"When the Stars Are In the Quiet Skies..."

"Then most I pine for my telescope and a secluded spot far from the city lights". Or so Edward Bulwer-Lytton might have written if he had a passion for astronomy like I do. That's right, fellow Pagan box junkies, the weather has moderated, the skies have cleared (as much as they can in this day and age) and the stars are shining forth in all their celestial splendor. And last year I finally received a telescope, something that's been on my want lists for more than a decade. So, armed with my childhood dreams, my Pagan faith and the small round star chart that came with the ‘scope, I set out with my weapon, nicknamed "Copernicus", to tap into the ocean of knowledge that the night sky offers. You know, it's amazing how fast nature, in her infinite wisdom, can overwhelm one, rip away any and all pretense of erudition and slap the ol' dunce cap on one's pointy head. Trust me - I'm speaking from experience. My next stellar decision was an easy one - return home and hone my astrological chops. And, of course, for me, that included a surf on the winds of the world wide web.

Since the locations and movement of the stars and planets have helped us, through the ages, to trace the seasons, travel the globe, accentuate our religions and even develop the logic behind the alignments of Stonehenge, the Egyptian pyramids, the temples of the Incas and Mayans - even monuments of recent construction right here is the US of A - a working knowledge of astronomy is practical as well as spiritual (and especially practical, not to mention spiritual, if one is a member of, say, a religion that works with the phases of the moon, eh?).

So enjoy all the universe has to bestow upon you - beauty, mystery, majesty and boundless beneficence. Oh yeah, enjoy the websites, too.

Astronomy - What's Up This Month

AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Astronomy Sky Guide

The Celestial Times

And, because I alluded to them, here are...

The Orion Mystery - Astronomy and the Pyramids

Stonehenge: Gateway to the Realms

Maya Astronomy

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