It seems by design that the old year ends and the New Year begins with bedazzling celestial events. From the bright lights of holiday celebrations, from the warmth of our hearths and our beds, we are lured outdoors, into the darkness, to touch starlight, the light of planets in our solar system and our own moon.
During winter solstice time we are challenged to reflect on the past and contemplate the future; to be refreshed and to consider the world that sustains us. To begin with, there’s the line-up of planets Mercury, Jupiter and Mars in the morning sky. Their positions in the line change from one day to the next and can be seen as a time-lapse planetary dance, a new frame at the beginning of each day. Nearby, recognize Scorpius the Scorpion with Antares, its red heart star, along with other familiar stars and constellations of spring and summer nights, to know renewal.
Sunset will be about a minute later everyday, noticeably lightening our afternoons as January begins. Morning darkness will be at its extreme for one more week. This is welcome news for stargazers; we may sleep until 6am, even close to 6:30am, and still step outdoors to delight in reading current cosmic events when we lift our Eyes to the Sky.
Judy Isacoff
www.naturesturn.org