Twenty minutes after the clock strikes the midnight hour on December 31-January 1, the moon will go on a ‘strike’ for 55 minutes, leaving some gasping with joy at seeing a total lunar eclipse. But there will be others filled with a mixed feeling of awe and fear about the event which is also believed to be an ill omen, especially when it happens right at the start of the New Year!
The lunar eclipse will begin at 12:20 am and end at 1:25 am, and will be fully visible all over Gujarat. Prominent astrologer Hemang Shastri said, “The year 2010 is among the few years that begin with an eclipse. And this phenomenon will certainly show have a negative impact on the future, and even on the progress of this state in the coming year.”
Another astrologer, Monisha Nanavati, said, “This eclipse will influence thousands of couples’ moods because the moon rules individual behaviour and the
emotional personality of all living beings.”
The eclipse, which will be taking place in the zodiacal sign, Cancer, will be visible in Europe, Africa and Asia but, most prominently, in India. It will be best sighted in Gujarat.
The conjunction of this eclipse is with a star that is reputed to be a ‘revenge star’ — Alhena — and a catalyst of destruction.
Cancer is the sign of emotions. “That is why this New Year’s Eve may turn out to be highly charged and emotionally erratic for millions,” said Nanavati.
Rationalists feel that the moon may or may not affect people’s mood. But it has already impinged upon some people’s New Year celebration plans. Jennie, 34, a homemaker and Sunny, 35, a businessman — a couple who have been holding New Year parties at their farmhouse for a decade — have decided to organise the event at their residence near Gujarat College this time. “Our friends believe we must not celebrate in the open or eat food in the open during the eclipse. This compelled us to change the venue,” Sunny said.
Many Gujarati families believe that eclipses have a religious significance and they observe certain rites, like not going out when the spectacle occurs or not eating during that period. Many families are against storing cooked food and water.Ami Shah, 27, a homemaker residing in Bopal, said, “We have to follow a few set rules during eclipse.
However, this time my grandmother-in-law will perform and observe these rituals for our family and I will be allowed to go to the New Year’s party.” Her granny, Nirmala Shah, 75, said “I strictly follow certain rituals during an eclipse, in order to avoid its bad effects. However, I do not want the next generation to change their plans to suit my beliefs.” The biggest solar eclipse of 2010 will take place on January 15 which may affect the Makarsankranti festival. Its duration will be from 11:17 am to 3:05 pm.
Astrologically speaking, this eclipse will negatively affect the political leadership in general, say soothsayers. Sanjay Parekh, 54, a businessman and a strict practitioner of eclipse rites, said, “I have asked my two sons and my daughters-in-law not to take part in any kind of celebrations, be it New Year or Vasi Uttarayan, which is scheduled on January 15.”
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