Dark Day Beginnings

The human race has always looked to the sky for answers. Up in the clouds, there is a calm resolve that is potent with spirituality, guidance, advice, and love. In ancient times, the stars guided navigation and provided stories about the lives of the gods to explain the natural world. There was consistency in sky – day and night – repeating itself monthly and yearly, a constant presence that awed the earthly mind. However, there was danger too in the form of thunder, lightning and eclipses. The ancients viewed eclipses as dire omens of some impending danger, of the end of time, dragons eating the sun, or viscous dog gods devouring the light. Today more sophisticated people travel around the world to view this phenomenon and hotels are solidly booked along the travel path of the foreboding sign. Predictions of stock market crashes, unusual animal behavior, short cash supplies, and psychological distress abound the news and Internet. NASA has numerous data collection sites from the earthbound to satellites in order to study various physical changes and calls it “Dancing with the Sun.” Normal people wonder what the hoopla is all about.

Eclipse mania is everywhere. I was with some friends this week and one talked about taking the grandchildren to Kentucky where the eclipse would last for almost two minutes. They have hotel reservations, eclipse goggle protection, and have taken the grandchildren out of school in order to make a holiday and celebrate the rare occasion. As we talked about the exciting adventure, another friend asked her if the eclipse was during the day or night. I worry that someone thinks it would get darker if it happened at night. There is a web site that promotes a one-stop “watch the eclipse and marry your cousin” resort as well as Yahoo Headlines proclaiming that, “Nick Saban doesn’t care about the Eclipse.” Why should he, those elephants can play at night too. On a Dallas radio talk station, the host was reviewing the closure of area schools pending the eclipse and a lady called in asking; why didn’t they just reschedule the eclipse at a more convenient time when school was not in session? In our litigious society, along with the schools closings, special goggles are being recalled, and warnings are issued pertaining to eye care as wait for the disasters that will come raining down on us when our world gets dark for one minute. I’ve taken all the normal precautions; warned those I love not to look directly at the sun so you won’t burn your retinas.

Eclipse magic is not for the fainthearted or inexperienced. The ancients viewed it as a time for new beginnings, a time of reflection and a change of direction in one’s life. They may have seen it as a sign to be released from the shackles and obstacles that bind and hinder. They would have thought it is a time to get in touch with their inner voices – the fairies – and worship nature, pray, fast and dedicate their abundance to the gods for protection. Today it is easy to get caught up in the euphoria of eclipse magic.

Since I have made a recent decision to retire – again – I am going to use the teachings of the wise sages who predicted phenomenal changes in our world during an eclipse. I too have heard the west wind whisper, calling me to journey forth and tilt some windmills. This is the time to search for my lost soul hoping to emerge from whatever self-made cocoon in which it has been encased. It is time to dust off the broom and fly. As the Wizard said, “everyone deserves a chance to fly,” and what better time to mark the occasion than with a total eclipse of the sun.