New Moon, Solar Eclipse As The World Celebrates Christmas 2019

Today as the world celebrates the return of God’s son, Jesus Christ, cosmically, we are experiencing a Solar Eclipse in the sidereal sign of Sagittarius in the nakshatra of Mula.

Figure 1. Equinox and Solstice

Let’s get some of the astronomy clear at the get go. In an attempt to spread Christianity, the Christian church pinned the birth of Christ on December 25^th, to match the pagan celebration of winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. Due to the procession of equinoxes, solstice now occurs either on December 21^st or December 22^nd (This year it was December 21^st in the western hemisphere). So essentially, Christmas, the return of Sun (Son) is a solstice celebration, where the Sun begins its northern course in the sky as seen from Earth. This phenomenon is also called as Uttarayana (Uttar = north, ayana = movement). The Indian calendar, however, has not corrected for procession of equinoxes and still celebrates #solstice on Makar Sankranti in mid-January, when the Sun enters sidereal Capricorn (Makar=Capricorn, Sankranti = transmigration of the Sun from one space in the sky to the next). #Uttarayana has not occurred on #MakarSankranti for few thousand years now. Solstice is the shortest day (winter) or shortest night (summer) in the northern hemisphere; opposite in the southern hemisphere (Figure 1). After winter solstice, the days gradually become longer till summer solstice. Equinoxes are the days of equal day and night. Winter solstice is of particular importance because it marks the beginning of end of winter, and return of more light, heat, energy and vitality. 

It is also important to make note that the Gregorian calendar dates do not align with the astronomical event anymore. It is crucial that we choose to live more consciously and aware, and not succumb to the passivity that is so heavily ingrained in our cultural system.

Coincidentally, we also have a solar eclipse today. On this #newmoon , the Sun and Moon come together in the sign of Sagittarius; Sun being  eclipsed by the south node of the Moon, called Ketu. This eclipse is happening in the nakshatra of Mula, joined by Jupiter, Mercury, and Saturn (Figure 2).  Most often we do not let ourselves feel deeply disgusted. But when fully allowed, disgust shows areas of our life that we see ourselves too good to endure, disgust shows areas that need immediate and often rapid change, in fact our deep disgust eventually forces us to detach and act.

Figure 2. South Indian Chart Showing Placement of Planets during the Solar Eclipse

Sagittarius is a sign of our belief systems, religion, organizations and institutions where we have our faith attached to, and things that bring us hope, joy and purpose. It is a great time to take an inventory of systems (beliefs) that do not serve our higher self, next phase in life or evolutionary growth anymore. How does one identify things that do not serve them? Look for areas in your life that incite deep disgust (Ketu brings disgust). The modern society somehow doesn’t allow for full cultivation of the #disgust as an #emotion.

The nakshatra of Mula ruled by Kali, also known as Nirrti, shows a high potential to tap into the divine disgust, uproot the systems that do not work for us (be it habits, behaviors, relationships, faith, religion, politics, work ethics, or just a way of being), and prepare for the next phase of our lives. If things get too intense, use music or sound as a healing therapy and anchor yourself in the deity (devotion of) that you most resonate with; Venus in the nakshatra of Shravan will support this. For Christ worshippers, tap into Jesus for more support as you tide these times on Christmas.