“Ooooh,” “Aaaah,” “Wow!”
These noises enveloped me as I observed Monday’s Solar Eclipse, in tandem with the predictable symphony of bird chirps.
I am a light astrology follower. I know my Sun, Moon, and Rising signs (Pisces, Aries, and Libra, respectively). I look for messages in everyday interactions in the world, mostly from birds, but also from unique animals that cross my path. The ancient practice of Ornithomancy combined with the 2024 millennial practice of Googling absolutely everything, both equally sacred, provide the perfect guidance.
This Eclipse season is particularly mysterious, given its alignment with the New Moon and Mercury Retrograde. The New Moon each month is a time to set intentions for new beginnings. As the moon begins to grow on its way to fullness yet again, it’s a time to reflect on what we want to create over the next month.
So when I stepped outside to chase the Eclipse in-between connection and coaching calls, I was surprised with what I found. I didn’t feel all that different. The birds were still bird-ing. The squirrels were squirrel-ing. And in some ways, I suppose, the humans were human-ing.
One thing was different, though.
The Eclipse brought people together in a way that we don’t see on an ordinary day.
Around 2pm ET on Monday, I found myself meandering over to the local library, in search of an extra pair of glasses. I hoped I could bum them like a cigarette. What I found instead, was the staff gathering outside the library, offering one another their glasses, and testing out a piece of cardboard with a hole in it, as if experimenting in high school science class.
I asked if I could take a look with the glasses, and they generously offered me a pair. All of a sudden, I was one of the people cooing with delight, like a male mourning dove courting its future mate.
I stood amazed, not only at the beauty of this event, but also in admiration of the people around me.
They graciously invited me into their circle, to share in the wonder of this special event. No one asked questions about who I was, or why I was there, or why I didn’t have a pair of Eclipse glasses. They simply welcomed me in, human to human.
We even bonded over our nail polish color, “Playdate” by Essie — in case you are wondering. It’s a purple-pink color that exudes spring, not too dissimilar from the Azalea. All of a sudden, we started seeing purple everywhere. Purple nails, purple shirts, purple pants.
Naturally, I had to google the meaning of the color purple. It has several meanings, royalty or regality being the most associated. Another one of its meanings?
Magic.
Perhaps the real magic of the Eclipse and the glasses required to view it are not only that we can see the Moon eclipsing the Sun, which is, indeed, magnificent — but also, that when we put on these glasses, we can see one another.
I am choosing to view the presence of purple as a reminder of the magic that exists. Not only in our world with natural phenomenon like the Eclipse, but also — when we come together, in community.
When we talk to people we’ve never met.
When we spend time outside in wonder, without our phones.
When we allow ourselves to receive and not reject the kindness of strangers.
That is the true magic of this Eclipse: being together in community, and witnessing the wonders of our world, together.
Let’s Reflect
Did you get a chance to watch the Eclipse?
What was your experience like?
What did you notice about the community surrounding the Eclipse?
As always, I’d love to hear what reflections this brings up for you. And, if you’re looking to build your community, let’s connect.
In loving support,
Grace