The stellar cluster of Orion can be spotted in winter from both hemispheres. The trapezium cluster with its secant line has a geometric clarity that appears to be an axiom of stars. Its nebula, the cachet of its stars, its mythological lineage, astrophysical brilliance and hermetic shadow put the finishing touches to the constellation of Orion.

A few verses by Victor Hugo sound timely here:

Oh! traversing the ether! A terrible yet beautiful dream!
Overtaking the huge promontory of the tomb!
Who knows? Every wing is noble:
Man is winged. Perhaps, oh marvelous return!
A Christopher Columbus from the shadows, sooner or later,
(Vasco da) Gama from the cape of the abyss,

A Jason from the azure, long since departed,
From the forgotten land, via the engulfed sky,
Suddenly, on the human shoreline
Reappears, mounted on this alerion,
Pointing to Sirius, Alioth, Orion,
All pale, declaring: this is where I’m coming from!

(Victor Hugo – extract from the poèm Plein Ciel, Legend of the Ages, Volume II, Twentieth century II)

The constellation of Orion rounds off memento’s starry cycle and reveals the luminous nebulae of blessings that we wish to shower upon you all for the coming new year!