On June 15, 2011, we will experience a total lunar eclipse. It will take place on the full moon (purnima). Eclipses of the Moon always occur on the full moon. The Moon will be in Sagittarius in the constellation (nakshatra) of Mula according to Vedic astrological calculation.

Times given will be Universal Time which is identical to Greenwich Mean Time or London, UK, time. Add one hour for Daylight Savings Time.

The total lunar eclipse will begin at 5.24 pm UT and end at 11 pm UT. It will be about 5 1/2 hours in duration. The time of greatest eclipse is 8.12 pm UT which is equivalent to 9.12 pm, London time. The time frame of the actual total eclipse will be 1 hour and 40 minutes.

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 science and astrological calculation, we always find the presence of either lunar node, Rahu or Ketu, in conjunction with the eclipsed planet. During this particular eclipse, it is Rahu. 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 may be felt during the actual time of eclipse but are generally triggered later on. The effects of the total lunar eclipse in the sign of Sagittarius in the lunar constellation or nakshatra of Mula on June 15 may last for 5 1/2 months.

ECLIPSE EFFECTS

The total lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on June 15, 2011, will likely yield the following effects worldwide:

• plants and crops are likely to suffer through drought or pestilence
• religions, religious people, and religious fanatics will come under attack
• spiritual people, yogis, mystics and spiritual practitioners will suffer criticism
• international trade, commerce and import-export will continue to stagnate in many countries
• tyrannical companies, such as Monsanto, will continue to gain ground in their efforts to force the world to accept their genetically-modified demon-seeds and various other mutant creations from their labs of darkness and destruction
• teachers will lose further rights and autonomy lobbied for by their union representatives
• MP’s, congressmen, cabinet officials, assembly speakers, etc. will come under further attack due to scandal on the one hand and mismanagement on the other. Ambassadors may find themselves the victim of violence or terrorism
• judges may be exposed for corruption and venality
• more doctors will be accused of malpractice, rightly or wrongly
• social workers and therapists will be targeted for neglect and mismanagement of cases
• horse racing will come under greater scrutiny either for drugging or cruelty toward horses
• corporate heads will face recrimination for salaries and bonuses paid to them and bonuses paid to their executive employees
• charities and philanthropic organizations will be caught in misuse of funds scandals
• people may be less forgiving and their faith in God may diminish
• wealthy people will be censured for no particular reason by people fallen on hard times and those who are always envious of others

VEDIC HISTORY

Thousands 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 worship of God. Fasting should be observed for the whole period of the eclipse in order to nullify the reactions of past negative deeds 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.