elixirsoo
20-07-2009, 04:00 PM
Solar eclipse pits superstition against science
By Phil Hazlewood (AFP) – 11 hours ago
MUMBAI — 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. Source (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iJ9tZh4R3FEusQ1C_UQ7jxAyAU4g)
An Op-Ed contributor (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/opinion/21iht-eddas.html) at the New York Times says: "For every person who is in the grip of eclipse fever, there is some Indian in whom the event is stirring an old superstition. Many among India’s 850 million Hindus still believe that a solar eclipse is a triumph of evil over good, that Rahu the demon gobbles up Surya the Sun god."
When I first read this I began to think about the power of consciousness and how the fear of so many could affect our world...The eclipse will also coincide with the effects of a high speed solar wind, which probably won't help matters.
Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet for the next 24 to 36 hours. The effects of a high speed solar wind stream are due on July 21-22. Unsettled to active conditions should prevail during that interval. Source (http://solarcycle24.com/)
By Phil Hazlewood (AFP) – 11 hours ago
MUMBAI — 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. Source (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iJ9tZh4R3FEusQ1C_UQ7jxAyAU4g)
An Op-Ed contributor (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/opinion/21iht-eddas.html) at the New York Times says: "For every person who is in the grip of eclipse fever, there is some Indian in whom the event is stirring an old superstition. Many among India’s 850 million Hindus still believe that a solar eclipse is a triumph of evil over good, that Rahu the demon gobbles up Surya the Sun god."
When I first read this I began to think about the power of consciousness and how the fear of so many could affect our world...The eclipse will also coincide with the effects of a high speed solar wind, which probably won't help matters.
Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet for the next 24 to 36 hours. The effects of a high speed solar wind stream are due on July 21-22. Unsettled to active conditions should prevail during that interval. Source (http://solarcycle24.com/)