(The Economic Collapse Blog)—We are about to witness the most dramatic astronomical event in the entire history of the United States. The Great American Eclipse of 2024 will be the last total solar eclipse in the continental United States until 2044, and it is being projected that it will be personally viewed by more people than any other eclipse in North America ever has been. Literally millions of people are expected to travel into the path of the totality on April 8th, and one expert is warning that this will be like “50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation”…
Due to the fact April’s total solar eclipse will be the last of its kind to occur in North America for 20 years, it is projected to be the U.S.’s largest mass travel event in 2024, Michael Zeiler, expert solar eclipse cartographer, told ABC News.
Zeiler compared eclipse day travel to “50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation,” saying four million people are estimated to travel to view it.
“When you look at the number of people expected to come to the path of totality for the solar eclipse, we estimate those numbers are roughly the equivalent of 50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation, from Texas to Maine,” he said.
In many areas of the country, we are going to see traffic nightmares of absolutely epic proportions.
And of course there is always a chance that clouds could ruin the viewing experience in a particular location.
Some wealthy people are not taking any chances. It is being reported that certain individuals are paying up to $3,750 in order to view the eclipse from a plane…
As the moon passes between the Earth and the sun Monday, Andrew Bazos will be cruising at 17,000 feet, rosé in hand, having dropped $2,000 to watch the solar eclipse from a private plane’s window.
He will not be alone: aviation company Blade has sold out 14 flights from New York — costing from $1,975 to $3,750 per seat — which will let people see the 5-minute astronomical phenomenon from the air.
With days to go, people who want to catch the once-in-a-generation total eclipse are shelling out four and five figures for exclusive experiences.
Due to all of the eclipse tourists that are expected, some areas in the U.S. and Canada have already declared a state of emergency for April 8th. Here is just one example…
A state of emergency has been declared in Niagara Region with thousands of people expected to head there to view the April 8 solar eclipse.
A news release issued by the region said the state of emergency was declared “out of an abundance of caution” by Regional Chair Jim Bradley under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA), effective Thursday, March 28.
“Declaring a state of emergency under the EMCPA strengthens the tools the region has at its disposal to safeguard the health and safety of residents and visitors and protect our critical infrastructure in any scenario that might arise,” the release said.
There is so much excitement about this eclipse.
Prior to the Great American Eclipse of 2017, the last total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. was in 1979, and after the Great American Eclipse of 2024 the next one will not be until 2044…
“If you look previous to 2017, the last one was in 1979,” Espenak said. “So it’s a little bit deceptive that these two eclipses were in seven years of each other.”
The next total solar eclipse to occur in the contiguous U.S. won’t be until August 2044 in Montana and North Dakota, and the next to span coast-to-coast is slated for 2045, according to NASA.
If you want to see a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S., this is it. So why are so many people going to call it a “dud” once it is all over?
The reason why they are going to call it a “dud” is because there has been so much speculation on the Internet about what might happen on that day.
If there is no major disaster or emergency on that day, millions of people will mock those that consider this eclipse to be extremely significant.
But those mockers will be missing the entire point of the eclipse. The eclipse is not important because of what may or may not happen on that day. Rather, the eclipse will be important because of what we already know will happen on that day.
Personally, I do not expect any major disaster or emergency to occur on April 8th. But that isn’t what matters. What matters is what is going to be happening in the heavens.
The Great American Eclipse of 2024 will complete the “giant cross” over America that the Great American Eclipse of 2017 started.
The intersection of those two eclipses falls in an area of southern Illinois that sits directly in the heart of the New Madrid fault zone.
And the last time we witnessed a giant “X” over that area, the worst earthquakes in the entire history of the continental United States started to erupt shortly thereafter.
Amazingly, at the heart of the intersection of the Great American Eclipse of 2024 and the Great American Eclipse of 2017 there is a 111 foot tall white cross known as the Bald Knob Cross of Peace…
Bald Knob Cross, officially known as the Bald Knob Cross of Peace, is a large white cross located in Alto Pass, Illinois, United States.[1] The structure is 111 feet (34 m) tall. The base of the cross is 1,034 feet above sea level and overlooks the Shawnee National Forest. Originally completed in 1963, the cross itself stands 111 feet tall, is 22 feet square at the base, 16 feet square at the top and its arms extend 63 feet horizontally. The exterior white panels covering the cross are 4-inch architectural flat insulated metal panels while the base portion is covered in granite approximately 4-inches thick. The structure sits on a foundation of 730 tons of reinforced concrete that goes down 20 feet to bedrock. The steel framework weighs approximately 170 tons. Each of the four sides of the cross have a word inscribed into the granite: Peace, Hope, Faith, Charity.[2]
The Bald Knob Cross of Peace was once the tallest cross in the entire western hemisphere. Do you think that is just a coincidence?
The Great American Eclipse of 2024 will also complete the “giant cross” over America that the “ring of fire” solar eclipse of 2023 started. At the heart of the intersection of those two eclipses another enormous cross stands.
In the Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas, there is a seven story sculpture known as “The Empty Cross”, and it is exactly 77 feet and 7 inches tall.
This colossal sculpture is seen by millions of people as they travel along Interstate 10…
The 77′ 7″ hollow cross sculpture at this site has been seen by millions of people traveling on Interstate 10, connecting California and Florida. Countless others have learned about this unique spiritual art garden through various media channels. Remarkably, the paths of the Oct. 14, 2023, Annular Solar Eclipse and the April 8, 2024, Total Solar Eclipse converge deliberately. Many believe this convergence, forming a colossal cross in the sky directly above “The Empty Cross,” is not a random occurrence but a divine sign—a message from the Creator Himself.
As all of this is happening, the sun, the moon and the other seven planets in our solar system will be lining up in the sky.
A user known as “asking_hyena” posted a graphic of this on Reddit…
We will never see a “line in the sky” like this again in any of our lifetimes. And as you can see on this graphic, the path of the “Devil Comet” will be on the verge of crossing this “line in the sky” on April 8th.
To top everything off, all of this will happen on the first day of the first month on the Hebrew Calendar. As this eclipse is happening in the United States, the sun will already be down in Jerusalem and the first day of the first month will already have begun.
The Great American Eclipse of 2024 will literally be the most ominous sign in the heavens in the entire history of the United States. So anyone that calls it a “dud” after it is over is being extremely ignorant.
Once again, I want to stress that I don’t expect any major disaster or emergency to happen on that particular day. That isn’t what this is about. I believe that the Great American Eclipse of 2024 is a sign, and I also believe that it is a warning.
But instead of recognizing what it really means, millions of Americans will be using the eclipse as an excuse to party and celebrate, and that is extremely unfortunate.
And once we get to April 9th, many will foolishly suggest that the eclipse really didn’t mean anything at all, and that is because they failed to recognize the entire point of the eclipse.
Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
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- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.