Total Lunar Eclipse and Winter Solstice 2010 will Coincide: an Event Void of Superstition

On December 21, 2010 an already rare event will become phenomenally rare: the total lunar eclipse and winter solstice will coincide. This has not happened in 456 years--yes, years!  This event is so rare, in fact, that there appears to be no superstitions associated with it. But there are superstitions about the lunar eclipse and about the winter solstice—separately.

The lunar eclipse, particularly the total lunar eclipse, has had many superstitions attached to it throughout the ages. Some people have been true believes in the purported good or evil powers bestowed by the lunar eclipse, and other have been canny manipulators of otherÂ’s fear of this rare and awe-inspiring celestial event. (According to Space.com, Christopher Columbus used the approaching lunar eclipse to scare Jamaican island nativesÂ’ into giving food to him and his starving crew.)

The winter solstice, however, does not have the same sort of eerie superstitions attached to it. Nevertheless, it has its own powerful allure—especially to Wiccans.

Nicole Cooper, high priestess at the Wiccan Church of Canada, recently told the Montreal Gazette:

“’It’s a ritual of transformation of darkness into light…it’s the idea that when things seem really bleak, (it) is often out biggest opportunity for personal transformation…the idea that the sun and the moon is almost at their darkest at this point in time [of the total lunar eclipse]  only further goes to hammer that home.’”

But what superstitions or rituals does this Wiccan high priestess associate with the meeting of the total lunar eclipse and winter solstice on December 21, 2010?  Not a one. After all, the last time this event happened was 456 years ago!

Perhaps you would like to make up your own superstition or ritual? Come on. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to customize this meeting of the total lunar eclipse and winter solstice. Just know that such an event is unlikely to happen again in your lifetime. But isnÂ’t this reason enough to celebrate and revere this rare celestial event?

 

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