Orienting Myself by the Heavens

I've always been interested (obsessed) with different types of mythology and at a young age became interested in stars, the zodiac, and the stories behind the constellations in the heavens.

Orion, The Hunter

Growing up in New Jersey, the countryside boasts less light pollution than London, and those who know me well, will know if I am out of doors, my eyes are turned upward, regardless of the time of day, finding shapes in clouds, remarking colors, textures, finding birds in trees, and, in the night, seeking my friends in the stars. 

During my teen years I would climb out onto the roof with a blanket and stare straight up. Our house is surrounded by trees, so the sky space seems small, and the roof boasts the best view. Getting out of the car at night, Orion always met me and, in my mind, tipped his hat to me on his hunt. 

He was so easy to find that I'd call him "my man"... and I'd go out on the roof and speak to the heavens, to Orion, the hunter in the trees, silently protecting the house and waiting for me to get home to speak to him (in my wild imagination). Sigh. 

Cassiopeia, The Queen

Now in London, I'm a few degrees north latitudinally, and so, Orion is still in my eyesight, but not directly overhead like before. 

No, my new companion is Cassiopeia, the vain queen, and she is a constant, though less fanciful companion. 

It figures when I traded my country home for the city that I would have to say goodbye to my Hunter. Cassiopeia, though constant, is a proper city girl, just bright enough to make her out on my walk home from the train station. 

But my biggest regret, is how much I miss those whimsical sisters, the Pleiades, who were so easy to find in my Jersey countryside, but are seen only on particularly cloudless and clear nights in London Town. 

These sassy sisters, small and bright in the sky, remind me of family, no matter where I am, seeing them so faintly, so high in the sky, knowing I can see them 5,000 miles away on the Jersey coast, to have them smiling down on me from their sad home in Taurus, is comforting. 

The Pleiades and their Mom, Pleione

After moving to London, I used to say that anywhere where I could find a good book shop and good coffee and where I could tell a joke would be home. Now, I think, I've discovered that this heavenly scope has made a difference in me. While books are constant companions and coffee is always a comforting and jazzy drink, looking up at night and not knowing where I am is a bit disconcerting. Looking up, finding my orientation, finding a friend in the stars I've come to know is something I can't let go of and something that until recently I did unconsciously. Maybe I just need to find a clear night and head out to the countryside to get to know the sky from this angle/latitude and make some new friends in the heavens. 

The Pleiades, Girl Night in the Celestial Party Zone!