In the universe, something is always happening. Planets and satellites lead a whimsical dance, the Earth rotates around the Sun and the Moon travels around the Earth. From time to time, earthlings observe lunar and solar eclipses, when the luminaries line up and block each other. People tend to believe that such events have a special, mystical meaning – perhaps, not without reason.

Night in Broad Daylight

In any year, there are from two to five solar eclipses; five happens very rarely. The last time this was recorded was in 1935 and a repeat is not expected for another 188 years – in 2206.

The eclipse of the Sun happens on a New Moon, when the visible side of the Moon is not illuminated. Moon shadow is a round black spot (about 250 km in diameter) rushing along the surface of our planet, at a speed of 1 kilometre per second. This can be observed by astronauts in orbit. You can see a total solar eclipse from the Earth only while in a narrow shadow strip.

Once in 200-300 years, the night comes twice! The day suddenly turns pale and the stars appear in the darkening sky. Coolness descends and the birds are silent and nervous. Other animals are looking for shelter.

Thanks to science, the primitive fear of a solar eclipse has changed to interest and admiration. The nervous excitement experienced today by lucky people who observe this most interesting phenomenon is explained more by the unusual nature of the situation than by some other impact on a person. History, however, has the facts, when significant events for earthlings coincided with episodes of solar eclipses.

Crucified, He showed many signs (Tertullian, circa 165-230).

The sun faded when Jesus, crucified on the cross, died. In the Gospels of Luke and Mark, darkness is described, from the sixth hour to the ninth hour. According to Matthew, “The earth shook and the stones scattered.” An eclipse was followed by an earthquake, which was perceived as an omen of shed blood and news of the Saviour.

The enemy was not attacked in time … (“The Lay of Igor’s Host”)

The unknown author of “The Lay of Igor’s Host” witnessed the eclipse of the Sun on May 1, 1185. As reported in the Ipatiev Chronicle, Prince Igor, going on a campaign against the Polovtsians, saw the sun “standing like a month”. It was on the banks of the Donets, where the Russian squad assembled. Warned the boyars, “Oh, unkind sign!”, but the prince did not cancel the campaign, for which he paid a price of defeat and captivity.

Stories of Our Days

In Trier, Germany, on the day of a solar eclipse (May 5, 1818), Karl Marx was born.

The first test of an American nuclear bomb on the Alamogordo test site occurred on June 16, 1945, a week before a solar eclipse.

The “queen of the human heart”, British Princess Diana, died on the eve of an eclipse, August 31, 1997. Mother Teresa then said: “Probably, this tragic loss means much more than we can imagine.”

Six minutes and 51 seconds of the total eclipse of 1919 was enough to prove the theory of relativity. English astronomer Arthur Eddington, during this time, measured the bend of the trajectory of stellar light, as close as possible to the surface of the Sun. Einstein was right – the force of the gravitational field of solar-scale bodies is capable of distorting light, space and time.

Bloody Moon

The Moon gives way to the Sun, in terms of the number of legends and mysterious stories. Apparently, this is due to the fact that, during lunar eclipses, people usually sleep and night “lights off” seem quite natural.

In a lunar eclipse, the Earth stands in the path of reflected sunlight. At such times, its companion looks blood-red. When the Moon is in the shade, scattered rays still appear on it. Streams of the red-orange spectrum easily pass layers of the Earth’s atmosphere and tint the moon, as well as the dawn along the horizon line.

Indians Did Not Know Astronomy

America appeared on the map thanks to the ingenuity of Christopher Columbus, the denseness of the Aborigines and the red moon. If it were not for the eclipse, it is not known what would have been at the end of the council of the Indian tribe of the Caribs on March 1, 1504. The navigator intimidated the belligerent leaders, making clear that, in case of resistance, he would steal a round lantern from the sky. The full moon rose, but, suddenly, she began to devour the crimson veil. The natives, in horror, rushed to beg the powerful alien to return the luminary to its place. Vows of loyalty, backed by generous gifts, led the parties to a consensus.

Astrological Tips

This year is a period of five eclipses. Of the two full lunar ones, there is only one left. It will be held on July 27^th. Of the three solar ones, there are two more, on July 13^th and August 11^th.

In any such phenomenon, astrologers see a sign from above. In the period of solar eclipses, external events come to the fore, while the lunar ones affect the world of emotions and inner experiences.

The solar eclipse is the start of the next life cycle, the discovery of prospects and the impulse of energy for several years to come. Lunar, on the contrary, marks the completion of something. The event can lead to a crisis or bring about insight. The secret becomes clear and discoveries complete the search. A long-awaited meeting, resolution of conflicts, a public scandal or, conversely, reconciliation are all surprises of the Moon. Remember, do not let the emotions take over and wreck your plans.

In times of eclipses, your best friend is a sober and clear mind. Tend to your food intake and take care of your heart and blood vessels. Try to relax more, pump positive energy and keep feelings and their manifestations under control.

Look into the astrological calendar. In the intervals between the extinctions of the Sun and the Moon (they are called “corridors of eclipses”), the importance of intuition increases. Do not rush to invest! Better to save and pay off debts. Listen to your inner voice, count on yourself, enjoy life, smile and be happy.