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Eclipse shot by Owen Fuller: http://bit.ly/2uJt9HW
They call it the King Killer, the death of the sun. The total eclipse of the sun on August 21 is a big deal. The US is in a frenzy of planning and traveling to stand in the great shadow’s path, but ancient societies warn against watching.
1. Vedic Jyotish Experts warn about watching the full solar eclipse:
“This solar eclipse, occurring in the sign of Leo (in Vedic Astrology,) the sign of the king of the jungle, Leo means lion, is deemed a king killer. National leaders are considered at risk as a result.”
Traditionally, in Jyotish we don’t want to expose ourselves to eclipses. They are shadows and considered delicate transition periods, like a change of state from liquid to gas for example where the liquid has to boil in order to create gas. This ‘boiling’ is considered unstable and unpredictable and it is best not to be exposed to it. So, we stay inside. Especially during the total solar eclipse, it is best to stay inside. We also don’t want to have food in our stomachs while eclipses are going on. It is traditional to fast on eclipse days and not to eat until the eclipse is over. This is true for both lunar and solar eclipses. . This total solar eclipse occurs in the sign of Leo with Mercury, the moon, the sun and rahu all placed there at the time of the eclipse. For those of us who have leo moon signs or leo rising signs, this eclipse will have a particularly strong impact and it will be important to take all precautions to avoid risky activities such as long distance travel or crossing streets or brushing teeth. This solar eclipse, occurring in the sign of Leo, the sign of the king of the jungle, Leo means lion, is deemed a king killer. National leaders are considered at risk as a result. ~ Blaine Watson |
Annular eclipse image from 2010. Photo credit: http://bit.ly/2i7edh2
2. The Navajo Nation has similar concerns about watching the eclipse:
Traditionalists believe that watching the eclipse could lead to health problems and misfortune to the family.
3. Many of the eclipse viewing sites will be impacted, crowd scenes
Eclipse Planet – taken in 2015 by György Soponyai Link: http://bit.ly/2wR643u
4. Watching the eclipse near major population areas will be expensive
Hotels have been booked and if you find a room, prices are through the roof. We found an Airbnb space months ago but will have to drive over 100 miles to view the totality. Campsites and eclipse-festivals are packed. Food and services will be priced for scarcity = more expensive than usual. Gasoline prices will skyrocket and, I hope, nothing worse.
5. There will be lines: Bathrooms, food, and services will be difficult to find or access
The grand solar eclipse of 2017 traverses thirteen states and most of the seventy-mile wide path avoids main population hubs. Those small towns and municipalities, the state parks and camping facilities, in the path are bracing for crowds. Be prepared – bring water, snacks and toilet paper if you are driving the day of the eclipse.
Safe viewing Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24662369@N07/8188704614/
Still, the lure of this lifetime celestial experience is strong.
Don’t have protective glasses? Make a Pinhole camera for watching the eclipse.
Here’s a short video about what we experienced where you can actually see the eclipse totality go from night and back to day.
Wander WNDR, San Diego's new museum experience.
Full of interactive, artistic collaborations, the light show is another reason to play in the Gaslamp Quarter.
#wndrmuseum #wndrsandiego #wndrsd #interactivedesign #artcollaboration #lightshowevents #sandiegoblogger #gaslampsandiego #artinstallation
Come forage on the lowest tide in a year!
Shot in La Jolla just before sunset. -2 foot tide and San Diegans came out in force.
So many delights. I took the morning off to enjoy high tea with friends at Bliss Tea Treats. The chilly day faded from the moment I stepped into this bright, Mardi Gras cafe and relaxed over tasty treats and conversation. It's a special spot steps from the train station in downtown Oceanside. And leave time to walk down to the pier about 5 minutes away.
#teatimes #oceansideca #foodiesfeed #thefoodgangstas #comfortfood
#liftthatflavor #eeeeets #getinmytummynow #eatthis
#tastycakes #foodiefriday #travelwritersuniversity
Step through the village markets of Oaxaca - A quick glimpse of the local colors and crafts.
#oaxacacultural #tripwellgal #oaxacatravel #villagecrafts #locallymadegoods #marketdays #mexicanmarket #mexicolove #teotitlan #handiwork
Moonlight in the morning (Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, CA) on the day between storms.
My heart goes out to those impacted by the recent rains, but California is a big state and San Diego is doing well. May dams hold, reservoirs fill, floods subside, and the mega-drought be relinquished to history.
The Danzante unfolds in front of the Teotitlan Cathedral. Each dancer trains for 3 years and performs over 7 hours on the Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe.
I was lucky to attend as it began. With special thanks to Kalisa Wells and the people of Teotitlan, Oaxaca.
#danzantes #oaxacatravel #teotitlandelvalle #virgendelaguadalupe #virginofguadalupe
A moment in the museum at San Bartolo Coyotepec where black clay pottery is the star, but the gallery full of whimsical sculptures by Effrain Fuentes touched me with childlike joy. I'm standing next to 'A Traves de Lentes.'
#oaxacaart #efrainfuentes #visitoaxaca
Oaxaca stonework in village & town.
A resilient collaboration.
Happy New Year.
#stayresilient #oaxacacultural #mexicolindo #mexicolove #mexicanholiday #mexicoarte #oaxacatravel
#stackedstone #riverstone
Regardless of the wisdom – or lack thereof – it’s great to see so many people get excited about a natural phenomenon. Hopefully, it will encourage some curiosity and exploration. Who knows? Maybe some young one watching will be inspired and go on to take us back to the moon! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard and #WeekendWanderlust!
Thank you, Rob and Ann. I love your perspective and yes, I think the eclipse really gave many a chance to connect with the world in a new way.
This is the first time that I’ve heard of it! Sometimes it’s interesting to hear beliefs for a certain event which most people don’t know about. It can give us warning or insights that are up to us to believe!
I agree with you that we have choices. When I learned about the different belief systems and that no one was mentioning them, I felt it was worth sharing.
Hi Elaine! As the eclipse is now over, I’ll be looking forward to reading your post on how the experience was for you. I watched the coverage on TV and it was quite fascinating.
I have such a backlog of stories that there might not be time for another about the eclipse but I did post a video about experiencing the totality. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/meGKLAOZJ5k
I’m reading this a day late, but it seems to me those ancients knew their stuff. Their rules probably saved a lot of eyeballs. Since I live in the San Francisco area, it was foggy and I just stayed inside, like the ancients advised, and watched it on my modern TV.
You are wiser than I! Thanks, Carole.
Oh, I love this article. I wish I’d read it before I saw the eclipse as it would have made it a richer experience. Fascinating to think that ancient cultures saw the same thing and created theories around it. I love the idea that it’s a delicate transition period – it makes perfect lunar sense. I think.
Thanks, Carol, it means a lot that you enjoyed the post. That eclipse was quite an experience.
I’m glad I waited until today to read this post, since I traveled to go see the eclipse last night! Our experience could not have gone better! We went to Fulton, Missouri. It’s a small town (with a lot of history) and it was the perfect destination. We saw it with no crowds and the worst thing that happened to us was the unreal traffic on the way home, but I would still consider it worth it! I already can’t wait to chase the next one!
We encountered a lot of traffic in Oregon – before and after the eclipse. It was the only down side to the experience. I’m glad that you had such a great time watching.
It’s interesting to read how older civilizations viewed the eclipse. I hope you enjoyed your views of the eclipse. Here in Manitoba, the eclipse was was not total, only 70 to 75%. But it was a cloudy, rainy day so eclipse viewers didn’t get to see much.
I discovered that anything less than 100% totality was not as stunning to watch. I loved it! Sorry to hear you had clouds and rain.
Since I almost died during the shadow of the Feb 26th eclipse in Chile, I didn’t want anything to do with this one.
I was bathing while dying my hair, relaxing alone at home. Suddenly, I choked. I could not breath. I jumped up and opened the window. I opened the door. I ran around a little in a panic. I was thinking about how I had to clear my breathing tube soon or I might die. I decided to try to spit into the sink. I did so until I vomited, and afterwards I got a little air in. It was a close call.
I determined it was a premonition of what a youngster close to us had decided to do a month later when he hung hinself after a bad breakup. I tend to get sympathy symptoms of strokes, heart attacks, death throes, etc, but this was the first one not felt in real time for me.
My goodness, Susan, what an experience. I’m so glad that you survived. It’s not easy being an empath, I’m sure. I hope that this eclipse time went easily for you.
We watched the Eclipse on tv earlier today and I thought it was pretty cool. Won’t personally go to all that trouble though. Great information!
It was a lot of effort to watch the eclipse but as it turned out, a wonderful family time. Thanks for writing.
We are devotees of Lord Krsna and hold the Vedic view. An eclipse is inauspicious. We will stay inside our temple for the 3 hours it occurs here, chanting and reading from scripture.
It’s unfortunate it has become such a hype. It reminds me of Y2K fiasco. Hare Krsna!
I so appreciate your comment and how wonderful to have a supportive community to share this time with. I met an extended Indian family at the eclipse site and asked about the Jyotish warnings. He said that if he were in India they would not have attended but in the US it was a scientific phenomenon. There are so many different perspectives. For me it was a very stirring and wonderful time.
Elaine – What a timely article about this upcoming eclipse. We made the cereal box viewer and hope to catch the partial eclipse from our backyard.
So glad you found this helpful. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for this article, Elaine! Fun to read. I’ll be at home during the eclipse (unless the vet finds time to see my cat tomorrow), and plan to be in the pool for part of the time. Enjoy Oregon!
That sounds so relaxing (except the vet part.) I’m glad you found it a fun read.
Eclipses are definitely freaky! It seems very unnatural so I’m not surprised so many people have superstitions and beliefs about it. I’m in Central America at the moment so I think we’ll just get a partial one, so no big deal here!
Thanks, Claire. Freaky is a good word for the experience we actually had as well. So glad I watched it though. Perhaps the one in 2024 will be close enough for you to witness in totality.
Fun post I love the various reasons to not view the eclipse! haha. Enjoy watching the totality I am sure it will be fun even for the madness of it!
Thanks, Candiss. I had fun putting this together. Madness it was but a giddy one and a great family experience.
What an interesting post. An eclipse must have been a really strange experience in days gone by. We don’t have one here in the UK – but the US seems to have got Eclipse Fever this time!
We have indeed and it’s a special one running across the entire country from coast to coast.
Interesting that several ancient cultures warn against watching the eclipse. The long lines, expensive places to stay, and crowds were deterrent enough — but I definitely don’t want those health problems or misfortune to my family!
You are a wise woman. Wish I had more discipline!
Wow, it’s, in fact, an eclipse somewhere on earth every once in a while, I was tempted to see it when it was in Asia but couldn’t make it. Hopefully, I will be able to catch one in the future. Thanks for the tips! @ knycx.journeying
Perhaps this will help you when you do get the chance to witness one.
Excellent article about this upcoming eclipse, Elaine. You must have done quite an in-depth research about eclipses (lol!) As for not planning way ahead of time, tell me about it. My husband wanted to go up to Portland to watch it but he cooled off when he found out that Motel 6 charges $1,600/night for a room this weekend. #THeWeeklyPostcard
So sorry you couldn’t find a reasonable place. There’ll be more eclipses and probably not the frenzy.
I am hoping to get some glasses so I can catch a glimpse of it. If not then I will watch it on TV. I don’t have time to be going blind.
Got that right about the blindness. Hope you find a way to watch, Holly.
I think in the rest of the world we only get a partial eclipse, so nobody here is losing their minds over it. A total eclipse is super rare – I’m not surprised it’s a big deal! Things can turn dangerous easily in big crowds. Hope everyone stays safe!
Thanks and yes, I do hope that the big crowds stay safe.
I think I will just stay home and watch the partial eclipse but I still need to figure out exactly how I will view it. I need to research more about it. #TheWeeklyPostcard.
There are many great apps and tools to find what you can see where you are.
I am sure you are going to have a great time watching the eclipse. Here in Los Angeles we are going to have 62% sun coverage. I think that still will be impressive. Let me see how I can escape work. #WeekendWanderlust
It’s all happening, as far as peak coverage, pretty quickly. I hope you can step out for a few minutes – you won’t be the only one.
Quite a fascinating read! It’s really so interesting to hear on the TV how people are going crazy for this! Unfortunately, I don’t live in the States anymore, so will miss out on this! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
I’m glad you enjoyed the read. I’m not usually big on crowd events but this really resonates. There are going to be so many stories…
Won’t work for me in Australia, guess we will see it on the news. Great history on the superstitions of the eclipse. I think it would be cool to see it happen.
There’ll be other opportunities to watch eclipses and I hope you get a chance to watch one.
What an interesting read. The Navajo legend about health problems is definitely correct, I can imagine they had eclipse glasses back in the day to protect their eyes. I live in Denver, and there is already tons of traffic heading north to Wyoming to view it.
I’m looking forward to hearing how this unfolds across the nation. We’ve already encountered impacted roads and price increases.
Love this! I love watching all of the madness and excitement of the eclipse from afar as I’m in Costa Rica so couldn’t watch even if I wanted to. All of the superstition and beliefs surrounding these things always fascinates me – I had no idea about the native beliefs that it’s actually bad luck to watch an eclipse!
Stay safe in Costa Rica! I was inspired as I heard about the Native and Vedic traditions. No one was sharing them!
We are on the other side of the world, so will miss it, but can’t wait to see the photos
Watch via the NASA live feed!
I didn’t even know there was going to be an eclipse. Maybe it will happen in the middle of the night in Australia so there isn’t any excitement – or maybe I’m just out of touch. The celestial phenomenen which got Australia excited were the super moons we had a few months ago. Just about the whole country was watching them – and they were stunning.
That must’ve been incredible. I love the watching the full moons.
Great info on eclipse beliefs. I wouldn’t go to the totality area unless I had a house to hole up in where I could get the view. It’s going to be crazy. Hope it’s fab and worth the discomforts. We’ll be in Colorado and get to see it at 80% which works for me.
I would be fine with 80% or the 95% in Seattle, however, the family wants to get into the thick of things! Hope you enjoy the process (and that I survive.)