Space. Time. Constellations. Cosmic explosions. They’re all out there, man. Mysteriously existing. Entering orbits, exiting orbits, messing with our qi, moving moons. And in case you didn’t know…
Here’s some upcoming cosmic events for the first quarter of year, viewable from your backyard, along with some astrological world prep for 2018:
Too bad we didn’t catch you sooner, but hopefully you helped yourself to the Super Wolf Moon on January 1, which would have been a small percentage larger than our normal micromoon companion. And on January 3, the Earth reached Perihelion, meaning it got as snug as it does yearly to the sun to say, hayyy.
If you’re an early reader or are getting your pre-print Advocate kicks from the web, you may still have time to GET OFF THE COMPUTER and scan for shooting stars, from the first major meteor shower of the year, Quantrandits, lasting the night of January 3 to the early morning of January 4.
Comet C/2017 T1 or ‘You Think They’d Have Named it Something Better,’ will be brightest on January 6, and be visible from Corvallis all night, given its circumpolar-ness, or whatever.
Before dawn breaks on January 6, Jupiter and Mars will have a close encounter, and be visible in the dawn sky, between 3:12 and 7:28 a.m. The pair will be visible to the naked eye, but better with some b’nocs or a small telescope.
On January 11, the Moon will have close encounters with both Mars and Jupiter, which will be visible until dawn breaks, from 3:08 a.m. and 2:56 a.m., respectfully.
Say bye bye to the moon for a few days on January 16, when the sun’s glare will block our view, and she will get the celestial Earth escapism she deserves, dam*it.
If you’re up for a lunar allnighter, check out the total lunar Blue-Blood-Moon Eclipse on Wednesday, January 31. A spectacle for wee hour walk-of-shamers and night cats alike, the eclipse will last about 5 hours in Corvallis, passing through the penumbra at 2:51 a.m.
Totality, or the ‘Blood Moon’ phase, will last approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes, and begin at 4:51 a.m. This moon is also ‘Blue’ for being the second full moon of the month. For extra thematic effect, crack open some skunky Blue Moon brews and crank that Dean Martin, baby, WOO!
No full moons for February, since January was a stingy bi*ch and kept them all to herself. Some sources call this a ‘Black Moon’ month, as ominous as that sounds. Not so ominous to me, since I work in mental health and always credit a busy night to ‘there must have been a full moon.’
Black Moons apparently only happen in February about once every 20 years, since the month’s shorter than one lunation or rotation of phases.
On February 15, there will be a Partial Solar Eclipse, completely invisible to Corvallis. But whatever, who even cares. #totality2017
March 20 marks the Spring Equinox, starting at 9:15 a.m. on our little slice of Oregon Earth. As the sun shines directly on the equator, our days and nights will (nearly) equal in length again.
Right Now, in The Night Sky…
Canis Major, hunting dog of huntsman Orion, leaps for Lepus, the hare. Canis Minor, Orion’s “lesser” mut can also be spotted in pursuit.
Auriga, or Erichthonius, the son of Vulcan, takes reign over the night sky, with his chariot, immortalized for being the first to attach four horses.
Mythical unicorn Monocerus makes an appearance by Orion’s side, while Camelopardalis, the giraffe, stands tall next to vain Cassiopeia in the Northern sky. Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins, are up there too, if you can find them.
Astrologers say…
According to an article by professional ‘AstroTwins’ Ophira and Tali Edut, 2018 might settle some chaos of years prior, as the outer planets glide into earth and water signs, and force the cosmos into reflective and receptive “yin” territory.
As nice as that sounds, the Edut twins caution against passivity, as it may result in a loss of action. My suggestions are to: 1. Make a list of things you want to change with at least one way you presently can for each, 2. Think of people that will influence your direction, and 3. Make plans.
Yeah… that should do it.
By mid-November, Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune will move to their “home” signs, where they’ll be mutually rooted for over a year. This trifecta brings balanced but amplified effects, meaning double doses of Jupiter’s “optimism and global focus,” Saturn’s “pragmatism and rigidity,” and Neptune’s “compassion and unseemly secrets.”
Until November 8, we are reminded to mind the little things, during Jupiter’s stay in Scorpio’s terrain of life and death, finances, sex, and power. World alliances should continue to shift.
With Jupiter’s honesty clashing against Scorpio’s secretiveness, we might expect more shocks and reveals. The AstroTwins say sexual misconduct scandals have corresponded with this cosmic alignment.
When Jupiter reaches its home base, in Sagittarius on Nov. 8, international issues should take priority, as we shift to a widespread, worldly focus.
The economy is expected to go through another reform as the outer planets travel through finance, power, and resource-related signs. Saturn and Pluto will spend a year together in patriarchal Capricorn, suggesting a rise in monopolies, while Saturn cracks down and exposes any corruption.
Uranus enters Taurus, the sign of work and money, for the first time since 1942 in May, and settles in for an 8 year stay.
Uranus visited Taurus during the 1850s Gold Rush and 20th century Great Depression and World War II. According to the AstroTwins, this will be the time to earn, save, and invest your income.
On the plus side, there may be some higher consciousness coming to us in May too, when Jupiter unites with Neptune at a 120 degree angle – a harmonious trine – and they navigate the emotional water signs of Scorpio and Pisces.
For the full ‘Complete Zodiac Guide’, visit Mind Body Green and search “AstroTwins.”
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