Solar eclipse on Chinese New Year

The first day of Chinese New Year will see the first solar eclipse of the year, so precautions are recommended amidst all the merry-making.

The first eclipse of the sun for 2009 occurs tomorrow, the first day of Chinese New Year, and it is a time to be cautious.

This annular eclipse will happen between 4.30pm and 7pm in Malaysia. A dark red shadow will creep across the sun and this can be observed from many countries on this side of the world, including Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Taiwan, as well as our country.

This eerie reddish light is viewed as unfavourable astrologically.

Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the Earth and sun. This is an uncommon event because the moon usually remains either above or below Earth’s orbital plane.

In astrological studies, any eclipse signals a time to be wary and this is especially true if the sun is involved because all living beings are dependent on the sun for light. There are also subtle eclipses of the moon but its impact on the universe is much less.

Why is a solar eclipse inauspicious? During the eclipse, the power of negative energy increases 1,000 times as compared to other times. When the environment becomes conducive for negative energy to amass, the chances of it affecting people increases.

Since ancient times, the sun has been viewed as an auspicious star and a life force. It is also known as the remover of all obstacles and the giver of health.

It rules the digestive system, heart and blood circulation and influences an individual’s strength, energy, self confidence, leadership and many other qualities.

The impact of the negative energies when the sun is obscured causes a lack of courage, fatigue and low self-esteem.

People are advised not to carry out activities as usual during the eclipse period as they may behave irrationally. Do not view the eclipse directly, and it is better not to travel during the period and stay indoors.

I understand this can be difficult with it being Chinese New Year but revellers should try to take precautions at least during the three-and-a-half hours of the eclipse.

People who were born during an eclipse should take even more care when such cosmic events occur because they will experience the effects of the eclipse more deeply than others.

Pregnant women and senior citizens should be extra careful and should not consume food or drinks during the eclipse period. And newborns should not be exposed to the rays.

Everyday activities that should be avoided during the time of the eclipse are sleeping, conjugal relations, swimming, holding meetings and weddings and all religious or special events.

To ward off the negative rays of the sun, people can use kusha or dharba grass (holy grass used in Hindu rituals). To mitigate the ill effects of the eclipse, the grass should be used as a cushion or placed on the bed and pillow, used in food and beverages, put in vehicles and by the main doorway of the house. (Dharba’s scientific name is Desmostachya bipinnata; in Australia, its common name is halfa grass and in the US, it is known as big cordgrass or salt reed-grass).

After the eclipse, people should wash and clean their houses to remove all “harmful energies” that would have set in and offer prayers.

Although the Jan 26 lunar eclipse is only partial and not like the total eclipse that occurred on Aug 1 2008, people should be careful. The next total eclipse will take place on July 22 and will be visible in India, Nepal, China, Hawaii, and the Pacific Ocean.

This solar eclipse will be the longest total solar eclipse that will occur in the 21st century and will last for up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds.