Passing Thoughts

On March 15, 2011 (or in about few hours from posting this blog) the world will come to terms with some interesting historic and astronomical phenomena not known to many.

The Ides of March refers to the 15 March in the Roman calendar. According to Wikipedia, the term ides was used to refer to the 15th day of March, May, July and October. In other months, ides refers to the 13th day.

Ides of March can go by any other references depending on what important event was tied to it. But in world history, it marked the bloody assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C.

In a 2004 story by the National Geographic, it said ancient Romans living before the Caesar’s death, referred to ides as merely one of several common calendar terms used to mark monthly lunar events. It simply marked the appearance of the full moon.

But the Ides of March assumed a whole new identity after the events of 44 B.C. The phrase came to represent a specific day of abrupt change that set off a ripple of repercussions throughout Roman society and beyond (note: and beyond).

Now here’s the catch: over the next couple of hours when the date turns March 15, 2011, the earth, as scientists and astronomers have announced since last year, will begin to experience a more notable pole shift—meaning, the North Magnetic Pole where compass arm usually points to, will deviate by about 20 degrees. It’s called polar shift, with a timeline concluding in 2012.

There is nothing extraordinary actually. The North Magnetic Pole normally moves slowly over time due to magnetic changes in the Earth’s core. In 2001, it was determined to lie near Ellesmere Island in northern Canada and in 2009, it was moving toward Russia at a rate between 34 and 37 mi (55-60 km) per year.

But this year’s shift is way too significant at 20 degrees. What this means is that, in real terms the compass needle will deviate by about 20 degrees of its direction from the supposed N (North) sign. But we won’t notice it because the compass will still show the needle pointing to the N sign, which is movable. Are you lost? I hope not yet.

Meanwhile, in astronomy March 15, 2011 also represents a very interesting phenomenon–the planetary alignment of Sun, Earth and a recently discovered comet named Elenin (named after amateur Russian astronomer who discovered it, Leonid Elenin).

While hundreds of video streams about last Friday (March 11) Japan tremor and tsunami now spreading viral over on the net and YouTube, with views going by the millions, a less patronized YouTube posting uploaded last month and reposted just on March 8 (or 3 days before the Japan quake), discussed  the probability of major earth shakeout within the pacific rim between March 11-15. The author even warned viewers about staying away from known faultlines lying in the pacific.

The simple assumption, albeit scientific, was based on the planetary and Elenin comet alignment which first occurred in February 27th last year when a major quake rocked Chile. The same exact alignment was expected to take place from March 11-15 and with tremor activities affecting areas within the pacific rim. Fact: the alignment started on March 11, coinciding with Japan’s 8.9 earthquake.

Last Saturday (March 12), Japanese authorities announced the country is bracing for a 70 percent possibility of new major tremors over the next few days.

Whether or not something phenomenal (resulting from planetary alignment) is going to happen on March 15 remains to be seen, but what we have seen so far is that, these stories and events had been foretold but we chose to ignore because we’d rather not be ridiculed for believing in doomsday prophecies.

It’s quite interesting to note the U.S.  FEMA and Homeland Security had put forth a readiness campaign,  particularly citing earthquakes and tsunamis. They even set to stage a simulated earthquake drill dubbed, The Great Central US Shake Out slated on April 28 at 10:15 a.m. Do they know something the rest of the world doesn’t know about?

Whether such scenarios are products of rumors or not, facts or fiction, biblical or scientific discussions– it pays to be ready physically and spiritually.

The Ides of March is about to set in. Let’s hope and pray that it becomes just– another ordinary day.