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There is an upcoming solar eclipse occurring this evening and culminating at 12:16am, Eastern Standard Time with the New Moon. At that time, the Moon and Sun will be in the sidereal sign of Aries as well as in Aśvinī Nakṣatra. This eclipse will only be visible for South/East Asia, Australia, Pacific, parts of the Indian Ocean, and Antarctica.
Eclipses are a significant event in the Hindu calendar. As per Vedic Astrology, eclipses have powerful spiritual and astrological implications that can affect our lives on physical, mental, and spiritual levels. I will reiterate myself from past posts and state again that Eclipses are not necessarily inauspicious periods, rather times for introspection, reflection and transformation while the illuminating energies of the Moon and Sun are hidden from our sight. Just as the Moon represents Manas, our sense of feeling, emotional well-being and connecting to the sensory objects, and the Sun represents our ego, power and soul connection, when these become temporarily obscured, the energies can be deranging, but reflect deeper and hidden aspects of reality when we connect with them.
Aśvinī is ruled by the Aśvinī Kumaras, depicted as youthful and handsome divine physicians who ride on horses or chariots. They are also known as the "Horsemen of the Skies". In Vedic astrology, Aśvinī Nakṣatra is considered a highly auspicious Nakṣatra, and is associated with healing and regeneration. People born under this Nakṣatra are said to possess qualities such as intelligence, vitality, and the ability to heal themselves and others.
When analyzing eclipses, in my experience, it is important to analyze the following:
In the case of Solar Eclipses where the Moon is combust, the Nakṣatra where the moon is placed can feel as though it is suffering. In this case, it is a direct result of the Nakṣatra of the Sun, which is the same. We can look towards the Nakṣatra deity for propitiatory and remedial measures. If a person’s natal horoscope falls within a sensitive point where that eclipse is happening, either directly by conjunction or by sign-based aspect (in this case, the eclipse is happening in the movable sign of Aries – so please look to the Fixed signs for potential areas of impact), there is a chance the person may be feeling it more than the average individual.
Any planets directly associated with the eclipse, excluding the luminaries Sun and Moon and the nodes. In this case, Mercury is close to stationing, providing a strong force of stability, communication and flow of information.
I’ve been also taught to analyze the 7th house from the sign of the eclipse as these themes can become heightened, something Paramguruji Sanjay Rath taught in recent years as Hrdaya Rashi. In this case, the Hrdaya Rashi 7th house falls in Libra, which shows the scales of balance, denoting commerce as well as areas where said commerce takes place, bazaars and forests.
Analyzing both the duration and path of the eclipse. Eclipses that are short lived tend to carry less impact. The path of the eclipse can also show areas where geopolitical upheaval can occur for the next few years.
Other eclipse factors as denoted by Varahamihira, in Brhat Samhita (note the Chapter on Rahu).
For this particular eclipse, propitiation of Lord Shiva as Dakshinamurty is particularly beneficial. I will cover all of the recommended observances in a separate article.