Reconnect with the Cosmos - Aries, Taurus & Gemini
The Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox Sky
A couple of years ago, I designed an in-person course for Reconnecting with the Cosmos in an effort to inspire others to look at the sky again. The image above was recreated by me, but inspired by the work of Renna Shesso from her book A Magical Tour of the Night Sky. I’ve decided to share these images with you, as well as a brief look into the luminaries that are visible between 9pm and midnight in Southern Sky of the Northern Hemisphere. These same luminaries are actually visible in the Southern Hemisphere at this time of night as well. However, the image will be reversed and in the Northern Sky.
Finding Taurus
Follow the line of Orion’s Belt 20˚ or one hand span to Aldebaran, Taurus’ brightest star.
Elnath, the tip of the bull’s left horn, is just up and to the left. It is brighter than the Pleiades, yet not as bright as Aldebaran.
Finding Aries
From the Pleiades, go to the right about 20˚ or one hand span to Hamal, Aries’ brightest star.
Finding Gemini
Return to Orion’s Belt and look up and to the left, slightly more than 20˚. This is where you will find the fairly bright star of Alhena at the base of Gemini.
Another 20˚ up on that same line is where you will find “the twins” Castor and Pollux, Gemini’s brightest stars. They are 4.5˚ apart, which is slightly more than two finger widths.
Aries, Taurus and Gemini are visible, centered high in the Southern Sky (Northern Hemisphere), at midnight on the Winter Solstice. As we approach February this same grouping moves its center stage toward 9pm. This time of year you will visibly see Jupiter near the center body of Pollux in Gemini. Uranus is located near the Pleiades at the heart of Taurus. It is not visible, but I encourage you to see if you can feel the anxious or forward thinking energy of Uranus as you gaze at the Pleiades.
The next time to catch the moon in these signs will be January 25th through the 30th.
When the timing feels right, I may repackage this course with value added for a subscription level in Substack. I’d be curious to hear if that is something you are interested in.