The Shape of Things ~ May 4, 2005

First, new business. You’ve probably seen all the Internet hoopla about the planet “first observed” around a star. This object, 2MASS J12073346-3932539 (which cryptically contains its position), was the first clearly observed planet around an extra-solar source. Bear in mind that there are 144 other known stars to have similar planets. Where is it? 19 Libra 45. Later this year as Jupiter crosses that degree, perhaps more fortuitous observation will be granted. Honestly, this touted event should not be overly emphasized. The bigger question of “are we alone?” arises amongst astronomers and theologians. Come on, there are so many stars the odds are astronomical (sorry) in favor of life on other planets. So much for our supremacy in space.

Not that long ago I watched an interview with the rather smart writer, Thomas Friedman, as he touted his new book, The World is Flat. This treatise discusses the technological explosion and its impact on the early 21^st Century. In his collection of connotations, flat equals connectedness. This started to bother me for obvious reasons I did not stop to check. This interview occurred somewhere in the relative time line of Pope John Paul II becoming ill and surrendering his body to return the Father. In my mind, the flat Earth concept wildly spun. This part of my uneasiness was simple.

Back in 1979, John Paul decided it was time to forgive Galileo of the heresy suggesting the Sun occupied the central position in our solar system. According to the bible, scripture and whatever, the firmament stood still and it got connoted that the Earth was the center of the Universe. Can you spell solar system solipsism? Pardoned he was. But less than a decade later the Church rescinded the pardon. The reason? The pardon contradicted papal infallibility. Technically speaking, any Catholic believing that the Sun is the center of the solar system stands guilty of heretical thinking. Is that venial? I can’t remember. I know it’s something.

What a set back. Now we’re back several centuries B.C. when most of the Greek philosophers dismissed heliocentric planetary movement with a justified dogma of epicyclic movement. The world was flat then. Though the profound Aristarchus of Samos knew the Sun was the center of our solar system and Columbus speculated the world was round (more or less), these were buses not many would board.

One of the present models of the Universe suggests that while it is expanding, it is probably flat. Somehow, I cannot get around this line of thinking. I go back to the Big Bang. Back at the beginning came chaos, the explosion and Kingdom being scattered all the way to come. Things that I have had the opportunity to witness explode, do so in a spherical and omnidirectional manner. Like fireworks at a ball game, the beautiful colors explode outward in more or less a round shape, a circle of sorts. We all ooh and ahh. It is round, right? Sort of?

While I agree with the expansion of the Universe model (pretty much proved and interestingly at the same place Pluto was photographed and documented, which is the same place the art of counting rings (round again) in trees evolved), my gut tells me the Universe contains a sort of spherical shape, possibly elongated like the symmetry of many galaxies themselves. I might be wrong. No one really has anyway of knowing this. As far as we know the aliens that have landed thus far have all been part of this Universe and cannot confirm these far reaching speculations.

Why I am I going on about this and what does it have to do with you? Ah yes... a center to every circle and a point to every dissertation. Over the past weeks while this mulling of mine turned my brain to cider, the grand and highly visible Jupiter passed through the vicinity of the Sombrero Galaxy. This galaxy, which looks like... you guessed it... a sombrero before tequila-induced dancers flatten it, was in fact the galaxy used by Vesto Slipher to determine the expansion of the Universe.

That explains it. Recently, I grumbled to myself about the selling of one of my favorite places of refuge in Arizona, the fact that there was all new tellers at the bank (and they didn’t get my jokes), and that the noisy gardener cut my favorite branch off the tree that shaded my office. Sound familiar? Like it or not, the Universe is expanding. The sphere of influence in all our lives goes through periodic shifts in its ever increasing reach. Sometimes the surge feels like contractions, but contractions are always followed by expansions.

Now, Jupiter retrogrades. Take a moment to determine what “atrophy” or uncomfortable change away from homoeostatic conditions in life now speed by in a manner that appears out of control. Take the next moment of realization to figure what part of all of that you would complain about on a bad day and let that portion go. Take the next wave of realization to optimistically remember that the tide will again turn. It always does. In early August, Jupiter again, and now prograde, engages the Sombrero Galaxy, reminding us that the world is not flat, the Sun is the center of our solar system and our galaxy moves around the Galactic Center, not the Pleiades, no matter who wears the papal cap/crown thing. Life will expand again. This time with Jupiter moving off its station point, the message chimes louder than usual.

So, affirm, build aspiration and remain aware as to when the train of expansion leaves your station. Conjure and plan for an expanded and beneficent sphere of consciousness. It’s kind of like being on vacation in kick back Mexico where you are expected to be outrageous. When summoned by enthusiastic locals to take your turn around the celebratory sombrero, do your best not to get caught flat-footed. And be the first to declare, certainly Pope Beneficent knows what’s at the core.