Lunar Eclipse 2022 : Effects And Types

The moon, just like any other celestial body, follows its orbit without any diversion. This is responsible for the well-known lunar cycle. And it's a known fact that everything happening in the cosmos is a cyclic event, bound to repeat at one time or another. One such cyclic phenomenon is an eclipse.

Eclipse refers to an astronomical event where one celestial body is responsible for blocking the light coming from another celestial body. This results in a changed appearance of the celestial body being blocked. In Hindu mythology, we refer to these events as grahan.

Eclipses are cyclic events because since Earth's and Moon's orbits overlap, Sun, moon, and Earth periodically have linear or partially linear alignment, resulting in this phenomenon. Therefore, eclipses, though rare, are not unusual events. Also, not all eclipses are visible to all parts of the world.

Based on the relative position of the Sun, Moon and Earth, there are two types of eclipses:

• Solar Eclipse/ Surya Grahan: Solar eclipse denotes the configuration where the moon comes in between the Sun and Earth. If occurring during the day, the sky momentarily darkens as the moon partially or fully covers the Sun. If it is a total Solar eclipse, it makes a breathtaking visual of the Sun peeking behind from the moon's shadow, creating a halo. Surya Grahan always occurs during the new moon phase.
• Lunar Eclipse/Chandra Grahan: Characteristically occurring during the complete moon phase of the lunar cycle, the Lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes in between the Sun and the moon. During Chandra Grahan, the moon appears in a reddish tone in the path of totality. This led to the rise of the term 'Blood Moon', an important term associated with the eclipse.

There are three types of Lunar eclipse, depending upon the relative position of the Sun, Moon and the Earth – Total Lunar Eclipse, Partial Lunar Eclipse and Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. A total Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Earth covers the moon from sunlight. The Partial Eclipse is the result of partial coverage of the moon. And Penumbral Lunar Eclipse refers to the situation when, even though the Earth isn't directly covering the moon from the sunlight, Earth's wide-angle shadow, also known as the penumbra, obscures the moon.

LUNAR ECLIPSE AND ITS ASTROLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

Eclipses are often a source of discussion in science. What are its potential effects? Is it okay to view it? What happens during a lunar eclipse? And so many other questions we have heard since childhood.

But more than that, the scriptures have written much more extensively about the effect of Grahan

on the population. As well as on an individual's life. It also dictates specific rules and regulations so that no one is ill affected by this celestial occurrence.

The alignment of these celestial bodies also corresponds with the zodiac circle. Therefore, the Sun's and the moon's positions determine the eclipse will occur under which sign and at what angle. This information is of utmost importance to calculate and predict the eclipse's effect on the other Rashis.

Eclipses also have another characteristic effect on life; they speed up things. They are associated with drastic changes and abrupt shifts in the path of life. That being said, they do not cause any diversion from what will happen; they prepone it.

Eclipses are the marks of endings as well as beginnings. The lunar eclipse is associated explicitly with an in-depth understanding of changes around us.

First, we need to understand the North and South Lunar nodes to understand the effect of a lunar eclipse. These aren't physically actual points. Instead, they are imaginary points that denote the points where the revolution orbits of the Sun and moon intersect concerning the Earth.

Eclipses occur when the Sun and Moon are situated at these two points. The North and South Nodes correlate to our future self and past life.

The zodiac signs associated with The north node give us an idea about our best qualities, what we would be good at, and where we should push our boundaries. The South Nodes are associated with our past Karma, ancestry and previous actions. All that has led our life to where it is now. The zodiac containing South Node also indicates the negatives we need to deal with. The South Node gives us the idea about what we should leave behind to progress in life, that is, move towards the North Node—because of all this, examining the lunar eclipse effects on zodiac signs is necessary.

LUNAR ECLIPSES OF 2022

There are two Chandra Grahan in 2022. The lunar eclipse date, timing and details are:

• On May 16th, 2022: The position of the three celestial bodies takes place in the Scorpio Sign. It is a total lunar eclipse. It will reach its peak at 12:14 A.M., the Purnima Tithi of the Shukla Paksha. According to the Hindu calendar, it is in the Vaishaka month.
• The total duration is 1 hour and 24 minutes.
• The alignment takes place at 25°18' location under the Scorpio sign. This eclipse will mainly affect the people of Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius and Leo zodiac signs. However, the people of the Indian subcontinent weren't under its direct exposure. During this eclipse, the Sutak period isn't applicable.

Grahan Sparsh: 7:02 A.M. & Grahan Mukti: !2:20 P.M. (Duration: 5 hours 17 minutes)

• On November 8th, 2022: This eclipse takes place in the Taurus sign. It is also a total Lunar eclipse. It will reach its peak at 4:29 P.M., and at the longest, it will last for 1 hour and 24 minutes. The alignment occurs at 16°1' within the zone dominated by the Taurus sign.
• This will also primarily affect the people of Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius signs.
• Apart from the other part of the world, this would be visible even from many parts of India. Also, In this eclipse, the Sutak period would be from 9:21 A.M. to 6:18 P.M. During this period, it is usually advised not to carry out any auspicious work.

Garan Sparsh: 1:33 P.M.& Grahan Mukti: 7:25 P.M.(Duration: 5 hours 52 minutes)

The penumbral duration of both eclipses is longer than the total eclipse duration. Therefore, the start of the penumbral phase is known as Grahan Sparsh, whereas the end of the penumbral phase is known as Grahan Mukti. Considering these too can cause a difference in both the Chandra Grahan dates and Chandra Grahan timings.

The first Lunar eclipse event, which coincides with the Scorpio, is marked as a transformative phase in life. The Scorpio eclipse urges us to let go of the past, where many irrelevant and unimportant things are hidden. This will give more space for the beneficiaries to approach our life. Also, there might be a lot of confrontations and endings, as Scorpio is strongly associated with aspects that are inherently considered harmful.

So this might be your sign to break free from the stagnation that is holding back your true potential. During this lunar eclipse, you should also take the time to contemplate your inner desires and flaws and be honest about them. Only with clarity of mind can one reach their goal.

DO'S AND DON'TS DURING LUNAR ECLIPSE

Even though the duration of a lunar eclipse, if calculated since the penumbral phase, is quite long, the main concern is for the total eclipse phase. But to be safe, some precautions usually need to be taken. Some of them are even scientifically backed and are advised to everyone to follow. Following these precautions can save anyone from the permanent lunar eclipse impact.

As per Hinduism, Chandra Grahan is associated with negative energies; hence, one should not do certain activities during that time, as it might have adverse effects. However, only the umbral eclipse is considered the Chandra Grahan, and mainly the impact of the lunar eclipse is felt for this phase. Also, it is essential to clean up after the Grahan has passed. Some of the things mentioned above include:

• One should not observe the grahan with the naked eye. This means the total eclipse phase, as it can damage the eyes.
• One should immediately take a bath after the eclipse has finished.
• During the Sutak period, one should avoid doing any religious practices. This includes visiting temples too. However, they can chant mantras, as it might help against the negative energies,
• One should try not to go out of their house during the eclipse.
• Lastly, this is a rule that many of us have heard growing up. One should not cook or have any solid food during the umbral phase of the eclipse. This is associated with the moon's negative energies during this time. This will also affect the food and, in turn, our body.
• The effect of the lunar eclipse on pregnant ladies can be disastrous. Hence, they should take extra precautions during this time.

DEEPER EFFECTS OF THE LUNAR ECLIPSE

If you feel like the lunar eclipses in 2022 will be a remarkable astrology-based event in your life, then it is better to be prepared for that. You can consult astrologers to know what changes these lunar eclipses will bring for you and whether they will be for your good or bad, as the Grahan affects different Rashis in different ways.