New Moon Solar eclipse on April 20: Take ownership, Embrace big shifts

Hello Moonchild :)

We have the first eclipse of 2023 with the Solar Eclipse on April 20 (7.04AM-12.29PM IST). This is a hybrid eclipse - moving from annular to full to annular eclipse again. This will not be visible in India. Can be viewed in Australia, East and South Asia, the Pacific Ocean, Antarctica, and the Indian Ocean. The effects, however, apply to all of us. Eclipses are said to bring forth destined events our way, that cause much-needed transformations in life.

There are two parallel themes for this intense time.

A. The shadow self comes forth, revealing unhealed wounds, bringing with it turmoil and associated emotions.

B. Opportunities come forth either

- pushing you in a new direction or

- enabling closure of something long pending or

- effecting a big awakening

In all cases, if you quieten down, listen and go with your intuition, you will move towards a reality that is aligned to your heart. The energy of the time indicates you may even be called to take a big leap of faith!

The question you ask yourself is

WHICH OF THESE AM I SENSING FOR MYSELF? (to whatever degree)

The reason I say this is because if A is not attended to, it can influence/mask B. If you already have been doing shadow work, it is very likely that you will get a great sense of clarity and insights now. There will be more space within you for new things to emerge, you will be like an open vessel into which opportunities flow with ease. There will be rooting, self-belief and equanimity to take the right decisions whether it means cutting cords or making a drastic change.

But, if you still need to do the shadow work, things will seem a bit confusing and fuzzy. You may not feel the courage and confidence to take steps ahead. There may be a quality of self-doubt, indecisiveness and cynicism in any situation.

Here is what you can do!

Practice Part 1 on day 1 - See how this sits with you.

If you feel ready to move into Part 2, do that on Day 2. Else, repeat practice 1 the second day. You can visit practice 2 at a later point in time when you feel ready (within the next two weeks or not at all if that work is demanding more time).

(Disclaimer: If you have a clinically diagnosed psychological condition, please take your doctor's advice before doing this practice.)

PART 1 (DAY 1): Connecting with your shadow self

Choose a quiet room for your practice and keep aside about an hour. Keep your journal and pen ready. If you have a favourite deity or an altar, let these be part of the space you are practising.

Step 1

Body Movement

Go through a gentle movement practice that focuses on hip, shoulder and heart opening. Add poses that aid release for your body. If you know of a Yin Yoga sequence, that is a beautiful practice to explore.

Step 2

Grounding & Connecting with Eclipse energy

Sit down cross legged. Close eyes and feel the connection with Mother Earth below.

Visualize breathing in from the earth and breathing out and releasing into the earth.

Say this affirmation out loud: 'I am grounded, secure, safe and supported'.

Bring to mind the Dark Moon* and the Eclipse time. Visualize the Dark Moon in your eyebrow centre. As you breathe, ask the Lunar energies to guide you through the practice.

Step 3

Reflection & Journaling to become aware of your current reality

Think of your life in the last one month or a little longer. Has there been a recurring theme? Bring to mind incidents, circumstances that have changed and are possibly challenging/demanding, changes in your own attitude/perception/behaviour/responses to ideas/situations/people in your life.

Write these down. If you want to use a prompt try:

Lately I have noticed...

Also try to remember the theme way back in your life - from Mid 2013 - End 2015**. Did any shift happen then? Is there some similarity between then and now?

Write down what happened way back and any parallels you sense with the present.

Read all that you have written. Close eyes, notice sensations, feelings and emotions and acknowledge them without judging them or trying to change anything.

Step 4

Access your inner world | Bring in self compassion | Awaken intuition

Place your palms on your lower belly. This is your authentic core. Direct prana/energy/life force into and out of this space with your inhales and exhales.

Take 15 breaths.

Be fully aware that you are holding space for yourself. Any time you feel discomfort, take the support of Mother Earth by placing palms on the floor or lying down.

---

Pause. Breathe normally. Witness sensations, feelings, emotions. Feel free to write down anything that may surface for you at this point. Know that your emotions and feelings are valid.

---

Place your palms on the heart. Smile. Love the energy of touch. Feel a green light gently glowing here. Nurture it with your breath. Take 15 breaths.

---

Pause. Breathe normally. Hug yourself. Witness sensations, feelings, emotions. Silently tell yourself: I love you, I love who you have become, I have your back.

---

Rest palms on knees. Visualize a soft flame in your eyebrow centre. Maintain a gentle focus on it for the next 15 breaths. Then let the flame slowly dissolve. Sit in silence for a few seconds.

Step 4

Making sense of it all

Open your journal and re-read what you wrote earlier.

Now answer the questions that you resonate with either in writing or by recording your voice:

Why did I feel what I felt?

What led me to perceive or behave a certain way?

If there is a recurrence, what is the pattern that I need to break? Or what is the hidden lesson?

Is there a pressing invitation to make some drastic changes? What is holding me back?

What are my plans and action points going forward to heal and transform?

(Guides: Connection to wounds back from childhood, unhealed recent wounds

recent circumstances that have challenged your ways of thinking and being

fears, anxiety, anger, hatred, shame, guilt stemming from different phases of life)

Read/listen to what you have written/recorded. Sit in silence for a few breaths.

Remind yourself to read them every morning soon after waking up and every night just before you sleep.

Bow down to Mother Earth & the Dark Moon. Offer gratitude.

Repeat this practise one more time if you feel the need to. If this work is taking time, do Part 2 sometime later within the next 2 weeks or not at all. Else if you feel ready, do Part 2 on Day 2.

If you feel you need an Inner Child healing meditation to complement this, here is something you can do on another day to help the process.

PART 2 (DAY 2) : Riding the big shift

Choose a quiet room for your practice and keep aside about an hour. Keep your journal and pen ready. If you have a favourite deity or an altar, let these be part of the space you are practising.

Step 1

Body Movement

Go through a gentle movement practice that focuses on hip, shoulder and heart opening. Add poses that aid release for your body. If you know of a Yin Yoga sequence, that is a beautiful practice to explore.

Step 2

Grounding & Connecting with Eclipse energy

Sit down cross legged. Close eyes and feel the connection with Mother Earth below.

Visualize breathing in from the earth and breathing out and releasing into the earth.

Say this affirmation out loud: 'I am grounded, secure, safe and supported'.

Bring to mind the Dark Moon* and the Eclipse time. Visualize the Dark Moon in your eyebrow centre. As you breathe, ask the Lunar energies to guide you through the practice.

Step 3

Reflection & Journaling to bring to awareness the 'SHIFT' portal

Think of your life in the last one month or a little longer. Bring to mind incidents, circumstances, people that are possibly challenging/demanding/pushing you to think and act differently? Is there some direction you have been working on that is not bearing fruit?

Here are some words that rule this time. Look at these for guidance. While some of them may seem 'negative', know that they are not, they are keys for opening doors to where your light can truly shine :)

Write down what you have been experiencing. If you want to use a prompt try:

Lately I see...

Also try to remember the theme way back in your life - from Mid 2013 - End 2015**. Did any shift happen then? Is there some similarity between then and now?

Write down what happened way back and any parallels you sense with the present.

Read all that you have written. Close eyes, notice sensations, feelings and emotions and acknowledge them without judging them or trying to change anything.

Step 4

Awaken your Intuition | Align with your heart

Visualize a soft flame in your eyebrow centre. Maintain a gentle focus on it for the next 15 breaths. Then let the flame slowly dissolve. Sit in silence for a few seconds.

Place your palms on the heart. Smile. Love the energy of touch. Make a gentle humming sound with your exhales soaking in those vibrations. Do this 15 times.

---

Pause. Breathe normally. Hug yourself. Witness sensations, feelings, emotions. Silently tell yourself: My heart knows the way and is guiding me

---

Rest palms on knees. Visualize a soft yellow light in your belly. Maintain a gentle focus on it for the next 15 breaths. Then let the light slowly dissolve. Sit in silence for a few seconds.

Step 4

Identifying the BIG SHIFT

Open your journal and re-read what you wrote earlier.

Now answer the questions that you resonate with either in writing or by recording your voice:

What do I need to let go of?

What should I stop doing?

If nothing holds me back, what is the direction my heart is telling me to follow?

If I have to take a leap of faith, what does it look like?

How can I get/regain a sense of power over my life?

How can I become the hero of my story?

Read/listen to what you have written/recorded. Sit in silence for a few breaths.

Make a promise to yourself to bring them to life. Remind yourself to read them every morning soon after waking up and every night just before you sleep.

Bow down to Mother Earth & the Dark Moon. Offer gratitude.

Repeat this practise one more time if you feel the need to.

Wish you a lovely New Moon Solar Eclipse practice!

Hugs, love & gratitude

Sheetal

*When the non-lit side of the Moon faces us and is therefore not visible i.e. on Amavasya

**The last Aries-Libra Eclipse cycle before the current one. Both carry similar energies.