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Date: April 05, 2024 at 13:45:10
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: From folklore to conspiracies, the history of total eclipses |
URL: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4577218-from-folklore-to-conspiracies-the-history-of-total-eclipses/ |
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From folklore to conspiracies, the history of total eclipses
by Joshua Hallenbeck - 04/05/24 4:07 PM ET
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(WJET/WFXP) — The total solar eclipse that will pass through parts of the nation Monday is just one of many total solar eclipses that have been seen throughout history. While we have a strong understanding of how and why eclipses happen, it was not always this way. From folklore to conspiracy theories, here’s a breakdown of some of the history and myths of a total solar eclipse.
According to NASA, one of the earliest recordings of a total solar eclipse dates back to 1375 BCE. The Ugarit Eclipse has been documented in Early Mesopotamian Records, which read:
“On the day of the new moon, in the month of Hiyar, the Sun was put to shame, and went down in the daytime, with Mars in attendance.“
After that point, you can find references to total solar eclipses in the Bible, Greek writings and various other forms of media throughout history.
Why is the 2024 total solar eclipse so unique?
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, during ancient times, the eclipse was an event that would generate fear. Some people believed their god was angry or saddened, while some myths described a beast trying to destroy the sun.
For example, the Chippewa people, who were one of the largest groups of American Indians in North America, shot flaming arrows at the sun in the hopes of rekindling it. There were tribes in Peru who did the same but for a different reason; they were attempting to fight off the beast that was trying to destroy the sun.
The Japanese believed that during the eclipse, poison would drop from the sky, so they covered their walls to protect themselves. And if you happened to be in Transylvania, the belief was that the eclipse would cause a plague.
Even today, people still hold fears about the eclipse, as was evident during the eclipse in 1995 when soldiers in Cambodia aimed their guns toward the sun and fired in the hopes of scaring away the mythic dragon from the sky. It was reported that the only casualties were from the bullets.
… We often see ideas of eclipses as being a pursuit or a consumption of the sun by some kind of monstrous being or animal. So we can see, for instance, in a lot of Chinese folklore, a pursuit of the sun by sky dogs. We can see in other places different kinds of monstrous beings, whether they be sort of deities or animals. In the Choctaw tradition, there’s an idea that the sun is being gnawed on by a giant squirrel. So how can we explain the fact that the sun is gradually being eclipsed by the moon, is that it actually appears like it’s being gnawed on a little bit, little tooth marks one at a time and you’d respond to that by trying to scare the squirrel away.
Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth, The Ohio State University
Fear of the eclipse affecting pregnancies was also a prevalent concern. At one point, it was believed that the eclipse could cause pregnancy issues, including blindness, cleft lips and birthmarks. Some of those superstitions continue today, and sometimes pregnant women are warned to stay inside, not eat and not carry sharp objects.
People now know better. Nowadays, the only health warning associated with the eclipse in most cases is to protect your eyes. Looking at the sun without proper protection or even improper protection can lead to permanent retina damage and even blindness that cannot be repaired.
In addition, with such a rare event comes many conspiracy theories that pop up online. One such theory is that the eclipse will cause major thunderstorms along the line of totality.
Harold Brooks, senior scientist with the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, said that given the speed of the moon’s shadow, it would not have the time to have any real effect on the weather, more specifically with severe storms. The biggest effect that will be seen as a result of the eclipse is a temperature drop of a few degrees and an increase in the wind.
NASA expert explains the science, what to expect for this year’s total eclipse
Other conspiracy theories spreading online claim that the eclipse could cause an earthquake. While the moon creates very subtle gravitational tides, it is nowhere near strong enough to trigger any seismic events. Additionally, since the moon’s cycles affect this force, the moon simply crossing in front of the sun has no effect at all.
Regardless, the 2024 total eclipse will be a once-in-a-lifetime event, one remembered for a lifetime by millions of Americans.
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[48103] [48104] [48105] |
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48103 |
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Date: April 05, 2024 at 13:48:30
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: From folklore to conspiracies, the history of total eclipses |
URL: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4576923-greene-earthquakes-eclipses-sign-god/ |
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and of course, the idiots have to chime in...lol...
Greene: Earthquakes and eclipses a sign from God to ‘repent’
by Theresa Maher - 04/05/24 2:48 PM ET
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said recent earthquakes and a coming eclipse are “strong signs” from God that America needs to “repent,” shortly after tremors shook the New York City region Friday.
“God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent. Earthquakes and eclipses and many more things to come. I pray that our country listens,” Greene said Friday in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The Georgia lawmaker’s remarks came just hours after a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit near Lebanon, N.J., about 50 miles from Manhattan. It was recorded at a depth close to 3 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Greene’s comments also come as a total solar eclipse is expected to shroud parts of North America in darkness Monday.
It will travel from Texas to pass through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, according to NASA. Greene’s home state of Georgia is not in the “path of totality.”
It’s the first total solar eclipse since 2017, and the next one is not expected until August 2044, per NASA.
Greene has been derided for peddling conspiracy theories in the past, such as suggesting that California wildfires were caused by space lasers controlled by a powerful Jewish family. She has also backed former President Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
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[48104] [48105] |
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48104 |
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Date: April 05, 2024 at 16:38:23
From: Bev/Van Isle, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: From folklore to conspiracies, the history of total eclipses |
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Hi Ryan !
Greene is such a flake! 😬. ( I’m being nice here. Lol)
And per your other link- earthquakes connected to eclipses aren’t
conspiracy theories at all, but I’m sure many here know this.
I wanted to pop in and say the USA chart ( the Sibly version) is under
hard transits for a while yet , and not just with the eclipse. This eclipse
falls in the 4th house in this chart. The 4th of a country in mundane
astrology is about earthquakes, bad storms , tornadoes etc. EARTH
events. The Mercury retrograde is aspecting said chart quite strongly
from this current 26° Aries, for a few days yet.
One of the manifestations over this next few days will be weather, and
unfortunately make for negative viewing for much of the eclipse path. I
won’t bother to go into all the astrology of that right now.
Eclipses actually “set the tone” for events for weeks, months, and even
longer.
Aries is also associated with anger and warring energies.
We’ll see events occur at various intervals depending on other transits
and future lunations.
One period for events coming up will be once Mars in Pisces hits around
19-22°;….mid-April, for about a week. ( due to how it aspects the USA
chart )
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Responses:
[48105] |
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48105 |
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Date: April 05, 2024 at 17:16:51
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: From folklore to conspiracies, the history of total eclipses |
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hey Bev...so nice to hear from you! thanks for the info and stay cool!
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