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Posts tagged as “solar eclipse”

Why Eclipses Are Such a Big Deal?

April 8, 2024

Just hours earlier, the world had its first solar eclipse. This phenomenon is a natural occurrence where the moon occludes the sun’s light, casting a shadow that can be seen in parts of the world. In some areas, the sun completely blocks out the light, leaving only a halo of light called the corona. Other times, there’s a partial solar eclipse, leaving a crescent of light that evokes the mysterious.

Residents of Texas to Ohio and all the way up to Main will enjoy a full view of the total solar eclipse. The day completely turns dark as the moon and sun come together to become a celestial wonder.

Several videos on social media show the event. Luckily for those who see it in person, they will get to enjoy this and won’t see a total solar eclipse again for another 20 or more years.

But why are solar eclipses such a big deal? It’s mostly people’s appreciation of a cosmic event. It turns out some cultures in the world celebrate it for more than its rarity.

The Navajo tribe in North America view solar eclipses as a time of sacredness, rebirth, and renewal for the cosmic bodies. During this time, the Navajo people reflect quietly inside their homes. Some of them forego food, water, and all activities until the event is over.

For some religions, it’s either a bad omen or a good one. For the Hindu, the variety of beliefs surrounding eclipses result in different activities. Some Hindu either venerate the event, and some believe the eclipse brings negative energies.

It’s not only people and their traditions that change during a solar eclipse. Even animals have a change in behavior during an eclipse, especially if their environment is on the path of totality.

Studies that include anecdotal evidence have shown that the majority of the species of birds become quiet and stop feeding during the event. Other people have reported seeing increased activity from mosquitoes, and nocturnal animals come out of burrows to hunt. The same cannot be said for domesticated dogs and cats.

Whether you’re praying in a temple in India, or have flown to Dallas, or just staying at home with your pets, it’s always best to be safe. To truly appreciate the beauty of this cosmic union, make use of appropriate protective lenses.