Day – 8 of Garbottam year 2015-26 – wet Navaratri.

The 8^th day of Garbottam of 2015-2016 began after 5 PM on 5^th January 2016 and ended after 5 PM on 6^th January 2016.

The 195^th day effect in my place of observation will be on 16^th July 2016 extending after midnight till 3 AM in the next morning.

The corresponding fortnight will be from 26^th September to 10^th October 2016.

The 195^th day falls in the fortnight that corresponds to the 2nd day of Garbottam. This fortnight is between 5^th July and 19^th July when there will be 30% of the usual rainfall expected in that fortnight in my place of observation as per the Garbottam features on the 2^nd day.

So far the daily weather pattern for this period of July, based on 195^th day impact is keeping in line with the 2^nd day Garbottam.

If we recap the 195^th day impact, the 1^st day and the 2^nd day showed below average rainfall (around 30% of the season) for the corresponding fortnights.

The 2^nd day’s impact period was between 5^th July and 19^th July. This period was a little encouraging though the rainfall would be less than average.

In this period, only 9^th and 10^th of July 2016 (corresponding to 3^rd and 4^th days of Garbottam) indicated rainfall.

Thereafter 3 days would be dry (weak Garbottam on the next 3 days).

On 14^th July when Ashada Swati will be there, there is likely to be a weak drizzle. From then onwards till 16^th midnight some rainfall can be expected (7^th day of Garbottam).

The next day covering the day time of 16^th July and night time till 3 AM, corresponds to the 8^th day of Garbottam which will be discussed in this article. This day shows encouraging signs of Garbottam for 16^th July and also for the fortnight that starts before Mahalaya Amavasa or Navarathri.  

The observation of the 5 factors for day-8 are as follows:

(1) Wind:- Though the first part of the day (evening of 5^th January 2016) was still, breeze was felt in the morning of 6^th January. The gentle breeze continued for the rest of the day. The direction was North and North east. Anusham was the star transited by Moon when the breeze started. It must be windy at this star as a pre-indicator for good rains later and it was.

Result:- This is more than average factor for rainfall in the corresponding period as far as wind factor is concerned.

(2) Rain:- Nil.

Result:- Does not indicate rains in the said period. 

(3) Lightening:- Nil.

Result:-  Does not indicate rains in the said period.

(4) Thunder:- Nil.

Result:- Does not indicate rains in the said period.

(5) Clouds:-  Clouds were abundant especially after 10 AM. Dark and white clouds were mixed across the sky. The horizon had huge clouds in blue colour. Aquatic shapes were largely missing, though garland like formations were seen. Fish like formations were sighted but they quickly got distorted.

 Result:- This factor is satisfactory.

3-some features:-

(1) Terrestrial :- Behaviour of birds and cows satisfactory. Since my area of observation is brimming with water bodies newly sighted after the recent rains, it was a delight to watch the lazy buffaloes plunging into the waters. Certainly the atmospherics is good if we go by the way animals and birds look relaxed and joyous.

(2) Atmospheric :- Of the 12 features noted in my blog on Garbottam, (1) gentle breeze was there throughout (2) clouds were pearl in colour and at times blue tinged. (3) Aquatic shaped clouds were less but clouds were huge and dense and everywhere (4) Wind direction was from the North and north east. (5) Even at noon Sun was hidden behind dark clouds. (6) The evening after 3 PM was cool and pleasant  (7) Sunset was pleasant.

(3) Planetary:- (1) Planets and stars appeared pale. It was surprising how the overcast sky became clear soon after sunset to give way for stars! By 10 PM the overhead stars (particularly Orion belt and its companions) were clearly visible though it looked that horizons were still occupied by clouds. (2) Except Jupiter all the other planets were in Southern declinations. Planets in northern declinations are desirable. (3) Sun was red in colour at the time of sun set.

Interpretation:-

The last quarter of the 8^th day seemed to have strong features of a good Garbottam. To quote Dr B.V. Raman on the chapter on Garbottam in Prasna Marga, “if the ‘pregnant’ clouds appear of the colour of silver or tamala leaf or of blue lotus or of collyrium, then the rain during the season will be profuse. If the pregnant clouds be exposed to the hot rays of the Sun or accompanied with gentle winds, then the rains that follows after 195 days will be excessive.”

This description fits with the sightings after noon on 6^th July (last quarter of the 8^th day).

This shows that there will be good rains on the 195^th day (16^th July 2016). Going by the principle of opposites, as the ‘pregnancy’ was noticed from noon to evening, rainfall will be from midnight to sunrise on 16^th – 17^th July. This 8^th day is a memorable one for Garbottam observation like the 3^rd day. To cross check with the corresponding days in July, I want to keep the memory of this day by posting here some photos of the sky.

(Click the pictures to enlarge)

Sun at 1-30 PM on 6^th January 2016.

Bluish dark clouds were moving towards the Sun.

The Sun and the clouds after a few minutes.

Sun peeping through the dark clouds after a few minutes.

The previous picture inverted – looks like an aquatic bird swimming in water!

Reddish Sun at sunset.

Looks like a perfect Garbottam with wind and clouds!

The corresponding fortnight between 26^th September and 10^th October 2016 is likely to see rainfall at night time in the last quarter of this fortnight in my place of observation. 

Navarathri Puja starts on 1^st October 2016. Normally it rains during this Puja in Chennai. The 8^th day Garbottam shows that rains will pick in my place of observation gradually after navarathri starts and would see good rains in the last 3 to 4 days of the Puja till Ayuda Puja on 10^th October which is the ending day of this fortnight that corresponds to the 8^th day of Garbottam.

As far as SW Monsoon is concerned, September 12^th September 2016 is one cut-off date as (1) Mercury- Venus closeness ended on that date and (2) the line of planets behind the Sun ended around that date. These two features are rainfall features that came to an end by 12^th September. So the peak of the season must be ended by that time.

However on 17^th and 18^th September 2016, another combination cropped up (Sun, Saturn and Mars in alternating signs) and we have to see how far this brief combination could influence rainfall of the SW season.

On 26^th September at the start of the fortnight corresponding to 8^th day Garbottam, planetary features in aid of SW Monsoon had become weak. It continues throughout the fortnight.

Though the planetary combinations do not support rainfall during Navaratri, the last quarter of the 8^th day Garbottam  in my place of observation shows that  Chennai and its suburbs are likely to receive Purattasi rains in the later part of Navarathri Puja.

Related articles:

Garbottam begins at 5 PM on 29th December 2015.

Day -1 of Garbottam and Arudra Pravesham.

Day - 2 of Garbottam, year 2015-16.

Day -3 of Garbottam year 2015-16

Day – 4 of Garbottam year 2015-16 is disappointing!

Day – 5 of Garbottam year 2015-16 - disappointing for Chennai but good for SW Monsoon.

Day – 6 of Garbottam year 2015-16, Swati day.

Day – 7 of Garbottam year 2015-16 is average.

Vegetarian diet was the spotlight of year 2015.

From

http://www.pcrm.org/nbBlog/fifteen-times-plant-based-diets-stole-the-spotlight-in-2015

Plant-based diets stole the spotlight in 2015 – US Physicians Committee

Plant-based diets stole the spotlight in 2015. Top advisors to the U.S. government voted for a vegan diet, a veggie burger was voted “best burger in the world,” and prominent figures from Miley Cyrus and Adele to the president of the American College of Cardiology sang the praises of plant-based diets.  

Here are 15 times that veggies took center stage in 2015:

1) When the World Health Organization Declared that Red and Processed Meats Cause Cancer: A large-scale international review published in Lancet Oncology in October concluded that red and processed meats are linked to cancer.

2) When a Veggie Burger Took the Top Prize: Where’s the beef? Not in the best burger in the world, according to GQ Magazine. In November, the magazine crowned New York City’s vegan Superiority Burger as best burger. The veggie burger’s win represents a shift in consumer preferences over the past year. More and more, people are pushing the beef off their plates. At the same time that McDonald’s closed more than 700 stores this year, demand has increased for plant-based fast-food and fast-casual restaurants, like New York’sBy Chloe and the West Coast’s Veggie Grill. Even a former McDonald’s CEO has left beef burgers behind: In November, Don Thompson joined the board of a veggie burger start-up company.

3) When Scott Jurek Crossed the Finish Line: In July 2015, ultramarathoner Scott Jurek became the fastest person to ever race through the 2,189-mile-long Appalachian Trail. Fueled entirely by a plant-based diet, he broke the world record by running about 50 miles per day for 46 straight days.

4) When the President of the American College of Cardiology Went Vegan: In July, Kim Williams, M.D., president of the American College of Cardiology, took the stage at the Physicians Committee’sInternational Conference on Nutrition in Medicine: Heart Disease to explain why he made the switch to a plant-based diet and why he recommends the same for his patients. The evidence that plant-based diets are best for heart health continued to mount in 2015. New studies show that vegetarian diets lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart attack, reverse angina, and lower the risk of heart disease in obese children.

5) When Beyoncé Was Crazy in Love with Veggies: Beyoncé’s music and fashion choices might create frequent media frenzies, but it was her menu making headlines earlier this year. In January, Queen Bey – inspired by how great she felt after her own 22-day vegan challenge – teamed up with Marco Borges and 22 Days Nutrition to launch a vegan meal delivery service. Also pushing plants into center stage in 2015? Miley Cyrus, Ellie Goulding, Jon Stewart, and Liam Hemsworth all raved about the many benefits of plant-based diets.

6) When Vegan Mayo Went Mainstream: In July, news broke that 7-Eleven made the switch to using vegan mayo in all prepared dishes.  It’s one of many reasons why following a plant-based diet became more convenient than ever in 2015. This year brought vegan meatballs to Ikea, veggie sliders to White Castle, and coconut milk to Starbucks. And due to popular demand, Ben & Jerry’s has been hard at work in 2015 creating a line of vegan ice cream, which will hit shelves next year.

7) When U.S. Government Advisors Voted for Plants: In February, the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released a scientific report acknowledging the power of plant-based diets to fight obesity and reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other common health problems. The report is being used to shape the upcoming 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which not only guides individual choices, but drives food and nutrition policy.

8) When Veggies Rocked the Lunch Line: In September, MUSE School CA became the nation’s first plant-powered K-12 school after debuting an all-vegan menu packed with bean-based chilis and fresh vegetable salads. Along with Meatless Mondays and vegetarian options, school gardens and nutrition education programs have all risen in popularity at schools in the U.S. These trends might explain why a study published in March found that fruit and vegetable intake is on the rise in schools.

9) When Vegetarian Diets Proved Best for Weight Loss: In January, a major meta-analysis conducted by the Physicians Committee and published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that adopting a vegetarian diet causes weight loss, even in the absence of exercise or calorie counting. Anotherstudy in July confirmed that compared to diets that contain meat, vegetarian and vegan diets are more effective for weight loss. Superstar singer Adele echoed the same sentiments, crediting her vegetarian diet for her recent weight loss.

10) When a Trucker Found the Road to Good Health: What’s the best way to fuel up? Bobby Andersen, a 45-year-old Mississippi truck driver, made the case for a plant-based diet this July, when his story became national news. After adopting a vegan diet, Andersen lost 65 pounds and dropped all of his medications – all while spending six days a week on the road.

11) When 340,000 Cancer Cases Could Have Been Prevented: The American Institute for Cancer Research states that a healthy diet and other lifestyle changes can prevent an estimated 340,000 cancer cases per year, and new research this year showed that plant-based diets may be protective against certain types of cancer. Vegan diets may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, be best for breast cancer survival, andprotect against colorectal cancer.

12) When Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminated the Protein Myth: In December, Arnold Schwarzenegger finally put the protein myth to rest, when he explained that vegetarian diets contain all the protein that bodybuilders and other athletes need. Throughout 2015, many athletes proved his point: Football player David Carter made headlines as the NFL’s “300-pound vegan,” Serena Williams continued to wow crowds with her tennis skills and became The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, and NBA star Ben Gordon felt “lighter and faster” after making the switch to a plant-based diet. Sports fans weren’t left out either in 2015. U.S. ballparks and stadiums are championing vegan options, while the “world’s first vegan football team” became the first UK football club to serve an entirely plant-based menu.

13) When the Cleveland Clinic Said Bye Bye to Big Macs: In September, the nation’s top hospital for heart health announced the termination of its contract with McDonald’s, becoming one of at least four hospitals to cut ties with the fast-food chain this year. It’s a sign that hospitals are prioritizing nutrition for patient health. In Connecticut, New Milford Hospital spent 2015 serving fresh salads filled with vegetables grown on the hospital’s rooftop, while Garth Davis, M.D., wrote out prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables at the “Farmacy” stand in the lobby at Houston’s Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.

14) When a Journalist’s Vegan Meals Made Headlines: When prominent food journalist Mark Bittmanwrote his last regular column for the New York Times in September, many wondered about his next step. In November, he announced that he would be joining a vegan meal-kit delivery startup. Bittman made the move because he wanted to help save lives, noting that “helping people eat less junk and processed food and fewer animal products will improve their health.”

15) When Vegan Options Took Off at U.S. Airports: Seventy-one percent of restaurants at the busiest U.S. airports now offer at least one healthful plant-based option, according to the 2015 Airport Food Review. From Vegetarian mango stir-fry at Baltimore/Washington International Airport to roasted beet salads with arugula at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, it’s easier than ever for travelers to find healthful optionson the fly.