A solar eclipse is an event in which the moon passes between the sun and the earth, blocking out all or part of the sun’s light and casting a shadow on the earth.
Already four years have passed since last time I observed Total Solar Eclipse on 29th March 2006 in Egypt. That time we observed it in Al Salloum desert, which was spectacular.
We were very lucky we were able to see the Sun in the desert. It has rained just a day before our arrived. Can you imaging rain in the desert!? It didn’t rain here for a really long time, but it rained so much that we could see the ponds all over. The mist in the morning was scaring us that we won’t be able to see the sun. Luckily in the end all worked out really well.
I am not overall superstitious, but I have to mention that I’ve heard not to eat during eclipse, but I forgot and ended up eating breakfast in the bust just in the beginning of the eclipse. It was me and another guy as everyone else have started observing the Sun. So interestingly enough a week after I got back from Egypt in just a sequence of a week I’ve lost my photo camera, then two days after I’ve missed a flight to Copenhagen (due to schedule change which I was not aware of) and then after two days I’ve got a burglary in my flat – loss of 8k Lt (~£ 2k). The other guy who was eating had also a burglary and broke his neck (luckily survived!) a week after the trip. Interestingly enough, exactly a year after the eclipse at almost exact time I felt a strange twitch in my head. When I looked at my watch it was the time of the eclipse exactly a year after. Another interesting fact, that 9 months after the Eclipse when I was travelling in Japan and tried the fortune, it was so always so negative, saying I need to lock myself inside, stop all travels and just wait for it to pass. Weird no?
A lot of cultures have various superstitions about the Solar Eclipse. In India many believe that eating food cooked prior solar eclipse can be poisonous and lead to meany diseases or in general unpure.
Solar eclipses have been viewed for thousands of years as a sign of potential calamity and a curse from the heavens. For centuries, people have associated the occurrence of a solar eclipse with a variety of negative superstitions and beliefs. These beliefs have been deeply rooted in some cultures, leading to fear and superstitious behaviour surrounding these events.
Another superstition associated with solar eclipses was that it can cause physical deformity and mental illness in those who witness it. It was believed that the intense light of the sun during an eclipse can cause blindness or other illnesses. People have also believed that the light of an eclipse can harm unborn babies, leading to them being born with physical deformities or mental abnormalities.
In some cultures, solar eclipses are seen as a sign of impending death or destruction. People viewed an eclipse as a sign that a ruler or leader is about to die or suffer a great misfortune. In certain parts of the world, solar eclipses was seen as a warning of an impending natural disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami. Many of the cultures viewed Solar Eclipse as animals or demons trying to eat the sun.
The earliest word in China for Eclipse literally meant “to eat”. In Chinese superstition, a solar eclipse is believed to be a sign of bad luck and is associated with death and destruction. According to ancient Chinese mythology, a solar eclipse occurs when a mythical dragon devours the Sun. Many ancient Chinese believed that the dragon was a sign of impending disaster, so they would pray and make offerings to the dragon to ward off the bad luck. They also believed that a solar eclipse could be a sign of important events, such as the death of an emperor or a battle between two armies.
In ancient Greece, a solar eclipse was considered to be an ill omen and a sign of impending doom. It was believed that a solar eclipse was a sign that the gods were angry and were trying to warn the people of some upcoming disaster. Solar eclipses were often seen as a sign of a coming war, famine, or plague. People would offer prayers, sacrifices, and gifts to the gods in an attempt to placate them and avert disaster.
Celts believed that a solar eclipse was a bad omen, as it was seen as a sign of the gods being angry. In ancient times, Celts would offer sacrifices to appease the gods during an eclipse. Additionally, they would make as much noise as possible to scare away any malevolent spirits that might be causing the eclipse. In some parts of Britain and Ireland, bonfires were lit to ward off evil. The Celts believed that a solar eclipse was a sign of a new beginning and could bring about positive change.
Native Americans believed that solar eclipses were a sign of bad luck and were seen as a sign of impending doom. They believed that a solar eclipse was a sign that the gods were angry and that something bad was about to happen. They believed that the gods were sending a message to them and that they needed to take precautions to protect themselves from whatever was about to happen. Many tribes would hold ceremonies and rituals to appease and honor the gods during a solar eclipse. They would offer gifts and prayers in hopes that the gods would be appeased and that the bad luck would pass quickly. Many Native American tribes also saw a solar eclipse as a sign of renewal and the opportunity for a new start. In some cultures, a solar eclipse is seen as a portent of the future.
In Hinduism, a solar eclipse is believed to be a bad omen and is sometimes referred to as Rahu Kaal, or “demon’s hour”. It is believed that during a solar eclipse, the negative energies of the demons are stronger and more powerful, and have the ability to create chaos and confusion. According to Hindu belief, it is important to observe certain rituals and customs during a solar eclipse in order to ward off the negative energies of the demons. These rituals include fasting, abstaining from any type of physical activity, chanting mantras and prayers, performing certain puja offerings, and performing a homa (fire ritual). Even today, many people in India believe that eating food cooked prior solar eclipse is unpure and can lead to many diseases.
The ancient Egyptians had a number of superstitions regarding solar eclipses. It was believed that during an eclipse the Sun God Ra was being attacked by an evil force. The priests would pray and make sacrifices to appease the gods and ward off the bad omens associated with an eclipse. It was also thought that a solar eclipse could be a warning of impending death for a ruler or a sign that a new ruler would take the throne. In some cases, a solar eclipse was thought to be a sign of the end of the world. Additionally, many people believed that looking directly at the Eclipse could cause blindness, so they would cover up their eyes.
Aztec people believed that the sun was a powerful deity and the lunar eclipse was a sign of danger. According to Aztec mythology, solar eclipses were interpreted as a sign of anger and wrath from the sun god, Huitzilopochtli. The Aztecs believed that Huitzilopochtli was angry because the people had angered him by not performing enough sacrifices to honor and appease him. As a result, the Aztecs believed that it was their responsibility to perform offerings and rituals to appease the sun god and end the solar eclipse. These offerings typically consisted of burning incense, animal sacrifices, and offerings of food, water and wine.
The Batammaliba people, an ethnic group in West Africa, have a deep reverence for the sun and the moon. As such, they have a strong superstition surrounding the solar eclipse. According to their beliefs, the sun and the moon are in a battle for supremacy, and the eclipse is caused when the moon covers the sun, due to human anger and fighting occasionally spreading to the heavens. The Batammaliba people believe that during this time, the sun may be in danger and they need to do something to protect it. In order to protect the sun, they will build a fire and make loud noises to scare away the moon. They also believe that during a solar eclipse, it is bad luck to eat, bathe, or do any other work. Instead, they will spend the day praying and doing spiritual activities to keep the sun safe. To them it was a perfect opportunity to come together and encourage peace, give gifts to each together and seek for resolution to disputes.
To summarise these superstitions are seen in various of the cultures:
1. Do not touch infants, pregnant women, and elderly people during a solar eclipse.
2. Do not look directly at the eclipse.
3. Do not go outside during the eclipse.
4. Recite mantras or holy words throughout the eclipse.
5. Do not eat during the eclipse.
6. Do not sleep during the eclipse.
7. Take a ritual bath after the eclipse.
8. Avoid cooking or having any fire during the eclipse.
9. Avoid any new beginnings such as starting a new business or buying new things.
10. Hang a lemon in the house during the eclipse.
Here is my photo of that Eclipse with a diamond on the sun!