On December 20-21, 2010, we will experience a total lunar eclipse. It will take place on the full moon and coincidentally, on the day of Winter Solstice when the Sun begins his northern journey and the days grow longer in the northern hemisphere.
Times given will be Universal Time which is identical to Greenwich Mean Time or London, UK, time. The total lunar eclipse will begin at 5.27 am on December 21 and end at 11.06 am. It will be about 5 1/2 hours in duration. The time of greatest eclipse is 8.17 am. The time frame of the actual total eclipse will be 1 hour and 16 minutes. The total lunar eclipse will take place on the lunar day of the Full Moon in the sign of Gemini, according to Vedic astrological calculation. Eclipses of the Moon always occur on the Full Moon
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 history 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 reveal the force or 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 and removed.
Eclipse effects are not typically felt during the actual time of eclipse but are triggered later on. The effects of the lunar eclipse in the sign of Gemini in the lunar constellation or nakshatra of Mrigashira on December 20-21 may last for 5 1/2 months.
EFFECTS
• Increased anxiety, stress, worry, tension, fear and panic in the people
• Increase in nervous disorders and nerve diseases, including Alzheimers
• Increase in thyroid problems, throat afflictions and thymus gland complications
• Increase in impulsive, compulsive, fickle and excitable behaviors
• Increase in mental fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome and weariness
• Increased difficulty in effective communication and agreement
• Increase in selfish and self-centered behavior
• Increase in innocent, unsuspecting and gentle people being targeted and preyed upon by predators
• Increase in sexual degradation
• Lovers and people in love will be publicly condemned
• Increased problems and costs for energy, power, electricity, telephones, computers, internet and communications technologies
• Negative effect on the book publishing business
• Negative effect on musicians and the music business
• Engineering failures and incompetence come to light especially regarding the construction of buildings, highways, dams and bridges
• Surgeons will be taken to task for their sloppy and careless work
• Prices of textiles and clothing will increase
• Agents, representatives, sales & marketing personnel, and brokers will come under fire
• Thieves, con-men, hustlers, and grifters will be on the increase
• Prices of fruits, flowers, fragrances and perfumes will see a dramatic rise
• Products of the sea, such as fish will be threatened and/or rise in price
• Gemstones — particularly emeralds, green tourmalines, aquamarines and green jade will shoot up in price and in value
• Ambassadors and government messengers will be subjected to criticism and increased danger. Embassies will be threatened
• Soldiers will be killed in greater numbers
• Forests and rain forests will be subjected to increased devastation
• Greater numbers of animals and birds in the wild will be wiped out
VEDIC HISTORY
TThousands of years ago, the demons and the gods were instructed by Vishnu (God Himself) to churn the Ocean of Milk at the base of the universe in order generate the sacred soma, the nectar of immortality. When the nectar of immortality was produced, the problem was to distribute it between the gods and demons. To give it to the demons would mean to give infinite strength to those who would use it with poor judgment or from a limited, egotistical perspective.
To remedy the situation, Vishnu took the form of a beautiful damsel named Mohini (the bewilderer) and told the demons to arrange themselves in a row in order to be served their share of the nectar. In preparation for the intense experience of drinking the nectar, Mohini asked the demons to close their eyes and meditate. If anyone opened his eyes, he would lose his chance to share the nectar due to his impatience. The materialistic and self-involved demons waited and waited. Mohini distributed the nectar only to the gods.
It is generally a female divinity, a virgin, who protects and bestows divine knowledge or revelation to the lower beings. Mohini tried to teach the demons that one should not strive for physical immortality and its benefits but for the supreme knowledge that transcends all material enjoyment and sensory perception.
The demon Rahu who is thought to be a serpent-like character, had no intention of cooperating with Mohini’s plan and hid himself in the row of gods, directly between the Sun and the Moon. The Sun god passed the jug of nectar over to him and he took a drink. At that time, the Sun and Moon gods recognized him and called out to Mohini, “This is Rahu, the demon, in the midst of the row of gods!” The nectar had only gone as far as his throat when Mohini threw Her discus at him, severing his head from his body. But since the nectar was already in his head, his head became immortal like the other gods. Rahu went on to perpetually eclipse the Sun and Moon as payback for their treachery toward him. Ketu is considered to be the tail of the serpent, since Rahu and Ketu are always exactly 180 degrees apart.
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 2011