Growing up in the Hare Krishna community in the United States, the fear of solar eclipses was deeply ingrained. Eclipses were seen as inauspicious times when the demon Rahu’s decapitated head chased the sun and the moon, causing a sense of fear and foreboding among the community. The community would recite prayers in the inner sanctum of the temple to counteract this darkness, and as totality enveloped them, a sense of unity between the community and Lord Krishna would crescendo. After the eclipse, there was a collective sense of relief as the forces of darkness were dispelled and goodness triumphed.
In Vedic cosmology, which seeks explanations for human and nonhuman affairs throughout the universe, the physical universe is depicted as animate and vibrant. Planets are believed to possess their own personalities, akin to living deities or demons. The speaker, although no longer religious, used to see existence as a grand stage where conflicting energies of chaos and order continually clashed before finding a harmonious balance. His exposure to scientific readings, including Carl Sagan’s “The Demon-Haunted World,” gradually shifted his perspective away from mythic-religious beliefs towards embracing modern science.
The speaker’s early worldview, shaped by the belief in demons attempting to devour the sun or moon during an eclipse, was transformed by a deeper understanding of celestial mechanics. He learned that a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, obscuring our view of the sun. This transition from mythic-religious beliefs to an appreciation for the complexity and wonder of the universe through science only heightened his curiosity and desire to explore cosmic mysteries through his artistic practice.
Balarama Heller’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in exploring mythologies inherited from ancestors and interpreting them into a modern context. He believes these archetypes can represent the outer limits of rational understanding and live alongside the gods of old mythologies. Heller’s upbringing in a mythological worldview has provided him with a bridge of understanding to both ancestors and billions of people who hold beliefs not always explained by science. Events like solar eclipses are seen as mirrors reflecting our projections and beliefs as the drama of the cosmos unfolds.
Experiencing a total solar eclipse, with masses of humanity witnessing it, can evoke a sense of universal connectedness akin to the overview effect experienced by astronauts in space. The brief glimpse into an altered state during solar eclipse totality reminds us of our relationship to the universe as a whole. It is essential to acknowledge the role of seers, mystics, and pagans in serving as the scientists of their time, using the tools available to comprehend the world around them. Science remains open to revisions and updates as new information comes to light, and studying events like solar eclipses should be seen as an act of reverence towards the infinite mystery of the universe we inhabit.
Balarama Heller’s artistic work, including his project “Sacred Place,” explores these themes through multiple exposure images created in the studio and composed to reflect the complexities of the universe. His belief in the importance of honoring both scientific understanding and ancient mythologies shines through his work, offering a bridge between the past and present. As we navigate the complexities of existence, events like solar eclipses serve as reminders of our place in the vast universe and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
