Time of Eclipse (Vimardaardha)

The globe which becomes the cause of eclipsing another body is called the chhaadaka (the obscuring object). This will cause different magnitudes of an eclipse according to the anomaly of the Moon from the Earth and the exact alignment of luminaries with the ecliptic.

The map which shows the projection of the eclipse is called the chhedyaka. The time from the apparent conjunction till the end of the eclipse is called vimardaardha (the measure of obscuration/ devastation). The time of complete eclipse is called nimiilana or the closing of the eyes. The luminary’s emergence from the eclipse is called Unmiilana or the opening of the eyes. This is symbolic of ignorance obscuring (chhaadaka) the mind which doesn’t know its true nature. One first shuts their eyes (nimiilana) to meditate in order to destroy the world (or attachment to it). Then after realization one opens the eyes (unmiilana) to perceive divinity everywhere. The end of the eclipse is called the mokSa, when the luminary is free from the grahaNa.
The New Moon is the conjunction of the Sun and Moon and therefore their union. Shiva’s night is krsna caturdashi, when the consciousness is about to disappear into the emptiness (shuunya). He is meditating on the void, and ready to merge with it. The New Moon is Kali, the dark mother from which everything came yet is now being completely consumed. She is a mother who loves all her children, a mother who is hungry for bringing everyone home. She is the undifferentiating consciousness, where no duality can reside. Her place is beyond thought, which is why the Moon is dark, empty, and unseen.

The Full Moon is Laksmi, the complete Shri shakti in all abundant forms. No mother cannot be found and worshiped in her. The Full Moon is the opposition of the Sun and Moon; they stand apart in full view like a husband and wife at a special event. Visnu and Laksmi live in the world with complete devotion for each other. They represent the balance of all creation, the appreciation of life, and celebration of love.

Sectarianism is a disease of the mind which likes to separate things. The astrologer should be beyond these types of limited perceptions. Visnu washes you like a Mother, and Shiva burns you like a father. Shiva is solar and his path (and Shakti) is the New Moon. Visnu is lunar and his path (and Shakti) is the Full Moon. In either place, only full or new, an eclipse can happen. Realization is possible. The solar eclipse only happens on the New Moon, and the lunar eclipse only happens on the Full Moon.

The solar eclipse has the power of completely awakened perception, the burning of any illusion of separate self. It is absolute vision, not even one to see one, just One awareness. Ramana Maharahi was born during a solar eclipse.

The Lunar eclipse has the power of complete surrender, the falling away of any illusion of separate self. It is the washing away of any self made desires, and having only One presence that moves all things. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born during a lunar eclipse.

Philosophies may say various things, but in the energy of an eclipse, there is nothing to hold onto. One who grasps for the impermanent is lost and suffers. The one who stations themselves in the Unchanging reaches the Supreme Abode (paramaM padam).