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| The moon is full today at 3:42 am (EST), and we'll also see a total lunar eclipse, visible from Australia, the Americas (including Alaska), the Pacific Islands, and westernmost Africa. At totality, the moon will appear smoky red, a gorgeous subterfuge caused when the limited sunlight passes through the edges of Earth's atmosphere and "scatters," leaving the longest-reddest-wavelengths intact and giving the eclipsed moon its classic rosy color.
As you watch the eclipse, reflect on what this spectacle must have looked like to ancient peoples, who watched the moon turn bloody red and surely imagined disaster was immanent. Many of them imagined the moon was being swallowed by a demon or a mythical animal, and they would shout at the moon, cursing it and throwing objects to drive away the invader. Join this ancient tradition as you watch the eclipse. Light a fire or, if that's not possible, a candle or lantern. Dance around the flames, becoming rowdier as you proceed. Shout at the moon, throwing small pieces of dirt, seed heads, pine cones, or other "soft" objects toward the eclipsed satellite, demanding the demons and monsters depart. Shout again, calling back the moon's bright silver face. As the eclipse fades, yell and sing with joy and rejoice in the moon's safe return, feeling the connection you've forged with the ancients. Finish with cakes and ale. |
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