For many Americans, the total solar eclipse on April 8 will be an occasion for gathering and revelry. Cities, towns, parks, universities and organizations across the United States are hosting various celebratory events and festivals, some of which will span the weekend preceding the eclipse and the big day.
According to Tok Thompson, professor (teaching) of anthropology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the impulse to treat the eclipse as a special occasion goes beyond its mere rarity. It’s grounded in the profound meaning that humans the world over ascribe to the sun and the moon.
“A lot of cultures around the world pay very, very close attention to lunar cycles as well as solar cycles,” Thompson said.
Since time immemorial, gazing up at these two celestial bodies has been a shared human experience. Ancient civilizations began measuring months and years by tracking the moon and sun, a practice that influences the calendars in use today. These bright beacons overhead were also woven into powerful mythologies…
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