October 23, 2014 Solar Eclipse

pinterest.com/pin/8233211794786935/
pinterest.com/pin/8233211794786935/

Following on the heels of the October 8 total lunar eclipse comes the last eclipse of the year. There will be a partial solar eclipse on October 23. Unlike the lunar eclipse, the October 23, 2014 solar eclipse will be visible only in North America and the North Pacific. For the second year in a row, the eclipse falls on Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.

According to NASA, for San Francisco, CA, the partial solar eclipse begins at 12:51 pm, reaches its peak at 2:15 pm and ends at 3:32 pm Pacific time.  Many astrological factors make this an unusual eclipse.

Solar eclipses occur on a new Moon when the Sun and Moon are closely aligned with  one of the nodes, Rahu or Ketu. In Vedic astrology or Jyotish, eclipses weaken both the Sun and the Moon. However, during the October 23, 2014 solar eclipse, the Sun is doubly weak and debilitated in Libra.

The Sun represents the soul in Jyotish. It is also signifies spirituality, religion, and vitality. We may see issues arise with leading religious or spiritual groups as a result of the eclipse. Those in a Sun dasha or bhukti or with Sun in Libra should be extra careful of their health.  In Ayurveda, Sun represents asthi dhatu or the osseous system. Thus, bone injuries are more likely around and after the eclipse.  Ayurveda offers solutions for healthy bones.

The October 23, 2014 solar eclipse takes place in the nakshatra of Chitra. Chitra is one of the brightest stars in the sky; in Western astronomy it is known as Spica.  It spans both Virgo and Libra. While it is only a partial eclipse, many planets participate in the dynamics which come forth as a result of the eclipse.  Sun, Moon, Rahu, Mercury, and Venus will all be in Chitra during the eclipse.  For people with natal placements in Chitra or in an astrological cycle of the nodes, Sun, or Moon, the eclipse will have a strong bearing on you depending on the specifics of your birth chart.

Chitra is associated with structure, design, administration, and balance. Its deity is Vishvakarma, the celestial architect.  People with prominent Chitra placements in their birth chart have a way of making an entrance and standing out in a crowd. However, with the eclipse, you can feel overshadowed  Others may steal your spotlight. In Chitra, there’s a great need to be inventive and creative. Artistic skills may not come to light or be recognized as deserved. As a result of the October 2014 solar eclipse in Chitra, it’s more likely for disorder to happen and details will take time to fall into alignment.

Since eclipses occlude the Sun or Moon from our vision, this are viewed as inauspicious events in Vedic astrology. This is especially so since the eclipse occurs during the festival of Diwali.  Jyotish suggests that the times of eclipses are ideal for spiritual practices. It is never advised to gaze at an eclipse. It’s best to stay indoors and close the blinds during the time of an eclipse. You may read the previous post regarding the mythology of Rahu and Ketu.

Vishvakarma
Vishvakarma

Although Venus is home in its own sign of Libra during the eclipse, it will also be totally combust by an eclipsed Sun. This creates an usually tense dynamic for people in a Venus cycle or with Venus natally in Chitra.  Artistry and aesthetics may be diminished. It is not the time to profess your love to someone; other matters will take precedence over romance.  Venus and Rahu both embody worldly desires, so aspirations may run high.  Planetary combinations can create streams of unrealistic, unattainable ambitions.

Mercury, the planet of intellect, will be moving slowly coming out of retrogression. It is also in very close proximity to Rahu. Both reasoning and emotions are muddled during the eclipse.  Adding to this entire dynamic is an exalted Saturn in Libra, although it is not in Chitra fortunately.

I spoke with Vedamurti Shri Vivek Shastri Godbole regarding these eclipses. He is a 15th generation Brahmin in Satara, India.  What follows is his discussion regarding the October 23, 2014 solar eclipse.

The eclipses affect our mind and and our physical body.  The scriptures say 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. But, with our our advanced technology and astronomy, people don’t listen to this advice.

People should bathe before and after an eclipse. It is best for adults not to eat 12 hours before an eclipse and not to drink anything for 3 to 4 hours before a solar eclipse. That way, during the eclipse they can focus on their mantra. If you have no mantra, just chant OM. For pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with medical issues, it is ok to use the bathroom during the eclipse, but we advise that if adults do not eat or drink, then they will not have to the bathroom often.

Ketu
Ketu

The solar eclipse effects Ketu more than Rahu, as Ketu swallows the Sun in Vedic mythology.  Even if the eclipse is not visible in your area, it still has an effect on what house Libra signifies in your Vedic astrology chart or what you have in Chitra nakshatra.  People with the lord of their 10th house of career in Chitra nakshatra will be affected by the eclipse.  If you are single and want to marry and have the lord of your 7th house in Chitra, the eclipse can create delays.

Pregnant women need to be most cautious about looking at eclipses. The eclipse’s rays affect the unborn child. Pregnant ladies should not sleep during the eclipse. They should rest in an easy chair and repeat God’s name. (This applies only to pregnant women in North America as the eclipse is not visible elsewhere. )

With Venus being combust, those in the beauty or fashion industry may be adversely impacted by the October 23, 2014 solar eclipse. Since Diwali will happen so close to the eclilpse, people like artists, musicians, and movie stars may face problems as a result. Stronger effects occur within 3 months of the eclipse and milder effects after that.

All those impacted by the eclipse should set a sankalpa or an intention during the eclipse to donate to a local charity. They can offer clothes, blankets, groceries, or shoes. After the eclipse ends, they can go and physically make the donation.

During the solar eclipse it is good to chant a mantra to the Sun, such as the Gayatri mantra, the mantra Sham Savita Surya Naraynana Namah, or Adityaya Vidmahe / Sahasra Kiranaya dhimahi / Tanno bhanuh Pracodayat.  You can also chant Shri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram or the Saundarya Lahiri hymn during the October 23, 2014 solar eclipse.  Chant for at least 15 – 30 minutes during the eclipse.

If you are going to be affected by the solar eclipse, you can have a puja performed for you at the Shri Krishna Yajurveda Pathashala in Satara, India.  Please send Shri Vivekji an email to sohamvg@gmail.com. If you want to know how you could be affected by the eclipse personally, then an astrology reading can offer additional details.

Visit the NASA solar eclipse page to determine the time of the eclipse in your area.

While the eclipse occludes some light from our life, we can summon it back by celebrating the festival of Diwiali.

Recent Comments

  • http://Shravani

    October 22, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Hi ,I am five months pregnant and stay in dubai..will this solar eclipse affect my baby?Can i go out on 23rd?

  • http://ananya

    October 22, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    hi m into my 5th month pregnant will this eclipse effect my baby or is there any precautions i have to take for this …. any ways what time is the eclipse emerge where ever it is seen

    • October 22, 2014 at 1:24 pm

      If you are in North America, stay inside and follow what it says in the blog. There is also a link to NASA that gives the timings of the eclipse. If you are not in North America, don’t be concerned.

  • http://mohsin

    October 22, 2014 at 11:41 am

    Hi,my wife is in her 3rd month of pregnancy will this solar eclipse effect her or my baby.does she have to take any precautions regarding the eclipse

  • http://Ravi

    October 22, 2014 at 11:35 am

    When is Diwali being celebrated in Canada, 22nd or 23rd and will the eclipse have any effect?

  • http://Sreeni

    October 22, 2014 at 11:21 am

    Will following birth start have affected by soar eclipse. Aswani,Ashlesha,Krithika and Pushyami

  • October 22, 2014 at 8:56 am

    I m in 9th month pregnecy. I live in punjab, india. Will this eclipse have any effect on my baby.should I take some precautions.

  • http://Sachin

    October 21, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Will the solar eclipse affect the celebration of Diwali in New Jersey on October 23rd?

    • October 21, 2014 at 6:15 pm

      Yes, Diwali is the 22nd in the US and 23rd in India. See the latest blog as well as info on mypanchang.com

  • http://Satish

    October 21, 2014 at 10:23 am

    I have a Dhanista Nakshatra. Am I going to be affected by the solar eclipse. If so, what do I have to so?

  • http://kiran

    October 21, 2014 at 3:15 am

    my wife is in her 8th month of pregnancy..will this solar eclipse have any effect on her and the baby..what are the precautions to be taken..? we live in Hyderabad i.e in India

  • http://Vaidehi

    October 20, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    My 4 yr old daughter falls on the eclipse day , do we have to do some special remedy for her . Little worried about the eclipse

    • October 20, 2014 at 11:42 pm

      Is it her birthday? If possible, do not expose her to the eclipse. You can chant a mantra on her behalf. Her dasha/ bhukti presently are important. If you want to get a puja done for her, you can. I have provided information in the blog. Or you can have it done locally where you are.

  • http://sonia

    October 20, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    Can you please let me know if we can still celebrate Diwali on 10/23/2014 in california?

  • October 19, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    I will like to know more about the eclipse and the effect on my life and the area that I live.

    • October 19, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      You are welcome to schedule a reading to get personalized information. It is also dependent on your birth chart.

  • October 19, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Thank you, very helpful to me, currently running my ketumahadasha.

  • http://Kedar%20Apte

    October 13, 2014 at 4:15 am

    very informative. thank you

Comments are closed.