MAKANDA On a hilltop west of Illinois 51, a special gathering of eclipse enthusiasts came together to celebrate Mondays event.

Some came to banish negative aspects of their lives leaving them with the temporary darkness of the eclipse, while others came to be surrounded by like-minded friends, and perhaps find their own spiritual awakening in the shadow of the sun.

The party, hosted by Dancing Willow Farm and the Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance, had visitors from across the country. As the moon began crossing in front of the sun, children ran in the grass and were occasionally scolded by parents.

Get your glasses on, one parent exclaimed at his child, who was looking into the sun unprotected. Do you want me to keep you inside until it happens?

Dancing Willow Farm is the home of Curt Wilson and his family. Wilson said he wanted to have a place for people to come celebrate the major astronomical event in their own way.

We wanted to provide a space for all of our good-hearted friends and their friends, he said.

Persons of various faiths Pagans, Buddhists, Unitarians and spiritual people who don't subscribe to a particular faith came for different reasons, but many used one word to describe the significance of the eclipse transformation.

Georgia De la Garza, a Cherokee from Carbondale, said that is exactly what it was for her. De la Garza said in her own life, she is transitioning into new roles as her children have recently moved out of the house.

Im transforming into a single person again, she said, adding that she was also a widow.

As the sun went dark and silver light touched everything in sight, people cheered, some kissed, some cried. Many in attendance wrote on black pieces of paper negative things they want banished from their lives and placed them into a black cauldron filled with water.

Tara Nelson, president of SIPA, said during totality, she tried to walk a fine line of experiencing and guiding.

Georgia de la Garza (middle) experiences the end of totality Monday, as Tara Nelson (left) finishes a Pagan banishment ritual in Makanda.

I was trying really hard to balance experiencing something myself and to lead people, Nelson said.

Nelson said she was also surprised at how many people wanted to participate in the Pagan banishing ritual.

People were realizing, Hey, I want to be part of this thing, Nelson said.

Nelson said in the build-up to totality she did not know what to expect.

I was almost ready to be completely disappointed, she said.

She wasnt, though.

Then all of the sudden, bam, Nelson said of totality. She said she was in awe. She said she made a special effort to not just look up, but to look around. She saw the corona of the sun, but also the 360-degree sunset effect from her spot on the hill. Blushes of pink and purple touched the horizon and clouds glowed in the dusky sky.

Ty Barker, of Summerville, Georgia, said the eclipse was exactly what he was hoping for.

It was incredible. Ive wanted to see one my whole life, he said.

The event also provided Barker a way to get off on the right foot with friend-turned-girlfriend Miriam Hughes of Chicago. The two only recently became official and said meeting in Makanda was almost exactly halfway between Summerville and Chicago, a perfect way to meet up, providing them with a proper start to their relationship.

Ty Barker (left) of Summerville, Georgia, embraces girlfriend Miriam Hughes, of Chicago, during totality Monday in Makanda. The two only recently became a couple though they have been friends for three years they only just made their relationship official. They met in Makanda to be with friends and realized it was exactly the halfway point between their two homes.

Barker said it was a truifying, optimistic experience.

Seeing his friends and their friends come together to celebrate was a powerful experience for Wilson. He said all of the faiths represented at the gathering provide something important to each practitioner.

These traditions can help bring personal, emotional and psychological balance, Wilson said.

More than anything, though, he was just in awe of the community that came together in and around his house. People singing together, sharing food, talking to strangers, making new friends.

I have a sense of gratitude in community, Wilson said.

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On a hilltop in Makanda, an eclectic group finds spirituality in totality - The Southern