The last eclipse of 2009 coincidentally takes place on New Years Eve, December 31st. It is a Partial Lunar Eclipse and a minor one at that. It will be visible primarily from the Eastern Hemisphere of our beautiful planet. The eclipse will occur from 17.07 until 21.28 hours, Greenwich Time. The point of maximum eclipse will occur at 19.23 hours.
The Moon will be eclipsed by Ketu in the sign of Gemini according to Astronomical calculation from NASA as well as Vedic Astrological calculation. (Western astrologers will, true to form, erroneously believe that it happens in Cancer)
An eclipse is generally an inauspicious event since the planets which are the luminaries, the givers of light, are overshadowed or eclipsed by other celestial bodies. In Vedic tradition and astrological calculation, we always find the presence of either lunar node, Rahu or Ketu, in conjunction with the eclipsed planet. Rahu and Ketu are known as chaya-graha in Sanskrit which means ‘shadow planets’ since their purpose is to carry and project the shadow upon the other planets. This they accomplish both on the personal or individual level and the collective or world level. Rahu and Ketu uncover the nature of the shadow or negative behavior pattern and its consequences so that it can be recognized, exposed to the light of day, and subsequently resolved or removed.
EFFECTS
Eclipse effects may be felt during the actual time of eclipse but they may also reverberate for months to come.
The Moon will be in the constellation of Ardra. Some of the effects that may become apparent in the near future are:
Meat production and sales will suffer a decline. Market prices will fall. An outbreak of disease, such as Mad Cow, may occur once again. And consumption of meat will fall off. Farmers who pen large stocks of animals will suffer problems. Water sources may become contaminated and drought may occur or continue. Friends and associates will fall out over misunderstandings. Work on tall buildings and major construction projects will stop or be postponed. More people may go without sufficient food and nourishment. The price of oil and fuel will rise through the gouging of oil barons and sheiks. Fear will be on the increase. Trade and commerce will remain weak. The good news is that thieves and murderers are more likely to be caught and properly punished. And people who are corrupt and ungrateful are likely to get their just desserts.
As mentioned, this is how humanity’s shadow is likely to be projected into our world. We can effectively counteract these repercussions by altering our behavior and attitudes. Applying a greater degree of compassion, empathy, kindness, honesty will go a long way. And reducing our greed, deceit, misrepresentation of the truth and corruption of spirit will help even more.
WHAT TO DO DURING AN ECLIPSE
In Vedic times, many thousands of years ago, it was the custom to enter a river, particularly a sacred river, such as the Ganges, or the ocean or other body of water and chant mantras and offer prayers for purification for the duration of the eclipse. Solar and lunar eclipses are generally very inauspicious, with certain rare exceptions. It is nonetheless an advantageous opportunity for fasting, prayer and meditation on God. Fasting should be observed for the whole period of the eclipse in order to nullify the reactions of past negative or egocentric activities.
It is also recommended to give in charity to the poor as much as possible during the time of a lunar or solar eclipse. If you cannot afford to give in charity, then simply give charity within your mind, that is, envision yourself doing it just the way you would on the physical plane. The spiritual benefit for you will be the same.
Pregnant women should never look at an eclipse since it is thought to have a potentially negative effect on the health of the fetus.
© Drew Lawrence 2009