This beautiful, bright, spiral galaxy is Messier 64, often called the Black Eye Galaxy or the Sleeping Beauty Galaxy for its heavy-lidded appearance in telescopic views. M64 is about 17 million light-years distant in the otherwise well-groomed northern constellation Coma Berenices. In fact, the Red Eye Galaxy might also be an appropriate moniker in this colorful composition of narrow and wideband images. The enormous dust clouds obscuring the near-side of M64’s central region are laced with the telltale reddish glow of hydrogen associated with star forming regions. But they are not this galaxy’s only peculiar feature. Observations show that M64 is actually composed of two concentric, counter-rotating systems. While all the stars in M64 rotate in the same direction as the interstellar gas in the galaxy’s central region, gas in the outer regions, extending to about 40,000 light-years, rotates in the opposite direction. The dusty eye and bizarre rotation is likely the result of a billion year old merger of two different galaxies.
Credit: NASA, Hubble Heritage Team
Lunar Eclipse 2019
Please don’t delete the link to the photographers/artists, thanks!
sometimes I think about how people in europe (and esp france and spain) didn’t fucking bathe back in the middle ages to avoid sexual thoughts and I just. Imagine aph france and spain never living down how absolutely revolting they used to smell. Humans at least had to bathe when it became a medical problem or an emergency but nations don’t really have medical issues like that? So theoretically they can get away with being way nastier for way longer. Imagine russia, whose people did bathe, visiting frace with his delegates and being like wtf? are you dying? what’s wrong with you? Imagine germany one day admitting to italy that he sometimes feels awkward interacting with france because he’s so suave and crisp and clean and germany feels like he always smells a little of sweat and dirt. Italy just chokes on his coffee and is like omg don’t even worry about it he’s absolutely the last person alive that could possibly judge you for how you smell holy shit
The Elements and their correspondences
E A R T H
Earth represents strength, grounding, prosperity, the material, wealth, success, foundations, death and rebirth. Focus on this element if the goal of your spell is about fertility, prosperity, business or stability. Earth spells may take longer to work, but they’re also more firm and are good if you’re looking for long-term solutions.
GENDER: Feminine SEASON: Winter DIRECTION: North HOUR: Night
COLOURS: Green, Brown, Black ANIMALS: Bears, Deers, Wolves, Badgers HERBS/PLANTS: Ivy, Ash, Vetiver, Wheats, Oats INSTRUMENTS: Drums (Percussion instruments)
STAR SIGNS: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn STONES/GEMS: Jade, Onyx, Emerald, Salt RITUAL TOOLS: Stones, Dirt, Bones, Pentacle, Salt, Crystals RITUAL FORMS: Burying, Planting, Imprinting to soil or sand TAROT SUIT: Pentacles
A I R
Air represents intellect and the mind, wisdom, knowledge; logic as well as abstract thought, intuition and higher consciousness. If you’re seeking freedom, travels, or to enhance your memory and focus - focus on Air spells! Air is whimsical and amiable, personally I haven’t found it useful for more serious spells, but it does wonders for my studies.
GENDER: Masculine SEASON: Spring DIRECTION: East HOUR: Dawn
COLOURS: Yellow, White, Sky Blue, Pastels ANIMALS: Birds, Spiders, Butterflies HERBS/PLANTS: Lavender, Birch, Vervain, Dill, Aspen INSTRUMENTS: Flute (Wind instruments)
STAR SIGNS: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius STONES/GEMS: Amethyst, Opal, Alexandrite, Beryl RITUAL TOOLS: Incense, Wand RITUAL FORMS: Fanning, Tossing into air, Suspending in a high place TAROT SUIT: Swords
F I R E
Fire represents energy, passion, purification, love, inspiration, desire, will, courage, power, leadership, sexuality. In spellcraft, focusing on Fire is good for purification, healing and love spells; it’s the best element for quick, strong spells. Although, Fire is fierce in essence, and Fire spells are susceptible - they should be well thought out.
GENDER: Masculine SEASON: Summer DIRECTION: South HOUR: Noon
COLOURS: Red, Orange, Gold ANIMALS: Snakes, Lions, Horses HERBS/PLANTS: Cacti, Cinnamon, Pepper, Basil INSTRUMENTS: Guitar (Stringed instruments)
STAR SIGNS: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius STONES/GEMS: Amber, Citrine, Ruby, Tiger’s Eye RITUAL TOOLS: Athame, Candles RITUAL FORMS: Burning, Smouldering, Heating TAROT SUIT: Wands
W A T E R
Water represents purification as well; though it’s focused more on the soul and the subconscious rather than the physical, material world. Water stands for emotion, intuition, wisdom, eternal movement, reflection, lunar energy. Focusing on the Water element is good for psychic abilities, getting in tune with your inner self, mysteries, friendships, love, dreams and sleep.
GENDER: Feminine SEASON: Autumn DIRECTION: West HOUR: Dusk
COLOURS: Blue, Indigo, Silver ANIMALS: Otters, Fish, Sea Mammals, Frogs HERBS/PLANTS: Lotus, Water Lilies, Aloe, Gardenia INSTRUMENTS: Cymbal, Bell (Resonant instruments)
STAR SIGNS: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces STONES/GEMS: Moonstone, Aquamarine, Pearl RITUAL TOOLS: Cauldrons, Chalices, Seashells RITUAL FORMS: Diluting, Placing into water, washing away, bathing TAROT SUIT: Cups
It’s time to close our special Harp Music Week, here on Musica in Extenso! For the final post I choose a work from a famous and prodigious composer, Claude Debussy.
Today on Musica in Extenso:
Claude Debussy
Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp
One of the most unknown and underrated chamber works by Debussy. It has an unusual instrument combination, chosen by Debussy as a best for the mood of the piece. Changing between pleasant and dissonant, with unique chord progressions, it’s truly a gem of early 20th century chamber music. The link will take you to a split 3 part recording, I chose this one because it’s simply the best one.
Movements:
Pastorale
Interlude
Finale
Thank you for your attention and special thanks to the Editorial Board! Have a beautiful weekend!
Lada, Guest-Editor
Claude Debussy Arabesque No. 1
mother. friggin’. space. man. x
All the gays right now
Kevin should also probably have an actual slide to look at.