As a 10-year-old, my parents took me to the Hayden Planetarium. I sat mystified in the dark, dome-shaped theater watching the show and learning about the objects in the night sky. I focused on the moon, the stars, and the planets wondering if I would get to go up in a rocket.
As a 13-year-old with pimples and pockmarks, I studied the craters on the Moon through the lenses of my friend Joel’s Tasco telescope. I was an amateur astronomer marveling at its beauty and feeling sorry for its pitted face.
As a 20-year-old, I watched two astronauts land on the Moon. And one of them walked on the Sea of Tranquility. I saw the picture of his footprint engraved in the lunar dust and our unfurled flag planted in the moon’s soil.
As a 21-year-old, I survived the Age of Aquarius by driving my mom’s spanking-brand-new Mustang to Greenwich Village. I was a hippie dressed in a flowery shirt, bell bottoms, and green, yellow, and blue beads. And as I drove into the City, I sang along with the 5th Dimension:
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
Not keen on astrology, I never bothered to delve into the meaning of “Seventh House.” I knew it referred to the belief that the world was entering a new age, the “Age of Aquarius” and the song suggested that this age would be characterized by love, light, and humane relationships.
As a 75-year-old, I learned that the Moon in the 7th House signifies the need for emotional bonding and nurturing relationships. While it intensifies emotional experiences, it can also lead to mood fluctuations and emotional dependency. By embracing empathy, understanding, and emotional balance, individuals can foster harmonious partnerships.
Astrology still sounded like a bunch of crap to me. But I loved the “need for emotional bonding” and I have been known to have a few mood fluctuations.
Now as the co-editor of Sea of Tranquility—A Literary Anthology, I have emotionally bonded with the SOT team and the authors in the book. All of our emotional states blasted off this planet when we learned that our works were headed to that moon.
I thought this was the same moon I studied at the Hayden at 10; observed through a telescope at 13; watched an astronaut walk on at 20; sang about in my Mustang at 21, and wrote about at 75. Quite a journey. A journey that led me to believe that there’s a harmonious partnership between mankind and the Gods. A partnership that connects the dots in our lives like a string of green, yellow, and blue beads.
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Art by Regine Fisher and cover art for “Sea of Tranquility—A Literary Anthology.”
Love the commentary…sounds a lot like my early life at Hayden and through the age of Aquarius.—Gail
Thumbs up.—Fran
Nice to see you have a new book.—Debra
Thanks Mort for reminding us of the glory of youth as written in the night sky. Whatever you do, don’t bend the mustang!—David
Good write.—Fabiyas
Awesome.—Barbra
Great story.—Howard
I love this story.—Samuel
The moon controls the tides and we are made of a great amount of water so our moods would definitely be affected.. longing for Tranquility right now.—Sandra
Oh Yes.—Neil
Perry, Thanks for sharing.—Mort
Thumbs up.—Cynthia
Thumbs up.—Gerri
Thumbs up.—Deborah
Thumbs up.—June
Aimee, Thanks for sharing. Mort
Thumbs up.—Joanne
Thumbs up.—Emily
Thumbs up.—Allan
Thumbs up.—Becky
Thumbs up.—Perry
Thumbs up.—Anita
Good story.—Barbara
Thumbs up.—Susan
Thumbs up.—Max
Thumbs up.—Mary
Thumbs up. Mort!—Jim
Thumbs up.—Paul
Thumbs up.—Sue
Thumbs up.—Jeffrey
Thumbs up.—Aimee
Thumbs up.—Lewis
Thumbs up.—Jason
Thumbs up.—Shelley
Thumbs up.—Bella
Thumbs up.—Paul
Thumbs up.—Michael
Thumbs up.—Devorah
Thumbs up.—Sandy
Thumbs up.—Mark
Thumbs up.—Steven
Thumbs up.—Mary
Thumbs up.—Maurice
Thumbs up.—Jason
Thumbs up.—Glenn
Thumbs up.—Janie
Thumbs up.—Susan
Thumbs up.—Esther
Thumbs up.—Linda
Thanks Mort for reminding us of the glory of youth as written in the night sky. Whatever you do, don’t bend the mustang!—David
