For the past few weeks, I’ve been enjoying something I did last year during the summer and autumn months. That is, gazing into the night sky at Jupiter and Saturn.
Jupiter is very easy to find. Even before we have full darkness, Jupiter is shining as the only light in the sky. Well, not quite the only light. If you look a slight distance to the right, from our vantage point Saturn will begin to appear as Jupiter’s fainter companion.
As last year progressed, they got a little more friendly and drew closer, until at Christmas, they merged into the star of Bethlehem. (Or so the story goes.) Unfortunately, those of us in central New York couldn’t see the show. We were treated to well over a week of cloudy and often snowy nights.
This year, they’re respecting each other’s personal space. They’re giving each other a little more room. Still, I’m sure they’re still on speaking terms. They know each has the other’s back. And aside from that, both Jupiter and Saturn have their rings and their many moons to keep them company.
They don’t struggle with loneliness as we frequently do. They don’t have a sense of dread when contemplating coming events. Yet, often when the time comes, we find it wasn’t so bad after all. Jupiter and Saturn don’t seem to have that inner struggle—or at least, I imagine that’s true!
Gazing at Jupiter and Saturn can be therapeutic.