Solar Eclipse 2026

13 August 2026

I wasn't even going to go see it, I don't have proper glasses... But then I saw online that you can safely look at it by making a camera obscura with tinfoil and a cardboard box. So I made two, for myself and a friend, and insisted I wanted to go on Akkovaara to see the eclipse, as it's a tall hill with little trees on top; ergo, good visibility at the Sun.

I'm glad I went! The cardboard box thing actually worked! I'm happy I made those crafts because I have some serious symptoms of executive dysfunction. It was pretty, and it was nice to run into familiar faces by chance.

As I drove there, inspired by an earlier radio show, I wanted to listen to Sun-related songs. My favourite band Nightwish actually has a song about about a solar eclipse, Sleeping Sun. However, I remembered there is quite the nice Finnish version of the song as well and opted to listen to that one. I feel like the lyrics spoke to me more than ever before. First of all, it uses the phrase "the spindle of the Sun" (the sun wheel). But it also speaks of the loss of childhood faith, as well as restlessness and difficulty in finding happiness ("luck" is the same word as happiness (onni) and well, I've written about how important that is in Finnish religion).

Well, the lyrics are pretty similar to the English original so you can also just listen to that one.

Auringon kehrän laelta :: From the top of the spindle of the Sun
Tahdoin luoda valoa :: I wanted to create light
Tai kuin meri velloa :: Or churn like the sea
Täystyynin mielin kaikelta :: With a fully calm, unbothered mind

Kerran lauloin minäkin :: Once I, too, sang
Vain lapsenuskon sävelin :: With but the melody of childlike faith
Vuodet uskon ehdytti :: Years drained my faith
Valo muuttui vieraaksi :: Light became a stranger

Jos yö aikaa määräisi, kaikkeuden aikaa :: If night ruled over time, the time of the universe
Niin sen suojaisaan huomaan hämärään tekisin tien :: Then I'd make a path into its protective care in the dusk
Ja voisin kuin aurinko vaipuessaan :: And I could, like the Sun as it tires
Uskoo onneeni vaan :: Just believe in my happiness

Onhan onni unessa :: Sure, there is joy in slumber
Ja haaveet luovat lohtua :: And dreams bring comfort
Vaan ei kai ne ja haavani :: But surely those, and my wounds,
Ole aivan kaikkeni :: Are not all there is to me

Ja ei kai sielun rauha vain :: And surely the peace of souls
Oo yksinoikeus vainajain :: Is not exclusive to the dead
Hetken laulaa laulajat :: The singers sing for a moment
Sitten säkeet loppuvat :: Then the lines end

Jos yö aikaa määräisi, kaikkeuden aikaa :: If night ruled over time, the time of the universe
Niin sen suojaisaan huomaan hämärään tekisin tien :: Then I'd make a path into its protective care in the dusk
Ja voisin kuin aurinko vaipuessaan :: And I could, like the Sun as it tires
Uskoo onneeni vaan :: Just believe in my happiness

Jos yö aikaa värjäisi, kaikkeuden aikaa :: If night coloured time, the time of the universe
Niin sen suojaisaan huomaan hämärään tekisin tien :: Then I'd make a path into its protective care in the dusk
Jo voisin kuin aurinko vaipuessaan :: I could already, like the Sun as it tires
Uskoo onneeni vaan :: Just believe in my happiness
Uskoo onneeni vaan :: Just believe in my happiness