So then it's true

The 22nd of July witnessed a rare celestial event. There was a total solar eclipse visible in many Asian countries including China and India. It is a spectacular natural phenomenon and so many nature and science lovers travel to remote locations to observe one. Zillions gathered in Varanasi to catch a glimpse of it. I caught a breathtaking view on TV as the intensely bright sun got replaced by the silhouette of the moon. They said it won't happen again for another 105 years. This was a rather significant eclipse since it lasted 5 times in duration as compared to a regular solar eclipse.

In ancient times solar eclipses were attributed to supernatural causes. Total solar eclipses can be frightening for people who are unaware of their astronomical explanation, as the Sun seems to disappear in the middle of the day and the sky darkens in a matter of minutes. Asian countries always attach the angle of astrology to eclipses. Typically, the belief is that eclipses bring some adverse effects in the area that it happens. The general rule of thumb is that it is better to do charity on this day and especially indulge in free distribution of food after the eclipse is over which relieves people of their sins of the present and the previous births. All the others should continuously chant a name of their favorite god, which would give manifold effect. The idea is to pray for the blessings of ancestors who've left the earth. If you happen to be in India around that time, you’d get countless other forms of unsolicited advice.

On a scale on 1 to 10, my superstition level would be negative 2. Except for a black kitty crossing my road. I have never been able to get over that one. But other than that, I'm a negative 2 ;) The day that followed the eclipse brought about some rather strange turn of events. They weren't run of the mill things going wrong but really strange things. My baby sitter’s car got punctured (I've never heard of it happening here) and as soon as she fixed it and got home, the second tire busted. My co-worker was stranded somewhere without money and found out that her credit card got cancelled due to bad credit. Later it was established that someone with her same name and a different city had bad credit and they randomly canceled her’s. My acquaintance in Texas got bit by a snake while watering her plants in her backyard. She lives in the city not the suburbs. My toe nail broke at the gym while I had shoes on and my finger nail broke the next morning. I have the strongest nails ever.

Tell me this is normal!

Strangely enough, I’m loving the idea of correlating unpleasant events with extraneous occurrences. My DVD player is on life support and I’m on the lookout for something to blame it on.