June 4, 2012 Lunar Eclipse

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The first lunar eclipse of the year is occurring on June 4.  It follows closely on the heels of the solar eclipse which happened two weeks ago.  A lunar eclipse occurs when the full Moon is aligned with one of the lunar nodes (Rahu or Ketu). A full Moon happens whenever the Sun & Moon are opposite each other in the zodiac. The nodes are always directly opposite each other.

In this particular eclipse, with the Moon and North node Rahu in Scorpio, it takes on a heightened significance.  In Vedic astrology, a full Moon is considered to be a sign of planetary strength. However, the Moon and North node Rahu will be in Scorpio on June 4.  Each planet has a sign where it is considered exalted, or at its strongest point, as well as sign of debilitation, or when it is at its weakest point.  Polarities are playing out during the eclipse. The Moon is debilitated in Scorpio and Rahu is exalted there.  (There are varying schools of thought on where the nodes are considered strong and weak.)  Yet, when the Moon is involved in an eclipse, it is considered to be an additional sign of weakness in Vedic astrology.

Whenever the Moon and Rahu are together, it brings about imaginative abilities and the theme of questing for situations which can be larger than life. Rational thought takes a back seat to unquenched desires.  This is great for artistic endeavors and brainstorming, but it doesn’t lend itself to dealing with practical matters with any rationality.

The most unusual aspect of this partial lunar eclipse is that the fickle Moon and malleable Rahu will be influenced by all the other planets. This makes for a fair amount of unpredictability. The Moon rules the mind; given its debilitation and the fact that its eclipsed, the mind is very unbalanced. Thus, it can easily fall sway to the other planetary influences. Rahu takes on the guise of any planets with which it is associated. It enjoys change as it is continually seeking stimulation.  During the eclipse, it has many choices of planetary costumes to wear.  Being the master of disguise, Rahu is skilled at the art of illusion. Be mindful about falling prey to something which is not what you had previously anticipated.

According to NASA, while the eclipse is visible in North America, New England and eastern Canada will not see the entire eclipse since the event begins after moonset from those regions. Locally, the lunar eclipse is occurring from 12:48 AM to 4:06 AM in the San Francisco bay area.

The local timings of the eclipse can be found at: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/JLEX/JLEX-NA.html

Vedic astrology strongly advises against looking at any eclipses. Many people will be asleep during the eclipse, but if they are not, then they can channel the powerful energy inwards. It makes for an ideal time to do spiritual practices. Ideally, one should not engage in long distance travel or any new undertakings within three days of the eclipse.

Another powerful event occurs the day after the eclipse, with the transit of Venus over the face of the Sun. That will be discussed in the next blog.

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