Almost Total Eclipse

 We set up in the garden to participate in the magic of the almost total solar eclipse 2026. Lord M set up his telescope to project images onto a sheet of cardboard and we took a series of good photos: 

I think we got to around 93% coverage where we are. The air grew noticeably cooler - a moment of relief from the heat of the day - and the light dimmed, like looking at the world through as pair of sunglasses.

I messaged my brother to ask if he was watching the eclipse, having already ascertained that Darling Daughter and Son-In-Law were doing so via a welding visor and a colander. Brother said no he wasn’t and sent the shrugging man emoji to show his lack of enthusiasm. I said, ‘But it’s our last chance unless you’re planning on living to 124, because the next one isn’t due until 2090.’

Well, he joined in (with somewhat reluctant vibes, I felt) and made a pinhole camera. Darling Daughter said she remembered making a pinhole camera á la Blue Peter style back at the last solar eclipse in 1999. She said she also remembers the occasion because she sat on a bee. Anyway, my brother sent me a photo of our mum joining in the eclipse experience, having told her she would have to be 150 if she wanted to miss this one and see the next…

Here she is, being distinctly underwhelmed. 🙄But at least joining in!! 

I thought it was rather fitting that Solar Eclipse Day 2026 also saw the funeral of dear Ann Widdecombe. Like the eclipse, she, too, was a force of Nature. I hope her soul energy is resting well and recovering from the brutality that caused her Earthly life’s end. 

As the eclipse passed and the warmth and light of the day returned, I sat in the peace of the garden and enjoyed the magic of the atmosphere. It seemed to mark for me a shifting onwards in thoughts, perceptions and boundaries. And the astral magic will continue later this evening as I head back to the garden and watch for the Perseid meteor showers which will peak tonight before tapering off slowly to finish in about twelve days’ time. 

Aren’t we so lucky to have this beautiful world in this wonderful Universe? Such enormousness brings everything else into perspective.