Tonight’s Moon – Photo: L.Weikel
Special Partial Lunar Eclipse
I’d probably be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the upcoming, actually very special, partial lunar eclipse that will occur during the wee hours of Friday morning, November 19th (2021). I’ve seen so many posts and articles about it, I sort of feel as though I’m just being redundant by writing about it here. But just in case this scintillating blog is your lone connection to the outside world, let me alert you now: 2021’s second set of eclipses is upon us, and the first in the series will occur a few hours after midnight Thursday night – also known as a few hours before dawn Friday morning. (The second, a solar eclipse, will take place on December 4th.)
Whether you decide to stay up late (ok, very late) or get up early to watch it (should you make that bold choice at all) depends upon whether you’re a night owl or a morning rooster.
What to Expect
While I’m still a bit unclear as to the astrological significance of eclipses, I understand how they occur astronomically. And when we watch them take place (obviously the lunar eclipses are the ones we can directly observe without burning our retinas), it’s hard not to feel overcome with a sense of existential awe. Every single time I’ve witnessed an eclipse I’ve imagined a visceral connection to my ancient, ancient ancestors who must have been blown away by the mystery unfolding before their eyes.
I think eclipses are thought to be revelatory in some way. I don’t know why, but as we approach this particular partial lunar eclipse I’m focusing more on how it is expected to be the longest lasting eclipse (three hours and 28 minutes) this century – but also the longest in the past 580 years. It seems like we’ve been experiencing a number of celestial events in the past couple years that have been significant in that way. Is it a coincidence that humanity seems to be going through some pretty significant shifts in these times?
Beam me up? – Photo: L. Weikel
Whoa
Every once in a while, especially when witnessing celestial events, I’m left with such a profound shift in perspective that it’s hard to even form words to describe the visceral effect. I mostly feel it in my chest. Is it my heart attempting to expand into the space above? Is it simply the enormity of All That Is that takes my breath away? Or is it the flip side of it all? Am I overcome by just how teeny tiny and insignificant everything is here – not the least being my solitary self but also all the struggles and worries of our entire planet?
Which leads me to ask: have you ever tried to imagine what existed before the Big Bang? Or what exists beyond…what? IS there a boundary to universes? Where does anything begin? Or end? Try to imagine it.
Yeah. Did you feel that weird sensation in your chest?
Whoa.
Cloud Winged Ones – Photo: L. Weikel
(T-9)