Lunar Leo

Born in mid-August, I fall into the astrological sign of Leo, but my true affinity has always been for the moon; no surprise with a name like LUNEL.

Facing East - Sun through the trees

Turning West - Full moon setting

Each month for the full moon, I head down to "da pond" - Ahalanui where, at high tide, waves crash over the lava wall protecting our favorite local swimming spot.

During most of the year, I can make it down for an evening swim. Watching the sun fade and the sky turn pale lavendar, pink and blue, the moon will rise large over the ocean. During the winter, a moon light swim at night sometimes presents more of a challenge as it is darker earlier.

Last Monday, for the full moon, I rose at 6am for a drive down to swim. Going out the door to the car, I had to stop dead in my tracks as the sunrise coming through the trees on the east side of the property was so glorious. I took a photo, and then, turning to the west, I found another stunning view -- the moon setting in the west. Not a bad way to start the day!

Sun Path

When we bought our house in the Puna District and moved to the Big Island of Hawaii, we expected more sunshine.  And of course, when we bought our house in Leilani Estates, we had our compass in hand so we could see how the sun would arc across the property. (Here's a photo I took at Winter Solstice.)

What we have discovered after a full year, is a rather interesting phenomena; during the winter and summer solstice, the sun rise actually aligns with the physical corners of our property.  At the back of our land, there are two trees that have been marked by the surveyor.  During the summer solstice, the sun rises directly behind one tree, and on the winter solstice, it rises behind the tree  at the opposite corner.

This observation is undeniable!  Why?  Because as the sun rises, it comes directly through the house -- and shines in our windows -- crossing over our respective pillows.  That means in the winter, you can actually SEE the sun coming in one side of the house, and in summer, coming in from the other side.  It is like the sun's path makes a big X right through our house!  To a LEO, these things matter!

“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

(mahalo to annalobello for her tarot image at deviantart.com)