Our Solar System emerged about 4.56 billion years ago from the mixed remnants still lingering from the long-dead, nuclear-fusing searing-hot cores of earlier generations of ancient stars. Our Sun was born the same way as other stars of its generation–from a dense frigid blob tenderly tucked within the billowing, undulating folds of one of the many giant, dark, and beautiful molecular clouds that haunt our Milky Way Galaxy like lovely ghosts floating around in the space between stars. These enormous dark clouds, composed of gas and dust, are the strange cradles of baby stars. Even though it may seem counterintuitive, things have to get very cold in order for a fiery, hot newborn star to be born. Stars keep their secrets well, hiding their many mysteries from those who seek to understand them and their secretive nature. In July 2017, a team of astronomers, using new numerical supercomputer simulations and observations announced that scientists may now be able to explain why our Sun’s magnetic field reverses every eleven years–and this important discovery explains how the duration of the magnetic cycle of a star depends on its rotation, helping to shed new light on the turbulent space weather around our Sun and kindred stars.

The magnetic field of our Sun, and other stars like it, is generated by the motion of conductive plasma within the star. This motion is created as a result of convection, which is a form of energy transport that involves the physical movement of material. A localized magnetic field exerts a powerful force on the stellar plasma, that effectively increases the pressure without a comparable gain in density. Because of this, the magnetized region rises relative to what is left of the plasma–at least until it reaches the star’s photosphere. This causes starspots to form on the star’s surface, as well as creating the related phenomenon of coronal loops.

A star’s magnetic field can be measured by using what is called the Zeeman effect. The atoms within a star’s atmosphere will usually absorb certain frequencies of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum. As a result, this produces characteristic lines in the stellar spectrum. However, when the atoms are within a magnetic field, these lines split into multiple, closely spaced lines. The energy also becomes polarized with an orientation that is dependent on the orientation of the magnetic field. Therefore, the direction and strength of any given star’s magnetic field can be calculated by examination of the Zeeman effect lines.

Stellar spectropolarimeters are used to measure the magnetic field of a star. This instrument is composed of a spectrograph that is used in combination with a polarimeter. The first instrument to be dedicated to the examination of stellar magnetic fields was NARVAL, which was mounted on the Bernard Lyot Telescope at Pic du Midi de Bigorre in the French Pyrenees mountains.

Various other measurements were made by scientists using magnetometer measurements over the past century-and-a-half. The existence of carbon 14 in tree rings, and Beryllium 10 in ice cores, revealed that there has been substantial magnetic variability of our Sun on decadal, centennial and millennial time scales.

The Secret Lives Of Stars

Our Sun is a lonely star–a sparkling sphere of fire in Earth’s daytime sky. However, it probably was not always this solitary, because our Star is likely to have been born as a glittering member of a dense open stellar cluster hosting literally thousands of other brilliant sibling stars. Many astronomers propose that our neonatal Star was either thrown out of its birth cluster, as the result of unfortunate gravitational interactions with other stars, or it simply floated away from its stellar siblings about 4.5 billion years ago. The missing solar siblings have long since floated away to distant regions of our Milky Way Galaxy–and there well may be as many as 3,500 of these vanished sisters of our Star inhabiting faraway corners of interstellar space.

Our Galaxy’s myriad of fiery stars, including our Sun, were born the same way–as a result of the gravitational collapse of a dense pocket embedded within the secretive swirls of a giant molecular cloud. These dark clouds contain the relic gas and dust scattered throughout our Milky Way by older generations of ancient stars that perished long ago. These star-birthing clouds tend to mix themselves up together, but stars that display a kindred chemistry usually reveal themselves inhabiting the same clouds at about the same time.

There are three generations of stars in the observable Universe. Stars belonging to stellar Population III are the oldest stars. These very ancient stars were born from pristine hydrogen and helium, produced in the Big Bang birth of the Universe itself, almost 14 billion years ago. For this reason, it is thought that Population III stars probably formed differently from the two populations of younger stars. This is because the younger stars are not composed of pristine gases, but instead are “polluted” by heavier atomic elements manufactured by older stars. Indeed, Population III stars are depleted of what astronomers call metals, which are all of the atomic elements heavier than helium. Therefore, the term metal for astronomers has a different meaning than it does for chemists. The metals were manufactured in the nuclear-fusing furnaces of the stars–or, alternatively, in the supernovae conflagrations that heralded the demise of the most massive stellar inhabitants of the Cosmos. The heaviest metals, such as gold and uranium, were formed as a result of these violent and brilliant stellar death throes.

Our Sun is a sparkling member of stellar Population I–the youngest of the three generations of stars, and it carries within it the heavy metals fused in the furnaces of the two older generations of stars.

Population II stars, the stellar “sandwich” generation, are younger than Population III stars, but older than Population I stars like our Sun. Population II stars contain very small quantities of metals, but because they are not metal free, there has to have been a population of stars that came before them to create those metals–hence, there has to have been a Population III.

However, the reality is somewhat more complicated. This is because even Population I stars are composed primarily of hydrogen gas–just like the two earlier stellar generations. Population I stars contain more metals than the two older generations of stars, but they are still mostly composed of hydrogen gas. All of the stars, belonging to all three stellar generations, are primarily composed of hydrogen.

Today our Sun is a middle-aged, hydrogen burning star that is still on the main-sequence of the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram of Stellar Evolution. By star-standards, our Sun is ordinary. There are planets, moons, and an assortment of smaller objects in orbit around our Star, which dwells in the far suburbs of a typical starlit, barred-spiral Galaxy–our Milky Way. If we trace the history of atoms on our Earth today back to about 7 billion years, we would likely find them scattered throughout our Galaxy. Some of these widely scattered atoms now exist in a single strand of your genetic material (DNA), even though in the ancient Universe they were formed deep within alien stars lighting up our then very young Galaxy.

The Mysterious Magnetic Personality Of Our Star

The magnetic field of our Star has reversed every 11 years over the centuries. When these reversals happen, the solar south magnetic pole switches to the north and vice versa. This “flip” occurs during the peak of each solar cycle and it originates as a result of a process termed a dynamo. A dynamo generates magnetic fields, and this involves the rotation of the star as well as convection– the rising and falling of searing-hot gas within the star’s roiling interior.

Astronomers know that our Sun’s magnetic fields form in its turbulent outer layers, and that they have a complicated dependency upon how speedily our Star is rotating. Astronomers have also measured magnetic cycles for distant stars beyond our Sun, and they have shown fundamental properties that are similar to those of our own Star. By observing the characteristics of these magnetic properties, astronomers now have a promising new method that they can use to better understand the magnetic evolution of our Star that is associated with the dynamo process.

An international team of astronomers that includes scientists from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), the University of Montreal, the Commissariat a l’energie atomique et aux energies alternatives and the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, conducted a set of 3D simulations of the mysterious, searing-hot turbulent interiors of Sun-like stars, in order to explain the origin of their magnetic field cycles. The astronomers found that the period of the magnetic cycle depends on the rotation rate of the spinning star. This revealed that more sluggishly spinning stars have magnetic cycles that repeat more frequently.

“The trend we found differs from theories developed in the past. This really opens new research avenues for our understanding of the magnetism of stars,” noted Dr. Antoine Strugarek in a July 26, 2017 CfA Press Release. Dr. Strugarek is of the Commissariat a l’energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, France, and the lead of of a paper describing this research published in the July 14, 2017 issue of the journal Science Magazine. The CfA is in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

One particularly important advance is that the astronomers’ new model can explain the cycle of both our Sun and stars that are similar to it–Sun-like stars, as astronomers categorize them. Previously, astronomers thought that our Sun’s magnetic cycle might differ in behavior from those of Sun-like stars, with a shorter magnetic cycle than predicted.

“Our work supports the idea that our Sun is an average, middle-aged yellow dwarf star, with a magnetic cycle compatible with cycles from its stellar cousins. In other words we confirm that the Sun really is a useful proxy for understanding other stars in many ways,” explained study co-author Dr. Jose-Dias Do Nascimento. Dr. Do Nascimento is of the CfA and the University of Rio G. do Norte (UFRN), in Brazil.

By carefully observing more and more stars and exploring stellar structures that are different from those of our Sun with numerical simulations, the team of astronomers hope to refine their new model for the origin of stellar magnetic cycles.

One goal for future work is to attain a better understanding of “space weather”, a term used to describe the wind of particles that rushes away from the Sun and other stars like it. The mechanism of acceleration for this blowing wind of particles is probably related to magnetic fields in the atmospheres of stars. In extreme cases, space weather can wreak havoc with electrical power on Earth, as well as creating a very dangerous environment for both satellites and astronauts.

Dr. Do Nascimento noted in the CfA Press Release that “The changes throughout a magnetic cycle have effects throughout the Solar System and other planetary systems thanks to the influence of space weather.”

The Star

The Star is the number seventeenth card of the Major arcana. Numerologically No 1 + 7 = 8 indicates action, movement and swiftness. And it is associated with astrological sign of Aquarius. Some people call it wish card too which always give encouraging news that difficult period is over and difficult situation will improve and also sometimes dreams come true.

There is one big star with eight points say work associated with strength and justice and number eight tells action, stability and persistence. Seven stars around one big star indicate seven planets. Pouring water indicates the inexhaustible source and supply of Water of Life. The eight pointed star with the other stars radiate with the sense of peace.

If you are facing problems in life like bad health, a dead end job or difficult and stressful relationship; the appearances of the Star indicates positive changes and tells you the situation will improve and continue getting better.

The star also suggests you to keep balance between other areas of life. For example; paying attention to your family; fulfilling work commitments; enjoying active social life and taking care of your health.

Star is the card of birth of infinite possibilities of life. This is an extremely optimistic card which brings hope renewal of trust and faith and unexpected gifts. New enterprises will have chance of good success.

With above positivity the star denotes artistic and educational matters too and promises success in these endeavours. Travels are also indicated with this card like enjoyable vacations. Good health and improvements in health matters are also seen if you are ill. And with the appearance of the star card you feel an insight into your spiritual realm. So with the appearance of the star you are able to experience and channel a healing energy into your life, and feel the sense of calmness and relief to see positive future in every endeavour.

The Moon

The moon is No.18 card of the Major Arcana. Numerologically, it is 1+8=9, fullness, readiness and ripeness. It is associated with the astrological sign Pisces. The clouds indicate uncertainty and our fears; flowing water indicates flowing nature of our inner feelings. Reflection of the moon in the water tells you to put your fears aside and give heed to your intuitiveness.

The appearance of the moon card indicates that you should try to listen to the messages which the dreams tell. And you will be able to find the answers yourself if you pay attention to your inner feelings or intuition.

You should not take things at the face value as everyone knows “all that glitters is not gold”, you will need to be careful towards deceits. The weak and bleak light of the moon still shows the way even if you lose sight of your g

On the positive note The Moon is a card of imagination of inner feelings, say about art, writing or music. The work of aesthetic world might be inspired by the emotional ups n downs.

The changing light of moon guides us to look at the things properly in its true forms. It shows a confused situation, nothing is clear as if you are surrounded by fog. Moon indicates the sub-conscious mind and thus can help you to give you a clearer answer to your question if you can filter the message properly in your dreams or we can say what message your unconscious mind is giving you.

The Sun

The Sun is No. 19th card of Major Arcana in tarot. Numerologically No.19 is 1+9=10 means completion, accomplishments and pinnacles. And 10 is 1+0=1 starting, new beginnings and opportunities. A naked child rides the horse holding banner in his hand indicates triumph.The wall of sunflowers denote the four elements; Air, Water, Fire and The Earth. The Sun card is associated with astrological sign of Leo.

The Sun is most positive and the best card in entire Tarot deck. It fore tells good health, happy times, love, romantic situation, children and enjoyment. The Sun can represent birth of something enjoyable; it can be a child, a new relationship, a marriage, or a project which will be successful.

If you have difficulties in your life the appearance of The Sun card indicates triumph over the bad period of your life. It dispels negativity and brings happiness

In health matters if they are troublesome will soon improve and you feel energetic.

The Sun card is a card for promotion and success in the field of career. The Sun card represents purpose, planning and action towards desired goals.

In relationship the reunion of friends, marriage and partnership are also indicated positively. And efforts are being put in towards creativity and growth. Successful union based on commitments is denoted with this card.

A happy face of the Sun depicts positive time to come ahead. It raises hopes and brings feeling of inner peace. Its time for healing and you are at peace with yourself.

With due respect to reiki and pranic grand master Mr. Virendra Thakkar, I am presenting a very powerful core self -empowerment technique known as Core Star mediation.

Hara alignment

1. Be aware of the Tan-Tien 1 and ½ inch below the belly button on the middle of the body. Feel the power and Heat there.Feel the heat as in the molten core of the earth stay focused there until it is very hot. Take very slow and deep 10 breaths by counting 10 to 1, while constantly visualizing the Tan-Tien point.
2. Be aware of the Soul- seat in the chest 2 and ½ inch below the hollow in your throat. It is not the heart chakra. It is like diffused light around a candle. Soul’s longing and the song of the Soul, resides here. When you connect with it, it feels like a bulb being blown up inside your chest. It has spherical appearance. Take another set of 10 breaths, counting 10 to 1, while visualizing the Soul -seat.
3. Feel the laser line going from the Soul-seat down through the Tan-Tien in the pelvis and into the centre of the Earth. Take 10 deep breaths, while focusing on the core of the earth.
4. Focus on the Laser line going through the Soul seat —Tan Tien—pelvis—centre of the Earth. Feel the strength and silence in the room.
5. Be aware of the ID point, 2 and ½ to 3 feet above your head, ¼ inch in diameter. While visualizing the ball, keep your spine straight, you may hear a high-pitched sound, if your auditory perception is open this is like God-Head ID point. Take 10 deep breaths, while focusing on ID point. Feel that tiny laser beam [half the size of your little finger] going to the molten core of the earth through the Soul-seat and the Tan Tien.
6. Feel the power. This is alignment. This is bridge between heaven and earth.

Light Emerging From the Core Star

1. Be aware of the Core-star 1and1/2 inch above the belly -button. There is the essence of your

– Who you are beyond time, space, longing and desires.

– At this place there is no need, no pain, no desire, you are simply a creator.

The creative force moves from the core-star through the ID point Soul-seat and Tan-Tien on the haric level.

Allow the light within your Core star to emerge within every cell of your body, bringing the members of your body together within the light of your body. That light is the light of your core star the God within.

Do this where there is

– Pain or illness.

– Anger or fear.

– Suspicion or greed.

-forgetting

Allow that essence to flow through each layer of the auric field.

GEETA JHA [SPIRITUAL HEALER]

INDIA

For a long time I had on my website detailed descriptions of the compatibilities between the twelve star signs. I even gave them star ratings. The relationship between Aquarius and Cancer got one star, between Aries and Capricorn three stars and between Virgo and Capricorn five.

Looking at the traffic to my website, it was clear that most of my visitors wanted to know about their love life, and in particular their compatibility with their real or hoped-for partners. While I was grateful for this traffic, it seemed out of balance and didn’t reflect what I wanted to concentrate on. I therefore changed the website, and took down all the pages about star signs and compatibility.

That doesn’t mean to say that I am not interested in star signs and romance. Far from it. In the mid-1990s I co-authored a book called Sex, Stars and Seduction, which I am afraid is long out of print. The book was packed with information about the interaction between the twelve signs, and I really do believe that as far as astrology and love are concerned, I know what I’m talking about.

Nonetheless it’s important to get stars signs in perspective. Prior to the Twentieth Century astrologers didn’t categorise people according to their star signs and they certainly didn’t use them to assess romantic compatibility.

However just because a technique has little or no tradition doesn’t mean that it’s irrelevant. By comparing the star signs of two people you can get valuable information about the nature of their relationship. You should realise, though, that star sign compatibility is unlikely to give you an indication of whether or not a relationship will work.

As for the basis of star sign compatibility, it’s all about angles. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are at different angles to each other, and some angles are easier than others. These angles increase by thirty degrees, because the circle of the Zodiac has 360 degrees, and 360 divided by 12 is 30. So we have the sequence 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180.

The sign pairs are as follows:

0 degrees: Aries-Aries, Taurus-Taurus, Gemini-Gemini, Cancer-Cancer, Leo-Leo, Virgo-Virgo, Libra-Libra, Scorpio-Scorpio, Sagittarius-Sagittarius, Capricorn-Capricorn, Aquarius-Aquarius, Pisces-Pisces.

30 degrees: Aries-Pisces, Aries-Taurus, Taurus-Gemini, Gemini-Cancer, Cancer-Leo, Leo-Virgo, Virgo-Libra, Libra-Scorpio, Scorpio-Sagittarius, Sagittarius-Capricorn, Capricorn-Aquarius, Aquarius-Pisces.

60 degrees: Aries-Aquarius, Aries-Gemini, Taurus-Pisces, Taurus-Cancer, Gemini-Leo, Cancer-Virgo, Leo-Libra, Virgo-Scorpio, Libra-Sagittarius, Scorpio-Capricorn, Sagittarius-Aquarius, Capricorn-Pisces.

90 degrees: Aries-Capricorn, Aries-Cancer, Taurus-Aquarius, Taurus-Leo, Gemini-Pisces, Gemini-Virgo, Cancer-Libra, Leo-Scorpio, Virgo-Sagittarius, Libra-Capricorn, Scorpio-Aquarius, Sagittarius-Pisces.

120 degrees: Aries-Sagittarius, Aries-Leo, Taurus-Capricorn, Taurus-Virgo, Gemini-Aquarius, Gemini-Libra, Cancer-Pisces, Cancer-Scorpio, Leo-Sagittarius, Virgo-Capricorn, Libra-Aquarius, Scorpio-Pisces.

150 degrees: Aries-Virgo, Aries-Scorpio, Taurus-Libra, Taurus-Sagittarius, Gemini-Scorpio, Gemini-Capricorn, Cancer-Sagittarius, Cancer-Aquarius, Leo-Capricorn, Leo-Pisces, Virgo-Aquarius.

180 degrees: Aries-Libra, Taurus-Scorpio, Gemini-Sagittarius, Cancer-Capricorn, Leo-Aquarius, Virgo-Pisces.

The starting angle is zero degrees. In other words where two signs are the same. For example a relationship between two Taureans, or two Geminis. Astrologers generally regard this as being fortunate. Two people with the same star sign will often have a similar approach to life, and the mutual chemistry can be quite compelling.

Yet it’s possible that the strong compatibility is too much of a good thing. The couple could get in each other’s way, and start cramping each other’s style. Also, if it’s a heterosexual relationship, the woman may be attracted to the man because he reminds her of her father. This mightn’t always be healthy.

The next angle is 30 degrees, and this describes two signs that are next to each other. Like Aries and Taurus, or Leo and Virgo. On the face of it two signs that are next to each other won’t get on very well, because these signs will always be very different from one another. In practice 30 degree relationships often work well, and this might have something to do with the fact that the planets Mercury and Venus are never too far from the Sun.

So a lot of people with the Sun in Leo will have Mercury or Venus, or both, in the following sign of Virgo. As a result many Leos can form excellent relationships with Virgoans.

Probably the best angle is 60 degrees, where the signs are two apart. For example Aries-Gemini, or Virgo-Scorpio. There’s a general sympathy between the two signs, but they’re sufficiently different not to step on each other’s toes. So if you’re looking for a long-term relationship, with minimal aggravation, this might be the combination to go for.

Signs which are 90 degreesapart are often powerfully attracted to each other, even though their differences tend to outweigh their similarities. There might be passion, but there could also be plenty of arguments.

An example of a 90 degree relationship is that between Bill and Hillary Clinton. He’s a Leo, she’s a Scorpio.

Relationships between signs that are 120 degrees apart can be very harmonious. Things run smoothly, and there’s a natural understanding between the two parties. It’s because signs that are 120 degrees from each other have the same element. So Taurus and Capricorn are both Earth signs, Libra and Aquarius both Air signs.

When signs are 150 degrees apart they have nothing in common, all things being equal, and it’s probably a combination to avoid. Though it doesn’t seem to bother Barack and Michelle Obama, who are respectively a Leo and a Capricorn.

The most interesting pairs are those that are 180 degrees apart. The two signs are on opposite sides of the Zodiac, and there can be a compulsive chemistry.

However just because two people are attracted to each other doesn’t mean that they should have a relationship. The 180 degree combination can be stormy and even self-destructive.

Criminal duo Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow – better known as Bonnie and Clyde – had their star signs 180 degrees from each other. Bonnie Parker was a Libra, Clyde Barrow an Aries. Their relationship was dynamic and exciting, but it ended in a hail of bullets.

Of course that’s an extreme example. 180 degree relationships don’t have to end badly, but there’s a fundamental tension, that could have explosive results.

I’ve now covered the underlying structure of star sign compatibility. It’s clear that the star sign approach to relationships is very general, and it’s hampered by the fact that it doesn’t take into account other factors in the horoscope, for example the Moon, Venus and Mars.

Given these circumstances, you should avoid getting either excited or disappointed by star sign compatibility. If you’re an Aries, and you’re crazy about someone who is also an Aries, don’t think that just because you’ve got the same star signs you can have a happy relationship with them. On the other hand if you’re a Leo, and you’ve just discovered that the man or woman of your dreams is a Pisces, don’t cry yourself to sleep in despair!

Instead regard star sign compatibility as a way of giving yourself some extra information. It can provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of a particular relationship, and it can give you guidance about the best way of interacting with your partner.

And given the general nature of this kind of astrology, I would strongly recommend that you don’t accept or reject someone just because they’ve got the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ star sign.

Could there be a connection between the Star of David and the pomegranate?

We have previously discussed the secret encrypted in the Star of David, the geometric form, almost mystical, which connects the ancient times of Israel’s famous kings with the modern era.

Now it is time to ponder whether the pomegranate, which is created by nature, could have been a source of inspiration for the creation of the well-known symbol – the Star of David.

According to ancient Jewish tradition, the pomegranate has 613 seeds. We know there are 613 commandments in the Pentateuch (“TarYag Mitzvot”). In numerology the words “TarYag” equal 613 (Taf = 400, Reish = 200, Yod = 10, Gimel = 3).

Continuing this reasoning, the number 613 broken down is 6+1+3, which equals 10. That brings us to the conclusion 1+0 equals 1.

In monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the number 1 expresses God – “The One.”

One could question whether there are really 613 seeds in each pomegranate (and whoever wants to, can start counting) – but by looking at the pomegranate from the perspective of Jewish tradition, we find that the pomegranate can be found to relate to The One who, as King, is “1”, and fulfills the “Taryag Mitzvot.”

In many sources, we can find that the pomegranate’s color (red) is related to the kingship – and using the numerology of the Hebrew language, another comparison can be found between the words “pomegranate” and “king.” The numerology of the Hebrew word “Rimon” (pomegranate) is 200+10+40+6+50, and the numerology of “Melech” (king) is 40+30+20, which in either case has the same numerology result (9).

Setting aside the numerology debate, one cannot deny that the pomegranate usually has a 6-pointed crown.

To expand on this analogy, the RED (kingship) pomegranate (king) usually has a 6-pointed crown and the Star of David (The King) has 6 points.

One can’t help being impressed by the possible influence the pomegranate may have had on the design of the Star of David. Something to ponder…

The digits “1” and “6” can also be found in the Golden Ration, the geometric construction of Phi (Fibonacci Series), which is 1.6 (1.618 0339 887…). Those who have a developed sense of imagination might say that the number 18 expresses the word “chai” in Hebrew, and therefore the King (1) who has the crown (6) is alive (18).

If one considers the inter-connection between the pomegranate and its crown (created by nature) on the one hand, and the Star of David with its six points (created by man) on the other hand, and that both lead to the expression of Phi (1 and 6) which speaks of nature and its many life forms, then one could regard this to be a very curious coincidence indeed.

Israeli jewelers have commented that the process of creating a Star of David pendant moves them – not simply because it is the symbol of the Jewish nation, but because it is an ancient symbol to which even people from other religions connect. Without necessarily knowing all the secret teachings and mystery of numerology, Israeli jewelers create handmade Star of David pendants that combine quality, shape and color, suggestive of the interdependence of man and the cosmos.

Years ago I read a great book called “How to be a Star at Work” by Robert E. Kelley. This book became and continues to be one of the “100 Best Business Books of All Time” and the “#1 Career Book” ranked by The New York Daily News. The author makes the argument that “stars are made, not born”. This is terrific news for anyone who is looking for ways to become a star at work.

Based on Kelley’s book, there are 9 breakthrough strategies you need to succeed. Here are his strategies and some of his ideas as well as my thoughts on how to awaken the star within you:

1. Take initiative. Look for opportunities to set yourself apart from others. Many employees don’t take initiative. It’s too much work, they are too busy doing their job or they have become complacent. High performers go the extra mile consistently. Initiative is what many employers and recruiters look for in new hires, yet it is so rare to find in the workplace. Take initiative by taking on additional responsibility above and beyond your current job description. Look for ways to help coworkers or the department with specific goals or projects. Don’t be afraid to take some risks by taking initiative.

2. Become a good networker. It is said that we are only 4-5 people away from anything we ever want to be, do or have. A good network can help you fill in the gaps. You don’t know everything. But if you have a good network of people to draw on, you can usually find someone in your network to help you, or at least someone who knows a person that can help you.

3. Excel at self-management. Self-management isn’t about being super organized. It’s about evaluating which activities are important vs unimportant and then balancing those against the urgent vs not urgent. It’s about taking control over your own career path by developing a plan and connecting yourself to the work you most enjoy and that benefits the company. Stars figure out how to leverage their talents and add value to their organizations. Increasing personal effectiveness and efficiency is important.

4. Build perspective. I have a metaphor I love using with my clients around gaining more perspective. I have them think about a hockey game in an arena. As the hockey player you are focused on moving the puck, passing the puck, scoring, etc. The action is quick and very narrowly focused. The game moves quickly. Removing yourself from the player position to the coach position on the sidelines, you are able to gain a broader perspective of what is going on in the game. The game slows down, the view is broader and you are able to think more strategically about what should be done. Now moving to an observer position high in the stands, the game slows down even further. You are able to gain even more perspective as you can see not only the game and the coaching but also the statistics and anything else going on in the periphery. Much greater perspective and a much bigger viewpoint. As you awaken your star power, gain perspective on not just what you do, but what is going on around you and how that impacts your job, department and the company as a whole.

5. Build followership. Followership focuses on relationships you have with leaders and people who have power and authority over you. To be a good follower, you need to know how to lead yourself. Good followers have focus, commitment and build competence and credibility as a way of influencing others in the workplace. They maintain an honest conscience and a great deal of integrity. Their own ego is managed and controlled in order to work cooperatively with leaders.

6. Be a leader. Not just with people you formally lead already. Be a leader amongst your peers and colleagues as well as others. As a leader amongst your peers, you should look to be respected for your knowledge, expertise and proven judgment. You especially want their respect in the area of people-skills. Demonstrate that you care about people and your colleagues.

7. Be a team player. As a strong team player you can contribute by making sure the team knows and understands its purpose, gets the team’s job done and by paying attention and contributing to the group dynamics in a constructive and positive way.

8. Increase your organizational savvy. According to Kelley organizational savvy is defined as: “the ability to manage competing workplace interests to promote an idea, resolve conflicts, and most important to achieve a goal.” The organization can be a political minefield so it’s important to be savvy. Find an organizational mentor who can help you maneuver through the organization. Build and nurture solid relationships and increase your personal credibility.

9. Become effective at persuasion. Impact and influence skills are key to getting to desired outcomes. It’s important to understand your audience and tailor your communication to them. Remember resistance is a sign that you haven’t built enough rapport.

The Most Common Failure of the Star Titan Scaler is the Rotor – and this is a Repair you can make In House – Without any Special Tools or Equipment.

If the Rotor Fails, the Star Titan Scaler emits a Low Pitch “Burbling” Sound and Power Reduces Dramatically. To Replace the Rotor:

Scaler Disassembly

1. Remove the Tip From The Star Titan Scaler.
2. Then Remove the Scaler from the Air Supply.
3. Remove the Nose. Hand Strength Should be Sufficient to Remove the Nose, Turning it in a Counter-Clockwise Direction, Unscrew the Nose & Remove By Hand. Place the Nose In The Ultrasonic Cleaner
4. The Metal Tube that is now Left Exposed is the Spindle. Using your Fingers, Remove the 2 Large Spindle O-rings from the Front of the Scaler Spindle & discard. (All O-rings should be replaced).
5. Remove the Main Housing. The Main Housing is The Part Closest To the Exposed Spindle. Hand Strength Should be Sufficient to Remove the Main Housing. Place the Main Housing into the Ultrasonic as well.
6. Looking Towards the Base of the Main Spindle, you will now see the Rotor Surrounded by Quad Rings. (There are Two Main Variations of the Rotor Area of the Spindle. One has 4 Quad Rings and the other has 2 Quad Rings. Make a note as to your configuration.
7. Slide the Top Quad Rings Up (Towards the Front of the Spindle) and Off.
8. Slide the Rotor Off.
9. Remove the Remaining Quad Rings. Discard the Quad rings and Rotor. These are Mandatory Replacement Parts.
10. Wipe the Spindle Down with a 2 x 2 Prep Pad.

Scaler Reassembly

1. Open your Rebuild Kit. Depending on your Configuration, Place 1 or 2 Quad Rings Over the Spindle and Slide them into the Quad Ring Grooves at the Base of the Spindle.
2. Slide the New Rotor Onto the Spindle
3. Slide he Remaining Quad Rings (also Placed into the Quad Ring Grooves).
4. Remove the Parts from the Ultrasonic Cleaner; Rinse them well and Dry Thoroughly. Use the Air from your Syringe to Dry the Interior of the Components.
5. Place a Drop of Oil onto the Threads to Ease Installation, and then Screw the Main Housing Back onto the Base Until Hand Tight.
6. Place the 2 front Spindle O-rings over the Exposed Spindle and Slide until they are Resting Against the Main Housing.
7. Install Nose. Slide the Nose Over the Exposed Main Spindle then Screw the Nose in a Clockwise Direction Until Hand Tight.

Your Star Titan Scaler is now ready to go back to work for you. If Power is Inadequate after Replacing the Rotor, Disassemble Again, Slide the Rotor Off and Reverse it.

In this article we’re going to briefly discuss an offshoot of the Masonic service, one for women called the Eastern Star Funeral Service.

The Eastern Star organization is an offshoot of the Masons for women. The reason for this is that a woman can’t become a Mason. The reasons why, at least for this article, are unimportant. However, there is an organization for women who want to be a part of the Masonic community. That organization is the Eastern Star. The only requirement for becoming a member of the Eastern Star is that the woman has to be the descendent of a Mason. Yes, there is a catch. Your father or grandfather or husband or somebody in your family has to be a Mason himself. If this one condition is met and you then become a member of the Eastern Star you are then entitled to an Eastern Star memorial service.

So how does one qualify for an Eastern Star funeral service? Well, when a member of the Eastern Star in good standing, dies, they are entitled to this service. Good standing means that their dues are paid up in full and have no Masonic charges filed against them.

When an Eastern Star member dies the chapter to which they belong sends a floral arrangement to the funeral home. This arrangement is in the shape of a five pointed star and with the mystical colors of the order.

Before the actual service takes place however, the members of the chapter meet at their chapter building for what they call a draping ceremony. At this ceremony their alter is draped in black and a special opening of the chapter is then performed. This is, in many cases, done just once during the year to commemorate all the members who have died that year. After the draping at the chapter the members then proceed to the funeral home.

At the home there is a special Eastern Star service. It is very similar to the Masonic service in some respects but very different in others. For one thing, where the Masonic service is memorized, the Eastern Star service is read from what is called a book of ritual. This book contains the entire Eastern Star funeral service and must be read word for word.

In a Masonic service one person does the reading, but in an Eastern Star service there are many readers. The readings are done by various members of the fraternity who occupy specific stations as officers. Each officer reads a part assigned to their station. Each individual part is rather short but putting them all together the actual service can run 15 to 20 minutes.

After the service is over the members of the chapter pay their final respects to the deceased and process out of the funeral home room. Afterwards they will meet with the family and friends of the deceased, many who are probably Eastern Star members themselves of other chapters.

The Eastern Star funeral service is one of the most beautiful services of any kind that a person could attend. It is something of which the order of Eastern Star can and should be very proud of.

Star wrist tattoos are absolutely awesome but time and time again, I see many people make the same old stupid mistakes when selecting the design of their choice. My displeasure with this situation have led to me write this article as a way of helping fellow tattoo art lovers avoid these dumb mistakes.

Mistake 1. Rushing into an awful tattoo.

Choosing the right star wrist tattoos can be hard because there are so many types to choose from. Therefore, you should not pick one in a hurry. Ponder around for a few days; take your own sweet time, no need to rush – the tattoo shops will still be around even if you take months or years to make your decision! Remember, getting tattoos means that you’ll be inked for life so do not rush into getting a horrible tattoo!

Mistake 2. Cramming 10 sumo wrestlers into a Mini Cooper

How large is your wrist? I ask this question because I see a lot of people requesting for fancy star wrist tattoos complete with a photo realistic image of a lion standing over the star, dragons smooching the star, fairies and porcupines skateboarding together on the star and God knows what else.

Here’s the news: You can’t crammed all sorts of complex designs onto a small portion of the skin – in this case your wrist. I equate this to cramming 10 sumo wrestlers into a Mini Cooper. You must understand that the tattoo will age and if the size of the tattoo is small yet jam-packed with complex images, it’ll certainly look like crap after 5 years. So when it comes to tattooing the wrist, keep it simple.

Mistake 3. Not choosing the right methods when searching for tattoo designs on the web.

Avoid looking for star wrist tattoos on the web using normal search engine – unless you love to have your wrist inked with bland, thousands-of-people-have-it artwork. I recommend two sources: online boards or tattoo databases. The latter is the preferred option because they contain tons of one-of-a-kind designs which are updated regularly (they usually have several in-house artists updating the database), plus studio directories to help you find reputable artists near you.

Ever since the first exoplanet was discovered a generation ago, astronomers have learned to expect the unexpected. For over twenty years, a fantastic treasure trove of weird Wonder Worlds have been discovered. Indeed, some of these very alien planets, in orbit around stars beyond our Sun, are so bizarre that astronomers never thought anything like them could really exist in the Cosmos–that is, until they were discovered. Strange distant worlds aside, the Holy Grail of planet-hunting astronomers has long been to find worlds more like home. In January 2020, astronomers announced the discovery of just such a long-sought world–the first to be found by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The distant Earth-size planet is comfortably located in its star’s habitable zone The habitable zone of a star is that “Goldilocks” range of distances where conditions are not too hot, not too cold, but “just right” for liquid water to pool on the surface. Where liquid water exists, life as we know it may also exist.

The Earth-like world, named TOI-700 d, orbits a small red dwarf star dubbed TOI-700, that is only 101.4 light-years away in the Dorado constellation. That star is the brightest known stellar host of a transiting habitable zone, Earth-size world. The acronym “TOI” refers to stars and exoplanets studied by TESS. The red dwarf star, TOI-700, is of spectral class M, and it is 40% the mass, 40% the radius, and 50% of the temperature of our Sun. The bright star also displays low levels of stellar activity. Red dwarf stars are the smallest–as well as the most abundant–true nuclear-fusing stars in our Milky Way Galaxy. Because they are so small and cool, they can “live” for trillions of years. In contrast, our somewhat larger Sun can only “live” for 10 billion years. Very massive stars can only “live” for millions of years because their intense heat causes them to burn their supply of nuclear fuel more rapidly than their smaller stellar kin. The bigger the star, the shorter its “life.”

The first scientific discovery of an exoplanet was made in 1988. After that, the first validated detection was made in 1992, with the discovery of several terrestrial-mass planets in orbit around the pulsar PSR B1257+12. A pulsar is the remains of a massive star that has ended its “life” in a core-collapse (Type II) supernova blast. Pulsars are young neutron stars that are born spinning rapidly with a regularity frequently likened to a lighthouse beacon on Earth. They are city-sized objects that are so dense that one teaspoon full of their material can weigh as much as a thundering herd of wild horses. In effect, these baby neutron stars are one enormous atomic nucleus. A pulsar was one of the last stellar objects that astronomers thought would play host to a family of planets–that is, until they were discovered. The pulsar planets were the first of a long series of oddball exoplanet discoveries. They are hostile small worlds that are mercilessly showered with their parent-pulsar’s deadly beams of radiation.

The first confirmation of an exoplanet, orbiting a “normal” hydrogen-burning star like our Sun, was made in 1995. This new discovery also proved to be a surprising oddball–a giant planet circling fast and close to its searing-hot stellar parent. The planet, 51 Pegasi b, is in a roasting 4-day orbit around its star, 51 Pegasi. As it turned out, this large planetary “roaster” was the first of a new and unforseen class of exoplanet–hot Jupiters–to be discovered. Since 51 Peg b’s discovery, many others of its bizarre kind have been observed in orbit around stars beyond our Sun.

Some exoplanets have been imaged directly by telescopes. However, the vast majority have been discovered via indirect methods, such as the transit method, whereby a planet is found floating in front of the glaring face of its parent-star. Another indirect method–the radial velocity method–depends on the detection of a tiny wobble that an orbiting planet induces on its star. Both the transit method and the radial velocity method favor the discovery of massive planets that are situated close to their searing-hot, fiery parent-star–rather than smaller Earth-like worlds that circle their star at a greater–and more comfortable–distance.

As of January 1, 2020, there are 4,160 confirmed exoplanets inhabiting 3,090 systems, with 676 systems hosting more than one solitary planet.

TOI-700 d

Astronomers confirmed TESS’s discovery of TOI-700 d using NASA’s infrared Spitzer Space Telescope, and they have created computer models of the planet’s potential environments to help inform future missions.

TOI-700 d has the important distinction of being one of only a few Earth-size planets discovered so far to be in orbit within its parent-star’s habitable Goldilocks zone. Others include several planets dwelling within the TRAPPIST-1 system, as well as some other distant worlds discovered by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope.

“TESS was designed and launched specifically to find Earth-sized planets orbiting nearby stars. Planets around nearby stars are easiest to follow-up with target telescopes in space and on Earth. Discovering TOI-700 d is a key science finding for TESS. Confirming the planet’s size and habitable zone status with Spitzer is another win for Spitzer as it approaches the end of science operations this January,” explained Dr. Paul Hertz in a January 6, 2020 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Press Release. Dr. Hertz is astrophysics director at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The JPL is in Pasadena, California.

TESS monitors large swaths of the sky, which are termed sections, for 27 days at a time. This continuous, long stare enables the satellite to detect alterations in stellar brightness that are caused by an orbiting planet, floating in front of the glaring face of its star, from our perspective (transit). Astronomers detected multiple transits by TOI-700’s trio of planets.

TOI-700 was originally misclassified in the TESS database as being a star more similar to our own Sun, rather than the smaller, cooler red dwarf star that it turned out to be. This means that at first the orbiting trio of planets appeared to be larger and hotter than they actually are. Several researchers, including Alton Spencer, a high school student working with members of the TESS team, discovered the mistake.

“When we corrected the star’s parameters, the sizes of the planets dropped, and we realized the outermost one was about the size of Earth and in the habitable zone. Additionally, in 11 months of data we saw no flares from the star, which improves the chances TOI-700 d is habitable and makes it easier to model its atmospheric and surface conditions,” Emily Gilbert noted in the January 6, 2020 JPL Press Release. Gilbert is a graduate student at the University of Chicago.

Ms. Gilbert and other scientists presented the findings at the 235th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) held in Honolulu, Hawaii in January 2020. Three papers describing the new findings–one of which was led by Ms. Gilbert–have been submitted to scientific journals.

The innermost of the trio of planets, dubbed TOI-700 b, is almost exactly the same size as Earth. It is probably a rocky world that completes an orbit every 10 days. The middle planet, named TOI-700 c, is 2.6 times larger than Earth–between the sizes of Earth and Neptune. TOI-700 c orbits its parent-star every 16 days and is likely a gaseous world. TOI-700 d, the outermost known planet inhabiting the system and the only one situated in the Goldilocks habitable zone, measures 20% larger than Earth, and it orbits its star every 37 days. TOI-700 d receives 86% of the energy from its stellar parent that the Sun provides to Earth. All three planets are thought to be tidally locked to their star. This means they rotate once per orbit so that one side constantly basks in the brightness of daylight.

A team of astronomers led by Dr. Joseph Rodriguez, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), in Cambridge, Massachusetts, requested follow-up observations with Spitzer to confirm TOI-700 d.

“Given the impact of this discovery–that it is TESS’s first habitable zone Earth-size planet–we really wanted our understanding of this system to be as concrete as possible. Spitzer saw TOI-700 d transit exactly when we expected it to. It’s a great addition to the legacy of a mission that helped confirm two of the TRAPPIST-1 planets and identify five more,” Dr. Rodriguez commented in the January 6, 2020 JPL Press Release.

The Spitzer data increased astronomers’ confidence that TOI 700 d is truly a planet, and also rendered more precise their measurements of its orbital period by 56% and its size by 36%. In addition, it ruled out other possible astrophysical sources of the transit signal, such as the existence of a smaller, fainter companion star lurking in the system.

Dr. Rodriguez and his team also used follow-up observations obtained from a 1-meter ground-based telescope in the global Las Cumbres Observatory network to improve astronomers’ confidence in the orbital period and size of TOI-700 c by 30% and 36%, respectively.

Because TOI-700 displays no sign of stellar flares, is bright, and close by, the system is a prime target for exact mass measurements by ground-based observatories that are currently available. These measurements could potentially validate astronomers’ estimates that the inner and outer planets circling this small red dwarf are rocky and that the middle planet is composed of gas.

Future missions may be capable of determining whether the trio of planets have atmospheres–and, if they do, even be able to identify their compositions.

Even though the exact conditions on TOI-700 d are currently unknown, astronomers can use the information that is currently available to create models and make predictions. The information now available indicates both the size and the type of star it orbits. Astronomers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland, created models of 20 potential environments of TOI-700 d to determine if any version would result in surface temperatures and pressures that would make it habitable.

Their 3D climate models examined a variety of atmospheric compositions and surface types normally associated with what scientists consider to be potentially habitable worlds. Because TOI-700 d is tidally locked to its stellar parent, the planet’s wind patterns and cloud formations may be very different from those on our own planet.

One simulation included an ocean-covered TOI-700 d. That model also included a dense, carbon-dioxide-dominated atmosphere for this distant world. This type of atmosphere is similar to the one that many scientists propose surrounded Mars when it was young. The model atmosphere also sports a deep layer of clouds on the star-facing side. Another model portrays TOI-700 d as a cloudless world, that is an all-land version of Earth. On this type of world, winds rush away from the night side of the planet, and then converge on the point directly facing the glare of the parent-star.

When starlight flows through a planet’s atmosphere, it dances with molecules like carbon dioxide and nitrogen to form distinct signals. These signals are termed spectral lines. The team of modeling scientists, led by Dr. Gabrielle Englemann-Suissa, a Universities Space Research Association visiting research assistant at Goddard, produced simulated spectra for the 20 modeled versions of TOI-700 d.

“Someday, when we have real spectra from TOI-700 d, we can backtrack, and then match that to a model. It’s exciting because no matter what we find out about the planet, it’s going to look completely diffeent from what we have here on Earth,” Dr. Englemann-Suissa told the press on January 6, 2020.