Understanding the impact of eclipses it a true art. In fact, every element of the Vedic Sciences has both an artistic and scientific component, but there is something about the way in which the patterned and predictable karmic impact that the relationship between the Sun, Moon, its nodes and Earth generates which I find particularly majestic.

It is said that for countries in which the eclipses are visible, the impacts can be felt by everyone inhabiting that place for up to 18 years. The same is said for individuals for whom the eclipses are transiting significant points in their chart.

Because these eclipse cycles occur every 6 months, the signals coming from successive eclipses can get a little muddled if one is not carefully tracking them and distinguishing those signals from other timing techniques like dashas and transits.

I find it more helpful to use the 6 month time frame, wherein results of eclipses interacting with important points in an individual’s chart can be felt up to 6 months before or after the eclipse itself, depending on the degree at which it takes place in the sign relative to other planets or points of significance.

Effects are most certainly not always negative. Eclipses can be life changing in either direction—in some cases quickly and unexpectedly elevating someone, depending on how it is interacting with the natal chart.

In general, when within the eclipse cycle (which always comes in pairs, with one solar and one lunar eclipse on the heels of one another) the solar eclipse precedes the lunar eclipse, the focus of the event tends to spiritual. This is in contrast to the reverse situation wherein the lunar eclipse precedes the solar and the focus is instead material.

In the eclipses this month we have a solar eclipse occuring before the lunar, so we know that there is some positive spiritual potential here. This means it is a good time to focus on one’s spiritual practices, remedial measures, donation, giving and prayer.

The day of the solar eclipse itself can be particularly powerful for meditation, prayer, mantra, fasting and an inward focus. The benefits of spiritual practices during eclipses are said to be amplified many times over. It is also a time when concentration can become more challenging, so extra effort is required to maintain focus on one’s chosen practice.

The solar eclipse will occur in the sign Cancer, with the Sun and Moon joining both Jupiter and Mercury, making this an extremely potent time for spiritual and emotional learning.

The energy of a solar eclipse gives us the opportunity to see things as they truly are, cutting through the illusions that are often highly entangled with our perception. There is an opportunity to connect to the true nature of reality—to see and feel what is actually going on with oneself and others. It can be a bit like having x-ray vision, and if not used carefully, can feel confronting.

Reality—clearly perceived—can actually be quite jarring and uncomfortable, so we can to some extent be grateful for the illusions that buffer us from the full force of life’s actual nature. It is like having some cloud cover on a blazing hot day. We get some reprieve from the intensity of reality.

During an eclipse the clouds burn away and everything can feel somewhat raw and exposed. This is particularly true for solar eclipses, during and around which it is best to not take anything outside of one’s spiritual practices and inner work very seriously.

Social and relational conflicts, outbursts, things not going according to plan—all this should be taken with a grain of salt and if it escalates too far might best be totally ignored or avoided until the eclipse has passed. This is not the time to dig into interpersonal conflicts and make far-reaching decisions. All that can be handled post-eclipse when there is less reactivity.

Those with planets or their ascendant or Arudha Lagna/image point in Cancer will be more impacted by this eclipse and might benefit from protective measures such as mantra and/or puja.

The lunar eclipse will be in Aquarius with the north node Rahu. Lunar eclipses with Rahu are positive for manifesting worldly goals. This translates to doing inner work to make the outer world better—either in one’s personal sphere such as family, work, finances etc. or their larger sphere i.e. society. Prayers, mantras and plans directed carefully at these goals can bear considerable fruit.

In summary:

When in doubt, during this month (and especially in the most intense window of the eclipses):

• avoid conflict and intense emotional discussions and big decisions

• if things escalate, walk away or agree to return to the issue after the intensity has passed

• use the windows of the eclipses themselves for inner focus and spiritual practices, avoid social interaction during these times (especially during the solar eclipse) as much as possible

  • if possible, don’t go outside during the actual eclipses

• post-eclipse season (later this month) will be an excellent time to begin new things and circle back to important conversation and decision-making