Remember me? You previously knew me as Ultima Thule, a dual-lobe body out beyond Pluto, so curious that a look was warranted by a passing space probe. How coincidental (or not) is that?
In honor of the Sun and Jupiter together and in the nick of time to set an agenda of optimism for 2020, here’s something uplifting to fortify spirits heading into what promises to be a tumultuous year by transit.
As 2018 drew to a close, the New Horizons Space Probe, recently completing a gander at Pluto and Charon, was redirected and flew by the intriguing, double node Kuiper Belt Object that bore the minor solar system object number 486958. That was awkward, so astronomers colloquially named the body Ultima Thule. A very cool phrase for such an unusual object, here are some means for the namesake:
> any distant place located beyond the "borders of the known world"
> a distant unknown region; the extreme limit of travel and discovery
> the highest degree attainable
In the recent while Ultima Thule received an official name, sanctioned by the International Astronomical Union: Arrokath.
Arrokath comes from the language of Powhatan Algonquian tribe of the Chesapeake region. A name from this tribe was chosen because a good bit of research on the object has been done by astronomers in that locale in Virginia.
What does Arrokath mean?
> Loosely, it means “sky”
> According to an official statement from the staff of the New Horizon mission, Arrokath, “reflects the inspiration of looking to the skies, and wondering about the stars and worlds beyond our own.”
Nice. Going into 2020 we are reminded to look up, and with awe, reflect upon the majesty of the heavens and how the Universal Mystery unfolds in our lives.
Sure, but I need nuts and bolts to make sense of this, declares an energetically grounded Earthling.
Given a moment’s thought it makes sense Arrokath occupies Capricorn, since it was a minor course correction for New Horizons following its visit to Pluto in Capricorn. In fact, at 0 hour (GMT) today, it traveled through 17 Capricorn 25, in its 298.16 year orbit about the Sun.
Arrokath distinguishes itself as being an object even redder than Pluto, which is pretty dang reddish.
Its perihelion is 10 Pisces 12, its node 9 Virgo 02 (Note: Both positions are heliocentric). At a glance, the name of Arrokath with its pondering of all that is above fits the perihelion/nodal axes perfectly. Nothing could be more Pisces-Virgo than the concept of how parts are to the whole, and how the whole is to the part.
Truly Arrokath inspires us not to lose our way in the minutia and dirty details of life, but to keep the big picture concept (perhaps end game implied) in focus. As well, getting way out there and hanging out with beyond the beyond requires strategic grounding on Earth and attention to the physical reality of life as it passes by.
Says Arrokath, go for awe and inspiration. Go for hopefulness. Go for unlimited vision and perceptions that provide progress and evolution.
Three times in 2020, Jupiter, the grand gift giver of opportunity to those who listen, aligns with Arrokath. This happens in mid-February, late August with Jupiter retrograde and for the last direct conjunction, Jupiter and Arrokath bring it together in late September.
Consider that in these times, more so than ever, those who can extend vision and perspective will be needed. Insights that look forward in time, context and consequence add helpfulness to the perplexing circumstances of our world.
Be one of those contributing to visionary solutions. Become a beacon of hope. Inspire others not to lose their place on the page when the trivialities of life distract. Contribute to the over all good.
Happy Gregorian New Year. Here’s to true 2020 vision.