When the Sun Disappears: Eclipses Among Gods, Kings, and Prophecies

Imagine looking up at the sky on any midday…
and seeing the sun begin to fade.
The warmth dissipates, the birds fall silent,
and an impossible shadow sweeps across the land.
Today it is an astronomical phenomenon.
But for centuries… it was magic, terror and destiny.

Eclipses in antiquity: signs from the sky

For the Maya, eclipses were sacred events that could herald the end of a cycle or the change of an era. They had astronomical tables that predicted these phenomena with astonishing precision… yet they could not help but fear them. They said a celestial serpent devoured the sun.

In Egypt, the eclipse was not merely a darkening: it was the struggle of Ra, the sun god, against Apofis, the serpent of chaos. If the sun disappeared, it meant evil had temporarily won. That is why they performed rituals to help Ra shine again.

In China, by contrast, they believed that a celestial dragon swallowed the sun. For centuries, emperors sent soldiers to beat drums and make noise to scare away the beast and restore the light.

The Eclipse of King Arthur: myth and sky cross. Legend has it that, in the time of King Arthur, a total eclipse darkened Britain just before a great battle. Some believed it was a sign of defeat; others that it was the protection of the Celtic gods enveloping their own. Whether it was real or not, we do not know. But what is certain is that many eclipses have been recorded in medieval chronicles… always shrouded in mysticism.

From omens to awe: what is a solar eclipse really?

Today we know that a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow that darkens the day. But even with all the science, it remains one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles in the sky.

And the best part? You can experience it! And you do not need to be a druid or a pharaoh. Just a good pair of eclipse glasses and the desire to look at the sky with eyes full of wonder.

Are you ready for the next eclipse?

At Stylestellar we celebrate the union of science, history, and style. That is why we offer special eclipse glasses: safe, certified, and with a galactic design.
👉Discover them!

Did you enjoy this journey through the history of eclipses?

Very soon we will tell you how Hollywood has used eclipses to sow fear and fascination on the big screen…
Don't miss it!