Total Eclipe of the Sun

Tourists, astronomers and residents across a large swath of Asia turned their eyes to the heavens today as the longest eclipse of the 21st century arrived.
The phenomenon began at dawn over the western coast of India, passing over Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi and Patna, Nasa said. It moved east across Nepal, Burma, Bangladesh and Bhutan and then along China's Yangtze river valley, home to 300 million.
For those who have witnessed this natural phenomenon, there must have been a million or more thoughts rushing through their minds. Depending on your culture, background, eductation etc. you may have thought that this was simply a fascinating experience or a prophecy of impending devastation

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 today'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.
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.
In ancient China this natural phenomenon was 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.

The total eclipse of the sun is found to be the underlying principle of the ancient Egyptian creation myths

Vedic astrologer Siva Prasad Tata, who runs the Astro Jyoti website, tells us there is nothing to fear!

Who are we to believe?

What do you think this phenomena means to the immediate future of our lives?

For those of you who would like to check out how this eclipse will affect your life go to
Total Solar Eclipse July 22, 2009: Predictions for all 12 zodiac signs

View the NASA Eclipse website if you're interested