What the Eclipse Taught Me
The run-up to the complete solar eclipse on April 8 was quite the buzz. Lots of information, anticipation and planning began months and years earlier. As one of those people who planned ahead, a year ago I marked my calendar as busy and made arrangements to be in my Ohio hometown with my parents in the direct path of eclipse totality. There is something deeply rooted and spiritual to me about my hometown; my parents are near and dear to me; and this special event was to be unique and impactful in multiple ways. It seemed as though the planets (well, one planet and two of its closest friends…) were literally aligning!
The eclipse was magical–there is no other word to describe it. I have seen other partial sun eclipses, which are cool in their own right, but this total overlap of the moon on the sun as seen from Earth was something truly spectacular.
First, there was the anticipation: we intellectually knew what to expect, but would the weather cooperate? Would our location give us a complete enough view? How long would it really take? What would go on around us? Would our special glasses protect us and allow us to see what was happening? All of these factored into an electric energy that was shared by many.
Then, there was the incremental process: initially, a small shadow on the edge of the sun, followed by greater and greater coverage. We wanted it to go more quickly–be constantly more dynamic–and we were forced to summon patience and wait, tracking progress over time.
Then there was totality: the moon eclipsed the sun! We saw the bright ring of the sun surrounding the moon, the intense twinkles with areas of imperfect coverage. And, that wasn’t the only effect from the alignment: birds quieted, street lights came on, the temperature dropped, and it appeared that there was a 360 degree sunset all around us. And something we were not anticipating happened–we heard a loud and joyful cheer from a large group of people who had gathered in a field a mile away.
Eventually, there was a return to normal: the moon continued its path between the sun and Earth, the light returned, the birds sang, and the temperatures rose. Within 10-15 minutes, it was like the eclipse never happened.
My words and pictures can never really compare to experiencing the total eclipse first-hand. As I continue to reflect on those magical moments, I’m struck by the lessons it has to offer:
Lightness and darkness are interconnected and overlapping–we need both to understand and appreciate either
You can feel small and insignificant while also feeling connected and an integral part of something big and important
Full alignment can create ease and wonder
Some experiences are intensely powerful and also fleeting
Filters or lenses can offer protection and bring some things into focus while simultaneously negating others
Perspective and perception influence experiences
Releasing connection to time can allow for full immersion into what’s happening in the moment
Differences can be minimized by common purpose
I’m still feeling the impact of this experience and will continue to use it as a guide on my life’s journey. As we collectively move forward in the wake of the total eclipse, may each of us continue to find moments of and reasons for awe, connection, reflection, patience and gratitude.
