A Love That Lights Up the Skies.

That’s Venus, September thought. She was the goddess of love. It’s nice that love comes on first thing in the evening, and goes out last in the morning. Love keeps the light on all night.~ Catherynne M. Valente

Did you know that Venus rises to the east in winter?

She is the first point of light to brace the barren sky…sharing with us the blessing of her love.
And, last night – she was most particularly beautiful. Gracefully twirling through these heavens to capture even the most curmudgeonly of eyes.

When I was a little girl, I used to spend hours gazing out my bedroom window…wondering how many others might have been similarly transfixed. And these days, it seems even more difficult to look away from this magnificence that rises above.

Last night, I was reminded of a story the Navajo used tell – about a time long ago…before the ‘two leggeds’ walked the Earth, and even before there were stars or a moon in the sky.

The nights were so dark that the animals were constantly bumping into one another. Desperate, they gathered before the Great Spirit to plead for his help.

Great Spirit nodded and smiled as he told the animals, “Watch me, little ones.” He then picked up a bright shiny stone from a stream and placed it in the sky, where it became the very first star. “This is the home star” Great Spirit explained “it does not move, use it to find your way home when you are lost.”

He then sent the animals off in search of more bright and shiny stones…asking them to carry them up to the heavens, where they might make pictures of themselves.

And though, the animals began the task with great speed – soon, the little ones grew very tired. And though, the larger animals continued the task…they, too, soon fell to a similar fate.

Once again, they pleaded with Great Spirit, who offered, “Go to Coyote and ask him to help you.”
And, so this is just what they did.

But, Coyote didn’t want to waste his time helping the other animals. Being such a wise and crafty fellow, he had far better things to be doing.

Still, he did not want to offend Great Spirit -so he asked the animals to leave their stones with him, and promised to soon finish the task.

After the animals left, Coyote began thinking of the grand picture of himself he would create in the sky. “It will be better than all the rest,” he sneered. He spent hours locked in careful consideration, and contemplating the very best placement for his stones.

Suddenly, Coyote realized that it nearly morning – and still, there was so much work to be done. He quickly snatched up the bag of stones and hastily flung them into the sky.

That’s why not all the constellations appear to be ‘finished’ and somewhat scattered in appearance – thanks to the treachery of one Coyote, who thought only of himself.

But, Coyote was soon punished for his deeds – as he realized, that in his rush he failed to set aside enough stones for his own image.

Coincidentally, I’m told that is why the Coyotes howl at night – forever mourning the image that ego so cruelly snatched from the heavens.

And, why Venus’ love now lights up this great Earth.

Namaste, and much love on this day, my dears…