Eclipse 2020

Eclipse, the Celestial Phenomenon:

An Eclipse is a natural phenomenon that happens in the celestial plane. This involves the Sun and the Moon, and the interplay of light between them, vis a vis, the earth. 
The word ‘Eclipse’ literally means blocking, and the term denotes the blocking of the celestial bodies, the Sun and the Moon, and their light, from our eyes for a specified duration of time. When it involves the Sun, it becomes known as the solar eclipse, and in the case of the Moon, it is the lunar eclipse.  

The solar eclipse happens when the Moon, during its orbit around the earth, comes between the earth and the Sun, and thus blocks the Sun and its light from the earth. Whereas the lunar eclipse takes place when the earth in the course of its rotation around the Sun, comes in between the Sun and the Moon and thus stops sunlight from falling on the Moon. This can make the Moon invisible to human eyes, for some time. The solar eclipses will take place on Amavasya, the New Moon days, and the lunar eclipses, on Pournami, the Full Moon days.

Participate In AstroVed’s Remedies During and After Solar Eclipse
 

Religion and Astrology:

Though the eclipses are inherently astronomical happenings, they have tremendous significance in the realms of religion and astrology. Our tradition calls an eclipse as a Grahan in Sanskrit. Our ancients who had a good grasp over the placement and movements of the celestial objects and developed astrology as a science, based on the knowledge so gained, realized that these eclipses do impact our lives in many ways. They have accordingly advised us of its possible impacts and the means to protect ourselves from its adverse effects. These impacts can be generic and also unique for an individual, depending on his or her birth star, Moon sign, and the birth chart, along with the placement of planets, therein.

This has given rise to many austerities which people perform during the eclipse periods in sacred water bodies and other places, seeking divine protection, mainly by pleasing the planets and worshipping the ancestors.   

Eclipses in 2020:

6 eclipses are predicted during the year 2020. Of these, 2 are solar eclipse 2020 or Sun eclipse 2020, and 4 are lunar eclipse 2020 or Moon eclipse 2020. The first solar eclipse is set to happen on June 21st. This will be an Annular eclipse, where the Moon will only cover the Sun’s central portion and leave its edges to glow like a luminous ring. This eclipse will happen in Mrigashirsha star in the zodiac sign Gemini. This occurrence may not prove good for the Gemini-born, who may hence have to be cautious.    

The other solar eclipse of 2020 is on December 14th.  This is a total eclipse happening in the Jyeshta / Kettai star in Scorpio, and so, the people of that sign need to take precautions to ward off its effects.

The 4 lunar eclipses of 2020 are on – January 11th in star Punarvasu/ Punarpoosam, in zodiac sign Gemini, June 6th in Jyeshta / Kettai star in Scorpio sign, July 5th in Purva Ashada / Pooradam Nakshatra in zodiac sign Sagittarius, and November 30th in star Rohini in Taurus sign.   All these lunar eclipses are penumbral by nature, where the Moon will travel through the earth’s outer shadow, and in the process, its surface will get dimmed. 

People belonging to the zodiac signs in which these lunar eclipses occur may experience changes that may not be to their advantage and hence are advised to undertake appropriate remedial measures.

Eclipses’ Adverse Effects:

It is the Sun, which gives us light and energy, while the Moon remains our closest celestial neighbor. In an eclipse, either of these is overshadowed and thus overpowered by Rahu and Ketu. Hence an eclipse is generally regarded as malefic, especially from the religious and astrological angles. Though adverse, the effects of the eclipse may not be uniform for all the people, and its intensity may vary depending on a person’s place and moment of birth. 

In this regard, people can also consult astrologers or refer to astrology websites where they can look under specific topics. For instance, the interested can look under Solar Eclipse 2020 Astrology, or Solar Eclipse June 2020, or Lunar Eclipse July 2020, as the case may be, and learn about the effects and possible remedies for specific eclipses.  

Remedies:

But people, irrespective of the level of the eclipse impact, can seek divine help against its adverse consequences, by chanting some simple mantras and offering prayers. 

Here let us learn about a few such mantras: 

Some of the common Mantras for any Eclipse are
‘Thamomy Mahabheem Somasuryavimardhana
Hemathara Pradhaanena Mama Shanthipradho Bhava’
‘Vidhunthudha Namasthubyam Sinhikaanandanaachyutha
Dhaanenaanena Naagasya Rakshamaam Vedhajaadhbayaath’
People can chant the above Mantras during any eclipse with faith to reduce the malefic effects of the Grahan.   
There are also specific Mantras for relief from Surya and Chandra Grahan Dosha, the effects of the solar and lunar eclipses, respectively. 
‘Om Aadhityaaya Vidhmahe Dhivaakaraya Dheemahi, Tanno Surya Prachodayaat’
This is the Surya Grahan Mantra in praise of the Sun God, for chanting in times of the solar eclipse.
And the Chandra Grahan Mantra dedicated to the Moon God, for chanting during the lunar eclipse is 
‘Om Ksheeraputraya Vidhmahe Amruta Thatvaaya Dheemahi, Tanno Chandra Prachodayaat’ 

Further, the Maha Mriyunjaya Mantra is a powerful hymn in praise of Lord Shiva, which can remove the fear of death and bless people with sound health and welfare. This hymn can also be chanted in the eclipse times as a protection against the adverse effects of the eclipse.  

Rituals:

The afflictions that may arise due to the eclipses are known as Grahan Dosha.  Our ancients have suggested to us many practices that can act as remedies against such an eclipse impact. People, particularly those affected by the Grahan Dosha of the solar eclipse, can pray to Sun God and offer him water. They can also chant the powerful Aditya Hridaya Stotra in his praise. Avoiding salt can also be of help.    

Those affected by the lunar eclipse, can donate white clothes to others and distribute sweet kheer to girls, preferably on Mondays. People can also serve the Gurus or the holy men and keep chanting the Guru Mantra, for their protection.

Some Dos and Don’ts:

People are advised not to consume any edible items during the eclipse or even a few hours prior to that period. The principle is that they should not have any food in their stomach during the eclipse, and whatever they had eaten earlier should be digested before the Grahan time. It is also not advisable for them to venture out, then. As eclipses are not regarded as auspicious, it is better not to start with or perform any new or important activity during that time.  

People can also avoid handling sharp objects like knives, and even activities like brushing teeth, combing hair, etc. Trust people will benefit from such measures and protect themselves and their families with divine grace.