Latest news with #StarofBethlehem
Boston Globe
11-08-2025
- Science
- Boston Globe
Look at the sky overnight Tuesday! Venus and Jupiter will look like they're almost touching.
These two planets are going to rise just before 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and will be visible as they get higher in the sky. Between 4 and 5 a.m. will be great viewing, and if you want to play a little game, see how long you can see Venus, which can be visible even up to sunrise because it's so bright. Venus and Jupiter will almost merge Monday night, easy to identify to the naked eye. NASA A telescope or binoculars will make viewing even better, and the planets are so close together you'll be able to see them in that one field of view. You might even see the clouds of Jupiter or the big red spot. The planets will appear about a degree apart, which is roughly the length of a pinky. Of course, while they appear close together in the sky, they're about 400 million miles from each other, certainly not a day trip. Advertisement The full Sturgeon Moon, which is now on the waning side of its cycle, will still be visible early in the morning. Another celestial event you might catch is some meteors, or more commonly known as shooting stars. The peak of the Perseid meteor shower is also under way, and the best time to see them is in a couple of hours before sunrise. That means that not only will you get to see Venus and Jupiter, but you will also have a high likelihood of seeing a couple of shooting stars as well. I always recommend trying to get the kids up early to see these events, even if they go back to bed afterward. It helps them appreciate and give context to the fact that we are quite small compared to the universe itself, and can often spur questions and good conversation. One question you might get asked is, 'How rare is this?' In actuality, the conjunction is not super rare. There's another one on Aug. 26, 2027 that will be slightly closer when the two planets will only be half a degree apart. Some scholars think the historical reference to the Star of Bethlehem might have even been a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, so close that they appeared as one object. This year, the weather is going to cooperate, so take a look.
Forbes
03-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
An Expert's Guide To Flower Essence Therapy
Mustard Field Flower essence therapy is a natural practice that uses flower-based remedies to support emotional balance and mental wellbeing. A long-standing part of the treatment menu at Neal's Yard Remedies, founder Anabel Kindersley shares her guide to the practice, from commonly used flowers and their benefits, to how it can be incorporated into everyday life. Flower remedies are grounded in the belief that flowers carry subtle energies that can help restore emotional and spiritual balance. Whilst today there are many Flower Remedies, the first formal one was developed by Dr. Edward Bach in England in the early 1930s. He was a physician working in conventional medicine. His medical research led him to see that many illnesses have their roots in mental and emotional imbalances, rather than purely physical causes. Using the ancient philosophy of the Doctrine of Signatures, where the physical characteristics of a plant reflect its healing purpose, Dr. Bach observed that the character of each flower mirrors specific human states, whether emotional patterns, long-held struggles, or ways of being. He recognised a relationship between the disharmonies that we can carry and the healing properties expressed in plants, which could gently restore inner balance and wellbeing. Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence practitioners believe these remedies gently support emotional and mental wellbeing by helping to shift underlying patterns such as fear, grief, anxiety, or lack of confidence. By restoring balance at the emotional level, it is said that they can bring a sense of calm, clarity, or inner strength. While they do not act directly on the physical body, people do report experiencing a secondary benefit of improved physical health as their emotional stress eases. Personally, I have found that Flower Essences can be a subtle yet powerful remedy for emotional wellbeing - but of course, on a case-by-case basis, and not as a replacement for professional mental health care. Whilst there are many different Flower Remedies available, the two that are most well known in the UK are the Bach Flower and the Bush Flower. They are quite different. Whilst the Bach remedies are gentle, introspective, and rooted in the English countryside, they work subtly to restore inner peace by addressing negative emotional states like fear, worry, and hopelessness. Bush Flower Essences, created in the 1980s by Ian White, draw on the vibrant, often intense flora of Australia. These remedies are considered more catalytic and fast-acting, supporting emotional strength, spiritual growth, and clarity in facing modern challenges. They also use the Doctrine of Signatures, interpreting the bold appearance and resilience of Australian plants as metaphors for emotional empowerment. Dr. Bach also worked with the Doctrine of Signatures, observing how the appearance, growth patterns, and environment of each plant reflected the emotional states they could support. Each flower essence relates to a specific emotional or mental state. I've always found Bach flowers to suit me better, and at Neal's Yard Remedies we have developed a couple of carefully curated blends to address the emotional needs we see most often in our customers. On an individual remedy basis, these are some of the most commonly used: Elm, also known as ulmus glabra. Flower essences are usually taken as drops under the tongue or in a glass of water, 2–4 drops, four times a day. Remedies can be used singly or one our carefully chosen combinations. At Neal's Yard Remedies, we've developed a collection of custom blends, each designed to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, emotional balance, confidence, or being stuck in a negative mindset. I tend to use either one of our blends, or if I know specifically what I need to address then I choose two to four different flower remedies, either dropped into a glass of water to sip throughout the day or blended into a small bottle with water. I think of Flower Essences as my supportive friends. They're part of my daily self-care. Depending on how I'm feeling or what I need support with, I might use them to help start the day with a positive mindset, take them before stressful events, or include them in my evening rituals to calm the mind. I find they're most supportive when taken with mindfulness and intention. Whether for ongoing emotional support or specific challenges, helping to ease that feeling of being completely overwhelmed, shifting a negative mindset, or managing stress - flower essences can be a very helpful part of a comprehensive wellbeing strategy. A closeup of a bloomed Red Horse-Chestnut or Aesculus cornea.
