The Heavens Say Farewell to 2020

This year's winter solstice will be marked by an astronomical alignment that occurs only every 4 centuries or so, the Grand Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. For a cosmic moment the night of the 21st of December, the two great gas giants will appear to join as one in the night sky. For those fortunate enough to see their union by advanced optics, the rings of Saturn will appear as horns upon the celestial bull of Jupiter. 

One wonders how seeing this rare sight was greeted in the ancient world, a world much more conscious of astronomical phenomena than we sometimes give them credit for. After all, this might actually have been the 'Christmas Star' that guided the Chaldean Magi to the house of the Infant Jesus. This might also have been the source of the 'Ma' character used in ancient Prakrit and Sanskrit.

The astrological significance of this sign, especially in light of Mars' near approach in early October, could probably be debated. One hopes that 2021 will be a more sanguine year, but perhaps this year was only the foreshadowing of a cruel and chaotic decade. Oh well, whatever the case, may you be fortunate on this chilly year's end, to take full advantage of the wonder of this spectacle.