Friday 20 March 2015 at 9:41 GMT, the UK was plunged into eery darkness, such as never seen for over a decade. The moon, although many times smaller than the sun, when lined up between the earth and the sun, the moon eclipsed the sun blocking its light. The excitement was felt from young school children to experienced astrologers alike, despite the heavy presence of obstructing clouds. Observers keen to gain a glimpse of this phenomenon were advised not to look directly at the sun, in order to avoid irreparable eye damage. There was also a noticeable drop in temperature during the eclipse. It was also believed that certain animals may have been tricked into thinking it was dawn. The last partial eclipse in the UK was experienced in 1999 and the next full eclipse is scheduled to be experienced in 2090! The first known recorded eclipse was observed by John Flamsteed, the great Astronomer Royal, while aged 16 years old, from his home in Derby.
Many have speculated that changes in the galaxy signifies divine messages to humankind. We find that the birth of Jesus was signified by the stars and that at the moment of his death an eclipse also occurred. Eclipses are rare but also significant in our reflection of human life inso far as we oftentimes experience eclipses in our own lives when momentarily darkness seems to obscure our light. But with that being said symbolically we must understand that an eclipse does not represent permanent obscurity of light but instead can serve as a reminder that light, even though eclipsed still remains light.
In the words of Victor Hugo, Les Miserables, ‘even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise’.
As we prepare for the oncoming celebration of Easter, we are reminded that death eclipsed life but life re-emerged as the conqueror of death.
This week we may have experienced eclipses in our own lives but be encouraged in the knowledge that it is only an eclipse and not a permanent situation – the sun will shine.