Solar eclipse pits superstition against science

[Dimmauk]

Solar eclipse pits superstition against science
AFP

by Phil Hazlewood Phil Hazlewood – Sun Jul 19, 10:23 pm ET

MUMBAI (AFP) – 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."


The event -- the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century -- will be visible in a narrow corridor across north India, eastern Nepal, north Bangladesh, Bhutan and China.


Is anyone going to lose/gain their superpowers?

[Absolutely Virtue]

Great, now I have to redo all my fucking SpellCast XML.

[Mizango]

lol

Seriously, they should all just drink pesticide to avoid God forsaking them for being thieving heathens.

[Blabj]

Why are people such fucking idiots?

[Dimmauk]

Why are people such fucking idiots?

A wild Neosutra will appear now.

[Mizango]

Why are people such fucking idiots?

I've been wondering the same thing for years. But they have superstition on their side, its the perfect alibi. When it's wrong its "It can do what he wants", when its right it's "SEE! I told you".

People are genuinely fucking retarded.

[Absolutely Virtue]

Why are people such fucking idiots?

Because God works in mysterious ways.

[Joran]

Kinda like when people say all the "crazies" come out during the full moon.

[Gulkeeva]

Superstition ehhh..

I hope to gain better hentai finding abilities, or more of them maybe...?

[Alleya]

Violence and turmoil across the world?

UNHEARD OF!

I guess it's pretty easy to be a psychic if you just make predictions that will always come true no matter what.

[*Shinzon*]

As much as mythology is so cool sometimes people really need to join us in the present sometimes and stop being such pussies.

[Mizango]

Violence and turmoil across the world?

UNHEARD OF!

I guess it's pretty easy to be a psychic if you just make predictions that will always come true no matter what.

Exactly. Both Nostradamus and the author of Revelations figured that out long ago.

[Max™]

I know that you've been damaged,
Your soul has suffered such abuse...

...but I am not your savior,
I am just as fucked as you.


That's the fun part of knowing better, telling these morons "yes, we're doomed, here's a knife and instructions on how to best empty yourself of blood."

[Seraph]

Slightly higher than usual gravity pulling your mind that way

[Mizango]

Miz Quatrain 3 verse 17: There will be a fiery crash of a woman with yellow hair. The heavens will open up for this young women, under the influence she is to remain. Beware all the ides of August.


FYI If I'm right I want to go down in the annals of history.

[bigrougabagel]

Miz Quatrain 3 verse 17: There will be a fiery crash of a woman with yellow hair. The heavens will open up for this young women, under the influence she is to remain. Beware all the ides of August.


FYI If I'm right I want to go down in the annals of history.

Paris Hilton, in the Night Club, with a Lindsey Lohan. Mystery solved.

[Max™]

THIS IS JULY, NIGGA!

[Wintermute]

An article about an eclipse with no mention of a time?

The hell is that noise?

[eunhye]

Impact mark on Jupiter, 19th July 2009

Or this might happen
http://jupiter.samba.org/20090719-155537UTC.jpg

[Mizango]

Paris Hilton, in the Night Club, with a Lindsey Lohan. Mystery solved.

lol Exactly.

Impact mark on Jupiter, 19th July 2009

Or this might happen
http://jupiter.samba.org/20090719-155537UTC.jpg

No, for lots of reasons.