Mars-Sun Conjunction takes place almost at regular intervals, usually once in two years. Previous conjunctions in August 2002, September 2004 and October 2006 are of commonplace when compared with the conjunction scheduled to take place on December 5, 2008 at 22.00 GMT/UTC. It is phenomenal because the conjunction would be in the Ophiuchus constellation, which is a Non-Zodiacal constellation through which the Sun traverses in its ecliptical path. In fact the Sun enters this constellation on November 30 and leaves on December 18. It is indeed phenomenal because this event takes place in direct line between the stars “Imad” ( theta ophiuchi) and omega ophiuchi. Incidentally, Johannes Kepler, a 17th Century German Astronomer observed a supernova exploding in the area of sky close to the star theta ophiuchi in 1604. Let me give you a brief:
1. Astronomical Position
1. The event takes place on the parallel line between theta and omega ophiuchi at the left foot of the Ophiuchus at the location marked Right Ascension(RA) of 16.85 and Declination(Dec) of 22.65 South. As a result, the planet Mars would be in total eclipse
2. From this location if we look at the directions we find planet, stars and Globular Clusters in all eight directions:
North: The Star “Hun” known technically as zeta ophiuchi; a blue giant of 2,5 visual magnitude; third bright star in this constellation emitting blue to white colour; spectral class of O9 located on the left knee of the Ophiuchus
North-west : Omega, phi, chi and psi ophiuchi: four stars of benevolent nature forming almost a semi-circle located in RA ranging between 16.41 to 16.53. All stars more or less are of 4.5 visual magnitude with spectral class ranging from A to F
West : Rho Ophiuchi; a magnificent blue-white star giant giving a hue of bluish reflection in the nebulae surrounding it. A “Class B” luminous giant located at RA 16.42
South-west: M62 Globular Cluster; located at RA 17.01. Though visually of 6.5 magnitude it is 22,500 light years away and has large stock of stars , populated densely with variable and X-Ray emitting stars
South: M 19 Globular Cluster, located at RA17.05. Though visually of 6.8 magnitude, this cluster is some 28,400 light years away. Rich with stars and fairly densely populated with stars; the cluster is moving away from the earth at 90 miles per second
South-east: The planet Mercury located at RA 17.20
East : Xi ophiuchi a double star of 4.5 visual magnitude located at RA 17.35
North-East : Sabik known technically as eta ophiuchi; Al – Tizini the 15th Century Arab Astronomer called it as “Sabik” an unusual name meaning “ it precedes the other stars”. This star is located in the left leg of Ophiuchus. It is a binary and a variable star of A2 spectral class emitting white to yellow rays.
2. Mythology
This constellation is named after a famous Greek physician by the name of Asclepus who learned the art of reviving dead person by observing a live snake reviving a dead one. He started to cure humans from all diseases including the ones that bring death upon them. Fearing that he would make humans immortal in doing so, Zeus struck him with a bolt. However to honour his greatness Zeus placed Ophiuchus in the sky along with the serpent. Interestingly, the serpent was placed such that its head (Caput) onto his right and its tail (Cauda) onto his left and the middle coiled in between his thighs. He was called as Ophiuchus in Greek and Serpentarius in Latin both mean “ the serpent handler”. Universally, the Serpent became the symbol of medicine thereafter.
3. Cosmics
Whenever the Sun traverses through Ophiuchus constellation it gives a salutary, becalming effect on the terrestrial sphere. Here the Sun becomes a “healer” or “ sugar daddy”. The fact that Mars conjunction with Sun indicates that the fire and rage of Mars would be extinguished and in its place you find serenity and peace. This event taking place on December 5 2008 is followed by three important celebrations for the three religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
· For Muslims it is the “Day of Arafath” scheduled to take place on Saturday December 7 in the Holy city of Mecca followed by the Festival throughout the world
· For Christians, it is Christmas celebrating the birth day of the Prince of Peace on December 25
· For the Jewish nation it is Hanukkah, the “Festival of Light” on December 22.
4. Hanukkah
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev, which is the 9th month in the Jewish calendar. This year the 25th date falls on December 22. The celebration lasts for eight days. On the first day one candle is lit and on the second day one more is added making it two and so on till the eighth day when eight candles are lit. These candles are placed right to left in the Menorah. This event commemorates the cleansing of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus who struggled with Antiochus Epiphanes, the Greek overlord who desecrated the Temple by slaughtering pigs inside. Since there is nothing left inside the Temple that was clean except for little olive oil. The lamp was lit with this little oil. Miraculously, this little oil lasted for eight days. Since then it is customary to light candles for eight consecutive days.
But the Hanukkah, this year has much more significance:
· When the Mars-Sun conjunction takes place there are celestial bodies in all eight directions
· On the day this conjunction takes place the Moon is in its eighth day
· The number eight denotes the power of super natural to re-write the history of chaos that commenced on 2000 and ends in 2008, an eight year period.
5. Action and Re-action
The Action is for the world to send greetings to the Jewish nation which begins the festival of light on December 22. As each day passes with candles lit in ascending order the heaven and the eight stars that were located in the eight directions shall be illuminated and would bestow blessings of the Lord on the terrestrial beings.
The Re-action is also of eight-fold:
1. Changing of helmsmen in countries across the globe takes place
2. Un-doing of actions by despots, maniacs and ungodly men who brought the world to its knees in politics and economics
3. Establishing peace in theatres of war across the globe
4. Stabilizing the world economic system such that confidence in currencies and banks is restored
5. Investing in prosperity and growth such that the peace dividends percolate to varied segments of people across the globe
6. Liberalizing trade and movement of people so that the entire globe becomes a small village
7. Understanding different cultures across the globe so that bridges are built and boats are never burnt
8. Raising the sense of social responsibility of the people so that Charity is one again enthroned.
Muthu Ashraff
Cosmic Adviser
Mobile: +94 777 265677
E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com
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