Millions of Americans are preparing to take to the skies on April 8, when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. As daylight turns to darkness, this unusual space spectacle will capture widespread national attention. But a religion professor at the University of Florida says there’s more to it than just astronomical events. bron taylorand it shows the growth of a movement in the connection between nature and spirituality.
“People are on their own pilgrimage, trying to figure out their own meaning systems,” Taylor said. “This widespread interest in solar eclipses is a classic example of the turn toward the resacralization of nature.”
Taylor is a respected environmentalist and leading expert on religion and nature who has spent decades tracking global environmental trends and identifying overall patterns and changes. He says big changes are happening in America’s religious community. Nature-based spiritual practices are on the rise.
This movement is evident all around us in the form of increased interest in astrology, tarot cards, veganism, crystals, and shamanism. Many people express an emotional longing to commune with and hide in nature. Overall, Taylor’s research shows that we increasingly seek deeper meaning, purpose, and value in the natural world.
“This helps explain the growing interest in celebrating solar eclipses, equinoxes and solstices,” Taylor says. “People often feel awe and wonder when they have these experiences.”
Taylor attributes this trend to a broader shift in society towards environmental consciousness as humanity grapples with the challenge of climate change. This change reflected a cultural movement that arose in the aftermath of Darwin’s revelations in On the Origin of Species, published in 1859, which fundamentally changed the way we viewed evolution.
“If you think about it in the long term, a kind of cosmic vision and worldview that comes from an understanding of evolution and ecology is becoming a very big part of the human story,” Taylor said. Told. “The proportion of human society that holds such a worldview is increasing. This is a major change over the past 160 years.”
Religious institutions may not be able to benefit from the resurgence of nature-based spirituality. According to polling firm PRRI, 27% of Americans say they are not religious. This is up from her 16% in 2006. This demographic now makes up the largest portion of the population, outnumbering any single faith group.
So for many people across the country, a solar eclipse becomes more than just a celestial event. When viewed through a spiritual lens, it is an awakening.
Taylor is famous for coining the term “dark green religion,” which combines environmental consciousness with spiritual beliefs. He introduced the term in his 2010 book Dark His Green Religion: Nature’s Spirituality and the Future of the Planet, which unpacked the evolution of emerging spiritual practices worldwide. Taylor argues that the grassroots environmental movement has developed a belief in nature as sacred and non-human creatures as relatives.
“It’s the idea that we have a reverent regard for these living systems, and a sense that we shouldn’t fear death because it is the source of new life,” Taylor said. Ta.
This is not a new phenomenon. Although dark green religions trace back to ancient pagan roots, Taylor points out that modern iterations of such ecospirituality are increasingly based on scientific understanding and the interconnectedness of life.
“Humans have long created meaning in the rhythms of nature,” he said. “Today, some people do it more consciously in ritual form. Others do it subconsciously, drawn to experiences such as observing a solar eclipse.”
Dark green religion has permeated the mainstream, with popular scientists such as Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson contributing to spiritual discourse. These influential figures share the grandeur of our simple existence as complex, multicellular organisms on this planet, and their connection as “star items” within a broader story of cosmic power and evolution. We offer stories about experiences that we cherish.
“They fashion scientific stories into sacred stories, evoking the same emotions that religion usually evokes: joy, ecstasy, awe,” Taylor said.
In this context, best-selling books such as Richard Powers’ The Overstory play an important role. Powers presents an interconnected web of life, anchors our lived experience of the natural world, and inspires readers to take action to protect nature for future generations. According to Taylor’s analysis, the most important question posed by Powers is: “What does life ask of us?”
Ultimately, says Taylor, it is in this fusion of nature and spirit that a sense of belonging to the universe emerges. Interest in solar eclipses emphasizes the unifying power of spirituality and promotes connection with the vast universe. Taylor suggests that these experiences can uplift us.
“These experiences can be ennobling, reminding us that we are just a speck in the universe, giving us a proper humility, and overturning the arrogance of anthropocentrism. “It could be helpful,” Taylor said.
Eclipses offer moments of reflection and renewed respect for life as spiritual seekers turn to Mother Earth to fill their spiritual void. Taylor explains that even scientists, despite having a deep understanding of solar eclipses, can be moved by spiritual insights during this phenomenon.
“The wild world has something to say to us, and we should listen,” Taylor said.
