2010 March : ncgrsandiego.org

Mar

12

March 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment

The Ides of March New Moon
March 15, 2010

by Johnny Mirehiel

Beware the Ides of March!
~ Julius Caesar, Act I, Sc ii

It was Shakespeare who coined the soothsayer’s infamous words of warning to Caesar on the fateful day of his assassination, more than two millennia ago. They may also apply to us too, now, with a slight twist:

Be Aware, this Ides of March!

I am reminded of another famous Shakespearian reference to astrology, when, later in scene ii, Cassius comments to fellow conspirator, Brutus:

“Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves”

I might submit that, for we mere mortals at this Ides of March, the choice lies not within the stars, but within ourselves, that we may be masters of our fates.

Here is the astrological picture of the Southland’s stars this Ides of March:

No, we are not about to meet a tragic end, a la old Julie. However, what this Pisces New Moon does portend for us Southlanders is a significant moment of choice. To understand why, let’s begin with the symbol for Pisces. It is a representation of two fish swimming in different directions, connected by a starry strand. In most contemporary representations of the symbol the fish are depicted as swimming in different but parallel directions, many showing the connecting strand extending between either the fishes’ tails or, in some images, even their mouths.

Actually, the constellation shows that the fish are swimming perpendicularly to each other; one headed north, the other west at a 90° angle to each other. The starry strand which winds through the empty space between them comes together at a symbolic “knot’ marking the fork in the direction ofthe two fish.(see below) This New Moon presents us with a lunar cycle during which we may make a choice between which of these two Piscean wakes we wish to swim in. Read more

Mar

9

March 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Here’s a notice from California Overland about an event we thought might interest our members – an overnight excursion through the Borrego Badlands with astronomy lecturer Dennis Mammana!

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SATURDAY APRIL 10, 2010 – Gaze deeply into a clear, dark desert sky from a comfortable camp chair then let noted astronomy lecturer and sky photographer Dennis Mammana take you on a fascinating tour of the night sky with both eye and telescope. What a truly remarkable way to round out a desert experience after a great dinner and an excursion through the Borrego Badlands. Camp will be at the historic Clark homestead site among ancient Tamarisk Trees and sand dunes. This is a rarely visited place at the foot of the beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains which glow red at sunset. To see examples of nighttime sky photos visit Dennis’ online gallery at dennismammana.com

TOTAL PROGRAM (-22 HOURS): $175.00 ADULTS – $90.00 KIDS 12 AND YOUNGER. (TERRAIN THAT’S RELATIVELY SMOOTH WITH JUST A BIT OF WALKING.)

Program includes all camping gear, gourmet chuck wagon dinner, full hot breakfast, and a bonus excursion through the Borrego Badlands to the breathtaking overlook of Font’s Point.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Meeting time is 12:00 noon at California Overland office.
1-866-6-EXPLORE OR 760-767-1232