As the Earth, moon and sun align to produce a total lunar eclipse for the last time until 2025, we are reminded to take stock of all that we have acquired, achieved, and have in possession in our lives right this moment and to give gratitude for every moment of our existence on this sacred planet.
Total lunar eclipses occur when the moon is near a node at full moon, when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, blocking sun’s rays from lighting up the moon.
Eclipses are harbingers of change — they usher in evolution. Lunar Eclipses are viewed in astrology as being deeply transformative times that can bring abrupt and sudden change. While this is true, there is another side to eclipses that is important to remember – eclipses are like the cosmic helping hand of the Universe and can be an extremely powerful time for cleansing our emotional waters and setting intention for renewal and rejuvenation in the coming months, because the energetic cycles of the lunar eclipse tend to extend through the period of next three months after its event.
During a lunar eclipse, the earth momentarily blocks the illumination from the sun that creates a full moon, resetting the current emotional cycle and allowing the shadow to reveal what is hidden in our subconscious as our lack of focus keeps us blocked from seeing what needs to be seen. The spiritual aspects of the moon represent our deep emotional tides, revealing to us our vulnerable and gentle sides, which ordinarily we hide just so that we remain unknown to others outside of us.
In short, we all have lived our lives either in full eclipses or in partial eclipses one way or another as we hide aspects of us from our environment.
SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF AN ECLIPSE
The energy of a Full Moon is always that of the cycle coming to a crescendo or completion of its influence and essence. The full moon is an opportunity to let go of an aspect of your emotional experience that you have outgrown and is a time for anchoring in a new maturity or wisdom that was gained in the previous cycle; it is a perfect time for releasing something that no longer serves you.
Endings are necessary in order to make way for the new and a Lunar Eclipse is like the final purge or cleansing of an emotional cycle. If something needs to be gone from your life, if something needs to come to an end, an eclipse can help you to set the intention of completion in concrete in the external world.
Every single full moon brings a chance to embrace changes, let go, and cultivate a greater connection with your Self.
As per the practice of tantra, it is believed that at the time of Grahan or eclipse, the shadow planets Rahu’s and Ketu’s powers increases and are closely related with special powers known as Tantrik siddhis (spiritual mastery), and so, for fast results of any mantra or tantra, any worship done during Chandra Grahan/lunar eclipse is considered one of the most powerful.
But it requires strict disciplines that are compelling to your needs and desires. From healing ailments, dis-eases, health issues to removing financial blocks to protecting yourself from hexes and black magic, this is a potent time to honouring your own Siddha (master) and awakening your supernatural Self.
Spiritually, the whole day and night is regarded as sacred, so there is no hard and fast rule as to when it is most potent to start your practice. Remember that the build-up of the grahan is a preparation of the momentous occasion of the Full Moon – it is akin to a birth, a death or a rebirth and is one that is compelling in every aspect of it. So, remember, this practice is akin to your birth, your death and your rebirth – be mindful of the alchemy that is hidden in the processes.
THE RITUAL FOR THE SIDDHAS
- ○ Fast in your thoughts and in your speech.
- ○ Fast in water and in food.
- ○ Wear only white as it is the colour of the Moon.
- ○ Sit on a white cloth or white coloured meditation mat.
- ○ Light 9 ghee lamps.
- ○ Offer white flowers in the shape of an inverted triangle and place the 9 ghee lamps inside the inverted triangle.
- ○ Sit in Padmasana (Lotus pose) facing East.
- ○ Set your Sankalpa (intention) as to what you are desiring and inviting into your life.
- ○ Use 108 sphatik mala or clear quartz mala and CHANT:
Rahu mantra: Om Rang Rahave Namah (108 × 5).
Ketu mantra: Om Sreem Sronsah Ketve Namah (108 × 5).
These mantras MUST BE chanted in one sitting.
- Write down on a white piece of paper whatever you wish to invite or draw into your life, whether some wisdom or a material thing or even, something you wish to overcome.Write it 5x and then burn the paper – this is your way of surrendering to the Universe.
- Offer your final salutation before you leave your sadhana for the night.
- Circumbulate 3x on your mat/cloth and give salutations to the Moon, to the Sun and to Mother Earth.
Trust that all that is meant for you is already on its way to you.
May the siddhas show you a lifetime of bliss.
Om Rang Rahave Namah ||Om Sreem Sronsah Ketve Namah ||
Image credit: Pinterest
SUJATA NANDY WORLD GURUKUL
