2 Eclipses in July

This is a special edition of my newsletter focused on the upcoming two eclipse. Eclipses are generally not a good time to start something new, but are great for spiritual endeavors. This is especially true for the 3 days before and after an eclipse, and is also true regardless on whether you can see them or not. In addition to this, eclipses can affect certain individuals for up to 6 months if the eclipse happens to take place over one of the person’s birth / natal planets. To learn more about eclipses, please click here. 
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The first eclipse’s maximum point is on July 3rd, 5:23AM AEST (July 2nd 12:23PM PST in the US). This is a total solar eclipse, visible only in parts of South America:

The eclipse takes place in a Nakshatra (constellation) called Ardra. Ardra is ruled by Rudra, the lord of tears, and is symbolized by a teardrop. During this time, you might feel more emotional. Rudra is the universe's first divine physician, and so this combined with the previously mentioned emotional symbolism makes it a good time to reflect on our internal emotions, let go, and heal. If you don't already have a meditation practice, this is a good time to experiment with a Shiva mantra like Om Namah Shivaya - Rudra is the ancient form of Shiva. 

Ardra means "the moist one" and so is also related to water. Because eclipses disrupt the material energies related to the constellation it is in, there may be some unusual weather patterns like floods or droughts occurring in South America over the next 6 months. The areas most likely to be affected are Chile and Argentina, as the solar eclipse is fully visible in both countries. 

The second eclipse’s maximum point is at July 17th, 7:31AM AEST (July 16th 2:31PM PST in the US). This is a partial lunar eclipse, visible to most of the world except for most of North America:

The eclipse takes place in a Nakshatra (constellation) called Uttara Ashadha. This constellation is symbolized by the tusk of an elephant, and thus makes it related to Ganesha, the elephant headed God who removes obstacles. In the Vedic system, the start of any endeavor, whether material or spiritual, begins with Ganesha. 

There is a story about this. Once upon a time, all the higher beings in the universe were competing on who could ride around the universe fastest. All the Gods had their mighty mounts ready - Indra ascended his powerful elephant, Murugan took his place on his magnificent peacock, Ganesha sat on his mouse, etc. Well, after Shiva said "ready, set, go!", all the Gods took off and left poor Ganesha on his mouse. Ganesha realized he couldn't catch up, and so he went to his mother Parvati for some company. As he was walking towards her, Shiva said "the boy's got it!" ​

Ganesha didn't get it initially, but after thinking about it for a while, he rode around his mother and told her she was the entire universe. Because Parvati is the embodiment of Shakti, the universe's divine energy, she is the universe personified. By the way, we have this same energy (and the entire universe!) in the Kundalini energy in our spine. 

As a prize, Shiva said that every Vedic ceremony will begin with Ganesha. So back to the eclipse - because this eclipse will disrupt the energy in Uttara Ashadha, it makes the 3 days before and after July 17th especially bad for starting anything new. It is however a good time to meditate and release internal blocks in your physical and astral body, and let go of things that cause obstacles in your life. If you don't already have a meditation practice, this is a good time to experiment with a Ganesha mantra like Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha.