07/09/2025
From Paul Curnow. Adelaide Planetarium, Mawson Lakes:
With a total lunar eclipse at 3.41am tomorrow morning. I thought it a good time to share some cultural stories about how lunar eclipses have been seen by different cultures.
For example, the Incan civilisation was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. They believed that lunar eclipses occurred when a jaguar would eat the Moon. Moreover, the Incans believed that once the jaguar had eaten the Moon, it could come down and devour humans and other animals. Therefore, the Incans would beat their dogs to make them howl; throw spears towards the Moon and shout at it to keep it away from them.
In ancient Mesopotamia, it was believed that a lunar eclipse was when the Moon was under attack by seven demons, and in ancient China, a red eyed toad was said to appear near houses during total lunar eclipses. This three-legged toad was also believed to bring prosperity to those lucky enough to see it.
Lastly, the Arrernte People (a.k.a. Aranda) come from the Central Australian region of the Northern Territory. In their Dreaming, they believe that a total lunar eclipse is the Moon-man, who is hiding his face behind some possum fur. He is said to be spinning this fur during this time (image source: Graeme Stanley). Regards to all Starman. 🌖🌒
