Eye on the sky – Solar eclipses of 2024

 

 

Eclipses are all about shadows where hidden desires are revealed. An eclipse caused by Rahu, the ascending node and the kārakā for re-birth brings our unfinished and accumulated desires to the fore.  An eclipse caused by Ketu, the descending node, the kārakā for moksha is said to liberate us by pulling us away from materialism. Eclipses help in revealing truth as sometimes as shadows can suddenly reveal the truth while bright light can obscure detail.

The transit of Rahu in Aries brought the air element of Rahu into the fire of Aries that stoked and intensified strife in many regions. However, there was much hope that the transit of Rahu in Pisces would help neutralise war and inflationary effects. The Inflationary effects have been seen to reduce in many parts of the world, particularly the USA. I ascribe the continued intensity in war to the condition of Jupiter, the natural peace negotiator who remains severely afflicted by Saturn from Aquarius, and Rahu from Pisces and more recently the aspect of Mars from Capricorn. I think one, could be cautiously optimistic about peace with Jupiter’s transit into Taurus in May. The malefic aspects on Jupiter will be removed, but to see some real progress one will wait till autumn of this year when the path behind Jupiter will be free from malefic planets just around autumn.

Yet another factor contributing to increased strife in the world is the placement of Saturn. From Aquarius it is looking to unseat Aries (its 3rd aspect), the place of royalty. Saturn represents democracy; therefore, it is in interest to bring down nepotism and abuse of power that includes imposition of restrictive trade practices on others. It is naturally befitting that this year is one of elections in the world. According to Time magazine, globally more voters than ever in history will head to the polls from at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world. We had many scandals unearthed in the past year in UK both in political and corporate spheres.  Sun is elitist while Saturn represents the masses. The purposes of the two when aligned, lead to collective good. Development of countries usually happens when the elite and those in power align their objectives for the collective good.

We will have two solar eclipses in the Pisces/Virgo axis this year, as Rahu and Ketu moved into the signs of Pisces and Virgo at the end of November 2023. There will be a Total Solar eclipse in April 2024 in the nakṣatra of Revati in Pisces followed by an Annular Solar eclipse in October 2024 in Hasta in Virgo.  Both the solar eclipses are preceded by lunar eclipses, that is not considered fortunate. Moreover, the first solar eclipse in April coincides with the chaitra śukla pratipada (first lunar day after the New Moon in Pisces) from which chart the destiny of countries for the upcoming year is read.

 

Solar Eclipse	Data	Visibility	UTC/GMT	Naskhatra	Sign	Duration
Total	April 8	Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and parts of W. Europe	18:17:21	Revati – 3rd pada	Pisces	4m 28s
Annular	October 2	Chile,  Argentina, most of South America, Pacific, and Antarctica	18:45:04	Hasta – 2nd pada	Virgo	7m25s
Source – Time and Date.com, NASA

I expect the first solar eclipse to bring some hidden matters into light on those who wield power including the judiciary while provoking the masses to think about what they have placed faith in. This is further confirmed by the presence of an exalted Venus in Pisces in the eclipsed house.  Expect trouble with water and waterways, travel, women, and leisure.  The second eclipse is in Hasta nakṣatra symbolising a hand that promotes grasping, and perhaps it will be about dividing the spoils of war. Mercury in Hasta at the time of eclipse in October also brings into focus commerce and money into context. Jupiter will be in Taurus will want to shower material blessings, as it is aspected by Venus from Libra.

If the natal Sun, Moon or Ascendant is placed in Revati or Hasta, it may be a time to increase awareness about finances, health and direction in life. The impact of the eclipse is felt roughly six months before or after the eclipse.

The first eclipse favours the challenger Donald Trump over the incumbent President Biden in the US Presidential election. This could also be a time for NATO, the occupational defender to reinvent itself for it has its Ascendant in Virgo and Sun in Revati in the 7^th house of war. The second eclipse is more significant for the United Kingdom, and it finances.  David Cameron can be thrust into limelight with his Ascendant and Sun in Hasta. It could also be a turning point for the Royality in the UK, House of Windsor as the 10^th house of William, Prince of Wales has two planets Saturn and Mars (his ātma Kārakā and amatya Kārakā) in Hasta. 10^th house represents the throne. Malefic planets in the 10^th house are not conducive for paternal happiness or health. Duchess Megan’s Moon in Hasta may add further complications to the on-going William-Harry feud.

Total Solar Eclipse on April 8^th, 2024

The solar eclipse in April is a total eclipse in Revati, the last nakṣatra of the Zodiac. Revati is the nakṣatra of travel, faith and unrequited love. The story goes that Revati loved Moon her husband unconditionally the most amongst his 27 wives whereas he loved Rohini the most.  The eclipsed house is Pisces, it is the natural 12^th house of faith, sleep and habits from many previous lives.  This eclipse is caused by the north node Rahu and therefore all the experiences of this nakṣatra will be heightened.

According to Varahamihīrā a solar eclipse in Pisces “will destroy substances that are obtained from the shores of the oceans and those derived from the seas, as well as learned men and those that earn their livelihood through water and water-products”. We can expect disturbances for industries such as deep- sea mining, waterways and shipping, travel by sea, port related activities and fisheries. An eclipse in the lunar month of Vaiśakha is said to bring destruction of pulses and cotton crops.

Casting a chart for the peak eclipse time in London on the 8^th of April 2024 gives a Virgo ascendant. The eclipse falls on a Monday, the involvement of the lord of the day Moon in the eclipse is not favourable to masses. An exalted Venus, Sun, Moon and Rahu are in Pisces. The presence of Venus in the eclipsed house is not favarouble for women or travel. Moreover, Venus can indicate  emotional miseries and troubles as it represents the water element.  Jupiter does not aspect Pisces, so there is no protection.

 

 

Mars and Saturn are about to get into a war in Aquarius, their combination represents a Yama Yoga, where one benefits from extreme efforts or destruction.  The planets in the sky are in three houses forming a śula yoga (trident formation) making Mars more potent in the chart. The agenda of Mars will be supported by the fact that it is also the dispositor of Jupiter and Mercury (union of accomplishment) in Aries.

For a Pisces Ascendant (Australia and New Zealand), this is not altogether negative as the śula formation of planets (in the 12^th, 1^st and 2^nd houses) results in an Indra Yoga of power. A push for power can result in success. Similarly for a Gemini Ascendant (Western USA, but not Washington DC), the Shula formation leads to a Kubera yoga (planets in 9^th, 10^th and 11^th house). In this case a battle leads to financial success and riches.

A note of caution for individuals, if the Sun is in Revati, then it could be a turning point for one’s health, reputation, finances, or father’s health. If the natal Moon is in Revati, 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.

Another technique is to superimpose the eclipse ascendant on the natal chart. In the case of UK, the progressed ascendant (progressing the original 1801 chart for 144 years) is Leo.  The eclipse ascendant is Virgo, which is the 2^nd house counting from Leo; and the eclipsed house Pisces is the 8^th house from Leo.  As the eclipse falls in the 2/8 axis of the progressed chart for UK, we can conclude that the main issues will be about finances and debt. However, an eclipse in the 8^th house can result in a sudden favourable position akin to a lottery win.

In the case of Unites States, the progressed ascendant (progressing the original 1776 chart by 144 years) is Scorpio. The eclipse ascendant is Cancer which is the 9^th house for the progressed chart of USA and the eclipsed house Pisces is the 5^th house. Eclipses involving the 5^th and the 9^th house are about power, faith, duty and destiny. Events around the eclipse can lead people to question power and who they have placed faith in.  One could surmise using this analysis that the eclipse is more favourable for challenger Donald Trump (Leo ascendant) than incumbent Biden (Scorpio ascendant) in the upcoming US Presidential elections.

Celebrities and Countries with Ascendants in Pisces  or Sun and Moon in Revati
Pisces Ascendant	Sun in Revati	Moon in Revati
Jeff Bezos	Al Gore	Justin Trudeau
Gordon Brown	BJP (1980 chart)	Angelina Jolie
Martina Navratilova	Garry Kasparov	Martina Navratilova
Hong Kong (SAR)	Philip Scholfield	West Germany
	Nigel Farage
	NATO

Annular Solar Eclipse on 2nd October 2024

The second solar eclipse is annular and falls in Hasta nakṣatra, 2nd pada in the sign Virgo.  An annular eclipse (when it is not visible as a hybrid one in the sky) is fortuitous. As the eclipse is caused by the descending node Ketu, this eclipse is about wealth and material gains. Hasta is the symbol of a hand and destiny and indicates what is within our grasp.  Wars are waged to gain resources, territory power. This may be the time to divide the spoils of war. In this context, it may be wise to ponder who amongst the players wants these wars to continue and who would want them to stop.  “Aparigraha” is a quality of non-grasping and non-accumulation advocated as ‘yama’ (things not to do) in the Patañjali Sūtra for true seeker.

Sun, Moon and an exalted Mercury are in Virgo, the eclipsed house on the 2^nd of October.  Mercury is the day lord, therefore there could be a risk of inflation creeping back affecting commerce and trade negatively. The aspect of Mars from Gemini adds danger, bringing risk of competition and quarrels and theft – read in this case spoils of war.  The planetary aspect of Jupiter on Virgo from Taurus is welcome but for complete protection we need a permanent sign aspect.  Jupiter here carries a material blessing (Iśvara Yoga) as he is in the sign of Venus and is aspected by it from Libra. Venus should deliver the blessing of Jupiter, however, can suffer inaction due to the binding influence of a retrograde Saturn and Mars occupying the 5^th and 9^th house from Libra (Dṛḍha argala bandhana). Saturn works in favour of Venus and wants to have the issue settled as the bounty of Venus is the 9^th from it. Mars is not in favour of it, this again begs the question of who is benefitting from prolonging the war.

People or countries with their natal Ascendant in Virgo can use this year to make substantial changes in their lives. Venus in Libra delivering the bounty of Jupiter placed in the 2^nd house from Virgo can be easily accessed by them, however, this may be a time for them to reflect on why and what is it that we want to grasp. If the natal Sun is in Hasta, then it is a turning point for one’s health, reputation, finances, and father’s health. If the natal Moon is in Hasta, then it is a matter of concern for health, mother, or maternal relations.

For the UK, the eclipse ascendant is Aries, which is the 9^th house in the natal progressed chart. The eclipse itself is in the 2^nd house in Virgo. This again points to finances and debt. In the case of USA, the eclipse ascendant is Sagittarius which is the 2^nd house for their progressed chart of Scorpio. The eclipsed house Virgo is the 11^th house from the natal progressed chart, pointing to gains and power.

An eclipse in Virgo is said to cause trouble to crops (particularly regions endowed with paddy fields) and also to poets, writers and musicians. An eclipse in the lunar month of Bhādrapada is said to bring prosperity to land but women may suffer miscarriages.

Celebrities and Countries with Ascendants in Virgo or Sun and Moon in Hasta
Virgo Ascendant	Sun in Hasta	Moon in Hasta
Boris Johnson	David Cameron	Harry Styles
David Cameron	Thresea May	Meghan Markle (Dutchess of Sussex)
Mahindra Rajapaksha	Vladimir Putin	Mike Bloomberg
Venus Williams	China PRC
Russia (1990)	France 5th Rep     (1958)
West Germany (1949)	Germany 1990
NATO
EURO CURRENCY
Lebanon

 

Remedies

The Solar energy or Agni (Fire element) 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.

From the tradition I have been taught, 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

Principles 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

Time and Date.com Solar & Lunar Eclipses Worldwide (timeanddate.com)