Lunar eclipse September 27 and 28

2005627-bigthumbnailThe last and final eclipse of 2015 is a total lunar eclipse September 27 and 28.  The date varies depending on where you reside. This eclipse is visible in most parts of the world. It is seeable in the  East Pacific, North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Western Asia.  According to NASA, the eclipse occurs from 6:11 PM to 9:22 PM Pacific time on September 27.  In India, the eclipse is from 6:37 AM to 9:58 AM on September 28.  In Vedic astrology or Jyotish, this eclipse takes places in Pisces.

Lunar eclipses occur on full Moons. This full Moon has been called a “super Moon” and a “blood Moon”. You can learn what time the lunar eclipse September 27 and 28 occurs by visiting the NASA website or finding the details on mypanchang.

This lunar eclipse September 27 and 28 is the last eclipse which will happen with the nodes Rahu and Ketu in Virgo and Pisces, respectively.  The nodes will be changing signs in early 2016. In Vedic astrology, a lunar eclipse is known as a chandra grahan.

Ahirbudhnaya
from Astrolge

Since it is the Vedic month of Bhadrapada, this full Moon is known as Bhadrapada Purnima.  This lunar eclipse September 27 and 28 will occur with the Moon and  South node Ketu in Pisces in Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra (constellation).  Mars is powerfully influencing Pisces, making this eclipse even more powerful, since Ketu acts likes Mars normally and we have another malefic influencing this combination. North node Rahu is in Virgo in the nakshatra of Uttara Phalguni, with Sun and Mercury retrograde nearby in Hasta nakshatra.

Uttara Bhadrapada is part of a pair of fierce nakshatras.  Uttara means East and Bhadra means beautiful. We can journey to a beautiful place if we can overcome our sense of limitations and feelings of anger and frustration.  Uttara Bhadrapada is called “the star of profound insight and realization”.

The deity of Uttara Bhadrapada is Ahirbudhnya, who is “the Serpent of the Deep.”  He is part of Shiva’s army, who are the celestial emissaries of vital power.  Ahirbudhnya symbolizes the spiritual kundalini energy, and the need for seclusion (as snakes like to operate out of sight).  Themes of death and destruction can arise in Uttara Bhadrapada. This is often due to a person reviewing his or her past and then looking ahead to the future.  Feelings of the cruelty of nature may surface and they can be quite overpowering. This can turn into anger, rage and frustration.  Finding a creative outlet, such as journaling or photography can be effective modes to deal with these thoughts.

Typically, Vedic astrology advises that eclipses are times for inwardly directly activity and not for gazing at the Sun or Moon. It is also best if you stay inside.  New undertakings should not happen 3 days after the lunar eclipse September 27 and 28 eclipse or when the Moon is in Uttara Bhadrapada for the next 6 months.

Vedamurti Shri Vivek Shastri Godbole  has spoken about the power of eclipses. He is a 15th generation Brahmin and scholar who has imbibed the Vedic scriptures. The eclipses affect our mind and and our physical body.  The scriptures state that eclipses create financial or physical problems and sometimes new diseases.  There can also be natural disasters around the time of an eclipse. This is why people should not look at the eclipse.

Here are the recommended practices for the eclipse:
1. Do not look at the eclipse. Stay inside for the duration of the eclipse and close your blinds.
2. Bathe before and after an eclipse
3. Ideally do not eat 12 hours before the eclipse (or at least do not eat during the eclipse).
4. Do not drink anything 3 hours before a lunar eclipse or during the eclipse.
5. Focus on your mantra during this eclipse. If you do not have a mantra, chant Om.
6. Do not expose food to the rays of the Sun or Moon during the eclipse.

For pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with medical issues, they do not have to strictly adhere to the non-eating or drinking guidelines, but should put their health first.

Shiva - pinterest.com/pin/8233211793471215/
Shiva – pinterest.com/pin/8233211793471215/

The lunar eclipse is connoted with Lord Shiva, since he is depicted with a crescent Moon on his forehead. It is beneficial to chant a Shiva mantra during a lunar eclipse. Shri Vivek Godbole has suggested that you can chant Hreem Namah Shivaya, Shreem Namah Shivaya,  Aim Namah Shivaya, or another Shiva mantra you are familiar with. Other chants which are powerful to perform during a lunar eclipse are the  Chandi path (Durga Sapta Shlokhi), Shri Rudram,  the Purusha Suktam, or the Guru Gita. Another mantra you may chant is Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.  As you chant during the eclipse, the mantra becomes siddha or perfected.  Chant for at least 15 to 30 minutes during the eclipse.

People with natal placements in Uttara Bhadrapada or in a Moon or Ketu dasha will feel this lunar eclipse September 27 and 28 most strongly.  Even the eclipse is not visible in your area, it still has an effect on what house Pisces signifies in your Vedic astrology chart or what you have in Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra in your birth chart.

After the lunar eclipse September 27 and 28, we begin the two week period of Pitru Paksha, the time dedicated to honoring our ancestors.