

-

-

Captain Jonathan Vance looked up from the screen and gave Anna a Look. He wasn’t sure if he should laugh, cry, or just sigh. Having Anna on Helios had done wonders for the relationship between human and alien crew members. She was also invaluable when dealing with different representatives of alien species. But there was no denying she very much did things her own way and could be rather strange on occasion. Lovable, but strange.

“Why have you written this as if you are an alien?” Captain Vance asked her. Anna shrugged.

“It was fun”, she replied.

“Fun?”

“Yep.”

“Uh... these are some pretty extreme descriptions of both Earth and humans. Don’t you think you are overdoing it a bit? This is supposed to be an official document, right?”

Anna chuckled and got that little smug smile she had when she knew something you didn’t. “I’m actually downplaying things. This is how humans look like to aliens.”

“What? Like Earth is the space equivalent of Australia? What are humans then? The space equivalent of goblins?” Vance gave her an incredulous look.

“Nah, apparently, they think we are more like orcs. Space orcs.”

“Because we send mostly military personnel into space?”

“Nope. Because humans are considered very, very, very hard to kill.”

Anna stood and took back the screen, deactivating it. Vance watched her leave. Space orcs? Actually, that explained quite a lot.

[uncontrolledfission]

Prominences and Filaments on the Active Sun, 2024-06-15

This colorized and sharpened image of the Sun is composed of frames recording emission from hydrogen atoms in the solar chromosphere on May 15. Approaching the maximum of solar cycle 25, a multitude of active regions and twisting, snake-like solar filaments are seen to sprawl across the surface of the active Sun. Suspend in the active regions' strong magnetic fields, the filaments of plasma lofted above the Sun's edge appear as bright solar prominences. The large prominences seen near 4 o'clock, and just before 9 o'clock around the solar limb are post flare loops from two powerful X-class solar flares that both occurred on that day. In fact, the 4 o'clock prominence is associated with the monster active region AR 3664 just rotating off the Sun's edge.

Credits: NASA's 'Astronomy Picture Of The Day.'

[randomthefox]

Sorry if I sound like a dumbass but... Do sonic characters age or not? I can understand why the ages were removed but if the characters don't get older then what about classic sonic? Did they age just that one time between 3&k and Adventure ? If Eggman’s an old man then how did he get taller in adventure onwards?

Also if shadow woke up earlier in the classic games he'd be still looking modern right?

It is apparent that they do, indeed, age. Classic Sonic is explicitly stated to be a past version of Modern Sonic. They are biologically the same person from two different periods in time. There has been a passage of time which has resulted in Sonic going from looking like one to looking like the other as a result of that passage of time.

What aging MEANS for these characters is what is in question. Clearly, they do not age in the same way that we as humans do in the real world. Whether humans within the world of Sonic age as we do is inexplicable - Eggman has very specifically never been given an exact age all of his profiles merely list it as "unknown." But the Sonic characters ages were unchanged throughout the entire span of time that they were listed. Sonic has an on screen birthday in Sonic Generations, and yet he was still always listed as being 15.

The "age" of Sonic being 15 clearly does not represent him being born and living for 15 solar cycles of the earth rotating around the sun. (We also have no frame of reference for how time is measured in the world of Sonic, as there has never been a stated calendar system.) The idea of Sonic being 15 years old is just something that is applied to him for the sake of a frame of reference by human standards. Similar to how we say that one year for a dog is equivalent to seven years for a human, for the sake of explaining that a two year old dog is a teenager in human terms. That categorization is obviously not accurate and it isn't a perfect analogy but I'm just referencing it for the sake of comparison.

Really a better way to think about the way the Sonic characters age is perhaps to liken them to elves. Or, perhaps more appropriately, to fae. They reach a certain age that can be considered their prime, and then they just kinda stop. An elf that has lived to be 300 years old might look no older than 25 by human standards. And a single year to an elf might be no different from a season compared to how we experience one. (Lots of fantasy settings play around with this, Dungeon Meshi for example states that humans who are subjected to elf prisons will essentially die of old age in jail because the elves don't think 60 years is that long of a time to detain someone).

Considering Sonic is likened to being more of a fairy by Naoto Ohshima, I think that's the better lens to think of them through.

We shouldn't think of the way they age as being equivalent to the way we understand aging in the real world. Although, again, it IS apparent that they DO age. That time has passed in the series and they have undergone a biological change over the course of that passage of time. One could potentially liken the physical changes between the Classic versions of the characters to their Modern designs as a form of puberty, so to speak.

As for Eggman, I make jokes about him straightening out his posture which is why he looks taller now lol. But the truth is you can actually just attribute that to an "art style change." In universe, Eggman's height has always been the same. He has been stated to be about 6'1'' whether he's Classic or Modern, in every version of his Sonic Channel profile.

Thus, my joking explanation that he looks shorter and rounder in Classic because he's slouching =P like how Clark Kent differentiates himself from Superman. Posture makes a big difference.

[nico-esoterica]

Astro Notes on Current Events:

The Fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs

From my professional perspective: / cw for mentions of abuse:

Diddy's incarceration and undoing coincides w/ Pluto regressing back into Capricorn and conjoining his Mars and many factors but I had my eye on that transit for months. There's no getting out of this one. Our current and incoming south nodes are conjoining planets in his chart which can be associated with domestic power abuse, control issues, and legal disputes being magnified. The SN is associated w/ the 'karma' you inherit or reap from the past.

On Sep 18th, the partial lunar eclipse in Pisces directly opposes his Pluto. Moon-Pluto oppositions can deal with feminine-coded abuse. It's emotional negligence, gaslighting, and a complete conquering of an emotional reality which starts with caregivers. From a legal and symbolic standpoint, this translates to me as the private subjugation of women. Abuse of wives, live-in partners, domestic servants, and child abuse and trafficking.

Saturn isn't aspecting this but its co-presence adds tension to the landscape. The collective needs justice. Being ruled by Jupiter in Gemini for the time being, this has to do with what was said and what can be factually proven. Witness and survivor accounts are going to play a major role here. Saturn is also conjoined with his natal NN which is in retrograde at the moment. In December it'll be direct. From a prosecution standpoint, this is saying they'll have everything they need to charge him by this date or something even more damning may come to light at that time. Dec 10th.

But it goes deeper than you'd think. Many psychics and astrologers have forecasted potential ties to more powerful players coming to light through this. My guess is that they're going to try to pin it all on him..but as quickly as possible. With Mars transiting through all of Cancer between now and November, this happening in the US's 8H and squaring Diddy's Venus planets may be about uncovering that the trafficking and other criminal activity doesn't only incriminate him but anyone w/ power attached to him. It was never just about Diddy. There's more people involved and they're all at risk. I'd argue that astrologically, his Mars's exaltation was protecting him, especially if he has a night chart. But Pluto bouncing from that Mars to continuing its applying square to his Retrograde Saturn in Taurus spells out that any shadiness he thought he could get away with would inevitably come to light..with an ass beating attached. Pluto's official long term ingress in Aquarius starts on Nov 19th.

On March 14th '25, there'll be a total lunar eclipse conjoining his Pluto. There's potentially going to be more charges made and files/documentation being brought in. But on Sep 21st '25, there's a very interesting partial solar eclipse occurring right on the late Kim Porter's 29-degree Virgo Pluto. I'm just going to call it, but if the rumors are true that he played a part in her death, we're going to definitely find out then. Keep your eyes on Sep 21, 2025.

If it doesn't happen then, it'll be a couple eclipses down the line because the next Cancer/Cap eclipse cycle occurs right where Kim Porter's Moon and Diddy's Lilith fall and it's going to reveal how abusive (and fatal) that Moon-Lilith connection was. That's mother-coded and child-coded too. So, anything involving children, pregnancy, etc, may come to light as well. That'll be happening in 2028. Tbh, I'm calling it because there'll also be a partial eclipse on his Juno that's going to be conjoined with her Mercury as well. Kim Porter's life and the darkness she was forced to keep secret is going to fully (and finally) be told very shortly. That man is about to be destroyed. Tbh, it's giving a memoir she may have wanted to have published.

Her scorned (but vindicated) Lilith has a full lunar eclipse occurring on March 3 '26. This is why I'm thinking that it's not just going to be a single decisive punch of getting her spiritual lick back with one eclipse cycle. Kim Porter was an actual inner-planet Scorpio stellium. It's going to be a rolling and incapacitating series of punches. Or of slow and painful dismemberment, quite honestly. Between now and 2028 and beyond, everyone is going to know just how abysmally awful this man is.

But he won't be alone. Oh, no. With Pluto in Aqua occurring right at the start of everything, it'll be the beginning of the end for the entertainment world in its current state.