Solar Eclipse

WE are currently in one of the most negative periods of the year.

The 21st century’s longest total solar eclipse will occur on July 22 and in Indian astrology, this is an inauspicious event. People have to be extra careful because it will have a negative impact on them.

The eclipse will be visible in India, Nepal, China, Hawaii and over the Pacific Ocean and will last for up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds.

The path of the Moon’s umbral shadow will begin in India and cross through into Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the eclipse will cross into Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and curve southeast through the Pacific Ocean.

A partial eclipse will be seen within the much broader path of the Moon’s penumbral shadow, which will include most of eastern Asia, and the Pacific Ocean.

A dark red shadow will creep across the sun and this can be observed in Malaysia from 9.07am to 9.48am on July 22.

Astrologically, this eerie dark light is viewed as inauspicious and it will cause some form of discomfort. Any eclipse signals a time to be wary and this is especially true if the sun is involved because all living beings are dependent on the sun for light.

As I have said in an article in January about a solar eclipse which occurred during the Chinese New Year, the power of negative energy is said to increase during such a time. When the environment becomes conducive for negative energy to amass, the chances of it affecting people increases.

The impact of the negative energies when the sun is obscured causes a lack of courage, fatigue and low self-esteem.

People are advised not to carry out activities as usual during the eclipse period as they may behave irrationally. Everyday activities that should be avoided during the time of the eclipse are sleeping, conjugal relations, swimming, holding meetings and weddings and all religious or special events.

All Hindu temples will be closed during the eclipse period. People are urged not view the eclipse directly, and it is better not to travel during the period and stay indoors.

Those who were born during an eclipse should take even more care than others and those born under the zodiacs following the moon sign of Aries (Mesha), Pisces (Meena), Libra (Thula), Sagittarius (Dhanus) and Gemini (Mithuna) should also exercise caution this month.

After the eclipse, people should offer prayers and clean their houses to remove all “harmful energies’’.

There are also six transits in the astrological chart this month which will see Jupiter moving backwards into Capricorn. The movement indicates negative effects.

During such an unfavourable period, every individual will experience some sort of disruption at work, home, business and travel.