It’s the rest of the week and how can I not write about the 2024 solar eclipse?
Is it not refreshing to have something besides sports competitions, political campaigns, or the latest entertainment tour, take center stage (even if for a moment) and capture the attention of North Americans?
Millions of people adjusted their schedules and made travel plans to experience the minutes during which the moon would pass between our planet and the sun, chilling the air and casting an eerie twilight color to the sky—even as the sun remained high in the heavens.
Believe it or not, internet usage actually decreased 40% or more (compared to the previous week) in the states where a total eclipse completely blocked the sun—people wanted to actually experience the event for themselves.
We happened to be in Michigan on Monday where the sun, moon, and Earth did not fully align for a total eclipse, but we did get to enjoy 96% coverage—which dimmed the light and turned down the temperature enough to quiet down the chirping and buzzing of nature.
“What would we think if we didn’t know what was causing this?” I asked Ricardo.
What about you?
What would you think if the sun you count on to be in the sky every single day disappeared at 3:10 pm in the afternoon—along with broad daylight and the warmth we take for granted?
Astronomer Tyler Nordgrenas describes the solar eclipse as an unnerving event and tells people “it's the most unnatural, natural phenomena you will ever experience in your world.”
The ominous nature of a shadow that can blot out the sun—unpredictably—has prompted some interesting explanations over the course of human history, along with rituals and practices to somehow make sense of the phenomena and provide a sense of control over the situation.
It’s understandable that we feel the need to come up with an explanation, and a plan to protect ourselves, when something unexpected and unpredictable comes along.
But sometimes we have to hold space for the mystery—without assuming gloom and doom. To be curious and hold on interpretation until we have more information.
And, in the meantime, simply respond as best we can—like the birds bedding down for the night (that ends up only lasting a few minutes).
May your rest be sweet,
Alicia
Great photo!
I enjoyed the thoughts as well but there is something about the photo that captures me and keeps me looking. Maybe it’s the sense of how you lean in together, how you belong together.