“It’s always darkest right before the dawn.”

Haven’t we all heard this proverbial metaphor all our lives? In fact, it dates back through centuries and is suspected to be first penned by Thomas Fuller in the 1700’s. But is it true? Is there any astronomical reason for this saying? True, there are less electric lights while people are sleeping, and the smog and dust in our air settles in the night air granting a better view of the sky, but no, not a shred of evidence is behind this common phrase. Yet despite the lack of scientific support we keep saying it for it lends much needed morale when times are bleaker than we can bear. This week more than any other this year I have thought much of darkness, whether it creeps in slowly or spills out all at once, it presents itself.

Continue reading →