Eclipses be crossing US
A brief word on a symbolic union of heaven and earth: sun and moon, earth and waters
Today there was an annular eclipse crossing the Western US from Oregon down to South Texas. An annular eclipse is when the moon is far from earth and thus not big enough to create a total eclipse. A ring of sun is still visible, and the earth darkens but doesn’t enter complete shadow. From what I’ve heard, the effect isn’t as ecstasy-inducing as a total eclipse, but it’s still extraordinary and magical. Like so:
The event has me looking back to the total eclipse of 2017, as well as forward to the total eclipse next April 8, 2024, the path of which will be within easy driving distance of my home. Before 2017 I had never seen an eclipse before. It was one of the most awesome and devastating experiences of my life (I wrote about it last Bright Week). To have two of them in such close proximity is strange, and combined with the extremity of our times feels very meaningful. The thought occurred to me to look to see how the paths of the two total eclipses overlap:
Are we being crossed out? Or does X mark the spot? The material cause of the pattern is that the last one occurred near the autumnal equinox, and the next one occurs near the vernal equinox. But material causes aren’t the meaning of things. Can I look more closely at the overlap?
The two eclipse shadows intersect on the stretch of the Mississippi River in between the junctions of the Missouri and Ohio Rivers. These are the aquatic crossroads of the country’s interior:
Insofar as heart means center, this is the center — the heart of the land as indicated by the humility of its waters, for water always seeks the lowest place. The heavens and the earth seem to be in agreement. The sun and the moon are only pointing out what the land and the waters were already saying.
The modern habit of dismissing the perception of any meaning in such celestial events is highly aberrant and inhuman. According to the nature of the cosmos and our place in it, we should be discerning something here, though we ought to be careful of putting too much conviction in our conjectures. Still, I have the sneaking suspicion that we are being crucified. That it’s Friday in America. Next comes the Great Sabbath. With a little pain, and a lot of hope, I sing, Glory Allelu.
Your connection between the eclipses and main rivers is very insightful. But humor me for a second. What if the x shape of the eclipses going over main rivers represents the 4 rivers of Eden? What if it is a sign of revival and awakening? There have been a few big revivals that have made headlines around the Mississippi river. And if Nineveh can have an awakening and experience massive repentance, America is certainly not out of the question.
It's great to see you posting again Cormac, I hope things are going well for you and your family! I've missed reading your articles.