Myths and superstitions about solar eclipses

WRITTEN BY SARAH COTTRELL

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blotting out the Sun either totally or partially. As you may imagine, this celestial phenomenon has whipped up quite a bit of lore over the many thousands of years that humans have been watching it happen.

On April 8, 2024, Maine will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse that is expected to attract massive crowds to northern Maine, where folks will get the best views of the rare event that can last from 10 seconds to 7.5 minutes, according to NASA.

For a little bit of fun, we gathered a few of the most colorful myths and superstitions from around the world about what causes a solar eclipse and what can happen if you watch one.

THE GREEKS

The word eclipse derives from Latin and means to disappear or abandon. As such, the Greeks believed that when an eclipse happened, it indicated that the gods were angry and turning their shoulders on humanity.

THE NORSE

According to Norse mythology, the Sun moves across the sky daily because a wolf called Sköll is chasing it. As Sköll chases the Sun, its brother wolf, Hati, chases the Moon across the night sky. The two wolves occasionally chase the Sun and Moon across each other’s paths in a never-ending, epic battle.

THE BATAMMALIBA

The Batammaliba from the Togo and Benin African countries generally agree with the Greeks and the Norse that some battles must be underway since what else could cause the mighty Sun to go dark? As such, the Batammaliba traditionally use this phenomenon to heal community rifts and help inspire the Sun and Moon to do the same.

ENDURING SUPERSTITIONS

There are a few fun, albeit easily debunked, superstitions about solar eclipses that persist today. For example, some believe you shouldn’t eat food prepared during a solar eclipse because it will poison you thanks to ultra-strong UV rays (they are not more potent than regular UV rays, by the way). Or that if a solar eclipse falls on your birthday (or precisely six months before or after), it is a bad omen that foretells terrible luck.

If you’re one of the lucky folks who will get to see the solar eclipse in April, take safety precautions by turning your back to the Sun and watching a projection or watching the eclipse with solar eclipse-safe glasses. And definitely don’t get caught between warring gods.