Solar Eclipse of July 22, 2009

Eclipse is a celestial feature that has amazed and awed the mankind through out history. In earlier times, it was considered an eccentric event that intruded the natural cycle of day and night. Consequently, most of the folklores presented the eclipses as ominous and sinister heavenly phenomena. Religious and cultural traditions have proposed special prayers and pleas at the time of eclipses, so that luminaries could defend themselves against heavenly dragon.

In the purview of astrology too, eclipses are unavoidable phenomena having far reaching impacts, especially on mundane affairs. However, they do cast good or bad effects on individuals when fall near the longitude of radical planets or house cusp of natal chart. But as a whole, Vedic and Western astrological treatises delineate eclipses as a precursor of significant global and national events.

Indian astrology divides the eclipses into ten different kinds, according to various types of shadow at the time of occurrence.

1) Savya

2) Apasavya

3) Leha

4) Grasana

5) Nirodha

6) Avamardana

7) Aroha

8) Aghrata

9) Madhyatamas

10) Tamontay

Whereas modern astronomy considers six types of eclipse, depending upon magnitude of Moon’s shadow and position of Earth’s surface.

1) Central Total Eclipse

2) Central Annular Eclipse

3) Non-central Total Eclipse

4) Non-central Annular Eclipse

5) Annular-Total Eclipse

6) Partial Eclipse

Celebrated Varahamihira thoroughly delineated the astrological impacts of eclipses on mundane affairs in Chapter 5 of his magnum opus Brihat Samhita (BS). There he also discusses the visibility and shape of eclipse disc in detail. Later he gives the results of eclipse occurring in various lunar months and signs. One of important principle he enunciated is “should there be two eclipses (solar and a lunar) in same (lunar) month, kings would be destroyed as a result of revolt; and there would be bloody battles.” (BS Chapter 5, Verse 26)

According to Varahamihira, eclipse yields more malign results when any other transiting natural malefic planet(s) conjunct or aspect the under-eclipsed luminaries.

Ptolomy, the noted western authority on astrology, observes, “if the place of eclipse falls on the eastern horizon, this signifies that the beginning of the predicted event is in the first period of four months from the time of the eclipse and that its important intensifications lie in the first third of the entire period of its duration; if on the mid-heaven, in the second four months and the middle third; if upon the western horizon, in the third four months and the final third.” (Tetrabiblos, Book 2, Chapter 6)

Robert Cross, better known as Raphael, quoting the Ptolomy, eclipses have most effect in those countries where they are visible, and more especially on the countries and cities ruled by the signs in which they occur.

In practice I have also found, eclipse leads to definite and deep rooted outcomes on national affairs when falls on/near the bhava-madhya (cusp) of non-vacant house OR/AND over radical planet/saham of mundane chart. The result may turn severe when eclipse occurs on the weekday of birth.

I've also seen the governments, elected or formed in between two adjacent solar-lunar eclipses of same month, usually come to end before completing their tenure.

Besides mundane results, every second book of astrology maintains a few pages on result of eclipses on natal chart. Famed jyotisha commentator R. Santhanam penned a brief but useful chapter on Eclipse in his "Essential of Predictive Hindu Astrolgy". He holds that;

a) An eclipse, gives auspicious results if it falls on the cusp of kendara (1st/4th/7th/10th) or kona (5th/9th) you may wonder to read it, as most of the astrologers describe this signature a bad omen.

b) Eclipse yields evil result if falls on the cusp of dushtana (6th/8th/12th) or 2nd/3rd/11th houses.

c) Eclipse falling in movable sign (Ari, Can, Lib, Cap) gives prompt results. An eclipse occurring in a fixed sign (Tau, Leo, Sco, Aqu) gives effect in one to 3 months. Whereas a dual sign (Gem, Vir, Sag, Pis) eclipse remain valid for 6 months.

July 22, 2009 Eclipse

On Wednesday, July 22, 2009, a central total solar eclipse occurs in parts of Pacific and Asian region. The said eclipse will be longest duration of totality (up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds) in the 21st century. It will be visible in Japan, China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, India and Pakistan. Among them China will have long lasting impact as a result of said eclipse since the path traverses over its capital Shanghai. Following China, India and Bhutan will too affect as eclipse will be clearly visible in most their cities. However, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, North Korea, Myanmar and Pakistan will partially suffer.

But as whole, this eclipse may not result in mega disaster, war or global unrest, since no natural malefic aspects Cancer on July 22, 2009. Varahamihira says “if the eclipse should also be total and the eclipsed orb is aspected by natural malefics as well, there would be famine and pestilence all over the country.” (BS Chapter 5, Verse 27). Nonetheless, the ashubh dhana argala of Saturn upon Sun at the time of eclipse can not be ignored.

China:
China is traditionally associated with zodiacal sign of Libra, but the emergence of Chinese Republic took place in 1949 when Capricorn was ascending. July 22nd eclipse occurs in 7th house of China where Mars (a natural as well as functional malefic) is sitting in debilitation.

But fortunately eclipsed-luminaries fall in Pushyami nakshatra while radical Mars of China is in Aslesha nakshatra. In spite of that, occurrence of eclipse in Cancer near radical Mars is not a good omen. It may lead to ethnic riots and communal strife, as here natal Mars owns the 4th house and under influence of Moon. Additionally, there is a fear of unexpected flood and shortage of agricultural output. Visibility in the capital city will surely create trouble for the government on account of these unwanted happenings. Nonetheless, involvement of 7th house, 11th lord (Mars), 7th lord (Moon) and Rahu (who is in trine to Cancer) shows new development at external affairs, especially related to India and Taiwan.

India:

July 22nd solar eclipse downwardly transects the Indian geography from north-east to south-west. In the morrow, the eclipse will be visible in Patna, Varanasi, Bhopal, Indore, Soorat and adjacent towns. It will be partially observable in Calcutta and Mumbai too. However, keeping in view the monsoon season during July, probability of observing a clear view of sun is quite feeble. Astrological sources appear vague over this problem, whether non-visibility due to clouds and weather conditions modify the eclipse results or not.

Anyway, the pivotal point of eclipse in Indian horoscope is the 3rd house and 3rd lord (Moon), despite there is an assemblage of four other planets, viz.; Sun, Venus, Saturday and Mercury. But rest of the grahas (except Mercury) is in Aslesha nakshatra.

In mundane astrology, 3rd house rules over means of communication, telecom industry, railway, transportation, media and newspapers. While Cancer associated with water, rivers, naval affairs, and masses in general. But the question is whether understudied eclipse casts favourable or unfavourable impact through these significations? Let’s dig out the answer. Being an upachaya, third house is assumed a haven for transit of malefic planets and malefic heavenly occurrences. And there is no confusion over it. But involvement of 3rd lord (one of the trishadaya bhavapa) renders the situation bit impure. Secondly, falling of eclipse near radical Moon – a naisargika karaka of janta (plebeian), is surely an unwelcome signature. Thirdly, the navamsa of eclipsed luminaries is Leo that coincides with the 4th house of India (as per rasi-tulya-navamsa).

Consequently, it will yield mixed-cum-malefic result for India. But in coming months, the burden of suffering will fall on common man rather on government. Public may come across unsatisfactory perhaps crumble situation of transportation due to hike in fares. Print or electronic media will excessively seek to unveil scandals and rumours. Railway department may see a deficit as well as increasing accidental cases. And there may be demise of famous author or columnist. At economic front, production of autumnal crops and their prices will not be satisfactory since July 22nd solar eclipse occurs in early morning. While at official level, government may start fresh negotiations with neighbouring countries. In the oath taking chart of Manmohan Singh, said eclipse fall in 9th house near Ketu that may bring forth government’s involvement in judicial case, establishing new anti-terrorism frame work, but differences with religious segments.

Pakistan:

In Pakistan, July 22nd eclipse will be partially visible in southern province of Sindh and city of Karachi. Fortunately, there is no planet or cusp in Pushyami nakshatra except Mercury. Note the weekday lord of eclipse is Mercury (same as birth day of Pakistan). This makes the occurrence of eclipse quite significant as far as significations of Mercury and 3rd house are concerned. Resultantly, effect will be more or identical to India, regarding public and means of communication. At government level, President Zardari may have to confront severe criticism from media and losing support of masses.

Sambandha: Celestial Connection

In all nativities planets at certain longitudinal distance and placement from each constitute various kinds of relationship which is known as sambandha. It is a fundamental concept in jyotish, especially useful in assessing the transfer of influence between two grahas, involved in certain yoga or functioning as dasnatha and bhuktinatha.

Standard jyotish treatises do not differ much on the issue of relationship among planets. Father of Indian astrology Parashara enunciated following four types of sambandha.

	Sambandha Name	Meaning
1	Kshetra Sambandha	Exchange or Parivartana
2	Drisht Sambandha	Mutual Aspect
3	Yuti Sambandha	Conjunction
4	Adhishisht Sambandha	Unidirectional Aspect

Whereas Mantraswara provides five types of planetary relationships between two planets (vide Phaladeepika chapter 15, verse 30).

1) Exchange or Reception

2) Conjunction

3) Mutual Aspect

4) Mutual Angle

5) Mutual Trine

On the other hand, Kalidasa and Venkateswara suggest just three types of graha sambandha.

1) Exchange

2) Conjunction

3) Mutual Aspect

But I would prefer the Parashar’s scheme. Let’s understand his four categories of graha sambandha.

1) Kshetra Sambandha

This planetary relation brings forth when two planets mutually occupy each other’s sign. Almost all sources have ranked this sambandha most effective and most powerful (60 virupa or 100%). Kshetra sambandha (also called parivartana) is somewhat a rare planetary relationship and does neither depend upon longitudinal distance nor closeness. Planets involve in kshetra sambandha exchange their full effects which surely accrue in their mutual dasha/antar. In western astrology, this cosmic connection is known as ‘reception’.

Examples: Moon is into Pisces and Jupiter into Cancer; Sun is into Virgo and Mercury is into Leo; Mars into Libra and Venus into Aries etc.

2) Drisht Sambandha

Mutual aspect between two planets results in drisht sambandha. By drishti means full graha drishti here, and not the rasi drishti (sign aspect). Drisht sambandha leads to partial shift (some assumes 75%, some takes 50%) of influence. Besides, some astrologers do not consider the deeptamsa or longitudinal orb (i.e. range of concentration) while evaluating aspect, however, Parashar’s Spusht Drishti methodology (vide BPHS chapter 28) supports to consider orb. This relationship is not possible between, Sun, Mercury and Venus.

Examples: Jupiter is into Libra and Moon is into Aries; Mars is into Gemini and Saturn is into Virgo; Venus is into Pisces and Saturn is into Virgo etc.

3) Yuti Sambandha

Yuti Sambandha is a conjunction of two planets in a rashi. This is a common planetary relation, and Parashar ranked it after paraspara drishti (mutual aspect).

Apart from it, in western astrology conjunction is also possible when two planets are at extreme degrees of different signs, e.g., Mercury is at 29 degree of Aquarius and Venus at 2 degree of Pisces. But in Indian astrology yuti is only possible when both the planets fall in one sign. However difference of opinion exist whether orb should consider or not.

Examples: Venus and Moon are closely placed in Capricorn; Sun and Mercury is sitting together in Leo; Mars and Jupiter are conjoined in Cancer etc.

4) Adhishisht Sambandha

This is a relationship based on unidirectional aspect, i.e. planet A should aspect planet B, but planet B should not aspect A. This is not a usual relationship since it is only possible when one of the planets is Mars, Jupiter or Saturn, as they have additional aspect beside commonly known 7th-house (180 degree) aspect. However, consensus does not exist among commentators whether dispositorship should be taken or not. A common view is that when dispositor of any planet aspects the occupant but occupant doesn’t aspect its dispositor. Sometimes it is called drishta kshetra sambandha

Examples: Sun is in Aries and Mars in Virgo. Here if Sun occupies in Aries then Mars automatically becomes the dispositor of Sun. Now Mars is into Virgo then it obviously casts its full aspect over Sun. On the other hand, Sun is unable to aspect Mars. Similarly Moon in Pisces and Jupiter in Scorpio; or Mercury in Aquarius and Saturn in Taurus causes Adhishisht Sambandha.

*) Mutual Kendra and Mutual Trikona

It is not only Mantreswara who propounds the planets in mutual Kendra and mutual trikona lead to sambandha. Parashara ranked planets, placed in kendra with respect to each others, as a mutual karaka (vide, BPHS, chapter 34, verses 25-30) if they are in their signs of exaltation, own or friend. Similarly readers may find the utmost significance of mutual trine in Nadi literature based on karakattwas. Horoscopes explained in Bhrigu Nandi Nadi, chiefly weigh mutual trine and planets in them reckoned from a certain karaka. In fact, natural benefic in trine to a karaka causes bhagya yoga concerning signification of that karaka. On the other hand, nadi works also regarded dwirdwadasa (mutual 2nd-12th relation) as a supportive sambandha if formed by friendly benefic planets. But shadashtaka (mutual 6th-8th relation) is unanimously considered an evil signature between a karaka and concerned bhavesha especially when a natural malefic simultaneously aspect either significator or pertained house lord.

Illustration

Here Saturn is in Cancer (a sign ruled by Moon) and Moon is in Capricorn (a sign owned by Saturn). This exchange of sign lords lead to kshetra sambandha between Saturn and Moon. Similarly, Mars in Leo and Sun in Scorpio also forms parivartana and thus hold kshetra sambandha. A very sambandha also constitutes between Venus and Jupiter since they in each other’s sign.

Jupiter and Mercury are opposite to each other and forming drisht sambandh. Mutual aspect between Sun and Jupiter also exist but it not as power as between Jupiter and Mercury on account of orb. Similarly Saturn and Moon are also fully aspecting each other making drisht sambandha (apart from keshtra sambandha).

Sun and Mercury situated in Scorpio results in yuti sambandha. Association of Rahu and Venus also forms yuti in Sagittarius.

Adhishisht sambandha exists between Sun (who is in Scorpio) and Mars (who is in Leo). Mars, being dispositor of Sun, is aspecting Sun but in turns Sun is does not aspecting Mars. If dispositorship is not considered here then also there lies adhishisht sambandha between Moon and Jupiter, as Moon is getting aspect of Jupiter but not transferring its full glance to Jupiter.