Perihelion
The Earth is closest to the Sun, at its perihelion, about two weeks after the December solstice and farthest from the Sun, or at its aphelion, about two weeks after the June solstice.
In Spiritual Science, we recognize the Sun as the source of love through the Logos or Christ.
It is both the visible physical sun (and source of life on Earth through warmth and light), but also the spiritual sun and source of higher ethers (and specifically life ether).
It is true that in order to achieve freedom, humanity had to come to believe that a sphere of gases moved through the universe out there, though physicists who would be able to go there would be really surprised, for instead of a sphere of gases they would find an empty space, indeed less than space. They would discover that the sun out there is not a sphere of luminous gases (which is a nonsense) but in the first place just a reflector, unable to radiate light and at most merely reflecting it. In the spirit, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Venus and the moon radiate light. Physically the sun appears to be shining on them, but in reality they radiate light towards the sun, which acts as a reflector. This is the physical reality.
Source: https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/19211106p01.htmlNow you may object that according to physicists the sun is so terribly hot that, had it been inside the earth, it would have burned everything. Well you know this only from physicists, who would be greatly astonished if they could see what the sun really looks like. If they were to construct a balloon and travel up there, they would not find the sun so very hot. They would find it filled with life forces. The heat develops when the sun’s rays move through air and other matter. (1922-09-27-GA347)
Regardless of whether you believe the sun is what physical science describes, or whether you understand the true reality of its being through Spiritual Science, one undeniable fact remains: The Sun is the source of sustained life on Earth and, therefore, deserves our humble consideration and respect. And with that respect is a respect for all life. For the highest law of life is to bring no harm to any living thing.
As the Sun is at its closest to us this time of year, may we realize also the closeness of Christ to us all year long. Even as the Sun now begins its journey to its farthest from us, know that Christ is never far and desires only to move closer to us – if we would just let Him do so.
May this year be a year of reconciliation with the Spirit that longs for our return.
Year | Perihelion | Distance | Aphelion | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | January 4, 2023 8:17 am | 91,403,034 mi | July 6, 2023 1:06 pm | 94,506,364 mi |
2024 | January 2, 2024 4:38 pm | 91,404,095 mi | July 4, 2024 10:06 pm | 94,510,539 mi |
2025 | January 4, 2025 5:28 am | 91,405,993 mi | July 3, 2025 12:54 pm | 94,502,939 mi |
2026 | January 3, 2026 9:15 am | 91,403,637 mi | July 6, 2026 10:30 am | 94,502,962 mi |
2027 | January 2, 2027 6:32 pm | 91,406,556 mi | July 4, 2027 10:05 pm | 94,510,857 mi |
* All aphelion/perihelion times are in PST. |