Tomorrow there will be a total solar eclipse (sampoorna surya grahanam) that will be visible in Northern India and neighboring Countries. This will be the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century. In Hyderabad, because we're too far south it will only be a partial eclipse (70%-80%) that will take place at sunrise. Can you imagine? A rising sun partially covered by the moon? I'm sure it will be amazing.
But now I'm worried. It all started when my friend Angela's landlord told her not to move in tomorrow because it would be highly inauspicious; so we started discussing whether she should or not since she is already paying rent for the apartment (we finally concluded she shouldn't, if not for luck, for cultural sensitivity -I mean, who wants their landlord to think they're a bad omen?).
So I did a little research and it turns out that whether the eclipse is good or bad has been one of the most brainstorming questions of the year for astrologers, because there will be 3 eclipses in a 30 day period (lunar eclipse on July 6, solar eclipse on July 22, and lunar eclipse on August 6). During previous occasions when there were three eclipses major wars happened. First was the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata and also the World Wars took place after three consecutive grahams (!). Because of this most astrologers have indicated that this eclipse is a very bad omen that will be related to wars and violence, as well as to natural disasters related to water.
Since it is considered to be very inauspicious by all astrologers, people should not undertake any new projects on this day, eat anything prepared on this day and put a blade of grass on water or food to protect it. People are taking this very seriously. What is most interesting is that the measures taken regarding the eclipse have been the same for centuries; what science has brought is only the ability to predict when such events will happen, but no changes on how they are perceived.
This reminded me of one of my favorite books when I was growing up: "A Yankee at the Court of King Arthur" by Mark Twain. It is a very fun book. When Hank Morgan is about to be burned at the stake (by none other than Merlin), he remembers that on that day in 528 AD there will be a solar eclipse and by "predicting" it he saves his neck... His science gives him power over the superstitious medieval English. Science and having the ability to predict natural phenomena has changed men's perception of himself and empowered him over nature (at least in his mind). Big contrast with the situation here. Take a look at this comments from the astrological blog about the eclipse:
Anonymous said...
I just love how rational-anonymous must have some hidden religious agenda to make the statements he/she makes...
But even if being scared of an eclipse is foolishness given what we know about this astronomical event, I still I worry given the recent happenings in my life. Apparently the effect of the eclipse is different according to zodiac sign. It turns out that the Surya Grahan is "unfavorable and bad (extremely negative according to another website) for the natives of Mesh (Aries), Karkataka (Cancer), Simha (Leo) and Dhanu (Sagittarius) rasis or zodiac signs". I'm Cancer!
I don't want to take any chances... Maybe I should just be a fool and stay home. A happy and safe fool.
Suscribirse a:
Enviar comentarios (Atom)
Please folks, there is enough evidence to prove that there is no :harmful: effect of solar eclipse of pregnant women or even normal people. This is a myth, a superstition - and please keep it at that. There is no harm in partially blocking a source of light, any "harmful" rays would be blocked too ... such as UV etc.. and NO effect on an person, except AVOID looking directly at the sun - it is so bright, it can damage your eyes (eclipse or no eclipse - all the time). thanks
Hey Anony.. are you a Christian to just tarnish Hinduism.. you are at the wrong place. SURYAGRAHAN DOES EFFECT FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND NORMAL PEOPLE TOO.. DONT SPREAD FOOLISHENSS IT IS A MYTH.. YOU ARE A MYTH..