"Solar Eclipse 2009 July" - India, China, Indonesia, Japan, USA

On Wednesday, 2009 July 22, a total eclipse of the Sun is visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reaches 6 min 39 s. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes most of eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean.

Detailed maps of the Path of Solar eclipse Totality can be seen at NASA website - for all Indian, CHinese, Japanese cities. The PDF maps are at the bottom.

In India: The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century on July 22 will provide a rare opportunity to witness the grand cosmic spectacle for the people in west, central, east and north-east India. Considering the Earth as a whole, the eclipse will begin at 5h 28m IST when the shadow of the Moon will touch the earth at local sunrise at a point in the Arabian sea close to the western coast at Gulf of Cambay.

The eclipse will end at 10h 42m IST when the Moon's shadow finally will leave the Earth at local sunset at a point in south Pacific Ocean. At about 6h 23m IST, the central path of the eclipse will touch the Earth at sunrise at a point in the Gulf of Khmbhat in the Arabian sea near the southern coast of Gujarat.

In China: The path of the July 22 Solar eclipse in China is shown here.

Astrologically speaking, the second solar eclipse of 2009 is a total eclipse of the Sun, at the New Moon in Cancer on July 22nd. This eclipse occurs at 29°27' of Cancer, the sign of the Crab, opposing Uranus, the prehistoric sky god whose union with the Earth Mother produced life as we know it. Uranus is known for his erratic behaviour, producing outcomes that are unorthodox or unexpected.

The solar eclipse occupies the final degree of Cancer, a degree of fate, but also a degree of willpower, independence and egotism. This eclipse occurs conjunct the Fixed Stars, Procyon and Pollux, a Behenian Fixed Star in Canis Minor used anciently for magical purposes! This is on the Cancer side, but on the Leo side (as the last degree of Cancer is right next to the first degree of Leo), the eclipse is applying to the conjunction with The Aselli, a nebulous cluster in the first decan of Leo, a warning to all. The Asselli stimulate death by fever, fire, hanging, beheading, or violent catastrophe, ruin, disgrace, wounds, hurts to face, eye trouble, blindness, imprisonment and great changes in society!

Castor and Pollux are known in Indian Jyotish astrology as Punarvasu, the Return of the Light. The Moon in this asterism is considered fortunate, with strong inner resources and an ability to bounce back from difficulties. The energy is philosophical, religious, spiritual, likeable, charming and forgiving. People born under this star are inclined to be idealistic, honest and truthful, valuing family and the home. The Moon passes through Punarvasu in the leadup to the moment of greatest eclipse, then passes into nourishing Pushya, encouraging the growth of wealth, of service to others and the underprivileged. The symbolism moves from the growth-filled potential of Jupiter to the steady, structural influence of Saturn in this process. These asterisms are all located close to the ecliptic, so are occulted by the eclipse.