Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Tejaswini

We recently witnessed a solar eclipse of 14^th Oct 2023 (post here), this was on the Mahalaya Amavasya also called the Sarvapitri Amavasya, in the month of Bhadrapad.

Now another eclipse event is coming up on Ashwin Purnima, the late night of 28^th and post midnight 29^th Oct 2023. The lunar disc is going to be be partially obscured by the shadow of the earth (Khandagras chandra grahan). The effects of the lunar eclipse last for as many months as many hours it is visible Eg. The umbral/ partial eclipse will be visible for about 1hr and 17mins in New Delhi, thus the major effects of this lunar eclipse will fade over the next one month or so for the people living in Delhi..

• For lunar eclipses only the umbral phase is considered to be the actual eclipse.
• People who live in areas which witness just the penumbral shadowing and not the umbral eclipse do not have to do any mantra etc.

This map from timeanddate.com shows both the penumbral shadowing and umbral/partial eclipse. The partial / umbral eclipse is visible in all the areas which are colored the darker pink/blue shade in the map. The lighter pink/blue coloured band will witness only the penumbral shadow not the eclipse. And the white/light blue coloured land/seas will neither witness the umbral eclipse nor the penumbral shadow.

The north and south American continents including USA are not much affected by this lunar eclipse, they have to deal with the fallout of the recent solar eclipse. USA has seen the highest solar eclipse energy hit and will see a political/financial crisis and possibly a leadership change soon. Now, entire Africa and Asia (Europe not a continent but a region within Asia) and some parts of Australia will witness the partial lunar eclipse. The entire globe has received heavy eclipse energies in this October 2023.

Do input your city location on that site to get the actual umbral/partial eclipse timings. Puja and remedial activities are required only if your city witnesses the umbral part of the eclipse. The duration of the pujas is also the same as the umbral eclipse time. Eg for New Delhi the umbral lunar eclipse is visible from 01:06 am to 02:22am on 29^th Oct 2023.

This lunar eclipse is for a shorter duration and only 6% of the lunar disc is going to be obscured. But as it comes on the heels of a major total solar eclipse, it has the potential to further push forward whatever the 14^th Oct solar eclipse has started.

The Ashwin Purnima is also called the Kojagiri Purnima. The Moon is ‘closest’ to the earth, ie the intensity of his rays/rashmi are very strong. Ashwin month is the month of the Devi, the highest peak of the lunar energy (the Sun is debilitated in Libra). The Navratri in Ashwin month is bursting with the energy of the Devi and this Purnima is her special night. Devi Laxmi is said to walk on the earth on this night. On this night we do not sleep but sit under the moonlight and do puja, mantra jaap, Dhyan etc. The Moon (Devi Laxmi is his sister, Chandrasahodari) has to be offered a specific naivedyam of a milk preparation (eg Basundi in Marathi). The milk, with spices and sugar, is boiled over a wood fire under the moonlight and had as a prasadam. However this year all these Kojagiri pujas will not be possible in the places where the eclipse is visible.

First the planetary positions at the eclipse,

• Aries – Rahu and Moon in Ashwini (main eclipse energy). Jupiter in Bharani.
• Leo – Venus in Poorvaphalguni.
• Libra – Ketu in Chitra. Sun, Mars and Mercury in Svati.
• Aquarius – Saturn in Dhanishtha

The eclipse is in Aries. There are 7 planets participating in the eclipse. The regular 4 are Sun, Moon, Rahu and Ketu. Mercury and Mars are combust and uncomfortable with the Sun and Ketu in Libra. Also Mars and Mercury are exactly conjunct. Jupiter is at 15deg from Rahu but closer to the Moon.

Venus in Leo is not connected to the eclipse as such but being in Leo he is affected by the behaviour of the Sun. Venus and Sun have temporarily exchanged houses but as they are mutual enemies this exchange is not very favourable. Sun in close company of Ketu, Mars, Mercury is not doing so well in Libra and that will affect Venus in Leo too. Sun who is exalted in Ashwini nakshatra, is currently debilitated in Libra. Mars the owner of Aries is combust in Libra. Ketu, who is linked to Ashwini is also in Libra. The Aries Libra axis is channeling very high levels of energy right now.

Saturn is not connected to this eclipse in any way.

Among the signs, Aries will see the highest energy surge, followed by Libra. As Rahu/ Ketu are on the verge of entering the Pisces/ Virgo axis, this eclipse will send large amounts of energy through these two signs too. Gemini and Sagittarius can positively benefit from the eclipse energy. Capricorn and Aquarius are not much affected. And the remaining signs will see some basic turbulence.

Rahu Ketu are almost stationary in the 0-1^st deg of Aries/Libra for about 1month now. They will be reversing direction and also going forward for a bit. All this has extended their stay in Aries/Libra. It should have been 18 months in one sign but it is almost 20 months this time.

Ashwini is linked to Ketu. It is ruled by the celestial twin physicians, the Ashwini Kumars. They are the sons of Bhagwan Surya (sun) and his wife Devi Sanjana (dawn).

Rahu is doing the eclipse while sitting in a nakshatra linked to Ketu so the intensity will be more. For the nations, the situation will unfold as per the ‘national birth chart’. And for individuals the results will vary as per the power of their birth charts. But the overall energy will be something like this.

People will get impatient, aggressive and unwilling to listen to reason or diplomacy.  Overconfidence and actions without proper preparation. All activities which require planning or patience will not give desired results in this time frame. There is a greater chance of leaving projects mid-way or unfinished as restlessness will increase. Finer feelings, refinement, elegance etc will be conspicuous by their absence. Selfishness will increase. There will be issues in partnerships in personal life or in business. Legal issues can crop up and negotiations might fail. Medicine will get more expensive. Medical professionals will be overworked and chances of misdiagnosis are possible. Medical issues related to the vaata dosh are possible. Avoid self-medication or intoxicants or addictive substances in this time.

This lunar eclipse is by Rahu so the actions that it triggers will be more connected to human behaviour and desires which eventually will take on a karmic turn. Keep a firm control over your mind (Manas) in this time frame. Use your basic common sense, do not interfere in matters not connected to you so that you do not get blamed when things go wrong. Stick to the Dharmic course of action as far as possible. Avoid ‘time pass’ activities, reduce the time you waste on social media and scrolling through apps. Do not gossip and waste your time meeting useless people in non productive activities. If you are in a dasha period of Rahu or Ketu then the effects of the eclipse will be more. Observe the trends in your life and act rationally.

But if you have Rahu or Ketu as yogkarak in your birth chart, then you have an opportunity to use these energies for growth. In this time frame, ie in the 1-2  months after the eclipse you might get typical insights into the working of the universe, occult experiences, any pujas/ mantra which you have done/doing will give the desired benefits. You will learn/ understand some new things which will change you forever. There will be gains on the spiritual, occult and the material too depending on your chart. You will be able to use these rejuvenating energies to reinvent yourself in an extraordinary manner. The Krishna paksha of the Ashwin month, ie the time from the Kojagiri Purnima to the Deepavali Amavasya can be especially fruitful for you.

On the global level, the ongoing wars will continue. There will be lots of posturing and all contested boundaries will see tension. This can be a result of impulsiveness of the national leaders, stubbornness, foolishness or overestimation of their capabilities. All nations are now arming themselves and expenditure on defence will only increase. In the one month before and after a lunar eclipse, there is a chance of disasters linked to water/liquids and weather disturbances.

The intensity of this eclipse is more because of the number of planets involved in it. All these planets will channelise this eclipse energy to some extent. The following predictions are as per your birth Moon sign. But if your ascendant sign is strong (eg use ashtakvarga) then you can blend the results for these two signs.

Aries – average to bad. Unexpected stressful events are possible. Health needs attention. Separation from loved ones, permanent or temporary, will happen depending on the birth chart. Avoid any major decisions especially financial ones in this time, there is a chance of being cheated. This is a turbulent time for you so be prepared.

Taurus – average but can go negative if you do not pay attention to your health. Emotional suffering and physical health can be an issue. Avoid alcohol and other additive habits. Monetary losses are possible so best be alert. You will feel restless, tired and unable to perform in office or at home.

Gemini – average to good. You can plan long term investments in this time. Unexpected opportunities can turn up, choose well. Do pujas of your Kuldevata/ Ishtadevata, this will add to your luck. Keep a note of your dreams as you might get some messages in your sleep/Dhyan state.

Cancer – average but fights in the family and separations or final partings are possible. This can be a testing time on the mental level as you might be shown enticing illusions. (Jupiter and Rahu are with your Moon). Do not get into unethical activities how much ever they seem promising. Act if you are sure about the Dharma as such Dharmic actions can bring some long awaited positivity. There is a possibility of being cheated in the professional front.

Leo – average but you have to control your ego. Your Sun has combusted Mars and Mercury and is with Ketu. All this fiery energy with supporting logic and intellect. Use this energy productively else it can overwhelm you. Pay attention to your work especially the small things which can go wrong. (Especially for Leo ascendant, if you have a strong birth chart then you can use the combination of your Lagnesh Sun and Yogesh Mars in an intelligent way/Mercury, to get unexpected luck/Ketu. Use your instinct, your intelligence, your personality and your environment to make the most of this time frame.)

Virgo – average to bad. You will argue with your family/ friends and some genuine well wishers/ loved ones can go out of your life forever. Failed relationships can lead to depression. Health can be an issue as the Ketu on the verge of entering Virgo can trigger unknown ailments on the physical/astral levels. Legal battles can start.

Libra – average but can go negative as you have a severe overdose of fiery energy right now. Arguments can spoil your projects. You will be burdened with additional work. Partners will not offer expected support. Libra has a deep rooted need for fairness so when placed in unbalanced situations you get intense and lose control over your mind/actions. And this will lead to long term implications.

Scorpio – average to bad. Your parents, spouse and children will need your attention. Do not unnecessarily trust your subordinates, servants or staff in this time frame. You might be required to pay back your past debts, money or favors owed, and this will put you in an uncomfortable position.

Sagittarius – average to good. Try to avoid ego fuelled arguments at home, hurting your loved ones will eventually cause you misery. However there is a chance of some profitable new investments or job offers or promotions in this time so keep an eye out.

Capricorn – average. Your home life may get disrupted eg sudden repairs of the residence or meaningless arguments in the family. But as your lord Saturn is not involved in the eclipse energy this eclipse is not very disruptive for you. Try to keep calm.

Aquarius – average. You might be feel more confident about yourself in the office. Use this time to complete any pending projects or some ambitious projects, or investments may come your way. Saturn is not directly involved in this eclipse so this energy will not affect you much.

Pisces – average but if your birth chart is not supportive then unexpected increase in expenses is possible. If it is supportive then there is a chance of unexpected increase in wealth, some financial opportunities can come up, however do use your common sense while acting on these. Your family members may suddenly support but try to understand their motivations before trusting them.

Channelizing these heavy energies requires that people follow the rules related to the eclipse pujas. Remedies are two, either try to channelise the extra energies or give away this excess energy which has the potential to unbalance you. For this Maharishi Parashar has prescribed Daan and Mantra.

Daan is giving away the excess to an Intelligence capable of absorbing it, ie your adored deity, the flowing rivers or the ocean. As the eclipse is at night, you can keep the items aside and in the morning offer them to the temple/running water.

Mantra is doing pujas, homa, mantra jaap etc of the vedic mantra, eg Gayatri mantra, Mahamrytyunjai mantra, etc. You can also read books written by genuine Gurus, eg Ramayan, Mahabharat, Bhagwat Gita, books by Adi Shankaracharya or books which are written by such realised Sat Gurus in any Bharatiya language. Or you can recite bhajans written by such Atmajnyani Mahapurush in your favoured language, (eg Marathi Abhangs). Try to stay awake during the duration of the eclipse visible at your city and do some thing to channelise the energy flowing. (Small children and the aged or ill people can rest. But their parents, loved ones who are awake should pray for them too.) I have written a post here on pujas during eclipses.