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Can you feel the love buzz?TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, JUNE 08, 2004 06:36:10 AM ] Today, Venus has a date with Earth. The last time Venus air-kissed our planet was 122 years ago. "Nobody alive has seen Venus and Earth in such close proximity. It will be a spectacular show, with Asia and Africa getting the best view of the transit, and Venus being visible for more than six hours," says Nehru Planetarium director N Ratnashree. "Venus' transit can be observed with minimal instrumentation — all that one needs is a protective filter such as eclipse goggles to save the eye from UV radiation. No natural disturbances are expected to mar the view." But whenever Venus has been in such close proximity to Earth, history has recorded momentous events. For the Venus Effect, read on. In 1519, Magellan del Cano set about the first circumnavigation of the world. The Reformation began in western Europe and the age of female rulers came to Europe — Mary Queen of Scots, Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Catherine de Medici and all reigned then. The next pair of 1631/39 coincided with the beginning of the first regular mail services in Europe. Also came the rise of rationalist science. In the 1761 and 1769, Venus period, Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington were born. The American revolution had its origins in this period. In 1874/82, the Venus transit coincided with the founding of the World Postal Union and the completion of the Atlantic telegraph cable. Also, in those years, Graham Bell conceived the idea of the telephone. In the same period, the rise of women's suffrage led to women being given the vote in New Zealand, the US and Australia. Wanna know what's gonna happen this time? "Venus means woman — women will be on top this year," announces astrologer Bejan Daruwala, "Iraq's Sherin Abidi getting the Noble Prize is what I mean when I say woman on top. Besides, June 8 is a good date for lovers. ‘8' relates to Saturn and this is good for older lovers to rejuvenate." Numerologists Sanjay and Bansilal Jumaani foresee the present as "the best time for peace talks between India and Pakistan." Tarot readers Deepak and Pinky Vaide say: "The transit will see healing, and cross-border terrorism being repaired. Also, people in authority will start working more responsibly and individuals will learn family values." For astronomers too, Venus' transit is a major event. Explains amateur astronomer Vikrant Narang, "We can study a phenomenon called the Black Drop effect. Venus will cast an artificial shadow on the Sun while not really meeting it." Adds PK Srivastva, former head of DU's Science Centre, "This is a rare event. But people shouldn't watch it directly through telescopes as this can harm one's eyes." So much for the astrology and science of Venus' transit. What does it mean in REAL terms? "It means love will hopefully reign today," says entrepreneur Shalu Jindal, "This is the time for spouses to fall in love all over again." Says entrepreneur Timsy Anand, "I wish something like a midsummer night's dream happens and all those fighting suddenly fall in love!" Former model Mehyar Bhasin feels "it could either bring people in love together, or throw them apart, enabling them to get someone who really loves them!" Over to compere Shefali Talwar: "Today's environment is hot — and not just temperature-wise! Countries are losing their cool with each other. I hope Venus cools things down." Rajya Sabha member Vijay Mallya feels that Venus' visit will "coincide with people accepting each other the way they are." Nafisa Ali, social activist, sees Venus' transit as the chance to spread love worldwide. "Start with your self by spreading kindness... this has a ripple effect." It's not without reason that Times Foundation and Palpung Sherab Ling Monastery chose the occasion of the transit of Venus to launch the Global Oneness initiatives yesterday. Got it folks? Today, hug those you love and those you don't too. In case you don't, you can only do it next in 2012! Because, today's rare celestial configuration will repeat itself in 2012 and then in 2124. So, it's best to book a date with today! ( With inputs from Jyoti Sharma, Ashok Chatterjee, Purnima Sharma, Jyothi Prabhakar, and Nikita Doval ) |
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) it will be my centenary lol