On December 27, 1571, one of the greatest historical astronomers, Johannes Kepler, was born in Weil der Stadt in the Holy Roman Empire,
now a part of Germany. Guests at the inn of his grandfather would give
him mathematical problems to solve, and were amazed at the swiftness
and accuracy of his calculations. When he was nine years old, his mother Katherina took him outside to witness the lunar eclipse. The memory
of the crimson disk glowing in the night would be an image that would
inspire him for the rest of his life.
In his book Mystery of the Cosmos, Kepler observed that Venus and
Mercury always appear to be in close proximity to the Sun, unlike
Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. He reasoned that this is because Venus’s and
Mercury’s orbits are closer to the Sun than Earth’s. If the Earth centered
theory was correct, then there would be no reason why Venus and Mercury would be observed always close to the Sun. It follows then that the
Sun would rightfully occupy its privileged position as the center of the
universe!
Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 On the 12th your ruling planet Venus
faces off with Uranus, suggesting the potential for unpredictability and rebelliousness in romantic relationships. The
Sun enters your 2nd house of resources on the 23rd. What
gives you contentment, your sense of security, and what
you attach importance to are emphasized during this period.
Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 22 Venus enters your 1st house of self
on the 8th. This is a time when you express the gentler and
more sympathetic aspects of your personality. On the 19th
Mercury is in an advantageous arrangement with your
ruling planet Pluto. If you concentrate, nothing can interfere
with your achievements!
Sagittarius Nov. 23-Dec. 21 On the 13th the Sun creates a
harmonious configuration with your ruling planet Jupiter.
Sociability and cheerfulness characterize this alignment.
You are good-natured and your emotions are expansive.
The Sun enters your 12th house of solitude on the 22nd.
Take rest, a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 20 Mars enters your 10th house of
public standing on the 4th. It was not by gold or by silver,
but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally
purchased. On the 7th the Sun squares off with your ruling
planet Saturn. If you’re burdened by too much responsibility don’t hesitate to enlist your friends to come to your aid.
Try not to be overly critical of yourself.
Aquarius Jan. 21-Feb. 19 On the 3rd communicative Mercury enters your 10th house of career. You can acquire an enthusiastic audience for your work. Others are amazed with
your ability to scale creative heights and come in under
budget! On the 12th Venus faces off with your ruling planet
Uranus. Looking for new points of view offers resolutions.
Pisces Feb. 20-March 20 The Moon enters your 9th house of
higher learning on the 27th, potentially causing boredom or
anxiety in regards to your ideas and principles. Making an
effort to remedy this will be fulfilling.On the 15th Mercury
harmonizes with your ruling planet Neptune. Being romantic feels healthy and sustaining.
Aries March 21-April 20 On the 8th Venus enters your 8th
house of shared resources. It’s time to take a partnership
to the next stage.Your ruling planet Mars squares off with
sober Saturn on the 27th. The tremendous energy you have
at your disposal now should be used constructively or you
might find you are just spinning your wheels.
Taurus April 21-May 21 Your ruling planet gracious Venus
is in a beneficial configuration with Neptune on the 21st.
Truth, compassion, faith and imagination are themes that
characterize this transit. On the 23rd the Sun enters your 7th
house of partnership. You want to take it to the next stage or
lessen your obligations.
Gemini May 22-June 20 On the 13th your ruling planet
communicative Mercury harmonizes with with Saturn.
Concrete results and accomplishments are what satisfy you.
The Sun enters your 6th house of health and wellness on the
23rd. For the next four weeks you are especially dedicated
to your health and well-being.
Cancer June 21-July 21 On the 22nd the Sun lights up your
5th house of creativity! For the next four weeks, arts and
leisure activities feel beneficial and illuminating. Your ruling planet the Moon also enters your 5th house of creativity
on the 27th. Now would be a good time to explore further
education and development of new skills.
Leo July 22-Aug. 22 Your ruling planet the Sun harmonizes
with lucky Jupiter on the 13th. Try to avoid seeing life solely
through rose-colored glasses during this alignment. Mental
Mercury enters your 4th house of home and family on the
3rd. When I walk along with two others, from at least one I
will be able to learn.
Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Your ruling planet communicative
Mercury teams up with Venus on the 30th. Your effervescence attracts much well-earned attention! On the 8th Venus
enters your 3rd house of communication. You are especially
adept at smoothing over any ruffled feathers during this
influence.
In 1600 Johannes Kepler moved to the town of Benatek, Bohemia in the
modern-day Czech Republic. Tycho Brahe, the Imperial Mathematician
to Emperor Rudolph II, had constructed an observatory there where
he performed some of the most rigorous celestial observations that had
ever been conducted until that time.
Working with Brahe, he eventually gained use of Brahe’s meticulous
records. With this new data he concluded that the solar system’s planets
do not follow circular paths as previously asserted by Nicolas Copernicus, but instead follow elliptical paths.
In 1610 Kepler heard the news that Galileo had discovered four moons
orbiting Jupiter using his powerful and advanced new telescope design.
Kepler improved the design using two convex lenses instead of one
which enabled greater magnification. Kepler’s design is still the standard for modern refracting telescopes.
Kepler’s work provided the foundation for Sir Isaac Newton to discover the law of universal gravitation. When Newton said that he had been
able to see further by standing on the shoulders of giants, one among
many giants he was referring to was most certainly Johannes Kepler.
Have a great month, and always remember: Keep looking to the stars!
2019-09-22