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For example, who hasn't heard of the classic novel "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville?
It tells the story of Captain Ahab's relentless pursuit of the titular whale, but did you know that it also features descriptions of the constellations and the stars? Melville was fascinated by astronomy, and his love of the stars shines through in his writing.
Have you ever wondered why we're so fascinated by the night sky? Is it the beauty of the stars, the wonder of the unknown, or something else entirely?
Well, according to Freudian theory, our obsession with the cosmos is actually a manifestation of our primal desire to return to the womb.
Yes, you heard me right! Freud believed that the stars and the night sky represent a return to the safety and comfort of the womb, where we were free from the stresses and anxieties of the outside world.
Maybe that is why you and I look up at the stars and feel a sense ofhiraeth, a longing for a home we have never known.
I come from a home like this.
My heart beat faster as I recalled this part. Had I gotten too personal? Was this a classic case of too much information?
I do not know my father. He left our family for more ambitious shores the day after I was born. I have no idea what he even looks like.
And my mom never really recovered from the perplexity of his absence. There were times I wished I could return to the home I had before being born.
But then again, isn’t that what we all turn to when we seek some form of comfort from the uncertainties of the world? After all, it is natural to want safety when it feels like we have nowhere to go and nothing to turn to.
Thankfully, life has its little quirks and reminders. And all of them will eventually tell you that if you were given this existence, you have the strength needed to live it.
I guess it helps to know you're not alone in your desire for comfort and security.
Our universe is a paradox unto itself, because it is home to so many tiny mini-universes. I like to believe there is one whole such existence for a billion burning stars.
Stars that are so hot that they can melt iron! And if you thought that was impressive, just wait until you hear about black holes.
Black holes are like the bad boys of the universe. They're so powerful that they can bend light and warp space and time.
In fact, the physicist Stephen Hawking once famously said that "Black holes ain't as black as they are painted." So if you're looking for a celestial object with a bit of edge and danger, look no further than the black hole.
It comes back to all of us, and how we witness the wonders we surround ourselves with. Life can be a black hole sometimes, and on other nights, when we’re standing under an open sky and an expanse of constellations, it could be entirely different.
Small and big. Everything and nothing. Atmospheric and temporary. All of it comes down to the heart, and how it helps us perceive.
There is no life without the heart. That’s biological, but in a deeper sense, it is also profoundly… poetic.
Literature, psychology, and astronomy belong in the human heart because together, they can tell you deeper truths about yourself. The universe is full of mysteries, and there's always something new to discover.
Perhaps all we have to do is open our eyes a little wider. Our hearts, too.
Fear happens.
But there’s also a sense of possibility right after.
“Okay.” I finally spoke, feeling agonized. “I totally sound like I wrote a piece for a kid’s educational website. There’s no research, nothing to back it up. I had something bigger in mind and just wanted to get the idea across and now I’ve made a fool of myself.”
I was blabbering caffeinated chipmunk.
“I’m sorry I gave you this crap to read early in the morning. Can I have it back so I can burn it and bury my head in my bag for the rest of the class, please?”
“Are you kidding me?” Professor Taylor looked at me. He did not look disgusted at all. In fact, I’d say he was... pleasantly surprised.
“This is revelatory. It’s rudimentary, yes, but look at your insights, Aurora.”
Hey, wait a second. Where had I heard that voice sayAuroralike that? I shook my head again. I needed more sleep.
