Total Lunar Eclipse: 8th October 2014

On 8th of October, a total lunar eclipse would occur that would visible throughout most of North America, South America, eastern Asia – China, Japan, Korea etc., and Australia. The information about the extent, duration and the visibility on Earth can be obtained through this site – NASA Map and Eclipse Information.

In India, this eclipse will be visible at moonrise only in the extreme eastern part of the country – parts of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Eclipse is not visible in the rest of the country. The effect of eclipse should not be considered in the places where it is not visible.

Earth always casts a shadow in space. As an astronomical phenomenon, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow. If the Moon enters the umbra, it is a total lunar eclipse. If only the penumbra touches it, it would be a partial lunar eclipse. Thus Moon opposite Sun, passing through the ecliptic would cause an eclipse. The points of ecliptic where lunar orbit intersects solar orbit are Rahu and Ketu. Therefore, using astrological parlance, lunar eclipse occurs when Sun and Moon are in opposition (7th house) from each other, conjunct with Rahu/Ketu.

A chart is cast for 3:50 AM, October 8th 2014 for San Francisco, CA, USA when Sun and Moon at 180° apart is presented here. This is 3 hours before the sunrise in the Bay Area, which is approximately at 7.15 AM Pacific time. The current Lunar eclipse is occurring in Pisces sign and Revati Nakshatra. At the time of eclipse, Venus is 7th from Moon/Ketu and Jupiter aspects Moon/Ketu.

Effect on Mundane Astrology as per Brihat Samhita:

• Rains and flooding will lead to problems with epidemics. The eclipse will have a negative impact on the standing crop. The crop will be destroyed due to ongoing rains and flooding.
• Decrease the supply of food grains and vegetables will cause price rise.
• The effect of Jupiter on Moon/Ketu will mitigate the effect and limit the negative impact.
• There will be stability in stock market and in the overall commodities market.

Effect on individual rashis: The eclipse would have following effect on these rashis:

• Very inauspicious effect: The persons born in Meena rashi and Revati Nakshatra should be extremely careful during the exclipse
• Auspicious Effect: Taurus, Gemini, Libra, Capricorn
• Inauspicious Effect: Aries, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Aquarius