I love how your mind works Carlos. Perfect balance of humour and wisdom. Just beautiful. As for your question… I am religious about my “sacred coffee time” first thing in the morning when I read inspiring poetry (in English, Italian or Spanish) before I get on with my various duties as a single mum. I have learned the hard way that this is the best way to ground myself. Last week I’ve been to two poetry readings, tonight is a writers meet and greet.
I love this! I think the flowering bush on my street is a little cosmic miracle—what are the odds that I'd be born with eyes that can see something so miraculous?! The colors?! I could've been born a salmon!
Had a similar moment when I went far away from civilization and into the wilderness. I knew that city lights blocked out most of the stars and that I'd see more of them in the wild . . . but I didn't anticipate seeing so, so many. There were not tens or even hundreds, there were thousands. Millions even. And if that wasn't enough, the Milky Way was there too! An entire galaxy!
Seeing all that really made me feel like we were simply underneath the canopy of heaven. No wonder people used to think that the Earth was at the center of the universe. It must've felt wild to look up in the night and see all of creation spread out before you.
P.S: There's actually a word for this. It's called "Mysterium Tremendum". It means feeling an overwhelming sense of awe when thinking about the universe or God or just the mystery of existence in general.
Yes! I remember the first time I saw the sky from a really dark vantage point and it's absolutely breathtaking. Missing out on that view is definitely one of the disadvantages to living in our modern world.
In Palm Royale Ep. 8, Evelyn falls into “cetacean jubilation” — which the whale guy says in the show is "when the beauty of the universe rushes at a person after coming in contact with a whale." I wonder if Mysterium Tremendous was their inspiration!
I believe it. Whales are immense and magnificent creatures. There's a reason why Ahab kept ranting about Moby Dick being "the hand of God" or something like that.
Well, this was fantastic. You’ve inspired me to go on an Artist’s Date today, and sure yeah fine, that might just mean going to CVS to see what’s new in body wash. But that’s something!
Loved this post, Carlos. I feel I've experienced this solar eclipse vicariously through everyone who has shared great pictures about it but I realise nothing compares to being actually there and witnessing with your own eyes. And you're absolutely right, it's so easy to fall into routines and switch off that wonder button as we grow up that it's sort of a miracle in itself to find people who still marvel at the little things and takes the time to enjoy them as if for the first time. Hopefully they're also wearing clean loinclothes underneath... but that too sometimes it's a miracle.
I witnessed a full eclipse in the UK in 1999 (yes, I'm that old). What was eerie was the silence. The birds stopped singing, the sky went a yellowish brown, and I was filled with an apocalyptic sense of terror as I drove through empty streets to get home to my three young kids. I fully understand why pre-science people weaved myths about the sun and moon.
I remember it as well. I still lived in Italy, and it was a tipical sunny, quite hot August day. The light took an eerie quality, something like a milky-blue shadow, and the temperature dropped immediately from 27 degrees Celsius to around 21. My flat looked upon a market square, and all the people selling and shopping just went "Oooh!"
Recently immigrated, so if we're going by the simple definition of an artist's date as a new experience, then I'm on one every day. The shift in perspective on everyday experiences is fascinating.
If we search just a bit, we will find that every day is filled with cosmic miracles, it is just that the solar eclipse is one that is simultaneously shared by millions. I am a generation older than you and still rejoice in these daily fascinating miracles that stoke curiosity and generally make life insteresting. MY most notable cosmitc miracle was watching the blazing Hale-BOpp comment in 1997, it will not return to earth for another 4K years! I blew it in 1986 when I did not make a point to see Haley's comet. Too late for me, but maybe, just maybe in your lifetime!
This is great! Totally agree about the importance of stepping outside our routines. The eclipse explanation is fantastic - science can be so cool! And who doesn't love a good loincloth reference? I'm definitely going to be more mindful of the "cosmic miracles" around me. Thanks for the reminder!
Awesome post, Carlos! Educational and entertaining! My son, who teaches astronomy at a community college in Washington, flew to Austin and ended up watching the eclipse from Dripping Springs, TX. It was his second total eclipse (Wyoming in 2017 for the first) and he is completely enthralled as you are. He's already starting to talk about traveling to Spain in 2026. Anyway, enjoyed this very much!
Very good read, Carlos. I too got to enjoy the eclipse and was completely in awe of this cosmic event. I was also thinking about how obvious it is ancient cultures would have totally lost their minds seeing this, as I about did and knew what was happening. I've been consciously trying daily to notice patterns in my life where I've fallen into the same routine over and over and over of the same experiences, and trying to find where I can find nuance in my life. It's made me happier, more curious, and more in the moment, and hopefully a habit I can continue.
So wait... the sun sets with the moon in dark-mode and then the sun rises when the moon sets on the other side of the planet when it's not facing us? Did I get that right?! Very good and informative read that my brain will straighten out soon!! 😆
Yeah, it's taken me while to wrap my head around it. Seeing a visual definitely helps. This is the best video I've found explaining it, but I wish the visuals were a little clearer https://youtu.be/AQ5vty8f9Xc?si=-kozGBtsYApQg1H9
200 years ago you'd have understood completely about the moon. So you could visit your girlfriend or boyfriend in the evening and know there'd be moonlight to walk home with. Not knowing about the moon is so First World 20th century! (Approaching full moon is when you get useful light from sunset onwards but not pre dawn. Great for lingering on hilltops after sunset.)
Very good point! There was probably a sweet spot between when people understood planetary motion well enough to predict eclipses but before modern lighting made people so much less aware of moonlight.
I did look this up... Around 2000bc (approx) two Chinese astronomers got executed for having failed to predict an eclipse. And not long afterwards they did get it sussed out.
Not to mention incredible they were able to calculate that back then considering everything you’d need to know about the orbit of the moon, the size of the Earth, etc.
Great post
Thank you!
I love how your mind works Carlos. Perfect balance of humour and wisdom. Just beautiful. As for your question… I am religious about my “sacred coffee time” first thing in the morning when I read inspiring poetry (in English, Italian or Spanish) before I get on with my various duties as a single mum. I have learned the hard way that this is the best way to ground myself. Last week I’ve been to two poetry readings, tonight is a writers meet and greet.
Thanks! And that sounds like a great way to start the day!
Love that morning practice!
I love this! I think the flowering bush on my street is a little cosmic miracle—what are the odds that I'd be born with eyes that can see something so miraculous?! The colors?! I could've been born a salmon!
Yes but if you were a salmon you'd be able to smell the River Tay from somewhere up by the Orkneys.
I rarely stop to appreciate that but that is incredible. Reminds me of the time I learned that there’s a fish in Hawaii that can climb up 300m waterfalls. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210209-the-odd-hawaiian-fish-that-climbs-cliffs
Thanks, Lillian! I had the same thought after realizing my cat did not care AT ALL about the eclipse.
This was nice to read.
Had a similar moment when I went far away from civilization and into the wilderness. I knew that city lights blocked out most of the stars and that I'd see more of them in the wild . . . but I didn't anticipate seeing so, so many. There were not tens or even hundreds, there were thousands. Millions even. And if that wasn't enough, the Milky Way was there too! An entire galaxy!
Seeing all that really made me feel like we were simply underneath the canopy of heaven. No wonder people used to think that the Earth was at the center of the universe. It must've felt wild to look up in the night and see all of creation spread out before you.
P.S: There's actually a word for this. It's called "Mysterium Tremendum". It means feeling an overwhelming sense of awe when thinking about the universe or God or just the mystery of existence in general.
Yes! I remember the first time I saw the sky from a really dark vantage point and it's absolutely breathtaking. Missing out on that view is definitely one of the disadvantages to living in our modern world.
In Palm Royale Ep. 8, Evelyn falls into “cetacean jubilation” — which the whale guy says in the show is "when the beauty of the universe rushes at a person after coming in contact with a whale." I wonder if Mysterium Tremendous was their inspiration!
I've never heard of Palm Royale but "cetacean jubilation" alone makes me want to watch it!
Whaaaaat?! It’s Kristen Wiig’s new show - so good!
I believe it. Whales are immense and magnificent creatures. There's a reason why Ahab kept ranting about Moby Dick being "the hand of God" or something like that.
Well, this was fantastic. You’ve inspired me to go on an Artist’s Date today, and sure yeah fine, that might just mean going to CVS to see what’s new in body wash. But that’s something!
Thanks! And that's definitely something! There's a whole world of discovery inside that CVS
Loved this post, Carlos. I feel I've experienced this solar eclipse vicariously through everyone who has shared great pictures about it but I realise nothing compares to being actually there and witnessing with your own eyes. And you're absolutely right, it's so easy to fall into routines and switch off that wonder button as we grow up that it's sort of a miracle in itself to find people who still marvel at the little things and takes the time to enjoy them as if for the first time. Hopefully they're also wearing clean loinclothes underneath... but that too sometimes it's a miracle.
Thanks, Cristina!
I witnessed a full eclipse in the UK in 1999 (yes, I'm that old). What was eerie was the silence. The birds stopped singing, the sky went a yellowish brown, and I was filled with an apocalyptic sense of terror as I drove through empty streets to get home to my three young kids. I fully understand why pre-science people weaved myths about the sun and moon.
Yes! I was struck by how the birds reacted, and also how the cicadas started chirping as if it was evening.
I remember it as well. I still lived in Italy, and it was a tipical sunny, quite hot August day. The light took an eerie quality, something like a milky-blue shadow, and the temperature dropped immediately from 27 degrees Celsius to around 21. My flat looked upon a market square, and all the people selling and shopping just went "Oooh!"
Agreed, the light leading up to the eclipse was so eerie -- "milky-blue shadow" is a great way to describe it.
Recently immigrated, so if we're going by the simple definition of an artist's date as a new experience, then I'm on one every day. The shift in perspective on everyday experiences is fascinating.
Absolutely! There's so much to discover moving to a new place.
If we search just a bit, we will find that every day is filled with cosmic miracles, it is just that the solar eclipse is one that is simultaneously shared by millions. I am a generation older than you and still rejoice in these daily fascinating miracles that stoke curiosity and generally make life insteresting. MY most notable cosmitc miracle was watching the blazing Hale-BOpp comment in 1997, it will not return to earth for another 4K years! I blew it in 1986 when I did not make a point to see Haley's comet. Too late for me, but maybe, just maybe in your lifetime!
This is great! Totally agree about the importance of stepping outside our routines. The eclipse explanation is fantastic - science can be so cool! And who doesn't love a good loincloth reference? I'm definitely going to be more mindful of the "cosmic miracles" around me. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!
thank you!!
Awesome post, Carlos! Educational and entertaining! My son, who teaches astronomy at a community college in Washington, flew to Austin and ended up watching the eclipse from Dripping Springs, TX. It was his second total eclipse (Wyoming in 2017 for the first) and he is completely enthralled as you are. He's already starting to talk about traveling to Spain in 2026. Anyway, enjoyed this very much!
Thanks! Very cool about your son! I’m tempted to go to Spain in 2026 myself. I had a summer internship in Madrid in college and would love to go back.
Oh, perfect! You definitely should!
Very good read, Carlos. I too got to enjoy the eclipse and was completely in awe of this cosmic event. I was also thinking about how obvious it is ancient cultures would have totally lost their minds seeing this, as I about did and knew what was happening. I've been consciously trying daily to notice patterns in my life where I've fallen into the same routine over and over and over of the same experiences, and trying to find where I can find nuance in my life. It's made me happier, more curious, and more in the moment, and hopefully a habit I can continue.
Thanks, Jacob. And that’s great to hear!
This was really beautiful!
Thanks, Caitlin!
So wait... the sun sets with the moon in dark-mode and then the sun rises when the moon sets on the other side of the planet when it's not facing us? Did I get that right?! Very good and informative read that my brain will straighten out soon!! 😆
Yeah, it's taken me while to wrap my head around it. Seeing a visual definitely helps. This is the best video I've found explaining it, but I wish the visuals were a little clearer https://youtu.be/AQ5vty8f9Xc?si=-kozGBtsYApQg1H9
That definitely helps!
200 years ago you'd have understood completely about the moon. So you could visit your girlfriend or boyfriend in the evening and know there'd be moonlight to walk home with. Not knowing about the moon is so First World 20th century! (Approaching full moon is when you get useful light from sunset onwards but not pre dawn. Great for lingering on hilltops after sunset.)
Very good point! There was probably a sweet spot between when people understood planetary motion well enough to predict eclipses but before modern lighting made people so much less aware of moonlight.
I did look this up... Around 2000bc (approx) two Chinese astronomers got executed for having failed to predict an eclipse. And not long afterwards they did get it sussed out.
Not to mention incredible they were able to calculate that back then considering everything you’d need to know about the orbit of the moon, the size of the Earth, etc.
Unfortunate methods, but yes, I’d imagine they would’ve quickly gotten it sorted after that.