#sundials

princetech pikmin....

singles under cut

So, what defines clockwise? 🕰️

The answer is: sundials!

Throughout the day, a shadow is cast by the sun onto a sundial, and the shadow moves from the left to the right. In a clockwise order!

I spent a few evenings figuring out how sundials work. In the northern hemisphere, a sundial’s shadow move clockwise

However, clockwise is a totally arbitrary definition because sundials were invented in the northern hemisphere where the shadows move from the left to the right

Since, in the southern hemisphere, the shadows move in a counterclockwise (anticlockwise) direction

But why?

It's simply because of the POV of the observer, based on whether they are on top of the Earth (Northern Hemisphere) or on the bottom (Southern Hemisphere)

In both hemispheres, the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west. However, in the northern hemisphere, the sun appears to move through the southern portion of the sky. While in the southern hemisphere, it moves through the northern sky. This is all a trick of perspective.

This ended up being important both for sundials and astrolabes (which will make sense in the next part). Below are some WIP diagrams I have been making to explain this from draft to (mostly) final diagram (with very wiggly continents):

▵ pick a fic and I’ll tell you my favorite line: Ohhhhhh, what a great excuse to reread lmao. I'll be back!

Back! And uh. Fuckles, one favorite line? lmao

“Soulmates are not as simple as your media and news would like them to be.” She states, fire red hair flowing over her shoulders. “They like to pretend the story ends when Soulmates meet, that everything that comes before or after is ruled by fate.” She shrugs, the movement elegant. “It’s not so simple. The journey to meet your Soulmate is as important as meeting them. Maybe even more so. Discovering yourself is important.”

Ironically one of my favs isn't from Tucker or Damian, but Kor'i, who sets up an important factor to this Soulmate fic--that the lead up to the meeting is just as important as the meeting itself. And that after isn't set in stone.

While this fic doesn't go into the after, it spends a lot of time on the discovery--of oneself, as well as one's soulmate(s)

Soulmates do not complete a person, he knows. Soulmates are meant to walk in step. It doesn’t sound as inane and useless now as it did when he was ten.... (Skip) ...Easy to see why Father describes Soulmates as people who walk in step, who trust each other to catch them when they stumble.

One of my other favs are these lines, though there's a couple paragraphs apart. Another build up of how this world works.

And IDK I'm just a sucker for soulmates being your match. Who can keep up with you, compliment you, but aren't there to fix or complete you.

They walk in step.

Thanks for the ask, Scribe!! <3