Connect with us

Lifestyle

Heaven says: finding spiritual enlightenment in the shadows of a solar eclipse

Published

on

How might celestial movements affect our faith on Earth as the world prepares for the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024?

,

Are you ready for what’s going to occur tomorrow, Family? For months it became famous throughout the world what’s going to occur during the solar eclipse that can happen in North America on April 8, 2024: school closures and early dismissals; anticipated rail strikes and traffic delays; stockpiling water and disinfectants; snowstorms forecast; uproar amongst the homeless; warnings to replenish on emergency supplies similar to food and disaster response agencies.

According to tradition, many spiritual AND clairvoyant The figures unanimously convey warnings and use the Internet to forecast the significance of times and headlines. In an interview with “conscious” YouTube hip-hop commentator and promoter Blackmagic363 titled “How to arrange for a solar eclipseAquarius Maximus, “cardiologist”, confirms that a total solar eclipse marks a “gentle” recent starting.

“You will be able to feel that something bigger is going to happen; that something electrifying will happen,” she said, advising: “Don’t be impulsive. Stay inside.”

Her advice is consistent with warnings even reported in the news. “You are in the eye of the needle of eclipse season,” said astrologer Rebecca Gordon w recent interview with CBS. “Then there could also be chaos and confusion. So in your life chances are you’ll encounter: “Why did this job let me leave?”; this relationship has just started, this relationship is over. There can be a lot of changes… You don’t want to over-plan; leave the space open because you will need it to respond thoughtfully.”

We know that saints are likely to have doubts about the insights gained from an astrologer and a lesser-known astrological advisor called a “cardiologist.” We understand. However, as leaders of the Christian faith, they’re beliefs and traditions we must get serious about leading our communities in addressing real spiritual questions on current events. Take fitness under consideration Issachar in the Biblefor example, a mathematician who studied the stars as an astute forecaster of the times, who took seriously what the elements could show us.

Whether you believe it or not, there have been significant solar eclipse events throughout history. “Look at the patterns and the cycles… Big things happen during eclipses that you just can’t argue with,” Gordon said, pointing out that “on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, the civil rights icon, refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, just two days after the lunar eclipse.” This strategic action would trigger a key movement.

As we observe the signs of these times, how can we harness the significance of this undeniable global celestial alignment event?

“There’s a solar eclipse.” NASA writes, “when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth that completely or partially blocks sunlight in some areas. This only happens occasionally because the Moon does not orbit in exactly the same plane as the Sun and Earth. The time when they line up is called the eclipse season, which happens twice a year.

However, this time it will pass directly in front of the sun, creating the first total solar eclipse from August 2017

Experts at the intersection of faith and science agree that this is a powerful event that should inspire us to stay grounded, be intentional, contemplate and plan to move into the next chapter of our lives with great momentum.

This is not contemporary philosophy; Ancient sages of various belief systems have long taught us that heavenly beings have different levels of importance in all cultures. Whether through folklore, mythology, or sacred texts from various religious traditions, the scriptures indicate that celestial events provide a cosmic lens through which we see the work of the Divine Creator in the natural order of things. Remember that the Three Wise Men were instructed to follow the Star of Bethlehem to find the Savior, and the Gospel of Luke seems to imply that a solar eclipse occurs during Jesus’ crucifixion:

“It was about noon, and darkness covered the whole land until three o’clock. The sunlight was gone. And suddenly the veil in the sanctuary of the temple was torn in the middle. Then Jesus cried out, “Father, I commit my spirit into Your hands!” And with these words he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:44-46 NLT)

Centuries later, enslaved African Americans were told to “follow the North Star” toward freedom. We still see traces of these teachings in Afro-Protestant thought in modern times gospel music (as in “Heaven Says” by Karen Clark-Sheard) and in the Bible which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God. The heavens show his craftsmanship” (Psalms 19:1 NLT).

For those who consider themselves deeply spiritual and rooted in faith, this moment can be an opportunity for reflection, leading us to contemplate cosmic mysteries and universal connections – the deep meanings we discover in our lives.

Even among people who are not committed to any particular tradition, celestial events can symbolize transformation and renewal. In particular, the interconnection of the Moon and Sun in this way leads us to reflect on the contrast between day and night, light and dark, and chaos and order in one moment.

This symphony of events reveals the coordinated chaos that is always unfolding around us, inspiring us to reflect on our connection to the universe. The momentary obscuration of the sun by the moon poetically illustrates the depths and mysteries of the abundant luminous darkness, as well as the light that always awaits us, emerging from the shadow cast by the eclipse. We can get the data we need from scientists – we also get evidence of divine action from our ancestors when they lived in connection with nature and the stars, in connection with the Creator.

As faith leaders who engage in a diverse global society, our goal is to reflect on and connect with the miracles of God’s hand. Let us discover the meaning of these miracles and be channels of what is earth-moving and wonderful. From Haiti to Congo to Sudan and Gaza – may we expect equal peace and power. May we begin to expect that what we think may only happen from time to time will become an everyday occurrence. May we remain open to moments of inspiration.


The Rev. Dr. Alisha Lola Jones is a faith leader helping people navigate a dynamic world, as a consultant to numerous arts and faith-based organizations and as Professor of Music in Contemporary Societies at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. She is an award-winning creator (Oxford University Press). For more information please visit DrAlisha.com.

Rev. Calvin Taylor Skinner is committed to strengthening frontline communities in Knoxville, Tennessee and the UK. He uses faith and politics to handle energy justice, criminal justice reform, voter education/mobilization, electoral politics, and global issues. He and his wife, Reverend Dr. Alisha Lola Jones, run InSight Initiative, a consulting firm focused on capability constructing and live event production.

!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||(),g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){ g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“film-recommended-film”,”true”)})}();

Featured Stories

The post Heaven Says: Finding Spiritual Enlightenment in the Shadows of a Solar Eclipse appeared first on TheGrio.


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lifestyle

After second defeat for Model of the Year, Anok Yai tells British Fashion Council: ‘I don’t want it anymore’, sparking debate

Published

on

By

Anok Yai, Anok Yai Model of the Year, Anok Yai, Fashion Awards 2024, Model of the Year 2024, British Fashion Awards 2024, Anok Yai British Fashion Awards, Alex Consani, Anok Yai supermodel, Black models, theGrio.com

When Anok Yai was photographed in “The Yard” at Howard University’s 2017 homecoming ceremony, a fashion star was born. After agents began clamoring to find the identity of the then 19-year-old beauty and competing to sign her, Yai became a global sensation; inside the first six months of her profession, she became the first Sudanese model and the second black model, after Naomi Campbell, to open a Prada fashion show. In the seven years since then, covers and accolades have flown steadily, including her first American Vogue cover in 2020, which led to Yai being hailed as one of this generation’s “best.”New supers” — as in supermodels — via Models.com, who awarded her the title of “Model of the Year – Woman” in 2023.

Although Yai has enjoyed success on runways around the world, one accolade has eluded her, and now she says she now not wants it. On Monday as host of the British Fashion Council Fashion Awards 2024Yai was nominated again for the council’s Model of the Year award, her second nomination in as a few years. This is the second time Yai has been omitted from this honor, which recognizes “the global influence of a model who has dominated the industry over the past 12 months,” the organization explains. “With influence that extends beyond the runway, the Model of the Year has made an outstanding contribution to the industry, earning numerous editorial and advertising campaigns throughout the year.”

After losing in 2023 to Paloma Elsesser, the first full-size model to win the award, this 12 months the honor once more passed to Alex Consani, the first transgender winner in the award’s history. Heartily congratulating my friend and colleague from the industry on her groundbreaking achievement partially decided by audience votesYai didn’t hassle hiding her disappointment.

“Alex, I love you and I’m so proud of you,” she wrote X, early Tuesday morningadding: “British Fashion Council, thank you, but I don’t want it anymore.”

How Some she accused Yai of having sour grapes over her subsequent losses, others, etc Teen Vogue editor Aiyana Ishmael, they argue that the model’s disillusionment and self-defense should simply be considered a mirrored image of her humanity.

Billboard named Beyoncé the biggest pop star of the 21st century

“When we ask ourselves why we want Yai to accept her loss calmly, we must also ask ourselves if this is a response to society’s expectations for Black women,” Ishmael wrote, quoting writer and executive coach Janice Sutherland comment on stereotypes that deal with the “perceived strength and resilience” of Black women. “While these characteristics are undoubtedly empowering, they should not be used as a reason to deny Black women space to express vulnerability, pursue changing aspirations, or seek the support they need without judgment,” notes Sutherland.

“I remember in 2019 when a photographer called me a cockroach,” she said already deleted thread on X. Feeling unable to react while others on set treated the insult as a joke, Yai recalled feeling as if “I can not react the way I want because ultimately I’m young, I’m alone, I’m black… whatever I do , will impact me, my family and other black models.”

With this in mind, Yai’s disappointment at not being recognized for her achievements can simply be taken literally, relatively than interpreted as an try and undermine the achievements of Consani, the winner of Model of the Year. Yai said the same thing second postwriting: “If you saw the effort Alex put in; You’ll understand how proud I’m of her. But Alex may be proud and I may be exhausted at the same time. “It doesn’t diminish how much we love each other.”

Kerry Washington is celebrating a

As a member of a marginalized community, Consani undoubtedly empathizes. Actually, she she used her acceptance speech on Monday night to thank “black trans women who have truly fought for the space I am in today” and to thank “Dominique Jackson, Connie Fleming, Aaron Rose Phillips and many others” for enabling her own rise in the industry.

“Now, more than ever, there needs to be an important conversation about how to truly support and uplift each other in this industry, especially those who have been treated as nonessential,” Consani continued. “Because change is more than possible, it is necessary.”

Change is slowly but surely happening, as evidenced by the strong black representation amongst this 12 months’s Fashion Award winners. Winning designers included Grace Wales Bonner (British menswear designer) and Priya Ahluwalia (New establishment menswear), while special awards went to A$AP Rocky (BFC cultural innovator) and Issa Rae (Pandora change leader). Photographer Tyler Mitchell also received recognition, winning the Isabella Blow Award for fashion creator.

As for Yai, she may now not seek approval from the British Fashion Council, but she need look no further than The Yard to search out it. The supermodel returned to the spot where she was found during Howard’s 2024 “Yardfest” Homecoming celebration, much to the delight of students in attendance.

“I’m a black trans woman and there’s not a lot of representation,” McKenzie Cooper-Moore, a junior marketing major and emerging model, told Howard’s newspaper: Hill. “She is one of the top models today, she is a black woman and she or he is uncompromisingly black. That’s really cool. I actually admire her.


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Prince Harry downplays divorce rumors as he discusses the public’s fascination with his marriage to Meghan Markle

Published

on

By

Meghan Markle Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Prince Harry divorce, Are Meghan Markle and Prince Harry still together?, Has Harry and Meghan split up?, Are Meghan and Harry together? theGrio.com

Surprise – Meghan Markle and Prince Harry usually are not attached at the hip. Recently, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made separate public appearances.

This week, Markle made a rare solo appearance at the Paley Honors fall gala in Los Angeles to support the godfather of the couple’s daughter, Princess Lilibet, Tyler Perry, who was honored that evening. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, Prince Harry appeared at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit 2024, where he spoke about his fascination with the society surrounding his relationship.

During the conversation, moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin asked Prince Harry how he deals with the constant attention on every thing he and his wife do, noting that articles about the couple’s separate appearances on each coasts have been circulating throughout the Internet.

“Is this normal for you? When the article comes out – she’s in California, you’re in New York – they say, “Well, what’s going on with these two, right?” In a way, is it good that he is so interested in you?” – Sorkin asked.

“No, this is certainly not a great thing. Apparently we now have bought or moved home 10 (or) 12 times. Apparently we have been divorced perhaps 10 (or) 12 times. So it’s just an issue of, “What?” – Prince Harry replied, laughing.

As the youngest child of Princess Diana and King Charles, the Duke of Sussex is not any stranger to life in the highlight. Having seen how the excessive media attention directly affected his mother and even played a task in her death in 1997, Prince Harry noticed how life in the public eye modified his relationship with the press.

“I have been experiencing something of life since I was a child. I have seen stories written about me that were not entirely based on reality. I saw stories about my family members, friends, strangers and all sorts of people,” he explained. “And I think when you grow up in that environment, you start to question the validity of the information, but also what other people think about it and how dangerous it can be over time.”

Ultimately, Prince Harry said he ignores false narratives online because he expects the media and social media trolls to twist and twist his words at any time.

I feel sorry for the trolls the most,” he continued. “Their hopes just get built and built they usually say, ‘Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,’ after which it doesn’t occur. That’s why I feel sorry for them. Really.

“The Duke and Duchess have now developed as individuals – not just as a couple,” a royal source explained. according to People magazine. “The Duke seems focused on his patronage work and the Duchess seems focused on her entrepreneurship.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry help Tyler Perry celebrate his birthday

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Nia Long and Larenz Tate Have the ‘Love Jones’ Reunion We’ve Been Waiting For, But There’s an Elephant in the Room

Published

on

By

Nia Long, Larenz Tate, Larenz Tate Nia Long, Love Jones, Walmart x Love Jones, Walmart Love Jones, Larenz Tate Nia Long commercial, Larenz Tate Nia Long Walmart, Larenz Tate Nia Long Walmart commercial, Walmart DEI, theGrio.com

Those of us who’ve been waiting to seek out out whether Nina Mosley and Darius Lovehall, the black and sexy leads of the 1997 cult romantic comedy “Love Jones,” ended up together will finally get our wish this holiday season. Leading actors Nia Long and Larenz Tate – still black and still hot, we’d add – teamed up for Walmart’s “Love Jones”-themed holiday ad, featuring variations Dionne Farris’ now iconic song “Hopeless” as the opening soundtrack.

In the Walmart Holiday x Love Jones spot titled “Give a Gift That Shows You Get It,” the gift-giving begins early when Nina (Nia) finds a Walmart box on the steps of her house and unwraps it to seek out a record player. Confirming that the gift is indeed from him, Darius (Larenz) repeats certainly one of his lines from the hit movie in which he asks, “Do you mind if I play something for you?”

Whether the poet Darius (Larenz) remains to be attempting to be “the blue in (Nina’s) left thigh… trying to become the funk in (her) right” stays unknown, but nostalgia hits when the two start dancing to the Isley Brothers classic: ” Stay in the groove with you, part 1.” To ensure this moment doesn’t go undocumented, a young woman, presumably the daughter of the fictional couple, appears at the door to capture the moment on camera, clearly taking a cue from her photographer mother, Nina. It’s an uplifting return to a black cinema classic that a lot of us would love to revisit in the era of sequels.

That said, the elephant in the otherwise romantic room is Walmart. The big-box retailer dampened a number of holiday spirit this yr with its post-election announcement that it was “phasing out” most of its DEI initiatives, which is essentially being interpreted as a preview of comparable industry policies to return under the incoming Trump administration. Among the now abandoned initiatives are a $100 million racial equity center launched in 2020 in response to the police killing of George Floyd, in addition to prioritizing 51% of BIPOC, LGBTQ, veterans and women products. – reported the Houston Herald..

“It’s after the DEI programs end that the marketing department will definitely (know) how to change the narrative,” commented one YouTube viewer. “This ad won’t let me forget that Walmart discontinued all DEI efforts,” one other commenter said.

Walmart clearly still sees value in attracting black consumers, as evidenced by the Gen X-friendly spot starring Tate and Long (notably, the spot was produced likely months before the election and subsequent DEI rollback). The company was sensible to think about our annual purchasing power it’s estimated to eclipse $1 trillion by 2030, in response to McKinsey & Co.

“Serving Black consumers can help brands better serve customers, especially as the country’s increasingly diverse demographics continue to grow,” said Shelley Stewart III, McKinsey senior partner and global leader for repute and engagement.

To that end, while many viewers welcome the return of Darius and Nina (some have even called for an official, if long overdue, sequel), the dichotomy between promotion and Walmart practice has not gone unnoticed.

“Walmart needs to rethink its DEI policies,” a YouTube commentator said. “We play it in our faces, using characters and actors we love!”

Kerry Washington is celebrating a

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending