Dance of the lunar eclipse and winter solstice

Today may be the most mystical day in centuries as the Earth's shadow blocks the sun's glow on the surface of the moon at the same point at which the Earth achieves her farthest reach from the sun.  Astrologically it is a magnificent display. Mystically, it is a breath-taking dance of brilliant symmetry, alignment and light, which invites the human heart and mind to wonder again at  heaven's choreography.

The lens of today's wise men are fixed again on the heavens.  For the ancient pagans, it was also a mysterious occurrence, which they called Yule tide.  And, to add to the already interesting blend of science, religion and mythology is that the last time the Earth, Moon and Sun were in such a unique dance together in the solar system, the Earth was plunged in the depths of the dark Kali Yuga, when the entire solar system was at the farthest point from the galaxy's solar center, the spiritual sun.

And yet, there is something innate within us that hears something primordial and ancient, not written on tablets or lauded on the front page of the daily newspaper, sung from a long forgotten memory, from a hauntingly beautiful resonant depth within all of us, that is somehow heard again. We gaze above, not really knowing what we're looking for, and wonder, again, in some ineffable way, until we vaguely remember who we are. 

Underneath this spectacular starry canopy, lit by heaven's lantern, we are guided again out of this dark age - of war, materialism, fear and conflict - into a beautiful unity of hope and love, into the remembrance that we are all One in this beautiful universe, held together by an invisible divine glue.  And, maybe this time we will reach our arms around each other, extending around the planet, solar system, galaxy and entire cosmos, and fill it all with love and joy beyond our knowing.

Just for the record, only once in the last 2000 years has a lunar eclipse fell on the winter solstice. The last time was in 1638.

"For eclipse watchers, this means that the moon will appear very high in the night sky, as the solstice marks the time when Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun," NASA said.

In areas with clear skies, only watchers across North America, Greenland and Iceland were able to see the eclipse. Those in western Europe could see the beginning stages before the moon set, and stargazers in western Asia saw the later stages after moonrise, according to NASA.

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On another subject:

P.S.  Please remember to sign the peace petition in yesterday's blog.  Bill Privett will be accepting signatures even after the letter has been sent which will be forwarded to President Obama.