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What is a Lunar Eclipse? 
March 14, 2006
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| Vedic Astrology Diary Archives |
Today is a lunar eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse to be more
precise. It begins at 4:22 pm EST and ends at 9:13 pm EST. The
peak is 6:49 pm EST and is best viewed in Europe and Africa.
Lunar eclipses occur on the full moon (purnima) and are of three
types: total, partial and penumbral.
A total lunar eclipse is when the Moon entirely passes through
the earth's dark shadow or umbra, which means "shaded
area." (Our word "umbrella" comes from the latin
root, "umbra"). A partial lunar eclipse is when the
Moon partially passes through the umbra. A penumbral
lunar eclipse is when the Moon passes outside the umbra in a
region called the penumbra, which means "almost
shaded area." The penumbra receives some partial rays of
the Sun, which makes the penumbral lunar eclipse the weakest
of the three types and is very difficult to detect, even with
a telescope. About 35% of lunar eclipses are of the penumbral
type, while about 30% are partial eclipses which can easily
be seen with the naked eye. 35% or so are total eclipses, which
are the most dramatic and intense from an astrological point
of view.
Why isn't there a lunar eclipses every month on the full Moon?
This is because the Moon's orbit around the earth is at a 5
degree tilt relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun. Only
2-4 times per year is the Moon's orbit within the plane of the
Earth's orbit. The points where the Moon's orbit and the Earth's
orbit cross one another are the eclipse points known as Rahu
and Ketu, the North and South nodes of the Moon.
Because the nodes of the Moon are so mysterious and unusual
in nature their influences cause abnormal functioning to whatever
planet they aspect. During the eclipse the nodes of the Moon
are aspecting both of the personal planets, the Sun and Moon
and are cutting off their normal functioning. They create an
opening in our psyches for subtle energies to enter, either
positively or negatively. It's therefore best to do spiritual
practices during eclipses and not anything of significance in
the material world like having a surgery, or signing an important
document. Eclipses are excellent times for meditation, chanting
mantras, or other spiritual practices. It's recommended to fast
and take advantage of the subtle influences of the eclipse time.
The solar eclipse takes place in two weeks on March 29th during
the new moon (amavasya). These two weeks are within the "eclipse
cycle" and is considered an unstable time period for beginning
major projects, signing documents etc.
Whatever position in the horoscope that an eclipse takes place
represents an area of potential change, and transformation.
This is especially true if it's close in degrees to key positions
like the ascendant, Sun or Moon, or another planet. To learn
about solar eclipses click
here.
Copyright 2006. Vaughn Paul
Manley. All Rights Reserved. |
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