The Eclipse season is back and it starts with a partial Lunar Eclipse in Krittika nakshatra on Nov 19, 2021. This lunar eclipse also marks the celebration of Karthigai Deepam!

The Lunar Eclipse is a powerful time for meditation, contemplation, prayer, mantra chanting, Japa (mantra repetition) and other spiritual practices. It is wise to avoid materialistic pursuits at this time, and instead to look within and connect with your spiritual self.

This is not a favorable time to make important decisions about things such as job changes, marriage, moving home, high-value purchases or investments. Be aware that your emotions may fluctuate during this time.

Timing

New York – 19 November, 2021 01:02 am to 07:03 am & Visibility – Yes

London – 19 November, 2021 06:02 am to 12:03 pm & Visibility – Yes

Mumbai – 19 November, 2021 11:32 am to 05:33 pm & Visibility – No

For local timings and visibility download the Cosmic Insights app

Exalted Full Moon Eclipse in Krittika Nakshatra

Krittika nakshatra is often called the “cutting star” as the symbol of this star is a sharp object, like a knife or a dagger. This Nakshatra is ruled by the planet Sun and spans across the sign of Aries and Taurus.

The Krittika lunar mansion appears as a group of 6 stars more commonly known as the Pleiades (Kritika in Sanskrit) and refer to the 6 mothers that cared for Lord Kartikeya or Skanda, the warrior God and so of Shiva (the destroyer), connected to the planet Mars.

The Story of Krittika Nakshatra

It is believed that Lord Shiva created Lord Kartikeya from his 3rd eye of six primary faces (Tatpurusam, Aghoram, Sadyojatam, Vamadevam, Eesanam and Adhomukam). It is believed that the six forms were made into six children and each of them were brought up by the six celestial nymphs and later merged into one by his mother, Parvati.

As the six nymphs helped in bringing up the child, Lord Shiva blessed them with immortality as ever living stars in the sky known as the Pleiades. It is said that honoring these six stars is equal to honoring Lord Kartikeya himself.

Do’s and Dont’s

Guidelines

  1. Avoid looking at the moon.
  2. Do not commit to taking on a new project during these times.
  3. Take a shower before and after the eclipse, and avoid showering or bathing during the eclipse itself.
  4. It is best to fast during the time of the eclipse.
  5. Do not eat food that has been exposed to the eclipse – please cook fresh food after the eclipse.
  6. Chant ‘Vishnu, Vishnu, Vishnu’ before you drink or eat anything. You can make this a daily habit.
  7. Do not commence any new projects during this time.
  8. Avoid power struggles during this time. Be patient and let time be the healer. Do not react to situations immediately – ensure you pause and think it through.

Rituals and Remedies

For personalized rituals and mantras that you can chant based on your own birth chart, please download the align27 app.

Here are some generic rituals you can do.

  1. Agni is the deity of this nakshatra and denotes purifying energy, we may experience this purifying energy at many levels during this entire Eclipse season. Agni is also the carrier of our desires, so we can use its energy for inner work and spiritual practices, which when done during this Eclipse season can bring us additional benefits. You can chant the Agni mantra 108 times to align – “Aum Agnaye Namah” 108 times.
  2. One of the attributes of this Kritikka nakshatra is being direct and harsh (unintentional) while communicating with people, be aware of this and make sure to keep things simple  during this time.
  3. Kritikka nakshatra is extremely special and powerful for mantra chanting and combined with the Eclipse it’s a great opportunity to benefit from this. Chanting the 5000-year-old Savitur Gayatri mantra “Om bhur bhuvah svah, tat savitur varenyam, bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyo yonah prachodayat” is especially effective during this time.
  4. Offer white flowers to the divine as Kritikka nakshaytra is where the Moon is exalted and the color white is associated with the Moon.
  5. The power, or “shakti”, of Kritikka nakshatra is Dahana Shakti (the power to burn and purify), so, be open to purification on all levels; physical, mental and the soul.
  6. For those who have had challenging relationships you can honor Lord Kartikeya during this time, as Aries is ruled by Mars (masculine energy) and Taurus is ruled by Venus (Feminine energy) and Kritikka nakshatra connects them both. You can also do this ritual if you are searching for your life partner.
  7. Kritikka Nakshatra falls in both Aries (ruled by Mars – the significator of loans and debts) and Taurus (ruled by Venus – significator of wealth), so, if you have any outstanding debts or loans hanging over your head, then this is a great day to relieve yourself of that burden, even if only by a small amount. It is believed that any repayment, no matter how humble, will catalyze a quick settlement of the debt or loan in full, thanks to the unique energetic imprint of the day.
  8. Chant ‘Aum Namah Shivaya’ as many times as you can, starting today. Chanting this mantra during the time of the eclipse is extremely powerful.
  9. Honor Lord Dattareya, the form of the Guru who is honored during Lunar Eclipses with this mantra 108 times: “Aum Namo Bhagavate Dattatreyaya”.
  10. Recite, listen to, or meditate on Ganesha Atharvashirsha everyday. This Sanskrit chant is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles.
  11. Chant the Durga Mantra, ‘Aum Dum Durgaye Namaha 108 times. The Sanskrit meaning for Durga is a place that is protected and cannot be reached by evil forces. Durga also means invincible, unbeatable and undefeated.
  12. Meditation – This is extremely important and it will help you move ahead in difficult and tough situations.
  13. Honor your ancestors – Be grateful to them, connect with or pray for them and seek their blessings and help.
  14. Donate – Donation done during the eclipse time is extremely powerful and beneficial, so help others as much as you can, without expecting anything in return.
  15. Align with the powers of the Vishnu Sahasranama through meditative listening. Vishnu Sahasranama is a profound chant that lists all 1,000 names of Vishnu (The Preserver) and has the power to invite prosperity into your life, helping you attain personal and professional goals toward happiness and contentment.
  16. Listen to Sri Rudram, the vedic chant that honors Lord Rudra who is a form of Lord Shiva, the Renewer. You can recite it or just listen and meditate on it.
  17. If possible, avoid going out during an eclipse, but if it can’t be avoided then listen to Margabandhu Stotram – the Sanskrit hymn honoring Lord Shiva – for protection.

Personal Relevance

  1. Check if you have any planets in Taurus and Scorpio, if you do, then check their lordships and conjunctions to make sense of what you can expect during this time.
  2. If you have your natal Rahu and Ketu in the Taurus/Scorpio axis then this is a nodal return for you. Please be patient and do not rush into things during this eclipse season.
  3. Check if you are going through Dasha/Antar dasha of either Sun, Moon, Rahu, Ketu or any planet that is in Marana Karaka Sthana
  4. Check the Ashtakavarga scores of the signs where Taurus, Scorpio falls in your chart.
  5. Check the position of transit Jupiter in your chart for more clues.
  6. Use the Nadi Nakshatras or Detailed Tarabala Table to see where Krittika nakshatra occurs in your chart and what does that signify. For example if you have Krittika as your Karma nakshatra then you may have to be careful with the work/job you are doing.