I think it’s a universal urge to look up at the sky and to be astonished at the massive scale of the galaxy. It’s humbling to think of life on that kind of scale, but I think it helps me to better appreciate all of the blessings in my life, and to worry a little less. I was lucky enough this summer to have a few chances to get away from the city and stare at the stars.

Free Apps: Star Walk 2 or Stellarium

Complete disclosure: I haven’t tried either of these apps yet, but I am excited to to use them in the future! They both seem to be “free” for basic features, with premium features behind a paywall, so keep that in mind if you check them out.

I’m normally pretty decent at finding the Big Dipper, and I can sometimes find Cassiopeia, but that’s about it. I didn’t even know until this summer how to use the Big Dipper to find Polaris (the North Star) and the accompanying Little Dipper, so I’m very much a “stare in awe” vs. an astronomy expert kind of stargazer.

My favourite part of stargazing is actually talking about the stories behind the constellations / asterisms. There’s definitely a bias in the myths I grew up hearing, because I know most of the Greek myths behind the stars, but I don’t know any Indigenous legends, or even Chinese ones. If anyone has resources or links to more diverse star stories, I would love to hear them!

There’s something so powerful knowing that our ancestors have been staring up at the same stars that we can still see now, a connection that extends past the ages. That knowledge makes it extra bittersweet whenever I read articles stating that light pollution and man-made satellites are starting to destroy the night sky. It makes things like the Dark Sky Preserve in Jasper, Alberta even more precious. I’ve been lcky enough to go there a few times, and I always find it magical and soothing. Are there any activities or hobbies in your life that seem to ground you and remind you of your place in the world?

Until next time, happy crafting!