On June 1, 2011, we will experience a partial solar eclipse. It will take place on the new moon day (amavasya). Eclipses of the Sun always occur on the new moon.

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

The partial solar eclipse will begin at 7.25 pm UT and end at 11.06 pm UT. It will be about 3 1/2 hours in duration. The time of greatest eclipse is 9.16 pm UT which is equivalent to 10.16 pm, London time. The total solar eclipse will take place in the sign of Taurus, the Moon’s sign of exaltation or greatest strength according to Vedic astrological calculation.

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. 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 partial solar eclipse in the sign of Taurus in the lunar constellation or nakshatra of Rohini on June 1, 2011 may last for the next 3 1/2 years.

ECLIPSE EFFECTS

The partial solar eclipse in Taurus on June, 2011 will likely yield the following effects worldwide:

• business enterprises and creative enterprises will suffer greater difficulties and obstacles in start-up phase
• increase in cancers of the mouth and throat, and spinal problems will be on the rise
• hotel, hospitality, restaurant, bars and tourism businesses will continue to suffer low patronage
• housing and land sales will continue to be slow in regaining market interest and value
• continued difficulty in securing loans from banks and other lenders
• diminished value in some world currencies
• reduced value for money spent
• rising costs in farming and agricultural products and produce including meat and dairy
• rising prices of sugar, sugarcane and products containing sugar
• price of automobiles and vehicles goes up
• price of oil and petroleum products, such as heating oil continues to rise
• price of glass, plastics, bottles and containers will also increase
• price of cloth, fabric, clothing and couture will escalate
• price of pearls and products of the sea will see an upturn
• price of shipping and ship-building will rise
• cost of hides, leathers and tanning will increase
• overall price of goods and cost of living will continue to rise
• websites and businesses offering matchmaking services will suffer scandal or legal problems
• tourism and travel in or on mountains will prove more dangerous
• more judges and politicians will be caught in scandals and misappropriation
• world business and political leaders involved in corruption and self-aggrandizement will be found out
• wealthy are caught trying to manipulate the financial system in their favor, such as Wall Street mandarins (nothing new here!)
• religious or spiritual leaders and yogis come under fire for misleading 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.

© Drew Lawrence 2011