"We need to recall that time, in its physical essence, is nothing but the measurement of cyclicality itself. Whether the swing of a pendulum, the orbit of a planet, or the frequency of a laser beam, the assumed regularity of a cyclical event is literally all we have to define what time is. Etymologically, the word “time” comes from the “tide” —- an ancient reference to the lunar cycle still retained in such expressions as “yuletide” and “good tidings.” Similarly, the word “period” originally meant “orbit,” as in “planetary period.” The word “annual” comes from “annus,” whose ancient root meant “circle.” The words “year” and “hour” come from the same root as the Greek “horos,” meaning “solar period.” The word “month” is a derivative of “moon.” Without cycles, time would literally defy any kind of description"

The Fourth Turning

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