What Do Ancient Writings Say About a Comet in 2024?

In the coming days, comet enthusiasts may have the rare chance to witness a spectacular celestial event—Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) could become one of the brightest comets of 2024. Discovered in January 2023, this comet might soon be visible to the naked eye, though its actual brightness remains uncertain.

Astronomers discovered C/2023 A3 at the Purple Mountain Observatory in China, followed by confirmation through NASA’s ATLAS project. What makes this comet particularly interesting is its origin in the Oort Cloud, a distant region of our solar system filled with ancient, icy objects. As the comet approaches the sun, its gases and dust form a glowing coma and tail, giving it the brilliant appearance characteristic of comets.

Today, September 27th, marks the comet’s closest approach to the sun, a date that holds deeper meaning beyond astronomy. According to the Zohar, this comet aligns with a prophecy in the section “Balak – The Time of the Messiah,” which predicts that on the 25th day of Elul, a Friday, a comet will be seen—a foretelling that coincides exactly with C/2023 A3’s appearance today. The Zohar suggests that at the time of this cosmic event, the world will face challenges, yet the comet itself represents balance, freedom, and renewal rather than disaster.

In his book The Star Connection, Rav Berg discusses the interpretation of comets, explaining that they are viewed as omens of freedom and balance rather than disaster. The comet’s tail symbolizes the energy-intelligence of the Vav of the Tetragrammaton. This tail, resembling the letter Vav, signifies a rod or stick, illustrating a connection between energies. The round face of the comet represents the union of Malkhut with the Vav, blending the positive energy-intelligence of the Vav with the negative energy-intelligence of Malkhut. This union creates a circuit of energy that fosters balance and stability. Therefore, the arrival of a comet should be welcomed, as it signifies only positive possibilities.

Over the next two weeks, the comet will move across the sky, offering a potential spectacle for skywatchers. Some estimates suggest it could reach a brightness rivaling Venus, though the glare of the sun may make it challenging to see during the day. Its appearance is expected to last for 70 days, symbolizing a period of transformative energy, aligning with spiritual interpretations of harmony and stability from the Zohar.

Comet C/2023 A3 will be closest to Earth on October 12th, 2024—Yom Kippur, another significant spiritual day, adding to the symbolism surrounding this celestial visitor. The best viewing opportunities are expected just after sunset. While comets are notoriously unpredictable, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime event, as this comet won’t return after its journey past the sun.

To find the comet on September 27th, you can download the Sky Tonight app, which will guide you in locating this rare cosmic phenomenon. Keep an eye out for clear skies—and if you have binoculars, they’ll be your best tool for catching this fleeting visitor from the far reaches of our solar system.

If you are unable to see it outside, you can watch the livestream tonight:

_{Thank you, Scientific American, B. Phillips, and Rav Berg author of The Star Connection}