The Department of Diné Education Letter: Lunar Eclipse 8.26.2026
CLICK HERE to Download Letter (PDF)
NOTICE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DINÉ EDUCATION
REGARDING THE LUNAR ECLIPSE August 27, 2026
Yá'át'éch tá'áá' nóltso shi ke'i,
The penumbral lunar eclipse is set to begin the evening hours of Thursday, August 27, 2026 through the early morning hours of Friday, August 28. Weather conditions permitting, the eclipse will be visible in the Window Rock and surrounding areas. Beginning August 27th @ 7:40 pm (DST) and Ending August 28 @ 1:00am (DST).
The Navajo Reservation will be in the affected visible area within our Four Sacred Mountains and is considered a sacred occurrence and process of which the natural order phenomena is highly respected. Out of respect, all activity stops. It's our way to respect the Holy People during the eclipse, along with the atmosphere and the cosmic order. We need to respect the order/cycle of nature and our atmosphere, and educate the younger generations as to why we do so.
According to our Diné Cultural beliefs, to view the eclipse can result in health and spiritual problems. We are instructed not to eat, sleep or to be outside while an eclipse is happening. We are to remain reverent and discourage any activities during the eclipse. Eating during the eclipse can cause eating disorders, sleeping during the eclipse will create sleep deprivation, watching the eclipse will create eye problems and using the restroom during an eclipse will cause digestive issues. It is also said that the animals understand and recognize the sacred significance of the eclipse by pausing their normal routines and pay respect by being silent and seek shelter during this cosmic order. After the completion of the eclipse, we offer tádidin with prayer and drink water to replenish our bodies.
It is part of our culture to respect the cycle of life, the path of the sun/moon as it the source of all life. As we go through changes in our life, we set a time for ourselves, for self-reflection, a time of peace, uninterrupted tranquility, reverence, to show our respect to the sun and the moon and to offer prayers during this sacred time.
This is a good teaching lesson for our children and for the adults to reminisce of all the cultural teachings that go along with it.
Contribution from the Office of Standards, Curriculum & Assessment Development (OSCAD).
Evelyn Bahe, Verna Thomas & Eugenia Williams
