Full Moon and Jupiter

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Many are the magical sights to be seen in Edinburgh. Here, above a Holyrood structure aptly named Dynamic Earth, is a view of Salisbury Crags, formed over forty million years ago by the effects of Arthur’s Seat, the volcano now quietly presiding over them. And above and beyond still further, around 226,000 miles above and beyond to be a bit more precise, is tonight’s Full Moon. Oh, and there’s Jupiter! At their closest points Earth and Jupiter are 365 million miles away from each other. That I can even begin to perceive all of this at this time and in this place gives me a direct encounter with something beyond the reach of adequate explanation: awe.

Beautiful sleeping elephant

Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood, Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that last erupted around 340 million years ago, presides over Edinburgh, Scotland’s glorious capital city. It reminds me of an elephant sleeping or meditating on its haunches, and I’m always excited to see it and the city skyline and sea views from its summit, no matter whether I’ve been away for days or months. So I won’t get much sleep tonight – as I’m heading back there tomorrow, already looking forward to seeing how far Spring has sprung, revelling in coastal walks, bookshops, cafés and friends, and possibly a few (more!) photos …

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙂🌱