Signs to Look Up
SPACEWEATHER.COM NEWS: 07/20/2025
LUNAR OCCULTATION OF THE PLEIADES: During the early morning hours of Sunday, July 20th, the crescent Moon will occult some of the stars of the Pleiades, a cover-up visible from most of North America. For maps and timetables, click here and follow the links for July 20th.
How to find the Pleiades?
First, find Orion’s Belt and draw an imaginary line through its three stars towards Orion’s bow. The next bright star you’ll see in this direction is Aldebaran – the brightest star of the constellation Taurus and the eye of the celestial bull. Continue the line in this direction, and eventually, you’ll find the Pleiades – a dim blue patch around Taurus’ shoulder.
July 20: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
On July 20 at 10:27 GMT, the 24%-illuminated Moon will pass close to the Pleiades, with a separation of 0°48′. Both objects will rise late into the night above the northeastern horizon.
Also, observers between longitudes 160°W and 100°W, including Canada, the western parts of the United States, and Mexico, will see the lunar occultation of the Pleiades: the Moon will seem to pass over the star cluster. The occultation will take place on July 20, lasting from approximately 08:20 to 11:20 GMT. For a more detailed view, grab a pair of binoculars.
Myths about the Pleiades
Many cultures have similar stories about the origin of the Pleiades star cluster, possibly inspired by the star’s disappearance. Some scientists believe they were made up 100,000 years ago! When the seventh star vanished, ancient people tried to explain that through myths. (Find the Australian legend and Myths of the Native Americans and the Greek on StarWalk Astronomical News)
The Pleiades were mentioned in the Bible three times – all three times along with the constellation Orion.
In ancient times, many cultures used the Pleiades as a calendar. By its appearance in the sky, the farmers knew when to start harvesting or planting crops, and the sailors understood when it was time to open the navigation season (the name “Pleiades” was possibly derived from the Greek word meaning “to sail”).
Planets Near the New Moon
July 20: Moon near Uranus
- Close approach time: 10:59 GMT (6:59 a.m. EDT)
- Close approach distance: 5°02′
- Conjunction time: 13:05 GMT (9:05 a.m. EDT)
- Conjunction distance: 5°12′
On July 20, the 22%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.8) in the sky. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus. You can also spot the Pleiades star cluster near the Moon.
July 21: Moon near Venus
- Close approach time: 18:27 GMT (2:27 p.m. EDT)
- Close approach distance: 7°06′
- Conjunction time: 19:40 GMT (3:40 p.m. EDT)
- Conjunction distance: 7°10′
On July 21, the 16%-illuminated lunar crescent will be close to Venus (mag -4.0) in the sky. Look for them in the morning sky in the constellation Taurus. Both objects will be easily visible to the naked eye. Adding to the view, the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) will also be nearby.
A LATE-SEASON OUTBREAK OF NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: Dawn came early to Europe today. However, it wasn’t the sun lighting up the morning sky. This was a late-season outbreak of noctilucent clouds:
Noctilucent clouds, Moon, Venus and Pleiades, Taken by Marek Nikodem on July 20, 2025 @ near Szubin, Poland – More photos at Spaceweather.com Gallery
“This morning we had a vast display of electric-blue clouds that reached all the way to the zenith,” says photographer Marek Nikodem of Szubin, Poland. “Additionally, the waning Moon, the Pleiades, and the brilliantly brilliant Venus were almost aligned, beautifully decorating the sky.”
NLCs are Earth’s highest clouds, more than 80 km high. They form in early summer when plumes of water vapor rise to the edge of space and frost the ashes of disintegrated meteors. Typically, the clouds start to fade away in late July. So far, though, they are still going strong.
“The season is not over yet,” says Nikodem. High-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for electric blue.
more images: from Heiko Ulbricht of Spechtshausen, Saxony, Germany; from Alan C Tough of Elgin, Moray, Scotland, UK
DAILY SUN: Sunspots and Coronal Hole
Daily Sun: 20 July 25
NOAA forecasters estimate a 40% chance of M-class solar flares today. The most likely sources are sunspots 4136 and 4143, which have unstable ‘beta-gamma’ magnetic fields. NASA/SDO
Coronal Holes: 19 Jul 25
Solar wind flowing from the indicated coronal hole should reach Earth on July 23rd. Credit: NASA/SDO | more data at SDO, The Sun Now
DOUBLE METEOR SHOWERS: The Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids are the meteor showers most active from July 18th to August 12th, with the peak on July 29-30.
Mayan Calendar Time and Synchronicity
The 13-Day cycle of CIMI represents the Signs of a Major Life Change. July 20, 2025 is 9 Jaguar/IX is the Spirit Guardian of Life, and CIMI is the Comforter, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It’s Time to See the Signs of Transformation by all the Signs Above. Signs of Transformation can be seen when we look at the Big Picture of Before and After, Cause and Effect.
“The Cherokee Panther (a black Jaguar) is symbolized by comets, meteors, shooting stars, fireballs, and magicians. The Cherokee Totem Jaguar is the guardian of the portals to other dimensions; shamanic abilities will open; multi-dimensional magic; healer, leader, way shower energy when used for spiritual growth.”
In the Year of Jubilee, doors are open and blessings are doubled. “Pleiades” was possibly derived from the Greek word meaning “to sail.” The New Moon raises the Spring tides. It’s Time to set sail to a new and distant shore.
By the Signs Above, something is about to change. Signs are for the future. In 4 Days, 12 Earth/CABAN we arrive at a New Understanding of who we are, and our place in the Universe.
The New Moon occurs July 24, 2025, on 13 Flint/ETZNAB. The Ascension is an Initiation of Truth that was hidden, except for the eyes that looked to see the Big Picture. The New Moon begins the cycle of the Full Sturgeon Moon, on August 9, 2025. We’ll float through the Lion’s Gate alignment on 08/08/2025 on the tides that spring forth by the Moon. In China, the Full Sturgeon Moon is known as the Hungry Ghosts Moon. Perhaps the ghost will be a visible apparition of who we used to be that others see, for an Invisible Transformation of Spirit that only we can see within when the false image of who we were disappears into the darkness.
TRECENA OF TRANSFORMER/CIMI: Transition from Death to a New Life
The “Tzolk’in Field Guide” is my gift to download that includes the Count of Days with the aspects for each Destiny Kin and highlights for a personal practice with each trecena. It’s designed as a companion for daily practice.
Visit the 13-Day Trecena Guide. to download a free copy. Volume 1 covers the first two seasons of the Tzolk’in, and Volume 2 covers the 3rd and 4th to the end of the Tzolk’in round.
CIMI is the 1st trecena of the second season of the Tzolk’in round, found in Volume 1. There’s something more to see when you discern the meaning of Time for yourself. The Truth is revealed by the thoughts on your mind. The Human calendar is written within as Humans course of Migration, thoughts in a Divine Order that lead us back to the place where we belong.
9 Jaguar/IX (Cherokee, Panther/SAHO’NI) – Day 9 of 13 of the 1 Transformer/CIMI trecena.
Descriptions by Ian Xel Lungold (12 Sun/AHAU), wisdom and Tzolk’in calculator preserved on MayanMajix.com
Galactic Tone 9: Patience. The energy of Nine is one of the getting a better perspective of the bigger picture. With the energy of Nine plans or patterns begin to come to completion. Nine requires patience and perseverance that is found in the bigger picture, otherwise there is great suffering from the lack of insight. The completion of cycles of action is all-important to Nine.
Jaguar/IX: Born with a deep love of the Mother Earth, Jaguar or shaman is directly tied to the source of all Earth magic. They possess great power of intellect and strength or character through integrity. Jaguar energy is feminine in nature and is the ruling spirit of jungles, plains, and mountains. The spirit of Jaguar inhabits the Mayan temples and is called on to assist in spiritual as well as in material ways. Jaguar is also the god/goddess of gratefulness.
A GOOD DAY TO: Commune with and give thanks to Mother Nature.
Cherokee, Panther/SAHO’NI: Panther is symbolized by comets, meteors, shooting stars, fireballs, and magicians. Meteors appearing around the middle of November are Heralds of the Coming of the Light, the Cherokee New Year. Panther is the Shadow of the Sphinx, Herald of the Dawn, guardian of the night when the sun is traveling through the underworld. Panthers have unlimited imaginations, visualizations, and are spellbinding speakers. The Cherokee Totem Jaguar is the guardian of the portals to other dimensions; shamanic abilities will open; multi-dimensional magic; healer, leader, way shower energy when used for spiritual growth. Conducive to pray for grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters and wives day. For wisdom at 4 Balances, cunning and protection of Mother Nature. To thank the Earth for sustenance. Ix is the native cunning, enterprising, vigorous, bold and realistic.
[Text in italics was the primary source of inspiration for my journal. These are the sources that started my journey and they are the reference for interpretation each day. By providing the original text, I hope to offer a way to see what inspired my thoughts and by including all the aspects – allow for something more to inspire you. Mayan descriptions are those written by Ian Lungold. Cherokee descriptions came from multiple sources. Links to sources and other resources of study are offered on the Daykeeper Resources Page. ~Debra]
