Sedna: She’s Official ~ October 6, 2004

Last week the astronomical naming commissions accepted the proposal of the name, Sedna, for the Scattered Kuiper Belt Object recently numbered 90377, previously known as 2003VB12. Remember? This far retreating body is reasonably large, probably between 900 and 1200 km in diameter; maybe enough to be a planet. Last year and into early this year this was quite a hoopla. Her potent mythology conjures images somewhat difficult to reconcile (and is way too long for one e-mail).

First, concerning an ephemeris and other interpretive aspects of this body, send me an e-mail. I have compiled a pdf ephemeris (using Mark Pottenger’s CCRS92 program) and a pdf interpretive file that is available for a nominal fee. If you have previously purchased the Galactic Trilogy CD, you have received a free update. If not, e-mail me and we’ll fix that.

Back to the question of Sedna’s implication. The long and short of the myth has to do with holding out for what is right and respectful in one’s life, most important in this regard, is mate selection. Conscious choice prevails as one of her messages with the strongly underscored hint: if you’re making a major life decision, do your homework. Check facts. Trust your instincts. Do both. After making a choice, you can choose again if need be. No lamenting or shifting of blame and responsibility for life’s conditions that were consciously selected.

A primary theme of Sedna seems to be: don’t get duped. Don’t believe the hype. If you haven’t been there, you are subject to the information being disseminated by those choosing to paint one picture or another. In the myth, Sedna eagerly, impulsively and quickly responded to a slick plea for marriage from a suitor promising what did not exist and could not be delivered. She jumped, caught by the attractiveness of the package. As I watch the debates of the candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States, it does seem ironic that two distinctly different pictures of the economy and state of the world appear. How perfect that these debates started coincident with Sedna’s official naming. So, regardless of your political affiliation, allow for your concern for the economy and domestic security to inspire research and fact finding. Don’t get duped.

What are the other themes? Sedna’s father, later in one mythological version, cursed her, her husband, her dogs and himself. The earth trembled, opened and swallowed them all up. Yikes! The Pacific Rim displayed a good bit of seismic activity in the last two weeks. And volcanos in not only Washington State, but Mexico and Italy rumble their discontent with their own versions of earthly acid reflex syndrome.

Then there’s my favorite. Save your change. As Pluto nears the Galactic Center in 2007 (which I have long forecast as major commercial aviation breakthrough) the very rich, wild man, Richard Branson, promises Virgin Galactic Airways to the world. For a mere $208K US, you too can enter space on his commercial space vehicle. During the past week, a private space vehicle entered space twice, claimed a $10 Million prize and the endorsement of Branson. Why does this relate to Sedna and why do most of us care? Sedna’s orbit is very eccentric (gee, just like Branson). Because of that, it maintains a long orbital period - how about 11,483.56 years? It reaches into space some 943 times the distance of the Earth to the Sun. It reaches beyond all aspects of our previous imagination as what the confines of our solar system was believed to be.

The image is: we must think clearly going beyond all known limitations, configurations and beliefs to comprehend the vast realm of our entire solar system, let alone the Universe. It is time to create new visions and perspectives than can be seen only at the edge of the “beyond.” Perhaps then, the volcanic and seismic rumbles possibly induced by Sedna’s imagery will settle. If not, then perhaps political leaders claiming religious guidance will be smart enough to propitiate to Sedna and Pele. That’s perhaps too much of a stretch for even this elongated orbit. Sigh. Guess it’s up to each of us to make our own conscious choices.