Signifying Nothing

'The eclipse is a signal': Marjorie Taylor Greene's boyfriend explains astronomy https://t.co/fpX4e0Sur8

— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 2, 2024

I’ve been in the “path of totality” once, about 40 years ago.

I was working in downtown Austin, on the side of the building facing west. Somebody said something about the eclipse coming, and I saw the shadow of it, the leading edge, advancing eastward across the horizon.

My vantage point was the 13th floor (yes, 13. That’s another story(!)). I don’t know how I remember this, but it got so quiet we could tell the birds had fallen silent. Street lights came on. One could see how people who knew nothing of celestial mechanics would be terrified. In the middle of a sunny day, it was darkest midnight. And then it was over.

And we all went back to work.

I tell you this because, 40 years ago, nobody planned to be in Austin at that time. I don’t even remember being aware the eclipse was imminent. I certainly didn’t think I’d see it. I’d been through several partial ones; I expect I figured this would be the same.

It wasn’t. At all.

But now that we’re making a big thing about it (the Lovely Wife and I are traveling to the next one; not far, so why not? We’ve been told to expect massive, end-of-world type crowds. Go figure.), I suppose the kooks have to come out and play, too.

Kinda pitiful to see people dress up that kind of paganism as Xianity, but what’re ya gonna do? 🤷🏻‍♂️