By now you’ve heard plenty about the solar eclipse that darkened a narrow band of North America last Monday, April 8th. Here in Niagara, we were in the path of totality and I have been wanting to share this joyful moment with you all week.
Although we were well prepared, having purchased our eclipse glasses months ago, there was a chance we weren’t going to be able to use them. Clouds covered the skies that morning and their lingering density meant our anticipatory excitement was fading. Still there’s always hope.
As afternoon arrived, breaks in the clouds made us more hopeful and by 3:00pm gaps in the clouds continued to grow. We began to watch the moon slowly cover the sun.
The moment of totality 3:18 pm, however was a surreal, other worldly experience. At this point you can remove your eye protection as it goes completely black. And then the corona become visible.
It was there, in these few minutes, that a deep silence fell in this abnormal nighttime. Singing birds paused their song, we watched in reverence, speechless, and a kind of hushed, yet powerful energy moved through the air. I can’t quite describe the feeling. It brought tears to my eyes.
I was in awe of the wonders of creation. Who made this? Who made us? How blessed we are to have the experience of life gifted to us by our Creator.
As I looked around, the colours of sunset rested in a band 360 degrees around the horizon. The streetlights came on and the corona shone blazing around the celestial being that sustains life on earth.
And before you know it, the moon shifted slightly and night turned to day and everything went back to normal, amongst the gasps and exclamations of delight.
Can you imagine what humans who lived thousands of years ago thought when they experienced a total solar eclipse?
We all knew we had experienced something unimaginably beautiful. And if you travel enough you will catch the next one. Iceland 2026 anyone?
What I know is, here in Niagara we will never experience a total solar eclipse again in my lifetime.
And I am still in reverential awe of the mathematics of our universe. Not the math that tells us where to be and at what time, (we have computers and calculators for that), but the math of an orderly universe that moves in precision, adjusting for variables, and continuing for millennia, seemingly constructed for us. I am in awe of our Creator, and that still brings tears to my eyes.
We know so little.
Tell me what you felt if you’ve ever seen a total solar eclipse.
This is the Journey to Joy series. Write a post, like a gratitude journal about something you’ve experienced on this journey to joy. Link your post in comments by next Friday, and I’ll share it in my next Saturday’s post. What brought you joy this week?
Discover more from Life with Alegria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I didn’t ‘catch’ this one, but I have had the experience before and it is, as you say, quite surreal. We can’t pretend to understand or know everything. Best just to revel in the beauty of our amazing world, and our place in it, Alegria.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so true Jo. There’s so much beauty in our world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All I felt was cheated 😔. I saw nothing, and I must admit I was a little jealous watching it on tv and seeing everyone crying and talking about the reverence of it all. Maybe Iceland 2026 is not a bad idea 😊.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry you felt cheated Jan. I guess it will have to be Iceland. Who needs an excuse to book a trip. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
True 🤣.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for sharing. In the Chicago area it was clear, but we were outside the band of totality, so our experience was only a smidgen of what you and others have described. I can’t imagine what I would’ve felt had I experienced the corona – darkness and light intermixed in a way that almost defies description…but I like what you wrote: ”in awe of the wonders of creation”. Gosh, yes. Mystical and perhaps it serves as a reminder that we’re not supposed to ‘know all’ but bask in the shared experience. A slowing down to give nature her due, reminding us that we’re not nearly as powerful as we think (or aspire to be). Big, big hugs to you! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank YOU Vicki for reading and appreciating. We are certainly not powerful in the way we humans profess. Nature has her was of reminding us. Absolute wonder and awe, yes. Thanks my friend for getting to the heart of it. Love and hugs. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰❤️🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful that you got to experience a total eclipse firsthand, Alegria! *envious* I’ve heard that it’s very primal, but your description also paints a picture of spiritual. I’ve heard Iceland is very beautiful. Something to shoot for? I may. In any case, thank you for sharing your experience. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It did feel like a spiritual experience Susan. Makes us and our problems seem insignificant. And yes, Iceland would be incredible. Definitely something to consider. Thanks so much for reading and appreciating. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your description of your experience of the eclipse is wonderful, Alegria. You are so lucky to have been exactly in the right place to see the totality. I’ve heard it is very primal. I’ve also heard that Iceland is a beautiful place, so perhaps something to shoot for? In any case, thank you for sharing. :)
LikeLike
Thanks very much for being here and appreciating. I do feel very blessed to have experienced this rare celestial event. You’re right about Iceland, perhaps something to plan for. Thanks Anonymous!
LikeLike
Wow, what an incredible description with beautiful pictures! I’m most amazed at the stop of the bird song. How interesting! And your point about what ancient civilizations must have thought. What an amazing world we live in. Thanks for sharing the eclipse experience for those of us that weren’t in the path of totality! Beautiful!! ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for being here and appreciating this moment with me, Wynne. It really was spectacular and I hope you get to experience it firsthand one day. Have a beautiful weekend. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was in awe. It was such an beautiful experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really was Margie. I’m so glad you experienced it too. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person