Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result
of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a
sign of potential doom.
But astronomers, scientists and secularists are trying to play down claims of evil
portent in connection with Wednesday's natural spectacle, when the moon will come
between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun.
In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun
during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become
inedible and water undrinkable.
Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors to prevent their babies developing birth
defects, while prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are
encouraged.
Shivani Sachdev Gour, a gynaecologist at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, said a
number of expectant mothers scheduled for caesarian deliveries on July 22 had asked
to change the date.
"This is a belief deeply rooted in Indian society. Couples are willing to do
anything to ensure that the baby is not born on that day," Gour said.
Astrologers have predicted a rise in communal and regional violence in the days
following the eclipse, particularly in India, China and other Southeast Asian
nations where it can be seen on Wednesday morning.
Mumbai astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma predicted "some sort of attack by (Kashmiri
separatists) Jaish-e-Mohammad or Al-Qaeda on Indian soil" and a devastating natural
disaster in Southeast Asia.
An Indian political leader could be killed, he said, and tension between the West
and Iran is likely to increase, escalating into possible US military action after
September 9, when fiery Saturn moves from Leo into Virgo.
"The last 200 years, whenever Saturn has gone into Virgo there has been either a
world war or a mini world war," he told AFP.
It is not just in India that some are uneasy about what will transpire because of
the eclipse.
In ancient China they were often associated with disasters, the death of an emperor
or other dark events, and similar superstitions persist.
"The probability for unrest or war to take place in years when a solar eclipse
happens is 95 percent," announced an article that attracted a lot of hits on the
popular Chinese web portal Baidu.com.
Sanal Edamaruku, president of the Indian Rationalist Association, dismissed such
doomsday predictions.
"Primarily, what we see with all these soothsayers and astrologers is that they're
looking for opportunities to enhance their business with predictions of danger and
calamity," he told AFP.
"They have been very powerful in India but over the last decade they have been in
systematic decline."
Astronomers and scientists are also working to educate the public about the eclipse.
Travel firm Cox and Kings has chartered a Boeing 737-700 aircraft to give people the
chance to see the eclipse from 41,000 feet (12,500 metres).
Experts will be on board to explain it to passengers, some of whom have paid 79,000
rupees (1,600 dollars) for a "sun-side" seat on the three-hour flight from New
Delhi.
The eclipse's shadow is expected to pass over the aircraft at 15 times the speed of
sound (Mach 15), said Ajay Talwar, president of the SPACE Group of companies that
promotes science and astronomy.
"It's coming in the middle of the monsoon season. On the ground, there's a 40
percent chance of seeing it in India. On the aircraft you have almost a 90 percent
chance of seeing the eclipse," he added.
Siva Prasad Tata, who runs the Astro Jyoti website, straddles the two worlds.
"There's no need to get too alarmed about the eclipse, they are a natural
phenomenon," the astrologer told AFP.
But he added: "During the period of the eclipse, the opposite attracting forces are
very, very powerful. From a spiritual point of view, this is a wonderful time to do
any type of worship.
"It will bring about good results, much more than on an ordinary day."

i want to go see 2012 so bad.

The planetary line up on December 21, 2012 will be a spectacular event, not the end of the world as the movie depicts.

yep,humanity has come a long way since the days of sun worshipping.Ra is angry.........we need a virgin quick!

Oh no the end of the world is near, kill all the children born and turn 10 times clockwise or you'll be dammed to eternal suffering

Ah man! I wish we could 'see' it!

I remember one when I was in like 5th or 6th grade!

Superstition will be the doom of human civilization one day, not the planets positions in the universe.

On December 21st I will enjoy a nice cup of coffee and some tiramisu.

Are you sharing?

I am going to seal myself in an underground bunker on the day of the eclipse

Absolutely

cream with that coffee?

Yep, cream only, please!

We don't need an eclipse for violence and turmoil.

Just read the paper.

Reckon they must have started early... Like a few thousand years ago. Violence and turmoil are a daily part of human life on this lopsided ball of dirt and water.

good point

Something will happen on that BIG day,Over a million people will say "Crap!Im still here".

i used to tease my ex about that date because it just happens to be her birthday. i said the world will end when she gets a crappy present and flips out . she's pretty high-maintenance

Solar eclipses have happened before, and they'll happen again. Why is THIS one so special?



I think it'll be a pretty cool day, and am pretty excited to see what, if anything, happens, and how it'll all effect us. But I think it's pretty damned cool that they were able to predict something that we only know now because of our advanced science. I mean, that's pretty damned cool, no matter what.

2012----------Reptoid Invasion

yes and this is my birthday and that day is when the Mayan longcount(calander)ended. They predicted the end of the world on that day centuries ago. Scary!

ILL RUN THEM OVER WITH MY TRACTORS.......THOSE ALLIENS DONT KNOW ABOUT TRACTORS..........

they went into a lot of detail on that in some of my highschool and college courses but i never worried because i can't trust a calender that doesn't have a bikini-clad woman on it.