Yesterday, there was a total lunar eclipse, popularly known as the ‘blood moon. Though eclipses are now well understood by science as natural celestial phenomena resulting from the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, yet these events have long been shrouded in myth and superstition across cultures. In India people prefer to stay indoors, avoid cooking, eating and even cutting vegetables, fruits etc. (thus refraining from using sharp objects) during the eclipse. Expectant mothers are particularly subject to stricter restrictions.
I remember, one of my senior colleagues, a Keralite and a very ritualistic person, once had to stay back with us in office till late in the evening on a lunar eclipse day. Since it was quite late, refreshments were ordered for the staff. However, by the time snacks arrived, the eclipse had already begun. Since this senior colleague of ours, being diabetic, had to follow a strict eating schedule, I asked him to have some snacks. As expected however he refused, saying he could not have anything till the eclipse was over.
That day on our way back, he told me with a hint of pride that in their tradition, even the worship of God is forbidden during an eclipse and that their temples are closed well before the start of eclipse and re-opened only after the entire temple premises is thoroughly washed and purified. “So, you believe that such celestial events have malefic effect only on the ‘houses of gods’ while your own house remains unaffected; does that make sense? – I asked in a very critical refuting tone. He had no answer and I felt justified in my stance.
So, I am a rationalist, who relies on reasons and logics rather than belief in the supernatural or unproven traditions. But no, that’s not true. At least, my yesterday’s behavior did not show that. I usually take a post-dinner stroll on our rooftop, but I chose to skip it yesterday. Why? Because somewhere deep inside the eclipse-related superstitions were influencing my mind too. So, I too am a superstitious. But then I never take a moment of pause when a cat crosses my path, nor do I mind having a haircut on Tuesdays or buying iron article on Saturdays. This means I am selective about observing certain superstitions while dismissing others.
Now, the question arises, how do I choose which superstition to follow and which to reject? I supposed this is basically rooted in the ‘convenience factor’ just like the people who choose to wash their temples after an eclipse, but not their homes simply because they find it extremely inconvenient and consequently impracticable to wash their houses.
In the same way, I follow certain superstitions just because I find them convenient to follow and moreover I don’t see any harm in obeying them. For example, I avoid stepping over black-magic (टोना-टोटका) materials lying on cross-roads because I do not consider it wise to ‘challenge’ such rituals, when I could effortlessly avoid their influence simply by staying away. What’s the point of confronting it for no reason and getting paranoid afterward? But this is exactly how the people, who are seemingly rational and non-superstitious, contribute in continued existence of superstitions generations after generations.
How could we ever get rid of superstitions? Perhaps the best thing we can do is not pass it on – especially to the next generation.