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The Total Solar Eclipse of 29th March 2006: An Astrological Overview
By Vinay Aditya
It is an astronomical wonder that a total solar eclipse occurs at all. It occurs because the Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun and revolves around the earth 400 times closer than the Sun. If either of these dimensions were different, total solar eclipse would not occur at all. The solar or lunar eclipses would have occurred far more frequently if the planes of solar and lunar paths were not inclined at an angle of 5° to each other.
The solar eclipse occurs when the Sun and the Moon are exactly at the same degree of longitude in the same sign. So, they are said to happen when the new Moon starts. The Moon comes between the earth and the Sun so that the sunlight is blocked either partially or fully.
But this kind of talk is a subject matter of discussion amongst the astronomers. The astrologers concern themselves with the effects of such a terrestrial phenomenon rather than the mechanics of it.
The astrologers have generally agreed that the eclipses bring adverse events in their wake.
Why the Effects of an Eclipse are not Positive
For an eclipse to happen, the nodes of the Moon should also be aligned in the same axis as the Sun and the Moon. In Vedic astrology, these nodes are known as Rahu (northern node) and Ketu (southern node). Although these nodes have no mass, they have influence and have been granted the status of real planets. In general these nodes are considered malefic except for some special configurations. And since either Rahu or Ketu is always present next to the Sun and the Moon at the time of eclipses, the general influence of the eclipses is not positive. The adverse effects are felt mainly at the mass level but often at individual levels too.
The effects at mundane level are: famine, floods, earthquakes, fire, air accidents, mass unrest, death of an important political leader, political instability, war, fluctuating markets, etc.
The Hindu New Year and the eclipse
The new Moons and especially the solar eclipses radiate a very intense energy and usually mark a time of new beginning, both for the nations as well as for the individuals.
The solar eclipse of March 29, 2006 is very special because it has coincided with the new year of the Hindus. It has been a practice in India for centuries that an astrological chart is erected for the moment when the Sun and the Moon are exactly at the same degree in the zodiacal sign Pisces. This chart is called the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada chart and it gives very good indications of the events that occur in the year beginning at that moment. Since, different countries experience different events, the chart must be erected taking into account the capital of the country.
Effects of the Solar Eclipse on different nations
Canada and the United States:
Since, this year begins with a solar eclipse it does not evoke hopes of a very good year. For USA and Canada, the eclipse falls in the second house, which represents savings or accumulated wealth. This means that there will be an erosion in the national and individual savings. Canada will be able to solve some of its problems through innovative thinking and bounce back quickly but USA will only resort to manipulations and posturing. Physical health of both the countries will take a beating and more and more people will develop chronic diseases. There may also be a break-through in handling some chronic disease.
Europe:
For most of Europe, the eclipse falls in the 10th house of their New Year chart. This indicates political instability specially affecting the governments and the heads of states. Some prominent political leader of the region may leave for his heavenly abode. The work culture and professional scene will become murkier affecting a very large population of this region. Many will be rendered jobless. Gains of the past will be frittered away.
Australia:
The eclipse falls in the 5th house of their New Year chart. It indicates bad decisions on the part of government affecting professions and the fortune of the people. The youth will feel agitated over educational matters. Some prominent personality from the entertainment world may receive health setbacks.
New Zealand:
The eclipse falls on the 4th house of the New Year chart of New Zealand. Though it will disturb the internal peace yet there will be higher dynamism and prosperity.
Nordic Countries:
The eclipse falls on the 9th house of the New Year chart of the countries of this region. There may be some controversial decisions by the judiciary that will fan domestic tensions. Since the two major planets at the time are retrograde, there is a distinct possibility of roll back of some decisions. A patriarchal figure of the region may depart.
Argentina and Chile:
The eclipse falls on the 1st house of the New Year chart of these countries. This amounts to a situation best described as body blow. There would be no clarity of thought and sense of purpose during the year. Even though valiant, most efforts will go waste. Under the distressful situations reawakening of spiritual values will be witnessed.
Mexico:
The eclipse falls on the 3rd house of the New Year chart of Mexico. Except for troubled relations with the neighbours most of the other indicators for Mexico are positive. There is all round prosperity on the cards.
Effects of the Solar Eclipse on individuals
The house in which the eclipse falls for an individual determines what kind of effects it would cause. For example, if this eclipse falls in someone's 10th house (meaning that Pisces is the 10th house for that individual), then a profound change may take place in the professional life of that person - and the process of change may not be smooth or pleasant. It is so because the 10th house represents one's professional life.
Similarly, if the eclipse falls in the 7th house (representing marriage), then the marriage may come under serious stress.
It is obvious that not everyone who has Pisces in his 7th house will be heading for a divorce. Different people experience it differently as per how close degree wise their important and related planets are to the degrees of the eclipse. The 29th March eclipse took place at 14°38'24" Pisces (as per Vedic calculations).
It is important to note that it is not possible to figure out by merely knowing one's Sun sign which house the eclipse falls in. For this, a proper Vedic astrological chart has to be made first.
The tradition in Vedic astrology is to reckon the effects of such transit phenomena mainly with respect to the natal Moon* (and not the Sun or the ascendant)**.
If you know your Moon from the western chart, one can find out the placement of the Vedic Moon by deducting 23degrees and 57minutes (or roughly 24 degrees). For example: If someone has his Moon in Sagittarius at 24degrees 57 minutes in the western chart, his Vedic Moon will be in 1 degree Sagittarius. If some one has his Moon in 10 degrees Taurus, his Vedic Moon will be in Aries 16degrees 03 minutes. The same calculation can be done for the Sun or other planets.
In absence of the information about the natal Moon you may check it from the Sun sign, though the applicability is considered less intense.
The following is the brief description, sign by sign, of the effects of this solar eclipse on individuals who have their Moon in the natal Vedic chart in a particular sign:
Moon in Aries: Unnecessary expenditure or losses, fruitless journey to a foreign country, disturbance in sleep patterns, unfulfilling sexual activity.
Moon in Taurus: Fruits of labour available, fulfilling projects, contact with spiritually advanced people, varied gains.
Moon in Gemini: Profound changes in professional scene, problems to or from father or authority figures.
Moon in Cancer: Possibility of suffering indignity at the hands of superiors. Mental anguish due to variety of reasons.
Moon in Leo: Unexpected sorrow, possible hospitalization or confinement, spiritual experiences, sudden gains or sudden losses.
Moon in Virgo: Trouble to or from the spouse, business partnership may go sour, trouble from adversaries.
Moon in Libra: Competitive spirit wins, victory over enemies, unfortunate legal entanglements.
Moon in Scorpio: Setback in creativity, unsavoury news from children specially the oldest, unfounded fears and worries.
Moon in Sagittarius: Disease, domestic peace under strain, mother may suffer, change of residence possible, real estate exchanges.
Moon in Capricorn: Financial gains, involvement in extra-curricular activities, intellectual or learning activities stimulated.
Moon in Aquarius: Financial security in peril, involvement in family intrigues,
Moon in Pisces: Look after personal health, interest in occult awakened, sudden unexpected events.
Spiritual Progress
The eclipse has taken place in the spiritual sign of Pisces. So, one can hope that this year will mark the beginning of spiritual awakening. This may actually be triggered by a series of events, which are so disastrous that people are unwittingly pushed into finding solace in spiritual values. Destruction has to precede the reconstruction.
How long does the eclipse influence last?
The effects of the eclipse last for several months though they keep diminishing with time until the next eclipse comes. In the year 2006 there are two solar eclipses. After the March 29, the next one will be on September 22. Since the next one will fall in the 8th house of the New Year chart for Canada and USA, a sense of financial insecurity will grip the two countries.
Men of social standing get affected more by solar eclipses as compared to ordinary men. Likewise, women having prominent Moon in their charts get more affected by lunar eclipses.
On the whole, this solar eclipse will usher in a year that will he remembered as a watershed year in more ways than one, by the masses as well as the individuals. Restoration of spiritual values will ride high on the agenda in the minds of people at large.