February Amavasya & Solar Eclipse - Stay rooted, witness, take notes

Hello Moonchild :)

This year's first eclipse season begins now, right after Maha Shivaratri, with a Dark Moon & Solar Eclipse on 17th February. The eclipse timing is from 3.26PM to 7.57PM IST. However it will not be visible in India. Therefore, the rituals followed in terms of abstinence (sutak) do not apply. But the effects of the eclipse season do impact all, irrespective of visibility.

Eclipses bring forth destined events that fuel much-needed transformations in life. The nature of the time is such that you are bound to react, read too much into things and blow them out of proportion. The invitation is to not do that, instead ride the wave consciously, in a grounded calm state, staying open and curious, so that what needs to be revealed to you as a direction will show up with clarity, sooner than later. The eclipse season is a catalyst for release and endings, which translates to wonderful new beginnings.

You will remember the guidance for the last Full Moon on 1st February. You may have gone through the body conversation ritual in preparation for the eclipse season. To repeat, the idea is to be fully present in the body as a way of grounding, settling, coming home. I like to refer to this state as Ground Zero, the beginning from where you watch the eclipse winds blow, a place of intense awareness, of calm and acceptance, of innate strength that resides in each one of us. If you also practiced any of the stillness rituals shared as part of Maha Shivaratri, you have prepared well!

Not to say that you are not ready otherwise :) You can pause and prepare your body and mind now too. Also know that however busy or bogged down you are (which is very likely during eclipse season), you always have the tool, the gift of your breath to come right back to your centre. So, if nothing, simply sit down, connect your lower body to the Earth, place your palm on your heart and take a few breaths, at various points in the day.

Otherwise, what can you do? I am not sharing anything new or different this time. Let us continue to ground, as we cultivate the attitude of a witness.

So the suggestion is that you revisit any of the earlier practices. Mentioning them below

1. The Body Conversation from the last Full Moon

2. Any of the Maha Shivaratri practices (Click here)

3. Sitting with your emotions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ-2zZhI_Oc

4. A Root Chakra/Mooladhara practice

This is a shorter practice you can rely on when you are pressed for time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi0ajCObDpg

If there are other rituals that keep you rooted, add them in. Every time you get swayed, just be aware that you are. Like I mentioned, first and foremost, come back to your breath. Write things down as you notice - this is a great way to land your thoughts and reflections. Integrate other practices that you resonate with, into the day, not just on the day of the eclipse, but other days too, leading upto the Full Moon Lunar eclipse on March 3rd Tuesday.

Until then, take care of yourself, stay open to all that the eclipse season is bringing your way. There is no need or hurry to make sense of anything immediately. Hold space for all that comes, and allow them to reveal their wisdom to you with time.

Have a blessed start to this season!

Love & Gratitude

Sheetal