Eclipses

According to the Vedic legend, one of the demons, as a punishment

for stealing the nectar of immortality, was cut in two by Vishnu's weapon — the Sudarshana Chakra.

But he did not lose his life and went on existing —

as a head (Rahu) and a body (Ketu).

And because the Sun and the Moon had a hand in that punishment

(it was they who told Vishnu of the demon's trick),

he now takes revenge on them, swallowing first one luminary and then the other,

and so creating eclipses.

SOLAR ECLIPSES

From the point of view of the Vedas, an eclipse is the devouring of the Sun by the demons Rahu or Ketu. The Sun is the energy of life — without its rays the Earth is left in complete darkness. In jyotish the Sun is responsible for health and vitality, for willpower and strength of spirit, for a person's authority and their qualities as a leader — that is, for the ability to act, to govern and to make decisions. A solar eclipse can substantially affect these qualities, and can also worsen health and weaken leadership. It is best to set important matters aside on such a day, especially where critical, life-defining decisions are concerned, the kind that require you to keep a finger on the pulse and stay in control of the situation.

The Sun stands for a person's self-awareness, their «core», their deepest aims, their character. The Sun is a person's health, vitality, willpower and strength of spirit; it is authority, and also the level of happiness they feel in life, the optimism, the focus on the positive, the kindness and care they radiate. The Sun also determines the ability to withstand hardship and to fight — which on the physical level corresponds to the strength of the immune system. The Sun is wisdom, spiritual intelligence and maturity. The key meanings of the Sun are activity, strength of personality, vitality and charisma.

For a few days before an eclipse, while it is taking place, and for several days afterwards, there may be instability, a lack of confidence in one's own strength, depressive states, an absence of any wish or enthusiasm to do anything, disappointment in one's plans and undertakings. In all likelihood the ability to fight and to meet difficulties with dignity will be markedly reduced, optimism will be missing, and there may be a wish to «hide» from problems in whatever means are at hand (alcohol, intoxicants and other illusions included). Emotionally unstable states often arise in such periods, aggression grows and ailments appear.

«Rules of conduct» during a solar eclipse

1. Throughout the whole day on which a solar eclipse falls, contact with direct sunlight should be limited. Of course, for a modern person it is quite hard not to leave the house for an entire day. But it is worth at least reducing the time spent outdoors on that day to a tolerable minimum.
2. The greatest folly is to look at the Sun during an eclipse — even through special glass, filters and other devices. In a sense you would be looking into the eyes of the demon Rahu himself, who has just swallowed the Sun, and you would be left without the protection of the luminaries, one on one with his negative influence. Literally, this means drawing destructive energy into your life and body, which may tell on your health or on other areas of life.
3. Be more careful in everyday life, including behind the wheel. It has been observed that in the week or two before and after an eclipse the likelihood grows of natural disasters and cataclysms, of political and economic instability and of other phenomena that affect the life of society. Show more attentiveness and tolerance in dealing with people, in driving your car, in handling sharp and cutting objects, in doing dangerous work. It is best to spend such a day on some calm activity that does not provoke strong emotion or stress — and better still, on spiritual activity.
4. Do not act on impulse. Actions taken impulsively and without thought during an eclipse will most likely turn out to be mistaken or fruitless, or will bring destruction and problems into the corresponding area of life.
5. Do not begin any new important undertakings, do not sign contracts or make deals, do not agree anything serious. Any agreement officially confirmed and put on paper on such a day may meet many obstacles as it develops.
6. Do not set out on any long journey, even if you will be sitting inside a car or a bus. If the journey cannot be postponed, take every possible precaution and observe all the necessary rules, even those you would usually neglect.
7. Do not argue and do not enter into conflicts. At such a time we act and think under illusion, so there is no sense in lighting a fire that will have to be put out afterwards. It is better to tune yourself in advance to a peaceable attitude towards any situation.
8. Do not eat for a few hours before the eclipse begins and for a few hours after it ends. Best of all is a fast lasting the whole day. If giving up food entirely is difficult, you can limit yourself to light vegetarian food and juices, or a glass of warm milk in the evening. Drink plenty of water during the day.
9. It is better not to cook (during the eclipse itself) and not to leave food or water out in the open air — food that has taken on the energy of an eclipse is considered no longer fit to eat.
10. It would be good to take a bath or a shower, best of all at the very moment of the solar eclipse.
11. Giving alms and taking part in any kind of charity is extremely favourable.
12. It is better not to cut cloth, sew, cut anything, study, or sleep during the day.
13. It is undesirable to dry laundry outdoors or on the balcony during the day.

The time of any eclipse is, however, favourable for healing the body and for getting rid of everything unnecessary and unhelpful. If, for example, you want to give up smoking or alcohol, or to move to a healthier way of eating, an eclipse is the better time to begin.

Best of all is to take up spiritual or meditative practice and to read prayers. It is worth turning the eclipse to your own good: go down into your own inner world, read spiritual books — the Vedas, the Bible or any other literature close to your soul.

LUNAR ECLIPSES

Astronomically, a lunar eclipse is the passage of the Moon through the Earth's shadow. A person needs the energy of the Moon to maintain mental balance and intellectual capacity.

Usually eclipses bring an increase in quarrels and conflicts: people become more aggressive, harder to manage and unfair, and show intolerance.

When the Moon is deprived of strength, mutual understanding between people, their ability to find a common language and to show compassion, is reduced to a minimum. On such days one must be especially careful with those close to us and show the greatest possible patience and humility in relations with people. Try to stay calm and tolerant, and not to be drawn into conflicts and scenes. There will be a strong temptation to «do battle» and prove yourself right — it is not worth it, because it will not lead to the goal anyway, even if your motives are of the very best.

A lunar eclipse brings emotional upheaval, so it is better to see to your peace of mind in advance and to spare yourself. You may find that all your feelings are heightened to the limit, and particularly sensitive people may be overwhelmed by anxiety, worry and fear. Situations in which emotions might get out of control should be kept to a minimum. On these days, and especially on the day of the eclipse itself, it is worth taking up spiritual practice, meditation or prayer, or simply spending time alone.

It is held that in the week or two after an eclipse the likelihood grows of natural disasters and cataclysms, of political and economic instability and of other phenomena that affect the life of society. We can see now, particularly against the background of planetary transits, how fragile and unstable the balance of people's minds is, whatever country they live in.

Hormonal cycles may be disturbed, especially in women. Given that the Moon symbolises the mother, the Woman, it is the female part of the population that an eclipse may toss about the most.

What to do during a lunar eclipse

For the eclipse to pass relatively painlessly for you, a few simple rules are worth following:

1. Put your thoughts and feelings in order.

Everything we do, say or think in relation to those around us while an eclipse is in force (the day before it, the day of the eclipse itself and the day after) will affect our later life in the most obvious way. So it is worth being attentive, acting consciously and with love for yourself and for those close to you, and keeping your emotions in hand. Let go of everything that has suddenly decided to leave you in this period: people, things, money, social ties, work. There is no point in holding on to what is going; let it go in peace — it means the time has come and some stage of your life is closing, but only so that a new one, brighter and more successful, has the chance to open. Live through that transition wisely and consciously.

The consequences of our actions and words may be felt for six months after the eclipse itself. And the result of what a person does on that day can come back as much as 18.5 years later. That is why it is so important to take personal responsibility for your own future life.

2. At the peak of the eclipse — and, if possible, throughout the whole day — stay indoors and do not look at the eclipse.
3. Do not begin new undertakings or projects, do not conclude important deals, do not agree anything serious, do not sign employment contracts, do not start lawsuits or proceedings. Since a lunar eclipse affects above all a person's emotional state and the state of their mind, favourable communication and a positive resolution of any question are doubtful at such a time. Financial operations are best avoided — the risk of mistakes and miscalculations is very high. Do not make important purchases (housing, cars, jewellery and the like).
4. Do not set out on journeys, especially long and distant ones. The nervousness and quick temper that may accompany you on the way can lead to mistakes, particularly if you are driving. Though of course, if the journey cannot be postponed, there is no need to despair — it is already enough that you know about the hygiene of thought and the precautions that are within your power to take beforehand and along the way.
5. Do not eat for 3 hours before and 3 hours after the eclipse. Try to abstain from heavy food and meat on these days and to limit bad habits. If possible it is better to fast, to let the body cleanse and renew itself.
6. Avoid crowds and busy places. Alcohol and entertainment events are contraindicated.
7. It is better not to burden yourself with physical exercise or heavy physical work — the likelihood of mistakes and injuries is high.
8. Be attentive to your health. It is especially recommended to avoid elective surgery and visits to the dentist, and even to the cosmetologist.
9. It is good to meditate, to read prayers and to take up other spiritual practices — or at least simply to rest. For women, a meditation connected with water would be good. If concentration is difficult, at least put on some «sounds of nature» music and simply relax, stopping the inner dialogue.
10. Take a contrast shower. Water is the strongest cleansing agent there is, able to withstand the destructive energy of an eclipse. Besides, water is the element of the Moon; it strengthens lunar energies, especially in women. You can sprinkle yourself and your child with consecrated water.
11. Pregnant women are advised not to go outdoors during solar or lunar eclipses.
12. The time of any eclipse is favourable for cleansing the body and getting rid of bad habits. If, for example, you are giving up smoking or alcohol, if you wish to give up meat or simply decide to move to a proper way of eating, an eclipse is the better time to begin.
13. Do not argue with people. Connections established in this period are unreliable. Resolve weakens and decisions change easily. A tendency to conflict appears and good judgement is in short supply. Attempts to settle a dispute or to have things out lead to mutual hurt, disappointment and misunderstanding.
14. These days are contraindicated for psychic practices: regression, hypnosis, divination, and also for reading literature on such subjects.
15. Do not buy jewellery or make other expensive and major purchases on this day.
16. For parents: do not leave children unattended — at this time they are scattered and need your guidance. On the days of an eclipse children may find it hard to cope with their fears.
17. Taking part in charitable events is welcome on the day after the eclipse. If that is not possible, simply donate food.
18. These days are extremely unfavourable for a wedding and for conception.