Lion’s G8, on 8/8
I’m as much an expert in astrology as a moth is in lit light bulbs, but precisely because of that I feel encouraged to pull an expert-moth-move (guilt-free!), and gravitate toward the vast topic of heavenly bodies and horoscopes. I’ll get my tiny moth feet wet, and start by saying that each early August, the ancient Egyptians observed the rising of Sirius – the brightest star visible from Earth – marking the beginning of the Nile’s annual flooding and their New Year.
It was a time connected with abundance, renewal, and sacred reflection. Sirius was believed to align with our planet and with the constellation Orion’s Belt, while the sun was in Leo. Nowadays, we celebrate the moment at the peak of the Leo sign, on August 8th, and call it Lion’s Gate.
Spiritual seekers consider it to be the perfect day for setting intentions, healing, clarity, and aligning with one’s purpose. Whether or not you resonate, let’s go with it for a minute, honoring those ancestors who believed in it so deeply, they oriented the pyramids toward the stars of Orion Belt, and even gave the Sphinx the head of a lion! That’s quite a statement.
Besides, the stars fascinated our ancestors from all around Earth. In case they knew something more than we currently do, and if that was forgotten, let’s hope we’ll regain the knowledge. What’s sure is that Sir Roger Penrose, a Leo born on 8/8, mathematician, philosopher, mathematical physicist, cosmologist, and Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics on black holes formation, once said, “the Universe has a purpose, it’s not somehow just there by chance…. there is something much deeper about it.” On the same note, Einstein famously stated, “God doesn’t play dice with the Universe.”
Would you agree with them? Do you at least think that cosmic bodies influence us? Some say that not, but… the moon moves the seas every day. And we are 60 percent water… We are so watery that we should let this sink in.
Leo
Meanwhile, know that my ears perk up when I hear of August, Leos, and lions, because of the eco-scavenger hunt I mentioned before, which is a street game created to highlight the moment we became 8 billion people on Earth, on November 15th 2022. Generally, the clues are preexisting ‘Heaven’ street tags located in Brooklyn, and players outline two routes on the map, while advancing from one Heaven tag to the next.
Since we transitioned from 7 to 8 billion, the hunt suggests that our shared zodiac sign, as a generation, is Leo. I was inspired to introduce this idea after I ran into a handful of street tags that I liked due to the childish calligraphy and simplicity – which I chose to read as LEO.
So, while the main street tag followed in the hunt was “Heaven,” incorporating a few extra elements seen on the same path ultimately brought more nuance to the message. Another such addition is Atlas – already part of my eco-journey, since this video came to life earlier in 2022. And of course, the line “We Are Atlas” preceded the video itself.
Atlas
Atlas can be discovered on the route of the eco-game as the exact word typed, a map, or a representation of the globe. In Greek mythology, Atlas, the grandson of Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth), was punished to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders, standing at the edge of the world. The modern image we’re familiar with shows him holding our planet, all alone. Naturally, we can’t help but wonder if he had a terrible backache!
That’s where the hunt material connects the mythic past of the Olympians to our present – when many spend hours, daily, glued to their phones, myself included. These devices are useful, but they took over our lives. One downside is… the ‘tech-humpback,’ which leads in the long run to skeletal pain and nerve damage. We see curved backs often especially among the younger age group, as they’ve been growing up with phones or tablets in their hands since stroller days. At this point, readers are reminded to keep their backs straight.
Being a fan of philosophical inquiries and of letting them sink in, I then ask – ‘What if the future knows us as the generation-of-the-question-marks, instead of generation-of-the-Leos?’ What if not only our backs, but also our collective legacy will be crooked and questionable?
Furthermore, starting this summer, Atlas is associated with an interstellar object, speeding toward Earth from deep space. Avi Loeb, famous astrophysicist, poses the next question, “What if this is not a comet, but an alien probe?”. This is based on what was noticed so far; plus, starting in 1974, a few scientists blindly sent signals into space, on behalf of the whole humanity… (Some would say that wasn’t street-smart; definitely not space-smart in case the aliens aren’t friendly…)
Regardless, his question reflects the safest way to treat every interstellar object until the opposite is demonstrated. We’ve already adopted this cautious approach in other vital areas of our lives. For instance, doctors performing invasive procedures assume all patients are infectious – hence, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory and expected.
And then, Professor Loeb added something profound, universally true, which we should let sink in – if those are aliens, they wouldn’t care what country one is from, on this rock, called Earth. He‘s so right; after all, we say that Atlas carried our planet on his back, not 195 countries.
Wouldn’t it be great to learn unity and love as a generation, without being spooked out by aliens from outer space, or by man-made nukes? Not even learn; we only should remember them from a younger age. Kids, babies, and toddlers are experts at being sweet and kind; too bad we aren’t all children at the same time… (Well, maybe we are*…)
The Global Plastic Treaty
This August 5th to 14th, 184 countries and the plastic industry representatives are meeting in Geneva to sign the most important environmental agreement of our generation, attempting to address plastic pollution at a global scale. So, finally, there is a planetary way of thinking. Atlas would like that!
But no matter what they decide, the 8 billion of us have a say in controlling plastic pollution through the products we’re choosing, by picking up trash, or even when signing this petition to bring cleanups on the Olympic stage.
Here comes the medical analogy #2. A doctor wouldn’t tell a patient with diabetes, “Hate the candy factory, or just forget about it.” The doctor would say, “Forget the candy factory, AND gently love yourself, by treating your body right, with healthy food and exercise.”
Similarly, whatever the officials decide, we should not hate the plastic industry, or just carry on with our lives, ignoring it. The answer is in the middle. We can only heal Earth with love. And what is gentle love for the planet? It is very simple eco-action.
The Plastic Bag Ban
NYS is one in only 12 states with single-use plastic bag ban. But it doesn’t work that well. Many resort to reusable bags selectively. While they’re prepared at big supermarkets, they accept free single-use plastic bags at thousands of small businesses. The question is, “If NYC doesn’t do it right, with a law in place, who will do it right?” And then I realize that people from around the globe could stop accepting single-use plastic bags, regardless if local bans exist or not. This is the gentle, healing love for Earth, or the simple action, any doctor would prescribe…
The NY Icons
I’m sharing a three-minute video finalized in 2023, which shows littered single-use plastic bags in NYC, while the ban was already active. The video advertised a small fundraiser; and the foldable tote bags seen in this article were bought as a result of this campaign.
Insider notes – yes, that is a real NY pigeon; I tried to save it, but failed. You’ll also notice a fabulous woman cleaning a bus stop with a broom and a dustpan, at 2 am, while listening to music and dancing.
The pigeon is now a symbol – the ‘We Are Atlas’ logo. And the woman is an icon, confirming that to care for the planet, one doesn’t need laws, calls for actions, joining a crowd, or a timetable.
But what is Fractured Atlas in the video? It is the fiscal sponsor which accepted the donations. It was the only option found following a two-month search. It came last minute, matched the needs perfectly, and made possible the launch of the We Are Atlas campaign on 11/15/2023 – our exact one-year anniversary as 8 billion!
If you’re tempted to call this a synchronicity, you’re spot on. I’ve been offered many striking winks from the Universe during this eco-journey. Not that I needed proof to agree with them, yet I got it; Sir Penrose and Einstein aren’t wrong.
But, hey, if you don’t notice them often, keep in mind that life on Earth depends on a unique, perfect combination of atmospheric chemistry, planetary spin, solar distance, and cosmic protection from our giant neighbors, Jupiter and Saturn. This is a finely tuned design allowing ecosystems not only to exist, but to thrive. How is that for a synchronicity? Add to the list each of us being born, being contemporary, and even you reading this.
Those synchronicities that stand out as extraordinary, harmonious events are the equivalent of exclamation points, meant to disrupt or straighten things up with the question marks. Think of them as the gentle taps of a parent (The Universe) on their child’s curved back.
The Generation of the Leos – A Simple Guide
Indeed, the Generation of The Leos is in its infancy; we’re only three years young*.
In infancy, the bones are soft, while the unhealthy habits are correctable. Let’s stir away from bent spines, and strive for the majestic Leo-stance. Earth needs our healing love, expressed as intentional, simple eco-actions. Hoping for a healthy collective legacy to be built on indifference or happenstance is too much of a gamble.
Please watch this four-minute video-guide that comes with a playful bonus; you can then type your answers to the two quizzes under this article. Also catch a meaningful quote from a children’s book with friendly aliens; and watch the appendix, too.
Last but not least, make a good wish for Earth on Lion’s Gate, and ever after. Thank you.
