A lunar eclipse will take place from the night of Friday, July 27, 2018 which corresponds with Karkidakom 11, 1193 of the Malayalam calendar. Astrologically, the Uthradam star will be ascendant on the day, which will coincide with Pournami thithi, preethinama nithya yoga, vishtikaranam and Pooyam njattuvela.
The eclipse will start at 11.53 pm on July 27 (Friday) and will enter Thiruvonam asterisk at 12.34 am on July 28 (Saturday). At 1.51 am, the eclipse will be at its peak and by 3.50 am, the celestial phenomenon will conclude.
People engaged in astronomy and astrology have many things to learn from the eclipse. According to astrologers, people born under the stars of Uthradam and Thiruvonam as well as Punartham and Pooyam will suffer the most during the lunar eclipse. Remedial rituals have to be carried out by those under Rahu-Kethu shadows. They include people facing moon and lagnam in Karkidakam and Makaram rasis. Severe difficulties will be faced by those in Makaram rasi stars Uthradam, Thiruvonam, Avittom ½; and Karkidakam rasi stars Punartham, Pooyam and Ayilyam.
All auspicious rituals have to be avoided on the eclipse day – 27/07/2018. There is no muhurtham on three days – July 27, 28 and 29. In case any marriage, house warming or initial rice-feeding ceremony is scheduled, suitable damage control rituals should be conducted such as Jaladhara for Siva, Sankhabhishekam etc.
Neither solid nor liquid food should be taken from three hours before the start of the eclipse. As the eclipse occurs after midnight, this issue does not arise. The lunar eclipse can be observed with naked eyes. However, one should not attempt to watch a solar eclipse as it will damage your eyes.
There is a belief that those in debt can come out of their losses if they repay a part of their loans after the eclipse. In other words, one should have a bath on 28/07/2018 morning after the eclipse, pray at a Siva temple and repay a part of the loan. This will help them come out of the debt trap.
Impact of lunar eclipse on various stars
Medam rasi (Aswathy, Bharani and Karthika stars)
For people born in this rasi, the eclipse takes place at the tenth rasi. As a result, their well-being improves and debts will be cleared. Moreover, new ventures will meet with success. They will rise in their profession and will get a surprise promotion. A transfer which they had wished for a long time will materialize. There is a good chance for winning chits and lotteries.
Edavam rasi (Karthika, Rohini, Makayiram)
The eclipse occurs in the ninth rasi for these stars. As a result, humiliation, financial loss, loss of opportunities and cancellation of a wedding that had been fixed, business setbacks and loss of contracts occur.
Midhunam rasi (Makayiram, Thiruvathira and Punartham)
Eclipse is at the eighth spot; so diseases, enemies, accidents, falls, fear of death and threats will have to be faced.
Karkidakam rasi (Punartham, Pooyam and Ayilyam)
This group of people will suffer significantly. They will face issues like marital discord, failure in love, loss of income, divorce, separation from families due to partition of property etc. As the eclipse occurs at the seventh rasi, extreme caution should be exercised.
Chingam rasi (Makam, Pooram and Uthram)
The eclipse is at the sixth rasi, which means victory over enemies, prosperity, financial gains and good health. Diseases which were haunting the individuals for a long time will begin to subside. Court cases and other disputes will end. Enemies will become friendly. In short, it is a favorable time.
Kanni rasi (Uthram, Atham and Chithira)
With the lunar eclipse at the fifth rasi, problems will be created by children. Diseases will affect children. Humiliation caused by children, legal problems etc. will have to be faced.
Thulam rasi (Chithira, Chothi, Visakham)
Injuries to body, falls, burns, threat of fire, damage to house and domestic problems will occur to people under these stars as the lunar eclipse occurs at the fourth rasi.
Vrischikam rasi (Visakham, Anizham and Thrikketta)
The eclipse is at the third rasi; so financial gains, new jobs, new business and commercial connections, monetary gain from foreign trips, support from siblings and prosperity will happen.
Dhanu rasi (Moolam, Pooradam and Uthradam)
The eclipse is at the second spot. This will cause injuries to the body. People may have to undergo surgeries. People may turn foes. Insults, debt trap and legal tangles will have to be faced.
Makaram rasi (Uthradam, Thiruvonam and Avittam)
The lunar eclipse takes place in the janmarasi. Diseases, injuries and other physical discomforts will be caused by the eclipse to people in Uthradam and Thiruvonam stars. Thefts, fines, humiliation due to attachment of property may occur. Care should be taken in all ventures.
Kumbham rasi (Avittam, Chathayam and Pooruruttathi)
For these stars, the eclipse is at the twelfth spot. This means loss of money, leaving a place due to humiliation, loss of important documents, diseases affecting feet and injuries.
Meenam rasi (Pooruruttathi, Uthrittathi and Revathy)
The eclipse is at the eleventh rasi. This will lead to unexpected financial gains, winning chits and lottery, obtaining ancestral property etc. New opportunities to gain an income will present themselves before the people under these stars.
Remedial measures
On the lunar eclipse day, devotees should head to the temple pond or holy ghats and take a bath, ideally by dipping in the waters. They should offer prayers at Siva temple, conduct rituals like Jaladhara, Sankhabhishekam, Mrithyunjayarchana and Mrithyunjayahomam. During the time of the eclipse, chant the Mrithyunjaya Manthra. Also chant Om Namah Sivaya. Songs in praise of Siva should also be recited. After the eclipse, engage in charity works. Those under the shadow of Rahu/Ketu should chant the Garuda Panchakshari manthra. Everyone should apply sacred ash and offer archana and abhisheka to Chamundi Devi and Ganapathy.
The effect of the lunar eclipse will prevail for a year and people in an adverse difficult situation as per their horoscope will face extreme difficulties. Chanting of Siva’s name is important during this time. People belonging to other religions can carry out remedial measures according to their belief.
(Author’s address: Jyothis astrological research centre, TC 24/1984, Lulu apartments, Opp. Thycaud police ground, Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram – 695014. Ph: 8078908087, 9526480571. e-mail: jyothisgems@gmail.com)
