“We meditate on the glory of that Being who has produced this universe; may He enlighten our minds.” (gayatri mantra) –Swami Vivekananda
Chitra is connected with the star called Spica in the constellation of Virgo. It is also seen as the ear of corn or wheat, which is held in the left hand of the Goddess Ceres. It is the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo. A whirling bluish double star, it is the 15th brightest in the whole sky. It is considered to be a place where the mind can become illuminated and genius and inspiration can create great works of design. Chitra translates as “shining, prismatic, and ingenious.” It is symbolized by a perfectly cut gemstone with incredible brilliance.
This nakshatra of shining opportunity is coinciding with the Hindu holiday of Diwali, “The festival of lights.” It is a time to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. Many candles are lit, to burn for the entire evening, and fireworks are seen and heard everywhere. The Goddess Laksmi is honored in these days, similar to the harvest goddess of Ceres, she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Tvasta, or Vishvakarma are some of the names of the deity associated with this star. Tvasta is a primordial god of design and creation. He is the master of maya who fashioned the thunderbolts of the great God Indra, as well as many other wondrous creations. This star rules over the grand constructions of architects and designers at the forefront of technology. In medieval western astrology this star was connected with brilliance in art and science. Nikola Tesla, an archetype of the modern wizard, was a native of this Nakshatra.
It is certainly an eerie moment to experience Ketu’s dissolution of the sun. Flaws in design and weakness in structure may make one ponder man’s ability to truly progress with technology. The weakness of our practices may be exposed and renovations may be required. This eclipse can reveal the hidden defect under the splendor of a system, it can bring to consciousness what we have been previously unable to assimilate. Famous people or organizations may suffer embarrassing falls from grace.
Overall, a solar eclipse is considered to be a very inauspicious moment for the sun. The radiance of our souls and creative desires at this time will be incomplete, as the sunlight is absorbed by the erratic derangement of Ketu. Generally it is instructed that one should stay indoors and shut the curtains to keep the minimal influence of this light on one’s life. This is especially important for young children and pregnant women. It is a good time to do meditation and prayer. Fasting and chanting (especially gayatri mantra) are also beneficial.
This Chitra eclipse is entangled with the planets of Venus and Mercury as well. Venus will really be in the thick of it, being less than one degree away from the sun and seriously combust, she will be on fire! Disturbances in relationship are likely, as is trouble in self-expression and self-image. In Chitra, Venus can sometimes churn up sexual desires, which may prove powerful and confused under the dubious influence of the eclipse. Aesthetics in design can be disturbing to overall functionality. Bosses can become very difficult and self-aggrandized entitlement might lead to messy consequences.
Mercury is exalted, retrograde, and tightly conjunct the nodes during the eclipse so try to avoid complex communication. Although the urge may be to delve deep into processing situations, the outcome may lead only to more confusion and restlessness. Travel plans are likely to change or go awry, and speculative investment could have surprising returns, making one suddenly exceedingly wealthy, (or shockingly poor!)
The lower back and kidneys are especially vulnerable now because of the eclipse’s location in Libra and Libra’s rulership of that area of the body.
On Monday evening around 5:00 pm PST, moon (now in it’s final waning days) will enter sidereal Virgo. Moon’s lord Mercury is exalted and is still retrograde, flowing in tight conjunction with the backward moving shadow, Rahu. We may really feel the effects of mercury retrograde more than ever in these days leading up to the eclipse. There may seem to be a lot of heavy decisions to be made. Try not to get too serious or anti-social. Miscommunications are bound to happen, go over important lists and orders especially carefully. There is a possibility for innovative and eccentric ideas to suddenly come upon us as flashes of inspiration and ground breaking creative steps are possible. However beware, we may lose credit and control of these ideas as the sun eclipses in Chitra.
Depending on where this eclipse falls in your natal chart you can feel the influence for up to six months from now in a specific area of your life. Particularly if you have critical planets such as moon or sun in Chitra nakshatra in your natal chart.
To help remedy the effects of this solar eclipse one can chant or listen to the gayatri mantra.
AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA,
SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT.
