Superstition
What’s up with the Cosmos?
Chilean author, Isabelle Allende, begins all her books on January 8 th to avoid disruption and find solitude. Spanish surrealist, Salvador Dali, carried a little piece of driftwood at all times to ward off evil spirits. Spanish painter and sculptor, Pablo Picasso, carried around hair and nail clippings to prevent his “essence” from escaping. Alfred Hitchcock made a cameo appearance in all his films to keep them from being flops. French King Louis XIV was scared of baths fearing that they would spread sickness. African American jazz great, Ella Fitzgerald, performed a series of rituals in the same spot on stage before singing to ensure a great performance. Actor Johnny Depp, always pockets a collection of charms to protect against bad dreams and negative powers; Horror Writer Stephen King is frightened by the number 13; and, Model Heidi Klum must have her bag of baby teeth at all times… When you believe in things that you don’t understand-Superstition… (Stevie Wonder, 1972)
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This brings me to the abnormally dynamic cosmic activity throughout the Midwest in 2024.Let’s begin with the total eclipse of the sun. I’d been forewarned about the potentially disastrous impact of viewing the full eclipse, with or without the protective solar eclipse glasses. Over time, some have stayed inside to avoid bad fortune; others performed rituals, while many prayed. And, of course, scientifically, it has been proven that direct viewing of the eclipse can cause significant eye damage, therefore the need for solar glasses. In fact and in fiction, eclipses have been written about including: Robert Sawyer’s Illegal Alien in which aliens come to earth to view the eclipse; and, Stephen King’s Dolores Claiborne where the author finds a way to utilize the solar eclipse to provide a pretext for murder. The total solar eclipse is a phenomenon that has historically been the genesis of legends about sun-eating serpents and black squirrels, ousted rulers, cataclysmic earthquakes, storms and pandemics. Even today, it is believed to symbolize darkness, death and evil omens in lots of households across the globe.
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In spite of all this, our day of viewing, April 8 th , was spectacular. Our group of six friends and family members drove about 50 miles to Toledo to see this very rare happening because there would not be another full eclipse of the sun in the USA until August, 2044! Nothing that happened would signal any bad tidings arising from the excursion. Talking, laughing and singing along the way, we made a beeline to Tony Packo’s Restaurant, famous for Hungarian-American food, especially the signature hot dogs, pickles and peppers. The restaurant is renowned and attracts artists, musicians, and even presidents and astronauts, many depicted in its Hall of Fame. In fact, the peak of notoriety came when M*A*S*H’s Corporal Maxwell Klinger (Toledo native, Jamie Farr) referenced Tony Packo’s in several episodes of the comedy: If you are ever in Toledo, Ohio, Tony Packo’s got the greatest Hungarian hot dogs.
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The plan for the Toledo Museum of Art was nixed because it was closed on Mondays. Alternatively, we made a pass through the National Museum of Great Lakes, making note of historically significant photography and artifacts which recounted social, economic and political stories on the Great Lakes (i.e. Underground Railroad operators, fur traders, rum runners, sailors). Magnificently, the Colonel James M. Schoonmaker, a 617 foot iron ore freighter, docked just outside, serves as an extension of the museum.
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​Okay, here was the key event schedule: Partial eclipse began-1:56 PM; total eclipse began- 3:12 PM; total eclipse ended-3:14PM; partial eclipse ended-4:26 PM. From the park, we caught it all! As the moon moved to completely block the sun from the earth, the sky darkened and the moon seemingly “devoured” the sun. We were left in a dusk-like atmosphere and a noticeably lower temperature. During full totality, the sun had disappeared but the mystery of its corona shone and encircled the moon with a beautiful but curious light. Solar glasses still in place, we remained for the sun’s escape and the restoration of daylight, completely convinced that our outing was a winner. We topped the day off with dinner at Beirut Restaurant and Lounge, savoring some of the best Lebanese food there is. Now, however, there’s only one thing- I find myself often wondering if I should attribute any recent misfortunes to having viewed this potential taboo. Very superstitious!
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In general, I’m trying to figure out what’s up with the cosmos this year within the area: There were the penumbral eclipse on March 24th-25 th , the partial lunar eclipse on September 17-18 th and, in total, five lunar and solar eclipses. And, oh, some considered them to be signs of terrible things to follow. The super blue moon on August 19 th could also have been an alert to impending doom, disaster and, perhaps lunacy. Moreover, there were twelve full moons of 2024, including three more super moons- a rare Super Harvest Moon, September 17 th ; Hunter’s Super Moon, October 17 th ; and Beaver Super Moon, November 15 th . They all carried some association with predictions of odd behavior, insanity, sleepwalking and other disturbing acts.
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Continuing, this year was distinguished by illustrious meteor showers visible in the area, including the Perseid Meteor Shower, which displayed up to 100 shooting stars from mid-July to a peak on August 11 th -12 t.h . (This activity originated from the constellation Perseus.); the Lyrid Meteor Shower (April 21st-22 nd ); the Orionid Meteor Shower (September 26 th , peaking on October 20th-21 st ); the Draconid Meteor Shower ((October 6 th -10 th ); and the Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas, which was striking to the naked eye between October 10 th -24th on the western horizon of Southeast Michigan. Now, remember never to point at a shooting star!
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On August 28 th , the Parade of Planets aligned Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune along the same ecliptic path as they passed earth in a phenomenal event requiring no special viewing equipment. Now perhaps, unfortunately you should watch out for significant life changes and intense cosmic energy. Substantially increased aurora activity rendered the Northern Lights much more conspicuous on October 10 th . Not as astounding as observing them in Iceland but, exciting all the same! Ancestors beware of communications coming in from all over.
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Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, was located here in the constellation of Lupus in November, 2024- it won’t be visible again until 2095. Venus, an evening star, moon-antares occulation, Eta Aquariids and Geminids meteor showers… supplement the sensational celestial events of 2024 over Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Year 2025 promises to be remarkable, as well. However, I want to join many others who endeavor to study up on what all this activity can signify. What is sure is that comprehension of astronomical events has been a preoccupation for centuries. Historically, Christians have substantially held superstitions about celestial movement, even signaling death as high as a pope. Try referencing Joel 2:31 to be reminded that a blood moon and darkness of the sun can be viewed as the beginning of the end. Santería ties selected spiritual principles to celestial events, like solar and lunar eclipses, shooting stars, the waning of the moon, etc. Hinduism points out negative omens associated with solar eclipses and it incorporates cosmology in making important life decisions. Singers like Portugal’s Lura, sing of celestial dreams: Then the moon was covered over with clouds and the world lost its joy… in that painful silence, the eclipse came.
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Don’t get me wrong, there is just as much positivity out there about astronomical activity. Advanced science has eradicated negative associations in many corners based upon practical research and study. A blue moon is thought to perhaps enhance luck or have magical qualities; a solar eclipse can be a time for introspection and renewal; a lunar eclipse’s vigorous energy can alter life’s path and so on.
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In the past, polls indicated that about 25% of the population was superstitious. However, a researcher named Stuart Vyse, very recently, writes that almost everyone is superstitious on some level. People, who think they are not, send chain letters; cross fingers; make wishes on falling stars; avoid breaking mirrors; don’t walk under ladders, and so forth. I have been known, myself, to have gut feelings; blow out birthday candles after a wish; avoid much activity on Friday the 13 th ; bless sneezes; and, knock on wood. Truly, there are more Allendes, Dalis, Depps and Hitchcocks than we thought. Still, I plan to be front and center for the 2025 celestial showcases “in my own back yard” even though I, too, don’t completely agree that superstition ain’t the way.