Chaco Canyon's magic was in full force again the evening of spring equinox. After a glorious equinox sunrise at Casa Rinconada, then some threatening clouds during the day, the skies cleared, and Pueblo Bonito was opened up for a “moon walk.”
This rare event occurs only a handful of times during the year, and with the full moon on equinox, it was perfect. This was my first time, and I was thrilled! I had butterflies in my stomach as I walked up to the pueblo at this late hour.
Eighty of us (80!) gathered at the southwest corner of the largest Great House in Chaco Canyon to listen to G.B. Cornucopia, park ranger extraordinaire, discuss some of the building alignments with the cardinal directions and the sun, moon, and stars. We tried to imagine the Chacoans living their lives there.
As he spoke, the “sweet light”--that lingering light before sundown (and after sunrise) that makes everything glow warmly--began to dim. Photographers were in heaven, myself included. Clouds appeared--just enough to catch the sun's rays and spread color across the sky.
The first glimpse of the moonrise took my breath away--a huge white-yellow ball appeared on the eastern horizon, lit by the setting sun. Sweet light made the pueblo walls glow. More photographer's heaven.
We all followed G.B. into the large plaza of Pueblo Bonito, this time to learn about the motions of the sun, earth, and moon. After all, this is something the Chacoans knew well.
Guided by G.B., and using kinesthetic astronomy (innovative, experiential lessons developed by Dr. Cherilynn A. Morrow at Space Science Institute in Boulder, CO), inspired volunteers held, and actually moved as, the sun, moon, and earth. We got to see how the moon was in a position to be lit up by the setting sun, causing the beautiful full moon we now saw rising above the pueblo walls.
Eighty visitors captured in rapt attention. I am constantly amazed at how much G.B. knows, and his ability to fully engage visitors in the magic that is Chaco. This is what he loves to do, and it shows.
Once the sun's light disappeared, and only the moon's bright light remained, we followed G.B. down the narrow steps into the pueblo rooms below. This is where we duck through narrow, low doorways, and find ourselves surrounded by high stone walls, some with open windows, all now open to the sky.
Being here by day and by night is a world of difference. I'm glad I'm not here alone now.
We gather in the largest room, elbow to elbow. Moonlight shines through the windows. Flashlights flicker on and off, creating eerie lighting on the walls. We imagine what is was like to be here 1000 years ago, with only the light of the full moon.
More magic in Chaco Canyon. And 80 happy visitors.
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