Ever
since Galileo, telescopes have been prized instruments of Witches, Wizards, and
other Wise folks. Even a fairly inexpensive telescope will allow you to view the
moons of Galileo, the rings of Saturn, the craters of Luna, the Ring Nebulae of
Beta Lyrae, and the Andromedan Galaxy. Even if you cannot get a telescope, you
can still discover a wide variety of celestial wonders through a good set of
binoculars or even just your own natural eyes.
Through the ages, several Big Questions have been the focus of attention for many who study the oceanae nocturna (seas of night). The Truth still dwells out there, waiting only our future explorations and discoveries. For we who walk magic(k)al paths,
the contemplation of these questions leads us to some of our most creative and powerful magic(k)s.
What is the Origin of the Universe? Did it have a beginning and will it have an ending? If so, what were the natures of the Beginning and the End and is there a purpose implied in this? Was the Universe always here, living and breathing and growing and changing through multiple cycles and are these cyclic motions designed to assist in our own personal evolutions?
How common are planetary systems around other stars, especially terrestrial planets like ours?
Is there other life in the oceanae nocturna? If not, are we the First? The Last? If there is other life, why so little contact between us all? Are we being protected or pariahed?
Should we be working towards crossing the oceanae nocturna, or should we remain here? Are we better served by racing towards what is beyond or by studying more of what we have here?
For those of you who like to work a little "sky magic(k)", we have included this reference section.
Circumpolar Constellations For Families
Glossary of Astronomical Terms