TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

I remember my Aunt May telling me that back in the good old days people would make loud noises with whatever they have in hand whenever there is a solar eclipse. I think she told me that they refer to it as the Heavenly Dog eating the Sun.
Well, it has been widely reported that there will be a total solar eclipse this Wednesday and Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world. From long ago, the superstitious and religious view this phenomenon as a sign of potential doom for the earth.
In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.
The Hindus would advise the pregnant women to remain indoors to prevent their babies from developing birth defects. At the same time prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are encouraged. In India they fear that it is a sign of doom with the possibility of the death of a leader or a war.
It is not just in India that some are uneasy about what will transpire because of the eclipse.
In ancient China total eclipses were often associated with disasters, the death of an emperor or other dark events, and similar superstitions persist.
What do I think? I am not too sure as this type of phenomenon has been happening since the birth of the earth and after each total eclipse man has been able to see the light of day (pardon the pun). So I am sure we will be able to manage again.
Reference: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090720/sc_afp/scienceastronomyeclipseasiatourismsuperstition