Lion's Gate Portal 8/8/2024 - Myths and Facts
The Lion's Gate Portal is said to be a period of increased cosmic energy between 26th July and 12th August, peaking on August 8. Proponents believe that during this time, the Earth aligns with the star Sirius, Orion, and the Galactic Center, creating a "portal" that facilitates spiritual awakening, abundance, ascension, and increased consciousness during Leo season
This belief is rooted more in modern new age spirituality rather than ancient traditions. There is no substantial evidence from historical astronomy or astrology to support the existence of such a portal.
My Personal Opinion
I don’t believe the Lion's Gate Portal to be true.
Yes, 8/8 is an abundant time numerologically speaking, but celestially, the star Sirius actually began its rise at 14° Cancer - so about three weeks ago on the 6th of July when the Sun was in Cancer.
Lion’s Gate Portal isn’t a thing. It’s a new age hype that has no factual or historical backing.
Points of Consideration
Sirius Rising - In ancient Egypt, the heliacal rising of Sirius (which occurs around July) marked the beginning of the Nile flood and the start of the Egyptian New Year. This timing is often linked to the Lion's Gate Portal, which is believed to peak on 8th August. However, the heliacal rising of Sirius today occurs at a different time due to the precession of the equinoxes, which affects the timing of these events.
Sirius in Ancient Rome - Conversely, in ancient Rome, the rising of Sirius was associated with drought, famine, and unrest due to the intense mid-summer heat they endured during this time. The star's appearance marked the hottest period of the year, known as the "Dog Days of Summer."
Numerological Significance of 8/8 - The number 8 is considered auspicious for success and material wealth. Its symmetry and infinite loop symbolise balance, strength, and abundance. Numerologically, 8/8 is seen as a powerful date for manifesting prosperity and achievements.
The Galactic Center - The Galactic Center, located at approximately 27 degrees Sagittarius in the tropical zodiac, is the rotational centre of the Milky Way galaxy. It is characterised by the presence of a supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A*.
Astrologically, this point is associated with profound spiritual insights, higher consciousness, and transformational energies. Its influence is particularly potent for those with significant chart placements near this degree, emphasising the pursuit of higher knowledge and universal truths.
Orion - In the context of the Lion’s Gate Portal, Orion's alignment with Sirius and Earth is thought to create a period of heightened cosmic energy, however, there is no historical evidence that Orion's alignment with Sirius or the Galactic Center was used to mark auspicious events.
Calendar Systems and the Lion's Gate Portal - The concept of the Lion's Gate Portal on 8/8 is tied to the Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used civil calendar today. However, different cultures and civilisations have used various calendar systems throughout history, which can alter the perception of celestial events and their timing.
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Gregorian Calendar - Introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, this calendar corrected inaccuracies in the Julian calendar and is now the international standard. The Lion's Gate Portal date of 8/8 is based on this system.
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Julian Calendar - Implemented by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, the Julian calendar was used until the Gregorian calendar replaced it. It had a slight inaccuracy in the calculation of leap years, leading to a drift of one day every 128 years.
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Ancient Egyptian Calendar - The Egyptians used a solar calendar with 12 months of 30 days each, plus an additional five days to total 365 days. The heliacal rising of Sirius marked the beginning of their new year, but the exact date would drift over centuries due to the lack of a leap year system.
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Lunar Calendars - Various cultures, such as the Islamic and Chinese civilisations, have used lunar or lunisolar calendars. These calendars base their months on the cycles of the Moon, resulting in different dates for equivalent Gregorian dates.
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Mayan Calendar - The Mayans used a complex system combining several cycles, including the Tzolk'in (260 days), the Haab' (365 days), and the Long Count. The alignment of celestial events like the rising of Sirius would fall on different dates compared to the Gregorian calendar.
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Precession of the Equinoxes - The precession of the equinoxes is a slow, gradual shift in the orientation of Earth's rotational axis, which affects the position of the celestial equator and the ecliptic over a cycle of approximately 26,000 years. This phenomenon has significant implications for celestial events and their perceived timing.
- Due to the precession of the equinoxes, the heliacal rising of Sirius, which was once observed at a specific time in ancient Egypt, now occurs at a different time in the year. This shift is why the rising of Sirius today does not align with the same calendar dates as it did thousands of years ago.
- The precession also affects the zodiac signs, causing a gradual shift in the position of constellations relative to the Earth. This means that the positions of stars and constellations in ancient times differ from their positions today, which impacts astrological interpretations.
Personal Significance of 8/8
Despite my skepticism about the Lion's Gate Portal, I do love this date. August 8 is the day I signed the lease to my shop, marking a significant milestone in my personal and professional life. The number 8 has always been lucky for me, symbolising success and prosperity. It's the number of my house, the number I align many of my personal choices with.
Conclusion
While the concept of the Lion's Gate Portal is popular in the new age community, it lacks historical and astronomical evidence. The numerological importance of 8/8 is still meaningful, holding personal significance for success and new beginnings. However, as a portal of ascension, I remain doubtful.
References
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- Kitchin, C. R. (2011). The Galactic Center and its Supermassive Black Hole. Astronomy Magazine. Retrieved from Astronomy Magazine.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023). Precession of the Equinoxes. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica.
- NASA. (n.d.). The Precession of the Equinoxes. Retrieved from NASA Solar System Exploration.
- Smith, A. (2020). Astrological Significance of Sirius and the 8/8 Portal. The Astrological Association. Retrieved from Astrological Association.
- AAS. (2022). The Influence of Sirius in Historical Cultures. American Astronomical Society. Retrieved from AAS.
- Anderson, L. (2023). Numerology and the Significance of 8/8. Numerology.com. Retrieved from Numerology.com.
- History.com Editors. (2019). The Gregorian and Julian Calendars. History.com. Retrieved from History.com.
- King, M. (2023). Fixed Star Sirius and the Galactic Center. Astrology King. Retrieved from Astrology King.
- Cafe Astrology. (2024). Astrological Insights on the Galactic Center. Retrieved from Cafe Astrology.
- NASA. (n.d.). The Galactic Center. Retrieved from NASA.