“Newton was sitting under an apple tree when an apple fell on his head and he discovered gravity. And we here are living in darkness and tragedy, and rockets are falling on us, therefore I thought of creating light.”
Using two fans salvaged from a scrap market that he rigged to some wires, 15-year-old Hussam Al-Attar has created his own source of electricity. His goal was to light up the tent where he and his family (along with over a million other refugees) are camped out in Rafah, on the border of Egypt, after being displaced by Israel’s assault on Gaza.
The Al-Attar family told Reuters that they had attached their tent to the flank of a one-story house, so Hussam (who has been dubbed “Gaza’s Newton,”) could climb onto the roof and set up his fans as wind turbines to charge batteries. He then used switches, lightbulbs and a thin piece of plywood extending out into the tent to create a bespoke lighting system. It took three tries to make the apparatus work, but the intrepid young man (who dreams of becoming a scientist and inventor) persevered.
“I was very happy that I was able to make this, because I eased the suffering of my family, my mother, my sick father, and my brother’s young children, and everyone here who is suffering from the conditions that we live in during this war,” said Hussam.
The approaching Virgo Full Moon (Feb. 24, 4:30 a.m. PT at 5 degrees Virgo/Pisces), with its focus on details, order and making things work, is just the energy we need right now – especially in Rafah, as Israel mounts a ground invasion there this week. Important matters beg for resolution as the practical Virgo Moon opposes the compassionate Pisces Sun. And, with both Mercury and Saturn in Pisces bracketing the Sun, there will no doubt be hard choices to be made and life-or-death issues to be reckoned with.
The February Full Moon has long been associated with overcoming hardships. The Algonquin Native Americans called this the Hunger Moon, as food was difficult to come by at this time of year. Yet this Full Moon also stimulates ingenious solutions to problems. Virgo and Pisces are creative signs often seen in the charts of photographers, artists and inventors. The “ingenious” factor is also depicted by Venus conjunct Mars in Aquarius, exact late on the 21st but still within orb at the Full Moon. Both planets, having recently been initiated by Pluto, are super-charged with intelligence, far-sightedness and the willingness to sacrifice all for passion – or redemption.
This is a good time to take stock and evaluate your life, and cast off that which no longer serves you. Lighten your load. Physical and spiritual cleansing will help you prepare for the coming Spring. Virgo loves an orderly routine, so you might practice some yoga or make a healthy pot of soup. Since Mercury in emotional Pisces disposits the Moon, try not to worry about things you can’t change – but take action on those you can. Also, beware of digestive issues caused by nervous eating or drinking. Stay flexible and look to practical ways of creating order in the midst of chaos. Perhaps your home could benefit from an early Spring cleaning? The Moon sextiles Jupiter in earthy Taurus, urging us to keep our feet on the ground and have faith, even if we’re not sure where things are headed.
With Rafah under siege, please join me in holding the Al-Attar family and all the innocent victims of genocide in our hearts. At this Full Moon, I’m grateful for Hussam’s shining example of Virgo perseverance motivated by Piscean caring, and pray that the Newton of Gaza stays safe. May he inspire us to assist those we love – and others in the broader community – who are in need of our help and prayers.
Thank you for this, and for telling the story of this young scientist who wants to bring ‘light’.