What is Lunar Eclipse

Lunar eclipse is formed when earth comes in between sun and moon and the shadow of the earth falls on the moon. Important thing to note is that a Lunar eclipse will occur only on a full moon night, which is referred as “Poornima” in Hindi. Unlike Solar eclipse which can be viewed from small location of the world, a Lunar eclipse can be views from anywhere on the night side of earth. A lunar eclipse last much longer then a Solar eclipse. Unlike Solar eclipse a Lunar eclipse is much safer to view with a naked eye.

Lunar Eclipse Dates

The Lunar Eclipse 2018 –

31 JANUARY 2018 – Total Lunar Eclipse Watch Live Webcast
28 JULY 2018 – Total Lunar Eclipse

The Lunar Eclipse 2019 –

20/21 January 2019 – Total Lunar Eclipse
16/17 July 2019 – Partial Lunar Eclipse

Astrological View on Lunar Eclipse

In India, the Lunar Eclipse is called Chandra Grahan, and there are many notions regarding the lunar eclipse. Many consider the total lunar eclipse a not so good day or an inauspicious day. According to astrology, the total lunar eclipse is considered as a wrong planetary combination. So, to get rid of the evil effects of Chandra Grahan, astrologists have suggested many things that one needs to do on the eve of the lunar eclipse.

What to DO during Lunar Eclipse:

Place some Doorva grass (Kusha) in all eatables in the kitchen to maintain their purity. You can easily find Kusha from any temple or from the market.
People should recite God’s name during eclipse or any mantra / japa like – “HARE RAM HARE RAM, RAM RAM HARE HARE | HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE ||“.
Pregnant ladies should keep the precaution. They should take sufficient rest during the period of eclipse. They can recite japa “OM DEVKI SUDHA GOVINDA VASUDEV JAGATPATE DEHIME TANEY KRISHNAN TWAMAHAM SHRNAM GATAH“.
After eclipse, eat only fresh cooked food.
After eclipse, people should take bath with clothes worn on the body.
The eclipses are great period for Mantra Siddhi, that means is that if you desire something and you want to do mantra remedy for achieving your goals. The eclipse period is very good period for mastering the mantra. Below are some of the mantra for your reference.
Mantra for Financial Gains – “Om Namo Dev Bhagwate Trilochanam Tripuram | Anjali Me Kalyanam Kuru Kuru Swaha ||”
Mantra for improving education – “Om Aim Hrim Kleem Maha Saraswati Devaya Namaha”
Mantra for conceiving – “Om Namo Bhagavate Jagatprasutaye Namah“
If you are facing health issues then you should donate mixed items which can include weight, rice, sugar, oil, Jaggery, (Basically items of all planets) equal to your weight and donate to a organization which is doing social work. Can be an orphanage etc.

What NOT DO during Lunar Eclipse:

Special care is needed for pregnant ladies. They should not cut vegetables or use knife and should not use needle or anything which is sharp.
People should not sleep during the eclipse.
People should not eat anything during the eclipse. However if you are one of those who needs to take medicine after eating then you should not be avoiding your medicine at any cost.
Avoid taking bath during the eclipse.
Avoid driving a vehicle during the eclipse.
Female should not tighten hair clip or Sari clip
Avoid Intercourse / Sex during the period of eclipse. As it is not good for the lady to conceive during this period.

Why not eat food during Eclipse

During lunar eclipses, what would happen in 28 days over a full lunar cycle is happening in a subtle way over the course of two to three hours of the eclipse. In terms of energy, the earth’s energy is mistaking this eclipse as a full cycle of the moon. Certain things happen in the planet where anything that has moved away from its natural condition will deteriorate very fast. This is why while there is no change in raw fruits and vegetables, there is a distinct change in the way cooked food is before and after the eclipse. What was nourishing food turns into poison.