CHARLO, N.B., March 29, 2024 – Throughout human history, solar eclipses and other events that plunged Earth into unexpected or unnatural darkness were considered ill omens. Far from celebrating or encouraging participation in them like a spectator sport, phenomena that caused the light to dim or go out were universally viewed with uneasiness, even fear. In some cultures, elaborate myths developed to explain these periodic and sudden spells of darkness, and all the myths roundly and unanimously condemned the darkness as evil.

That is, until modern times, when darkness has been rebranded as an excuse to party and the only kind of fear being invoked is FOMO (fear of missing out).

For us born-again believers, darkness is not a friend. We don’t seek it out, we don’t embrace it, and we certainly don’t celebrate it or encourage its occurrence. We are to be the light in the darkness, not the breath that blows the candle out.

I mention this because publicity about the upcoming solar eclipse (April 8, 2024) is reaching hysterical proportions, and it’s easy to get caught up in it. We need to keep our distance from these dubious celebrations that are frankly bordering on pagan frenzy. What is the attraction to events that celebrate physical darkness? The same attraction that draws souls towards spiritual darkness.

In Moses’ day, darkness was the penultimate of the ten plagues brought by God to punish the ancient Egyptians for enslaving the children of Israel. The plague of darkness was not at all celebrated: in fact, the darkness was so thick, people had to remain in their homes, bedridden and helpless, for three days until the plague ended. The only place in Egypt where light shone was in the houses of God’s people. Having been in the antechamber of Hell just before my rebirth, I experienced just such a thick and total darkness. I never want to experience it again.

Earth Hour is another cultic “celebration” of darkness. Wrapped up as feel-good virtue signalling, Earth Hour calls the faithful to purposely plunge themselves and those around them into darkness for 60 minutes, allegedly for the sake of the environment. Iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, the Empire State Building, and even the so-called Jesus statue in Rio de Janeiro annually “go dark” in obeisance to the call. School children are especially targeted to embrace the darkness and in so doing to guilt their parents into going along with them. Me, I purposely turn on all my lights during Earth Hour wherever I am as a small but heartfelt gesture towards those who are trying to guilt me into embracing the dark. I will never – not for any cause – purposely go dark, except when I’m sleeping.

Jesus’ crucifixion was marked by three hours of darkness, from noon until mid-afternoon. Given its long duration, this was obviously not a solar eclipse but a supernatural event brought by God as a sign, and not a good one. Just before the light returned, Jesus died. The supernatural darkness symbolized the spiritual darkness that had overtaken those who were once God’s people. It was a sign of judgement and condemnation, not a signal to party.

On April 8^th, mid-afternoon, I will not be donning “eclipse glasses”, even though I currently live in the path of totality. I will not be staring mesmerized into the sun while it disappears behind the moon and turns day into night. I will instead be turning every light in my house on, lighting all my candles, and going into my closet to pray. Considering the elements that are pushing and promoting this dark event, I cannot see it as anything other than an ill omen, and I want nothing to do with it.