March 19, 2007 will bring a partial
eclipse of the Sun, visible in parts of Asia, followed on March 20, 2007 at 8:07
p.m. by the Vernal Equinox, when the Sun, traveling along its apparent path,
crosses the plane of the Earth's Equator (known as the Celestial Equator)
heading into the Northern Celestial Hemisphere.
The time from Vernal Equinox until Vernal
Full Moon each year (March 20 until April 2 this year) has been regarded
throughout history and across cultures as a sacred time during which the
powers that hold the sky's majesty gather to hand down decisions for
what must take place in order to strike a balance between humanity, the
Earth and the cosmos. Throughout time and across cultural and religious
traditions, the celebrating of this time has changed, but continues to include
festivals in honor of the Renewal of Spring Fire, the Resurrection of Life, and
the Passing Over of Darkness.
The ancient Sumerians worshipped the star
Nabu, which we know as Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus, as their scribe to
this Vernal Congress of the Gods, who was messenger to mankind about the
decisions of the gods that took place around the Vernal Congress Table during
such a meeting. These images are echoed in our own celebrations, and you
can learn more about this and many other interesting and enlivening
elements about our understanding and celebration of the
cosmos through a Path of the Golden Star subscription!