Light & Shadow: Texas Eclipse Festival Unites Music, Art, & Sacred Ceremony
In the heart of Texas, amidst wooded forests, lazy creeks, and rolling hills under the vast expanse of the Lone Star State’s skies, a convergence of celestial wonders and human celebration awaits. The Texas Eclipse Festival stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of ancient traditions in a contemporary expression, weaving a tapestry of music, yoga, dancing, workshops, camping, and a sacred ceremony set against the backdrop of a celestial phenomenon — the total solar eclipse on April 8th.
History: Gatherings to honor the planets and celestial events have long been revered as sacred rites of passage. These traditions, spanning millennia, speak to a deep-seated connection between humanity and the cosmos, a recognition of our place within the greater universe. Both humbling and awe-inspiring we are reminded that we are part of something much larger and more magnificent than we can comprehend.
In recent years the festival scene has started to incorporate these perennial elements with spectacular stages, light-shows, and state-of-the-art technology. The Oregon Eclipse Festival of 2017 remains as one of the most epic collaborative events in recent years. Anyone who was there or has heard stories about it will certainly not want to miss the Texas Eclipse of 2024.
Present and Future: The Texas Eclipse promises to take festival evolution to the next level at a time when we all crave a deeper sense of community, as we birth creative solutions for humanity. The lineup of musicians, artists, and speakers is too enormous to list here so I have placed the event poster at the bottom of this article.
There will be more than 12 stages for 5 days of music, speakers, and workshops culminating with a globally synchronized meditation during the eclipse hosted by UNIFY Co-Founder, Patrick Kronfli. This segment will be streamed globally and people across the planet are invited to join wherever you are for this shared moment.
The Experience: As the moon sweeps across the sun, casting an ethereal shadow upon the sacred gathering, a palpable sense of unity and reverence will envelop us all. This is a testament to humanity’s enduring quest for connection with the divine. In that transformative moment, surrounded by the whispers of prayers and awe, there is a profound sense of belonging — a fleeting yet eternal bond with the mysteries of the cosmos, etching an indelible memory of wonder and awe upon each person’s soul.
The Intention: Below is a short selection of words that will be part of the prayer, meditation, ceremony during the eclipse.
We pray for the illumination of the human spirit.
We open up our hearts with love, compassion, and strength.
We pray for the healing of the war within the human mind.
We pray for the harmony of mother and father. Woman and Man.
We pray that humanity wakes up to our responsibility to take care of nature as we celebrate and express our gratitude to the water, the soil, the plants, the animals and the Creator of Life.
We unify our intention for the equal amelioration of every person on our planet. For collaboration over fear. Forward progress over grievance. Understanding over conflict. -Patrick Kronfli, UNIFY Co-Founder
The festival is more than just a gathering of music lovers; it is a convergence of creative minds and spirits, united in a collective journey towards greater understanding of what it means to be human and alive at this time. UNIFY has been hosting globally synchronized meditations and live streams since 2012 allowing participants a chance to connect within themselves, their community, and environment while fostering a sense of peace that transcends cultural boundaries.
Getting There: The first step is to mark your calendar for April 5–9. Then visit the Texas Eclipse Website and get your ticket with a 10% discount using the promo code, “UNIFY”. The festival takes place at Reveille Peak Ranch outside of Austin, TX. There are shuttles from the airport and from downtown Austin daily.
Drawing upon ancient rituals and modern practices, the Texas Eclipse Festival invites participants to gather in celebration as one community to reflect on our place in the universe while honoring the interconnectedness of all life. These sorts of moments are once in a lifetime and this will be the last total eclipse visible in the US for 20 years.
Today there is much division and darkness in the world. The eclipse is an apt metaphor by casting a shadow upon The Earth. Simultaneously there are many people who believe in and are working to create a better world for all. This can be seen to represent the efforts of the Texas Eclipse production team and the many thousands of people who will gather in person to bring light in the depth of this shadow. In this way we are reminded that we are deeply interconnected with the cosmos and part of the eternal dance between light, darkness and the shadows between.
Please join us the first week of April outside of Austin to be part of this historic gathering in person or tune in to the live stream and take a moment to honor this fleeting moment in time.
