May 24, 2013 Lunar Eclipse

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Photo courtesy of Eklavya Prasad @watervagabond

The May 24, 2013 lunar eclipse is the third in a series of recent eclipses.  In Vedic astrology or Jyotish, a lunar eclipse occurs when the full Moon is in close proximity to one of the lunar nodes (Rahu or Ketu).   A full Moon happens whenever the Sun and Moon are opposite each other in the zodiac. 

In this particular eclipse, the Moon is in Scorpio in Vedic astrology.   Being a lunar based system, Vedic astrology considers a full Moon as a sign of planetary strength.   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 considered to be debilitated in Scorpio.  Moreover, when the Moon is involved in an eclipse, it is considered to be an additional sign of weakness in Vedic astrology.

Scorpio is a intense, deeply private sign, which  enjoys operating by its own methods. The Moon will be in the nakshatra or lunar constellation of Anuradha in Scorpio.  Anuradha is very determined, ambitious and strives for success at all costs.  It’s very focused on the attainment of goals and refuses to lose.  It sweetly pushes its agenda forward until the desired result is reached. The ego may rear its head strongly, especially during an eclipse, when the emotions are clouded.

According to NASA,  the eclipse is visible in North and South America.  In the San Francisco Bay area, the eclipse is from 7:53 pm to 8:27 pm.  The local timings of the eclipse can be found at: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/JLEX/JLEX-NA.html

Another significant event happening in conjunction with the eclipse is a planetary war between Venus and Mercury.  Thus, we have multiple planets which will be operating under duress during the  eclipse.

Rather than gazing at the Moon, it’s recommended that a person spend the time during an eclipse indoors, engaged in meditation or other spiritual practices and keep an inward focus, rather than an outward focus. It’s a time to eat lightly and to eat pure foods. Shades should be drawn and food should not be kept out and exposed to the moonlit rays.

Jyotish is the study of light and it strongly advises against looking at any eclipses. In a eclipse, the Sun and Moon are not able to perform their normal functions in the sky. Our vision of them is occluded.  The obstruction of these luminaries is a powerful event, but not one in which we should put our outward focus.  It makes for an ideal time to do spiritual practices. Ideally, one should not engage in any new undertakings three days after this  eclipse.