On Saturday, April 30, 2022, a partial eclipse of the Sun will be visible near sunset in parts of South America, Antarctica, and the Pacific and Southern Oceans. A partial solar eclipse occurs at the New Moon when the Moon blocks only a portion of the solar disk. In this case, close to 64% of the Sun's disk will be blotted out at most, according to NASA.
This animation shows where and when the partial solar eclipse will be visible. The bright side of the globe is in daytime while the dark side is in nighttime at the time shown in the upper right (given in Universal Time). The gray oval-shaped region shows where the Moon’s shadow will appear on the planet, and where the partial solar eclipse can be seen. Credit: NASA
According to astrology, an eclipse, whether visible or not, affects the entire world. Think of this partial solar eclipse as a supercharged New Moon. New Moons occur every month and represent new beginnings. This supercharged New Moon/partial solar eclipse represents the beginning of a new cycle that can have an impact for the next six months.
The eclipsed luminaries (Sun and Moon) will occur at 16 degrees of sidereal Aries in Bharani nakshatra. They will conjoin Uranus at 20 degrees Aries, and the eclipsing shadow Rahu (the Moon’s North Node) at 29 degrees of Aries. The last times we had a solar eclipse in Aries conjoined Rahu and Uranus were in April 1688, and May 1856. Both times were associated with wars, riots, rebellions, and revolutions, as well as an earthquake in Italy in 1688, which occurred a month or so after the eclipse and killed at least 10,000 people.
The Rahu solar eclipse occurs in Aries constellation, Bharani nakshatra, and Leo navamsa. It signifies expansive new creative initiatives and endeavors that require courage and focus. This eclipse energy can point to a breakthrough, or a breakdown if not handled properly. The impact may initially be shocking as old paradigms may need to shatter to allow in something new. This “something new” may involve standing up for oneself or digging deeper to align with the creative power.
A solar eclipse falling within three degrees of natal chart points is significant, and it can cause whatever those points represent to awaken at new levels. It will also indicate that a new cycle is beginning. Vedic astrology’s Sage Varahamihira said that an eclipse will impact the health and/or life of people born in the same month as that of the eclipse (especially when the eclipse is in the same nakshatra as their natal Sun, which in this case is Bharani).
Because the New Moon blocks the Sun's light during a solar eclipse, it can signal a drop in our energy levels, and this is especially true in this eclipse as Rahu, the Moon’s North Node, will eclipse the Sun and Moon from the anaretic degree at 29 degrees of Aries. This can weaken vitality. In the weeks leading up to and following this eclipse, we also may become more aware of any personal issues which are depleting or blocking our vital energy.
So, if this happens, it can be an opportunity to let go of whatever impedes our growth and blocks our light, and the best time for this letting go process will be this coming week as the Moon is waning (growing smaller and darker), and particularly when it is in its Balsamic healing phase starting early Wednesday and leading up until the New Moon culminates Saturday.
An eclipse is a sacred time, particularly around the time of maximum eclipse, which will occur at 20:41 UTC Saturday, April 30, 2022. You can find the time of maximum eclipse for your area at https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2022-april-30
Contemplative spiritual practices are particularly powerful during the time of maximum eclipse. The benefits of mantra, meditation, prayer, affirmations, and rituals performed around this time will be multiplied a thousandfold. It is important to use this time to tune in rather than being out and about in the world. Whatever we are focused on during an eclipse can get activated and magnified, so at the very least, it’s best to be in a positive and constructive environment and frame of mind.
Saturday April 30 is not only an eclipse day but it is also the Vedic holy day of Shani Amavasya. Shani refers to Saturn, whose day of the week (every week) is Saturday. Amavasya tithi is the day leading up to the culmination of the New Moon, when the Moon is in its darkest phase of the month. When the Amavasya tithi occurs on a Saturday like this, it is rare and a very special day for spiritual practices that may include fasting, holy baths, pujas, prayers, tantric rituals, and offerings of charity and service. In my humble opinion, the best mantras for this eclipse will be in honor of Shanidev (Saturn) or Lord Shiva. This is because the luminaries will eclipse in Yama’s nakshatra of Bharani, and He is the brother of Shani, and both of these deities worship Shiva.
Thank you!!!