Polaris, or the North Star, is in the same location in the northern hemisphere every night from dusk to dawn, neither rising nor setting, and is also the brightest star in the sky. It symbolizes direction, guidance, stability, and purpose. In Norse folklore, the North Star was at the end of a spike around which the sky rotated. In Mongolian mythology, it was a peg that held the world together. In the biblical sense, it was the Star of Bethlehem. Sailors got North Star tattoos believing it would help them stay on course or guide them back home.
The North Star, 430 light years from the Earth, is 4.5 times larger than our sun, and 2,500 times brighter. It wasn’t always in the location it is now, and it will not remain there forever, but it will be there for at least my lifetime. Scientists predict it will remain our brightest star for about another 2,000 years.
Growing up I used to sing the jingle, “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might. Have the wish I wish tonight,” whenever I saw the North Star. Then, I’d squeeze my eyes tight shut and hope like hell my wish would come true. As a child, I had a wild imagination and trusted the North Star kept an eye on me even in the daytime.
A few nights ago, I got up in the middle of the night and noticed a bright star shining through the glass in our bathroom window. It was one of those moonless nights. Clear. Dark.
Instead of going back to bed, I quietly went outside and sat on our patio deck gazing up at the sky. The North Star was right there at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle. Shining bright and clear. Steadfast. Unwavering. Loyal. Dependable.
Life is full of change, and I’ve certainly had my fair share as of late. It’s been an up-and-down adjustment. Some days are good. Some days are not. Some things have worked out. Some have not. And as change continues –the struggle to hold on and the wrestling to let go, I am comforted once again seeing that the North Star still shimmers exactly where it should be.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein
Enjoy the Passage of Time.
Sharon
© 2023. Sharon Kreider. All Rights Reserved.
2 thoughts on “The North Star”
Hi Sharon
Good reading your thoughts. We miss you guys and hope you are doing well
Hello Sharon, I’ve just been catching up on your posts. I realize that you have moved. I just read this post. I hope you are both okay? We think about you and Rea often and did finally get to Wallace, Idaho to do some biking. Take care. Laurie Cullor
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