Eye on the sky – Solar eclipses of 2023
“The beginnings and ends of shadow lie between the light and darkness and may be infinitely diminished and infinitely increased. Shadow is the means by which bodies display their form. The forms of bodies could not be understood in detail but for shadow”. Lenoardo Da Vinci
Eclipses are all about shadows where hidden desires are revealed. An eclipse caused by Rahu, the ascending node and the karaka for re-birth brings our unfinished and accumulated desires to forefront. An eclipse caused by Ketu, the descending node, the karaka for moksha is said to liberate us by pulling us away from materialism as the Moon’s latitude starts to recede. Eclipses are also moments when the true form can be revealed, as bright light can obscure detail.
We have our final solar eclipse on Aries/Libra axis in April as Rahu and Ketu are moving into Pisces/Virgo at the end of October 2023. The second eclipse in October caused by Ketu will be in Virgo. I had written last year that Rahu’s transit into Aries will bring new energy, creativity and opportunity and as Aries is the sign of royalty and the rulers and one could expect some trouble with governments and politics. Rahu in Bharaṇi (the eclipsed nakṣatra in April 2022) led to creative destruction, old must give way to the new. We had massive problems in Europe with the Russia-Ukraine conflict ballooning into a global conflict with most countries participating openly or surreptitiously.
I had pointed out as the war effort started in Purvāṣāḍha nakṣatra that symbolises a fan, therefore it will spread and be difficult to contain. This war has led to severe economic stress in several parts of the world primarily in Europe, and the region may be now going into a permanent decline. Rahu in Aries is inflationary and the vāyu (wind) tattva of Rahu stokes the agni (fire) of Aries. This has led to an opportunity for those countries with natural resources such as oil and armaments to trade, like the USA.
I had also cautioned that Libra is a sign of balance and markets, Ketu’s transit through it can create some upheavals particularly of a financial nature particularly when the stock market transits the nakṣatra of Svāti from the 18th of October 2022. The stock market rout particularly for the global technology stocks (NASDAQ) has seen the worst year since 2008. I do note that NASDAQ index has an Aries Ascendant in Aśvini at 8°26 which means that the impact of eclipse of April has already been felt in the preceding 6 months. Crypto currencies with less legal standing have also had massive losses with many companies turning bankrupt. Ketu will transit out of Svāti on the 26th June 2023.
Looking forward, Rahu and Ketu will move into Pisces this year on the 30th October which might bring resolution to many political issues, though unsatisfactorily in my opinion. The transit of Jupiter into Aries on 22nd April will seemingly lend protection to the rulers. However, Jupiter’s association with Rahu from 22nd April (Guru Chandala yoga is around 26th of May) aspected by Saturn is likely to lead to dubious associations and most likely there will be a moral compromise by those in power including those in advocacy. We can only hope, perhaps the dubious alliances will be revealed. Jupiter is gaṇḍānta in Revati nakṣatra at the time of eclipse on the 20th April, therefore there is danger to associations of Jupiter, particularly Sagittarius Ascendant like Ukraine. Particular caution is also warranted around the second eclipse time on October 14th when Jupiter will also be aspected by Mars in Libra (from 3rd October to 15th of November), particularly as Mars enters the Libra sign while encountering Ketu thus forming a Piśāca yoga. Mars in Libra is not comfortable, bringing the energy of action of Mars with agenda and revenge of Venus. It is also interesting to note that horoscopes of NATO and Russia (1990) have their ascendants in Virgo and running the of a daśa of a marana Mars (Mars in the 7th house). There is likely no winner here other than those who facilitate the war. In terms of economic crisis, inflation will persist as Mercury continues to be in the eclipsed house for the year. However, going forward Rahu’s transit into Pisces should cool down the inflationary situation from the end of the year.
We have also been taught in the Rath tradition that the effect of eclipses can be felt for the entire daśa or a period of 18 years. The sign Sagittarius was badly affected by two solar eclipses in 2019 which led to Covid Pandemic. What is noteworthy is that the solar eclipse on the 29th December in Sagittarius involved the Ascendants of three members of the British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William and Prince Harry. This signalled a family event; the Queen then was humbled by Prince Andrew’s involvement in Epstein sex scandal and a feud between the two royal princes started soon after. I had written about the sibling relationship of the two princes in January 2020 by looking at the D3 (Drekkana – Sibling) which tells the real story and about their attitude to each other https://vijayajyoti.com/whither-prince-william-and-harry/. This feud is now continuing in a more dramatic style after the Queen’s death and do look out for my improvised article on the subject in the latest Gochara (magazine of BAVA) to be released in April.
We have two eclipses in 2023, the same time as last year – April and October. The first eclipse is a hybrid eclipse which shifts between an annular and total solar eclipse. A hybrid eclipse is the rarest of all and the previous one was in November 2013. The two solar eclipses will be followed by lunar eclipses within a fortnight.
Hybrid Solar Eclipse on the 20th April 2023
The first solar eclipse is a hybrid eclipse that covers the three types of Moon’s shadow making the eclipse look partial, total or annular depending on where one is looking at it. The eclipse is in Aries in Aśvini, which is the lightest and fastest Nakṣatra. Aśvini is ruled by Ketu and the twins – the Aśvin Kumaras, who are the divine healers. Aśvini is the first nakṣatra, so has the spontaneity and the impulse of a child, curiosity and a sense of adventure that results in actions reflecting the traits of the ruler of the sign Mars. The second pada of this nakṣatra, where the eclipse falls is in Taurus ruled by Venus, therefore the experience is more material and indulgent. Venus can make one feel overzealous and patriotic. Overall, all experiences in Aśvini are controlled by the karmic controller Ketu.
The eclipsed house Aries has the presence of Mercury apart from the usual planets involved in the eclipse – Sun, Moon and Rahu. Mercury is also the Vareśa – day lord of the eclipse. Communication and business will be hampered. According to Varahamihīrā when Mercury is involved in the eclipse, food articles such as ghee, oil and honey will become dearer. We can expect inflation to persist. Jupiter does not aspect Aries, so there is no protection. Mars in Gemini exchanges with Mercury in Aries. This exchange can give some comfort to Aries; however, it is to be noted that Saturn aspects it from Aquarius bringing a destructive flavour of the combination of Mars and Saturn. Both the slow-moving planets Jupiter and Saturn are in their own sign, albeit Jupiter at 29°32 Pisces is crossing the gaṇḍānta position from Revati to Aśvini as it moves into Aries on the 22nd. Jupiter’s gaṇḍānta position shows danger to life and the houses it owns; Sagittarius may be impacted more than Pisces.
People or countries with their natal Ascendant in Aries would have been experiencing and making allowances for substantial changes in life since April 2022. If the natal Sun is in Aśvini, then it could be turning point for one’s health, reputation, finances or father’s health. If the natal Moon is in Aśvini, then it is a matter of concern for health, mother or maternal relations. In case of countries, if the natal Sun is hit, it could mean difficult times for the ruler and finances whereas if the natal Moon is hit, then it is a matter affecting the public. It is interesting to note that both, the US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have their moons in Aśvini (see table below)
According to Varahamihīrā a solar eclipse in Aries causes grief to hunters, those in service to the military and those that make a living out of fire, which includes engineers, chefs and the sellers of weapons and armaments. This is a dangerous time for Sagittarius symbolised by a battlefield and the mulatrikona (office) of Jupiter that is aspected by Mars and Rahu, potentially a violent combination. Venus is seemingly not influenced and strong in its home in Taurus, however is the dispositor of Ketu in Libra.
An eclipse in the lunar month of Chaitra is expected to affect artists, writers, musicians, dancers and chanters of vedas alike, also goldsmiths and jewellers. Varahamihīrā also mentions that there will be uneven rainfall as Indra will be quixotic.
| Celebrities and Countries with Ascendants or Sun and Moon in Aries in Aśvini | ||
| Aries Ascendant | Sun in Aśvini | Moon in Aśvini |
| Afghanistan | Dominique Strauss Kahn | King Charles |
| Pakistan | Bridgette Macron | Joe Biden |
| Christian Lagarde | Jeffery Archer | Kamala Harris |
| Penelope Cruz | Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark | Eckhart Tolle |
| Nasdaq (index) | Al Pacino | Elton John |
| Zellweger, Renée | Rafael Nadal | |
| Canada (1982) | Imelda Marcos | |
Annular Solar Eclipse on the 14th October 2023
The second solar eclipse (descending node eclipse) is in Virgo in Chitra Nakṣatra, 2nd pada. The symbol of Chitra is a bright jewel, a spot for brilliance as well as illusion. The ruler is Mars and the deity is the divine architect Tvaṣṭṛ who is a diplomat as he makes arms for both the devas (divine forces) and asuras (demonic). Chitra is a place for creativity, sometimes without the thought for consequences. The 2nd pada of Chitra is vargottama and falls in Virgo owned by Mercury, so there is impulse for practicality and realism.
The eclipsed house is Virgo with Sun, Moon and an exalted Mercury. Jupiter does not aspect it. Jupiter is cursed afflicted by three malefics, Rahu, Saturn and Mars. Mars and Ketu are conjunct tightly around October 3-5th in Libra creating conditions for unexpected events or ghost attacks. The presence of Mercury in the eclipsed house shows that inflationary conditions can persist, hampering business.
People or countries with their natal Ascendant in Virgo would have to make allowances for substantial changes in their lives for the next 18 months. It is interesting to note that both Russia and NATO have their ascendants in Virgo and running the daśa of a Marana Mars in the 7th house. The eclipse is a harbinger of the events leading to the Rahu/Ketu transit into Pisces/Virgo axis on the November 30th. If the natal Sun is in Chitra (2nd pada), then it is a turning point for one’s health, reputation, finances and father’s health. If the natal Moon is in Chitra (2nd pada), then it is a matter of concern for health, mother or maternal relations.
An eclipse in Virgo is said to cause trouble to crops (particularly regions endowed with paddy fields), poets, writers and musicians. An eclipse in the month of Bhadrapada is said to bring prosperity to land but women may suffer miscarriages.
| Celebrities and Countries with Ascendants or Sun and Moon in Chitra (Virgo) | ||
| Virgo Ascendant | Sun in Chitra (Virgo) | Moon in Chitra (Virgo) |
| Boris Johnson | Amitabh Bacchan | George Bush (Jr) |
| David Cameron | Bruno Mars | Henry Kissinger |
| Mahindra Rajapaksha | Martin Kemp | Burma (1948) |
| Venus Williams | Paul Simon | |
| Russia (1990) | Chris Tarrant | |
| West Germany (1949) | ||
| NATO | ||
| EURO CURRENCY | ||
| Lebanon | ||
Remedies
The Solar energy or the Agni (Fire) gets weakened in an eclipse. Agni or precisely jātargni aids in digestion, therefore one should observe fasting at the time of the eclipse as the digestive process will be weak. After the eclipse, bathing is prescribed invoking the devas and loka-palas beckoning the seas and rivers to wash of the digressions to remove the suffering caused by inauspicious planets. This bathing is more essential if the Sun, Moon or the Ascendant is in the eclipsed sign. Donation of cows is also prescribed.
In my tradition, seekers and those affected are asked to worship the Sun or pray to the “Father of the Universe” to reduce bad energy and restore the glory of Sun. We recommend praying to the teaching form of Shiva called Dakṣiṇāmūrti with mantra
ॐ दक्षिणामूर्ति रतरोम्
om dakṣiṇāmūrti ratarom
or
ॐ नमो भगवते दक्षिणामुर्तये मह्यं मेदां प्रज्ञां प्रयच्छ स्वाहा
om namo bhagavate dakṣiṇāmurtaye mahyaṁ medāṁ prajñāṁ prayaccha svāhā
Giving to charity on this day is also highly encouraged.
References
Based on the teachings of my Jyotish Guru Pandit Sanjay Rath
Bṛhat Samhitā – Varahamihīrā, M. Ramakṛishna Bhat, Part 1, Motilal Banarasidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd, Delhi, India
Eclipse Data from https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/solar.html
Picture of eclipses from Time and Date.com Solar & Lunar Eclipses Worldwide (timeanddate.com)
FT Special Report on the “How arming Ukraine is stretching the US defence industry” –Steff Chávez, Alexandra Heal, Ian Bott, Sam Joiner, Sam Learner, Irene de la Torre Arenas and Veronika Samborska JANUARY 31 2023