Comet 17P/Holmes ~ 06 Nov 2007


Several of you folks have written asking about the influence of the visible and much in the news Comet Holmes. Despite some who have written on forums that comets mean nothing, history reveals otherwise. Comet Kohutek’s appearance correlated with the fall of the Nixon presidency. When Comet Halley last appeared the Baby Doc and Marcos regimes fell and Apartheid began in South Africa. Mark Twain claimed since was born on the appearance of Halley’s Comet, he would leave with the comet - and so he did. Both Kohutek and Halley are of the longer period variety. Comet Holmes - the exploding, “it looks like more things than you can imagine” comet - comes around every 6.88 years.


Actually Comet Holmes was closest to the Sun six months ago; today it is closest to the Earth on its outbound pass, retreating back into space as far as it does. Comets have recently been determined to reflect X-Rays, symbolically inspiring the need to look below the surface and deep within. Now, at shortest distance to us - and at better visibility - the need runs strongest. But about what? Okay, we’ll get there. First, if you want to see pictures and gather more technical data, visit the great website Space Weather.com. While you’re at it, check out the very cool 3-d Orbit link. This link can be used not only for this comet, but for Eris, Sedna or any other object you might need to see in scale and perspective with the rest of our solar system. Space Weather also shows you where to look... in Perseus, the hero, and between the recognizable Cassiopeia and Taurus. In fact, in a few weeks, Holmes will pass by the Taurean sub constellation, the Pleiades. To get us started, here’s a brief ephemeris for the location of Holmes, these degrees geocentric, or Earth-based.


            05 Nov 5 Gemini 24

            10 Nov 4 Gemini 21

            15 Nov 3 Gemini 12

            20 Nov 2 Gemini 01

            25 Nov 0 Gemini 50

            30 Nov 29 Taurus 41


For purposes of examining the greater meaning of a comet, the node represents its purpose and the degree of its closest contact to the Sun (perihelion) carries the theme of urgency. For Comet Holmes the node stands at 26 Aquarius 52 and the perihelion 21 Pisces 08, both those degrees heliocentric. Loosely, the humanitarian urges of Aquarius and themes of “for the good of all” blend with the Piscean flavors of compassion, tolerance and allowing each person to fall where they do upon the Bell Curve of human behavior. A great theme, but one evidently must look very deep to find those morsels given the saturation of tribulations facing humankind. Hopefully, those taking time to look up at the “exploding” comet feel far more awe that watching a mundane fireworks display. These cosmic fireworks theoretically provide wonder and refine a sense of individual importance in the entire scheme of things. While in the “sign” of the Perseus, the hero, perhaps some might feel the motivation to do grander and greater things to endorse the cometary themes.


If nothing else, consider the transiting degrees of the comet. Holmes now activates the powerful black hole whose X-Ray bursts last 283 seconds. This suggests that a deep, internal look of nearly five minutes is needed to bring about a full, clear exposure of issues examined. This passage corresponds with the Sun passing by the Galactic/Super-Galactic Center midpoint reminding everyone to clear emotional debris, reset intent and create powerful action-based affirmations that include the desired outcome without building any double negatives (I don’t want it to stay so hot in Arizona right now; I don’t want my boss to can me). The comet notes the likely self-referential nature of these concerns and then asks, so what will you do to make a difference given you have what you need and you’re feeling more than a tad powerful, actualized, inspired and/or creative? Great interrogatives. The present Gemini transit of Holmes asks that we listen not only to our own proclamations, but to the statements made by others. If one were examining a TV commercial with the comet’s help, it would be a matter of hearing what is not said as much as hearing what is said.


If you can, head out this evening and take a gander at the sky. It will be worth it. Even without binoculars or a telescope, you’ll see the comet. You can’t miss it. It has that look of something noteworthy. Look up, listen up and write it down. If you do, when Holmes passes the Pleiades, instead of a yearning, grieving feeling, the sensation will be that of modest relief.