When humankind understood little about the workings of the sun and the planets, a host of alarmist superstitions had come to be associated with eclipses. These beliefs about the harmful effects of eclipses on food and digestion and pregnant women etc. have been around for a long time. So, there were plenty of memes flooding social media when we experienced a solar eclipse on 21 June 2020.
For just a few seconds during a complete solar eclipse, the moon covers the sun almost completely and this is the stunning sight that professionals captured for us.
While some could view the eclipse with proper precautions, some had only cloudy skies to look up at.
The moon coming between the sun and the earth casts a shadow on earth. This is the reason why so many myths about a demon/giant dog swallowing/blocking the sun came into being.
The moon blocks out the light of the sun and causes darkness in the middle of the day. This used to cause many to be very scared and upset before we understood the simple reality of this celestial occurrence.
We are all urged not to look at the sun during a solar eclipse. And yet this is the one time that many are overcome with curiosity and have a strong urge to look at the sun.
This is true. Scientists urge us not to look at a solar eclipse with bare eyes.
Looking at the eclipse with bare eyes is known to cause permanent damage and even blindness in some cases.
Projectors, eclipse glasses and specially designed solar filters can be used to watch an eclipse safely.
One widely believed practice has to do with eating and cooking food during an eclipse. It is widely a propagated myth that food will spoil faster and that one must not cook or eat during an eclipse.
Though some of our elders and some well-known Godmen are known to propagate the myth that food turns poisonous during an eclipse, scientists have debunked these claims.
If someone’s illness or death coincides with the eclipse, chances are that this distant celestial alignment will be blamed for it.
There is a special list of dos and don'ts for pregnant women during an eclipse. Apparently all manner of misfortune will befall her unborn child and her if she doesn’t observe strictures during an eclipse.
There are many who claim not to really believe the superstition but follow them anyway. They claim that they don’t want to take any chances ---- it is what in law is known as ‘abundant caution’.
Some parents anyway have a problem with their kids waking up late – the eclipse is just one more reason to express their disapproval.
The ritual bath after the end of the solar eclipse is supposed to cleanse the body --- again, because why take any chances.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
