Editor’s note: This commentary is by Vickie Harris, of St. Albans.
[T]he convergence of two seemingly unrelated events led to my speculation about their possible connection: the racial tensions that erupted in violence in Charlottesville and the total solar eclipse.
As the center of our solar system, most will agree that our sun is life-giving, that without it, life on our planet would be limited to the mineral kingdom. Throughout recorded history, because the sun has been recognized as the source of life on our planet, it has been deified, placated, glorified in art and religion and its demise greatly feared. Indeed, even today, different religions ascribe various meanings and practices to a solar eclipse that is viewed by some as an inauspicious event, an ill omen causing bad luck or even death, whereas others view it as a source of inspiration, even an opportunity for awakening.
As the solar eclipse traversed our nation, people experienced utter darkness for a few minutes during its totality. Temperatures dropped as darkness descended, confused birds started their evening songs, tides surged and humans were spellbound. Some who experienced it directly expressed reverence and awe and even the science deniers could not challenge the science that predicted the eclipse and its path. For some it was described as a spiritual experience, a moment when we mortals look up at the heavens and realize that we are part of a larger life system, a reminder of the power of nature. We peered briefly at our impermanence and impotence.
Total solar eclipses that span the entire continental U.S. happen only rarely, the last one occurring in June 1918. Coincidentally, the Great War ended five months later in November. One can only imagine that during the war, it must have seemed that the world was plunged into impenetrable darkness. Perhaps the symbolism wasn’t lost on those observing the eclipse that the re-emergence of the sun could be viewed as a harbinger of peace.
For those of us searching the heavens to find possible causal relationships with happenings on our planet, we find significance in the words of Hermes Trismegistus, the ancient “messenger of the gods,” when he proclaimed in the Emerald Tablet: What is above is like what is below and what is below is like that which is above. To make the miracle of the one thing.” Using this premise, one wonders if it is possible that this recent eclipse points to a spiritual struggle in the American psyche, one that is evidenced by the violence of Charlottesville. Is our social conscience, even our democracy itself, threatened by a moral eclipse? Are we being forced as a country to examine what our shadow side prefers to keep hidden — our prejudices, our hatred and bigotry? It would seem that as a nation, a choice is being forced on us: to address what the light has revealed in our collective consciousness or to continue living in darkness, allowing our shadow side to prevail.
It may be that cosmic cycles present unique opportunities for us to come to terms with deep-seated issues such as racism. These are moments that call for willingness to evaluate our individual truths and our shared values. Charlottesville is one such occasion. If we choose to expose those dark places in our collective thinking and allow them to re-emerge from the darkness, is it possible for us to unmask what fuels the political divide in America? Are we willing to look at how much we marginalize and dehumanize others while proclaiming freedom and equality for all? Or are we too comfortable in our sense of entitlement as Americans, too complacent to be open to change our thinking? Do we believe we can remain neutral when action is required?
This summer of 2017 presents yet another opportunity to celebrate diversity in this country and to overcome the hate impulse. Maybe this convergence of heavenly forces will provide the impetus for each of us to reach towards the higher good, for the principles upon which our country was founded. Just as the decision was made 99 years ago to end the world war, we can decide it is time to eradicate separateness in our thinking, to embrace our history and resolve our differences.
