Magic

Method
Magical Alphabets
Muggle magic
Astronomical Information


Method

Candle magic is very simple and easy and is recommended for beginners.

Candle Magic article at the Internet Book of Shadows (Sacred-Texts.com)


Magical Alphabets

Theban alphabet (16th century to present)
Ogham alphabet (4th-10th century AD)


Muggle magic

Making a wish before blowing out birthday candle

Throwing a coin into a well and making a wish

(There are many other examples of muggle magic. These are two of the most popular.)



Astronomical Information

Antares and Pleiades in the Southern Hemisphere

August 2008

13th
Venus passes close to Saturn, within one moon-width, at 6.30pm Sydney time low on the western horizon.

15th and 16th
Mercury passes close by Saturn, about two moon-widths apart, again in low on the western horizon.

17th
Partial eclipse of the Moon by the Earth. Visible throughout Australia from 5.36am Sydney time. Will set everywhere but the west of WA before exiting the Earth’s shadow.

20th to 22nd
Mercury passes close to Venus, under two moon-widths apart. Again low in the western sky

2011, December 10th and 11th
Total eclipse of the Moon. Visible in Australia from 11.45pm Sydney time. During the eclipse the Moon is likely to be coppery-red in colour.

2012

June 6th
Transit of Venus
Venus crosses in front of the Sun, appearing as a small black disc. A rare event. Visible on the eastern coast of Australia from 8.16am Sydney time.

November 14th
Total eclipse of the Sun. Visible in Australia from North Queensland, with Cairns on the path of totality. The full eclipse will be 2 minutes from 6.40am Sydney time.

2018, July 31st
Favourable opposition of Mars. Mars will be close to the Earth, though not its closest.

2028, July 22nd
Total eclipse of the Sun. Fully visible in Australia, path of totality from northern WA across the centre to Sydney and the southern part of New Zealand. The eclipse will begin at 12.44pm Sydney time with totality for nearly 4 minutes from shortly after 2pm.

2029, April 14th
Close pass by the asteroid 99942 Apophis, at about 40,000 kilometres. This height is similar to that of communications satellites. In the hours before dawn it will be visible from Australia.

2040, September 8th
Five planets will be closely grouped in the night sky and visible to the naked eye in the west after sunset.

2061, July 29th
Return of Halley’s Comet. Its last visit was in 1986.