Here's what I did during the solar eclipse!
A seriously powerful time for transformation and spiritual progress.
Eclipses have been revered in ancient Vedic culture for being spiritually significant time periods where we can catalyse our spiritual growth.
On the 25th of October, it was the Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan) coinciding with the new moon. Eclipses happen either during a new moon or a full moon.
Now, this was the first time that I went out of my way to understand the rituals and practices in more detail, although I do have a general understanding of dos and donts during an eclipse, and what the meaning is.
As we’re bang in the middle of Diwali week, I was already in the ritual zone and decided to fast this time during the eclipse! (in this case for me fasting means consuming only fruits, dry fruits and nothing else)
Here’s some key facts you can remember for upcoming eclipses and to experience some of the magical changes these celestial events bring:
The period of the eclipse energy starts during the period called Sutak in the Vedic calendar, and from this time onwards the eclipse influences our field and the earth. During this time, it’s not advisable to engage in too many material activities. We don’t cook, we touch things as less as possible, the temples are closed during this period too. Why? Well, the whole universe is withdrawing inwards right now. Our ancient ancestors understood the alignment of nature and the planets; and developed our various rituals in relation with that.
This IS a very good time for the following: meditation, japa, donations of a spiritual nature for example feeding indigenous desi cows and donating clothes. The karmic impact of these activities is magnified MASSIVELY during the eclipse, so try to be in meditation and japa as much as possible. Materially orientated rituals (and also weddings) do not take place in this time. You can also listen to Hanuman Chalisa, Vishnu Sahasranama and Ganesh stotras. You can clear out deep karmic patterns and pierce through the layers of illusion in this time period with just a little bit of effort.
Fasting during the eclipse (starting at the beginning of the day) yields massive benefits compared to an ordinary fasting day. This is a time when deep energetic imprints can be cleared from the subconscious mind and you can experience this for yourself. This is a time essentially, to go inwards. And we all need that kind of break sometimes right? The eclipse energies really support this - especially if you are someone who feels burdened by the outside world and needs to recollect your energies.
After the eclipse time is over, we take a full shower and light diyas. It’s also important to wash your murtis after the eclipse. I also sprayed gangjal in the corners of my room on my bed and anything I touched. It’s also important to wash your cooking vessels after the eclipse, anything you’ve touched so that the energy is restored. After this, it’s good to break your fast and consume food!
Moving onto my own personal experience, I spent the day fairly relaxed. Didn’t wake up as early as I wanted to but then I’m learning not to guilt trip myself so hard and just start from when I wake up. Anyway, it was a good day - took a bath and then had fruits, juice as part of my fast. Managed to find a Gaushala, although temples were closed. Happy the universe fulfilled some of those wishes (intentions!)
At the dot time start of the actual eclipse I sat and listened to the Navagraha stotra, chanted some simple mantras 108 times and did my regular japa mala. Also practiced some pranayama and did my standard meditation practice.
Now, what did I experience? I feel so much clearer. I feel like a lot of load has been taken off my energetic field. I connected back to that space of self that I experience on psychedelics. You know, that dissolving of the ego kind of thing.
It is the experience that purifies, I saw various people and places come up in my psyche when I was doing my pranayama and understood that past memories were being cleared from my psyche.
I’m feeling a lot more stable right now, already broke my fast post eclipse and had a nourishing dinner. I feel like my life is moving in the right direction. The path isn’t ever linear, though my vision about things has been cleared in the way that I needed. Thankful to universe, Guru, Divine Mother, ancestors and the planet.
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