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The Meaning of Eclipses in Vedic Astrology

admin — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 17:34:04 +0000

On August 12, 2026 there will be a Total Solar Eclipse forming from 8:34am-12:57pm PT, followed by a Partial Lunar Eclipse on August 27, 2026 at 6:23pm-12:01am PT.

In the few days leading up to eclipses I always see a bunch of Facebook posts from well-meaning coaches and astrologers instructing us all to “plant new seeds” and “start new projects.”

However, eclipses have been considered inauspicious events for thousands of years. They have been viewed as very negative omens for material things.

How then, could they be a good time to start something new? Is it just a superstition? And what is the best thing to do during an eclipse?

As the ancient Indian legend goes, an eclipse occurs when the shadowy demon Rahu Ketu gets his revenge on the Sun and the Moon by consuming them and stealing their luminous rays. Their pure, creative energy gets twisted and dark during the eclipse and for a few days after. This myth does not exactly conjure a heart warming mental image, and that’s intentional.

The truth, according to Vedic Astrology, is that eclipses can be a terrible time to start or make key decisions about projects, relationships, jobs, or any other important thing in the material world.

This is because auspicious beginnings are blessed with light, ideally the light of a healthy, full Moon and the daytime Sun. With Rahu and Ketu gobbling up this light and warping it in unseen ways, anything you start could turn out very strangely, and you may regret impulsively ending something as well…

That said, Tantric yogis believe that special spiritual practices are exponentially more powerful during eclipses, and that personal transformations can happen far more quickly than normal.

**Eclipses are a great time to stay in, meditate, and do your inner work. In fact, they provide an especially rich opportunity to connect with spirit because the ‘veils’ are thin**.

Back on the topic of material reality: I always receive a lot of phone calls from clients who just made major decisions during the eclipse cycle (i.e. in the 2-4 week period that separates the Lunar and Solar eclipses).

They want to know if things will work out, despite the timing. For example, one had just bought a house. Another had signed a contract for her dream job. One more had met a man she was over the moon about.

While I assured them that things would work out the way they needed to, I couldn’t honestly say that everything was going to be a-o-k in the short term.

Sure enough, 2 weeks later, I learned that the newly purchased house turned out to be near the site of an undisclosed crime; the dream job dissolved into a heap of unfortunate misunderstandings and miscommunications; the relationship disappeared as quickly as it came.

Am I saying that nothing that begins on an eclipse can go well? No, like I always say, nothing in astrology applies to absolutely everyone all of the time. But the odds are not in your favor.

Do not, on the day of an eclipse or the few days surrounding it, start an important new project, sign a contract, make a deal, or any other material activity if you have another option.

You’re probably not being shown all of the details about the situation, or you may not be thinking completely clearly at this time, so it’s best to wait.

Something I’ve noticed is that the 2-4 weeks between eclipses (the eclipse cycle) is a bit of a “Twilight Zone.” Things suddenly veer off into an unexpected direction, only to course correct after the last eclipse.

You’re not truly out of the woods until after all the eclipses in the cycle are complete.

One of the most important things to check about an eclipse is to see if it’s visible where you are at the time that it happens. Where it’s visible, its effects are more pronounced.

The Total Solar eclipse can be seen in Europe, Northern Asia, North/West Africa, North America.

The Partial Lunar eclipse is visible in Europe, Western Asia, Africa, North America, South America.

Solar eclipses are usually tougher because the Moon is always new/dark, which removes the Moon’s vital energy from our environment at that time. However, the most important factor is whether or not the eclipse is visible to us.

So the next time someone tells you to do something important on an eclipse, send them this link so that they can learn another perspective and make an informed decision. You could be doing them a huge favor!

Want to know more about how to navigate the eclipses? Sign up below to get a free Bonus Guide.

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Why Would You Want A Vedic Astrology Reading?

admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:36:18 +0000

Seriously, who pays for this stuff? Isn’t it just a bunch of woo-woo nonsense?

I’ve always wanted everyone to know the truth… about everything.

It’s what had my 5-year old self tell my best friend that Santa Claus wasn’t real, right after I found out from my parents. (So sorry, Emily!)

It’s what has me constantly reviewing books on Amazon, hotels on TripAdvisor and local services on Yelp.

It’s why I’ve never been shy about asking for a raise, telling someone what’s bothering me or steering someone away from a choice that seems wrong for them.

Every time I do a reading for someone, they learn something about themselves that they never knew, on one level, but always knew, on another level. And it’s what inspired me to study the ancient, sacred art and science of Vedic Astrology. I love showing people the truth of their lives.

Most of the readings I do are for people who have never had any interest in astrology, who heard from someone else that the reading gave them peace and clarity by bringing into focus a blurry aspect of their lives.

Once they tended to this piece of themselves, they freed up all sorts of energy that was unconsciously being sent in that direction.

For example, I’ve had many clients who have a blind spot around their eating habits.

They alternate between being completely fanatical about their diet, going on long, challenging cleanses, and then swinging right back to the kind of overindulgent munching that would make Homer Simpson blush. (Sound like anyone you know?)

Some part of them realizes that they are doing this, but since it’s part of their shadow, they don’t really see the pattern.

Once the reading sheds light on it, they are able to make more sustainable choices around their diet, choosing easier projects, like eating more greens, and giving up tougher ones, like eating Paleo for the rest of their lives.

This is just one example, of course. Readings touch upon deep patterns in living habits, relationships, career moves, health issues and much more. Sometimes the patterns can be very positive, but need conscious awareness in order to do the person any good.

I once did a reading for someone who thought he was unmotivated and lazy because all he wanted to do was sit around and watch movies. It turned out this was just covering up a desire and destiny to work in the entertainment industry, and he’s now happily pursuing that line of work.

What truth might be hiding in your consciousness, waving desperately to get your attention so you can take your life to the next level? If you’re interested in learning more about how a Vedic Astrology reading could radically shift your life, you can find out more here.

Don’t be shy – there’s nothing I love to do more than shed light on people’s lives and it would be an honor to do a reading for you.

The post Why Would You Want A Vedic Astrology Reading? appeared first on Visionary Readings.

What’s the Deal With Mercury Retrograde?

admin — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 01:46:35 +0000

A Surprising Answer From A Vedic Astrologer

What’s up with Mercury Retrograde? Is it okay for you to make big decisions? Will your computer suddenly stop working?

Are the horror stories true? Will Mercury Retrograde cause you big problems?

In the past ten years, Mercury Retrograde has become a common topic of discussion among people who don’t usually talk about astrology.

Why is everyone paying so much attention to this tiny planet when it appears to move backwards in the sky four times a year?

Allegedly it will wreak havoc with technology, relationships, new contracts – you name it, and Mercury Retrograde will ruin it, according to many astrologers and articles on the topic.

Are you scared of what might happen to you during Mercury Retrograde? You’re not alone. An entire industry has formed around your concerns. Your fear is big business. Enterprising astrologers will tell you that you need to buy things to stay safe.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this Pinterest posting for a Mercury Retrograde Protection Kit. How sad that someone might actually spend $10 on something so utterly misguided (though the gems do look pretty and may have their own healing properties, at least!) Maybe Snopes.com will get on this…

Bottom line is that “Mercury Retrograde” is a big misunderstanding that’s gotten more popular over time.

Here’s how it may have happened.

For starters, many people believe that some elements of Western Astrology were derived from Vedic Astrology, though this is a hotly debated topic. (For more details about the two systems, read my article about the difference between Western Astrology and Vedic Astrology).

One of the pieces that may have gotten lost in translation is an element of Prasna, the art of divination that is based on a chart created for a question being asked in the moment.

In Prasna, retrograde planets can often indicate that you won’t get whatever you are asking about. (Great if you are asking if you will get a tax audit, not so great if you are asking if you will win the lottery).

Somewhere along the way, it’s possible that Western astrologers took that principle and incorrectly applied it to birth chart analysis, declaring Retrograde planets to be ‘weak’ and unfavorable.

**In fact, retrograde planets are considered strong in Vedic Astrology.**

Whether or not that’s a good thing or a bad thing depends entirely on your own chart, and is contextual, depending on what you’re talking about.

It’s not an across-the-board thing, where everyone will be affected the same way when a planet goes retrograde. (To know how Mercury is affecting your chart, the best thing to do is get a reading.)

I’m not sure why Mercury got scapegoated, in this instance, but when things like technology and relationships go wrong, it’s probably because of another factor in the chart, and not just what’s happening in the sky.

That’s the other thing – what’s happening in the sky is like the icing-on-the-cake to birth chart interpretation. It’s important, but only as an add-on factor, after evaluating the birth chart itself.

Over the years, everyone has been talking about Mercury Retrograde and concluding that it must be what’s causing their lives to get wonky every few months (this is called a “Confirmation Bias.”) But it’s not the case, and is certainly not part of the tradition of Astrology.

**If we’re going to start a false rumor about Astrology, can we please at least make it a good one?**

How about every time the moon is waxing, we all suddenly feel compelled to perform random acts of kindness? Or anytime the Sun and Mercury are in the same house, we feel ultra-intelligent? And then we can all find ways to prove that it’s true.

It’s just an idea. It seems more appealing than buying protective gems, sprays, and books, and then hiding out four times a year.

So go ahead – sign that contract, get into that new relationship, make that big decision – as long as it’s truly in alignment for you, now is as good a time as any.

Want a much more effective way to navigate your fears and doubts? Click here and I’ll send you my free guide: 5 Steps To Discover Your Divine Plan When You’re Caught In A Web Of Doubt.

***

[Thanks to Hank Friedman for showing me how Prasna was the source of the Mercury Retrograde misattribution].

Tara Eleanor Divina, Vedic Astrologer and former Vice President at the Warner Music Group, went from working with the world’s biggest pop stars to reading the actual stars. Using Vedic Astrology, an ancient, sacred art of self-understanding and divination, she brings her clients clarity and peace by answering their deepest questions about their lives. She also weaves in her own techniques that empower people to connect with their higher guidance so they can move toward what’s most divinely aligned for them.

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