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I have these vivid memories from when I was little of standing outside gazing up into the night sky, marveling at all the stars twinkling back at me. I remember that I used to go out on the porch every evening before going to bed, turn of the lights and just look up. I used to call to my parents in the house and tell them to come out and have a look, especially if the view was particular clear.
It really is one of the best things about living on the countryside. You can actually see the night sky. My favorite night skies are in winter. When the air is so crisp and clear that you can see the clusters of stars streaking across the sky making up the Milky Way with your bare eyes. When it feels like you can see beyond the rim of the universe.
One would think that as I was and still am so fascinated with star-gazing that I would know the names of all the constellations and have a telescope etc but I don’t. I can point out Orion’s belt and the Big Dipper and that is about it. The Big Dipper (The Plough, Karlavagnen, Ursa Major …) was the first one I learned to recognize as a child. Somehow finding that constellation in the sky always made me feel content and calm. It is always there, like an old friend.
I have always felt happy and relaxed when I watch the stars. It makes me smile and I am always equally amazed. I do not need to know what they are all called. I just need to see them once in a while.
The one thing I dislike about living in a city is that I cannot see the night sky as clearly. On a clear night I can still see Orion’s Belt and The Big Dipper but not that many more. Our cities are just too lit up. At least tonight I saw the stars that shone through our city lights and it was beautiful.
Think I will be star-gazing a bit tonight.
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