The Biggest Doomsayers of all are religious leaders, and the uncertainty of an eclipse is Boom Time

SHOOT: An imminent eclipse in India provides an opportunity for soothsayers to earn their keep.

YAHOO: "Primarily, what we see with all these soothsayers and astrologers is that they're looking for opportunities to enhance their business with predictions of danger and calamity," he told AFP.

SHOOT: Not so different what you might find in the average church. On Special Assignment I believe they're doing a special feature on witchunts in central Africa. In the clip I saw the man was saying: "God doesn't like people who turn other people into goats and hyenas..."

YAHOO: "[Soothsayers] have been very powerful in India but over the last decade they have been in systematic decline."

SHOOT: But wait, there are some 'sensible soothsayers.

YAHOO: Siva Prasad Tata, who runs the Astro Jyoti website, straddles the two worlds. "There's no need to get too alarmed about the eclipse, they are a natural phenomenon," the strologer told AFP. But he added: "During the period of the eclipse, the opposite attracting forces are very, very powerful. From a spiritual point of view, this is a wonderful time to do any type of worship."

SHOOT: I'm sure it is.

clipped from news.yahoo.com MUMBAI (AFP) – Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a sign of potential doom. 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. Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors to prevent their babies developing birth defects, while prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are encouraged. "This is a belief deeply rooted in Indian society. Couples are willing to do anything to ensure that the baby is not born on that day," Gour said. Astrologers have predicted a rise in communal and regional violence in the days following the eclipse, particularly in India, China and other Southeast Asian nations where it can be seen on Wednesday morning.