The March Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Navigation

Hello Moonchild :)

The first Lunar Eclipse of 2024 is on March 25. The Indian festival of Holi also falls on the same day. As this is a penumbral Lunar eclipse, it is not as obvious as the other types of eclipses. Plus, it is not visible in India.

In India, the Penumbral Eclipse will begin at 10:24 AM IST, reach its maximum at 12:43 PM IST, and conclude by 3:01 PM IST. Due to its occurrence during daytime hours when the Moon is below the horizon, no rituals and restrictions are prescribed. The Purnima Tithi on Holi begins at 09:54 AM IST on March 24 and ends at 12:29 PM on March 25.

Irrespective of visibility the eclipse impacts all, it's effects noticeable days before and after. Eclipses bring forth destined events that fuel much-needed transformations in life. The call for release and ending a chapter is strong. Eclipses amplify the energy of a Full Moon, so watch out for magnified emotions and feelings at play! However, if navigated well, they are powerful portals for elevating consciousness and furthering your spiritual growth.

BE MINDFUL OF THESE :)

• Know that there is a tendency to react and blow things out of proportion. That definitely is not the right thing to do, for you then miss the deeper lesson. Adopt the attitude of a witness and be patient.

• There is a high chance that something or someone is forcing you to change the way you think, perceive and act. Your natural tendency is to resist or react (i.e. you fall back on your patterns). And that is what needs to be released/transformed. Pause to absorb this.

WHAT IS A RITUAL YOU CAN DO?

You will need: A quiet room, about an hour, journal and pen. If you have a favourite deity or an altar, let these be part of the space you are practising in.

Sit in a meditative posture. Centre yourself by observing your connection with Mother Earth. Remember your ancestors and seek their blessings. Visualize a Full Moon in your eyebrow centre. As you inhale and exhale a few times, ask the lunar energies to flow through you and guide you.

1. Reflection 1 - Journaling

Answer these questions in writing. Take 10-15 minutes.

Lately, what has not worked out or has had delays and obstructions in spite of good planning and focused effort? Why has it possibly not worked out?

2. Release Ritual - Intuitive body movement

Start by lying down in whatever way you are comfortable.

Notice your breath and breathe into your belly and out for a few rounds till you feel calm and settled.

Run awareness through various parts of the body.

Pause at parts where you sense discomfort/tension/tightness/aches/pains/numbness.

You can move or sit up and touch this part to connect with the sensation.

Ask yourself, what kind of movement will help ease this out. The body has an innate intelligence. Allow yourself to be guided by that. There is not right or wrong here. And this can be any kind of movement, not necessarily asana. The only thing you need to make sure it that you breathe well all through.

Attend to the body part by part till you have spoken to every little ache or niggle. These may not fully go away but there will definitely be a shift after this practice.

Sit down and take a few breaths as you run your palms over your whole body. Be supremely grateful for this gift of your body.

3. Alternate Nostril Breathing / Nadi Shodhana for balance and equanimity

Sit cross-legged with an erect spine. Observe the natural flow of your breath. Practice 21 rounds of Nadi Shodhana with equal inhales and exhales, noticing also the small pauses between the breaths. If you are a regular practitioner, you can choose the level/count you are at and include breath retention as well.

4. Reflection 2 - Journaling

Revisit the writing, add on if anything has emerged.

Now answer these: Do I need to change something in me or in my approach that can possibly make a difference? If yes, what would that be? If not, is it time for closure? How do I go about the closure?

Throughout be a witness to your emotions, feelings and responses. Once you are done, read everything again.

5. Affirmation & Gratitude

Write down and read this affirmation aloud 3 times.

I TAKE STEPS FORWARD WITH BELIEF, CONFIDENCE AND COURAGE.

I TRUST MY JOURNEY.

Close the ritual by offering gratitude to your ancestors, the Moon and Mother Earth.

What is your way forward?

1. Keep referring to the journal every few days. Add on new thoughts, observations and insights as they surface.

2. Start observing the waning Moon everyday as a reminder to staying aware of your journey. You can do a Moon gazing or Trataka as a meditation daily. Gaze at the Moon softly and close your eyes maintaining the image in your eyebrow centre. Keep eyes closed till the image disappears. Then open your eyes and repeat. Maintain a calm slow breath throughout. You can do this for a few minutes.

3. Stay open to insights-they may come to you in meditation or when you wake up or through people you interact with or even as dreams.

Know that the path may not be a bed of roses, but will be strewn with tests that are meant to bring out the best in you. Be compassionate and patient, allow the eclipse season to reveal it's magic to you :)

Wish you all a deep and soulful Full Moon Lunar Eclipse practice!

Gratitude

Sheetal