Come join us for The Higher Haven’s second Celestial Dark Sky Event, as we offer an evening embracing the energy of Spring 2025’s Full Lunar Eclipse. Occurring the evening of March 14th from approximately 8 p.m. to 11p.m., we’ll engage with an Overview of Mindfulness and Meditation Instruction, touch on indigenous knowledge and the night sky, take part in a Vipassana Meditation “Sit”, and observe the Eclipsed Moon as well as the stars and planets aided by the modern technology of a telescope. Given good weather conditions, the entire eclipse is visible from North America, with the Maximum Lunar Eclipse occurring at COPY TO COME…

From an astrological perspective, this eclipse will be quite powerful because of its visibility to about half of the people on earth. Approximately 3.48 billion people — that’s 43.76% of the world’s population — will be able to see at least part of the eclipse. About 24% of the world's population will be able to see the entire event. A small part of the Moon will be darkened, and Saturn will be right next to it, appearing as a small dot. This event offers an excellent introduction to our retreat center’s spiritual practices, while enjoying a significant astronomical and astrological occurrence. While our recent nature walk furthers our effort to know every plant, tree, and element of flora on our land, our new Dark Sky Events mark our equally cool endeavor recognizing and better acquainting ourselves with the planets, stars and cosmos above us.

Inspired by our experience of the total eclipse of the Sun on the path of totality on April 8th, 2024 at 3:12 p.m., the exact birth day and exact birth time 57 years prior of The Higher Haven’s Paul Sarkes Tootalian, as well as travels to incredible India, it’s noteworthy the eclipse begins on Pitru Paksha. This special 16-day period in the Hindu calendar is all about honoring your ancestors and connecting with your roots through rituals and offerings. Starting on September 17, 2024, and wrapping up on October 2, 2024, it’s a time for reflection and remembrance, as many Hindus believe that the souls of their departed loved ones come back to visit during this time, looking for blessings and peace.

For all us non-Hindus who still like to do something to honor the ancestors and heal our relationships with them, feel free to adapt and create a ritual or internal practice of your own. If you want a good mantra to use, there is a very easy and powerful one that can be helpful. “Om Pitribhyo Namah.” That means, “I bow to the ancestors.” You can simply chant that mantra a few times or even 108 times every day, during Pitru Paksha, or just chant it in some way as part of your own unique personal practice. Blessings tonight. May the Ancestors be with you! And a very sincere bow and Namaste to Mr. James Kelleher.

SCHEDULE

Arrival & Refreshments – 7:30 p.m.

Mindfulness + Meditation Instruction 8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Guided Vipassana Meditation Sit 8:30 p.m. — 9 p.m.

Observation of the Partial Lunar Eclipse 9 p.m. — 11 p.m.

PRICING

Individual Attendee (1) – $100