A brilliant full moon illuminated my 4-hour early morning drive from Santa Fe to Chaco Canyon. I arrived at Casa Rinconada shortly before sunrise on this glorious spring equinox (March 20).
I bundled up, grabbed my camera, and joined 40 others, including several dear friends, gathered on the eastern side of the great kiva in the bitter cold morning air. A hearty crowd, indeed!
G.B., a long-time park ranger, reminded us not to look directly at the bright rising sun for more than a moment - many have damaged their eyes in this way. Did the Chacoan sun watchers damage their eyes? Or did they learn to look away quickly?
We listened as G.B. pointed out the cliff face to the east of Casa Rinconada along which the sun would rise, and explained several of the kiva's apparent alignments, including the two doors of the antechamber on the north side of the kiva that are aligned perfectly east and west.
We moved to the western side of the kiva, where we watched the sun crawl up the cliff face, then shine along the cliff face and through the two aligned doors. This alignment with the rising sun only happens on the fall and spring equinoxes.
The ancient Chacoans had the amazing ability to align their buildings with the cardinal directions. How did they do it? We could not do a better job today with all our modern technology.
As astute observers of their environment, they were intimately aware of the movement of the sun and moon and stars. Closely watching the movements showed them the directions. Their survival depended upon their knowledge of nature's rhythms. We could learn much from their powers of observation, and their connection with nature.
The equinox sunrise was spectacular, with pinks and oranges and yellows in bold strokes across the sky. More Chaco magic.
What a glorious way to welcome spring!
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