Seen an Angel around sunset? Let me explain

​The Liminal Beauty of Sunrise and Sunset: A Time for Light, Sound, and Spirit
There is something timeless about watching the sun meet the horizon. Whether it's rising to greet the day or slipping gently into dusk, the sun at the edge of the sky invites awe, reflection, and a quiet kind of reverence. But beyond the breathtaking visuals, these moments can stir something deeper: a sensory, even spiritual, experience that involves not just light, but sound, mood, and meaning.
The Science of Sunset and Sunrise
Both sunrise and sunset occur when the sun is low in the sky, usually within the 0° to 10° altitude angle above the horizon. During this time, light travels through more of the Earth's atmosphere, scattering shorter wavelengths (like blue) and allowing longer wavelengths (like red and orange) to dominate. This is why we see the world bathed in golden light, a phenomenon that peaks during the so-called "golden hour."
Refraction also plays a role: light bends as it passes through atmospheric layers, making the sun appear slightly higher than it really is. This means you can see the sun even when it's technically below the horizon.
Optical phenomena such as crepuscular rays, halos, sun pillars, and even the elusive green flash can occur. These events typically take place from 60 minutes before to 30 minutes after the sun crosses the horizon.
Time-Lapse: When to Start Watching
Sunset/Sunrise Viewing Guide

• 60 min before: Golden tones emerge, shadows lengthen. Ideal for photography.
• 30 min before: Crepuscular rays and halo effects become visible in the right conditions.
• 10 min before: Color intensifies, green flash may appear.
• 0 min: Actual sunset or sunrise. The sun touches the horizon.
• +15 to +30 min after: The Belt of Venus and Earth’s shadow are visible; purples and deep blues take over.

These same visual effects happen in reverse during sunrise, though conditions can make them feel different. Morning air is often cooler and more stable, making phenomena like sun pillars and mirages appear more sharply defined.
Auditory Miracles: Sound at the Edge of Day
Sunrise and sunset aren't just a feast for the eyes—they can be a profound experience for the ears as well. Here’s why:

1. Brainwave Shift: Circadian changes in hormones and neurotransmitters (like serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin) heighten our sensitivity. Sounds seem more meaningful or vivid.
2. Low-Frequency Sound Travel: Atmospheric temperature inversions near the ground allow distant low-frequency sounds to travel farther. You might hear things you normally wouldn’t—distant trains, voices, or wind that seems to hum with presence.
3. Biophony: Dawn and dusk are peak times for the natural soundscape—birdsong, insect calls, and rustling wildlife blend into a harmonic experience that can entrain brainwaves into relaxed, meditative states.
4. Auditory Pareidolia: The brain sometimes interprets ambiguous sounds (wind, rustling leaves) as something familiar—voices, whispers, or music. In liminal times like sunrise and sunset, this effect can feel deeply spiritual.
5. Cultural Echoes: In many traditions, these times are considered sacred. Sufi mystics call pre-dawn the "whispering hour." In Hinduism and Buddhism, mantras are often timed with sunrise. Indigenous traditions see dawn as a veil-thin moment to connect with spirit guides or ancestral wisdom.

A Spiritual Space Between Worlds
Whether you are standing at the shore, sitting on a hill, or looking through your window, the time around sunrise and sunset is rich with invitation. It invites you to:

• Slow down
• Tune in
• Witness the movement of light
• Listen to the language of the world around you

Perhaps that shiver of awe, that sudden emotional lift, or the distant sound you can't quite place isn't "just" the wind. Maybe it's your nervous system relaxing into the rhythm of nature. Maybe it's your perception widening to let spirit in.
Whatever it is, it's real. And it's beautiful.