The Program Committee for the Association for the Anthropology of Consciousness invites members and their collaborators to investigate how we engage with themes of darkness and/or light. Our theme and meeting dates were chosen to coincide with the total solar eclipse, which will come to North America on April 8, 2024. According to space.com, “A total solar eclipse happens when the moon appears the same size in the sky as the sun, or slightly larger, so fully covers the disk of the sun, giving observers a view of the sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona” (https://www.space.com/41552-total-solar-eclipse-2024-guide.html). This event provides opportunities for making connections between consciousness and experiences of lightness and darkness in an array of forms, from literal to metaphorical. It invites us to consider how light and dark may be conceived as binary and yet include nuances such as crepuscular shadows and normally invisible coronal elements. Contributors are invited to draw on a wide range of topics, including, for example, lived experiences of ritual and other collective awakenings, oppression or privilege, (in/ex)clusivity, and healing. We also consider this conference an opportunity to build networks for collective engagement, restorative practices, healing, and reconciliation.

NOTE: We also accept papers that do not directly fit the theme.

We welcome works that explore indigenous and/or plant-based practices that might provide transformational learning and opportunities for collective action. We also welcome members, collaborators, and those new to the conference to engage in discussions related to exploring consciousness in all lived experiences, both human and non-human consciousness. We are also interested in hearing voices representing BIPoC, post-colonial, and other marginalized perspectives (such as those based on gender, sexuality, class, ability, age, etc.)