"The eclipse does not darken the moon, it deepens our vision."
~Anonymous
Happy Monday and March my friends! Tonight we have a Full Moon in Virgo AND a Lunar Eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon. Full moons bring on extreme emotion; eclipses add fuel to this intensity like gas on a fire.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the astrology behind this evening, share some things you can do to align with the energy of the Full Moon and Eclipse, and talk about why manifestations are NOT suggested this evening.
What is a Lunar Eclipse?
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Lunar Eclipse happens when the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon, causing the Moon to take on a reddish hue. This “Blood Moon” effect is totally normal (and very cool to watch, if you get the chance!). The red color is caused by the Earth's atmosphere filtering sunlight, letting only the red wavelengths pass through and illuminate the Moon.
Lunar eclipses are like full moons on red bull and espresso. They're potent, dramatic, and can bring up deep emotions and revelations. But remember, they also close chapters and clear things out in a way that full moons don’t always do. Giving an opportunity to let go.
Astrological Insights
Virgo is the sign of order, organization, and precision. Whenever I think of a person who has many houses in Virgo in their chart I think of the character Monica from Friends. Type A and inflexible yet organized, reliable and detail oriented. This full moon is all about getting rid of the clutter (literally and figuratively) in our lives and aligning with the energy of refinement and purification.
The full moon and eclipse in Virgo also tie into the larger cycle of the Pisces-Virgo axis. The last time we had eclipses in these signs was back between 2015-2017. Specifically the solar eclipse we had the first of September of 2016 which came in 9 degrees of Virgo. This eclipse is a call and response to that time. Can you think back to what was going on in your life during that time? It’s likely that some of the themes from that period are resurfacing now. Journaling about the good and bad that happened during those times and what themes or struggles are still present today. (I'll have some journal prompts below to work this out if you like)
Virgo is ruled by mercury, the planet of communication. Mercury is retrograde AND in it's least fav sign, Pisces. We all know how communications, travel and life can just go wrong during retrogrades but this can feel a bit more intense with the blood moon joining in the energy. Things can feel weird and disconnected and it's not just you. Down is up and up is down. Some situations may seem to be bad but will actually turn out ok and vice versa. This is an opportunity to update your point of view, dated perspectives are keeping you stuck.
Why I Don’t Manifest During Full Moons (Especially Eclipses)
Today is the third day of March, which is the third month and the hemisphere I live we will be peaking the eclipse at 3:33am. It sounds like divine timing to manifest..... right??
Not really.
Full moons illuminate things that need to be released, so it’s better to focus on letting go rather than drawing new things in.
When it comes to eclipses, though, I go even further in the "release" direction. These are resets that can shake things up in unexpected ways, and the energy is too unpredictable to risk trying to manifest new goals. Instead, it's a potent time for cleansing and cutting ties. In Italian traditional practices the blood moon is known as the "murder moon." It is said when the sun stops giving gentle light to the moon and is abruptly stopped by the earth in orbit the effect is the release of chaos. Chaos of blood energy is released and it was said those who practiced dark magic used this moon for bad intentions. Most who are in Italian practice advise against using this moon because unknown and unintended ill will can happen or call in the malocchio.
What NOT to Do During a Full Moon Eclipse
Some things I was taught while growing up:
Avoid major decisions: This isn’t the best time to sign contracts, make big commitments, or initiate new ventures. The eclipse energy can make things feel fuzzy or unclear.
Resist trying to manifest new things: Like I mentioned, this isn’t a good time to focus on attracting new opportunities or possessions. Focus on what you’re ready to let go of instead.
Don’t ignore your emotions: Eclipses have a way of bringing things to the surface. If you find yourself feeling unusually emotional, take note. This is a time of deep reflection and release.
Rituals for Tonight’s Blood Moon and Lunar Eclipse
Now that we’ve covered the cosmic energies, let’s talk about rituals that you can do tonight to align with the Virgo Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse. These practices will help you clear out what’s no longer serving you and invite in a fresh perspective.
1. Cleansing Your Space
Virgo loves order, so cleaning up your physical space is a great way to channel the energy of this Full Moon. Tidy up your home, clean your sheets, vacuum, and dust. A clean space leads to a clearer mind.
2. Declutter Your Life
Virgo also rules health and wellness, so take a look at your daily habits. Are there any routines or patterns that no longer serve you? Maybe it’s time to let go of that bad habit that’s been weighing you down. One big area I tend to forget it digital clutter, this is a perfect time to purge and backup information (a mercury retrograde is around the corner after all). Also good to make sure important documents are properly stored and all systems on your phone and computer are properly backed up. Or ANY car maintenance you were putting off? Go ahead and schedule those repairs.
3. Meditation and Reflection
Take a few moments to sit in meditation. Reflect on what needs to be released in your life. What’s been holding you back? What emotions do you need to let go of? You can even do a simple breathing exercise, visualizing yourself releasing those things with every exhale. (If you need help with meditation and more breathing exercises on my
youtube).
Journal Prompts for Tonight's Lunar Eclipse
What areas of my life feel cluttered or disorganized? How can I begin to create more space for clarity?
What's not working today, this month, or this year?
What old habits, beliefs, or emotions am I ready to let go of?
Looking back to 2015-2017, what big lessons did I learn? Are any of those lessons resurfacing for me now?
Specifically looking at the solar eclipse in September 2016, what themes and ideas were happening? Positive and negative? How is that reflecting in my life today? Maybe what worked back then isn't going to work now and you need to meet yourself where you're at.
What in my life feels out of balance, and how can I bring more harmony to it?
Final Thoughts
Eclipses are a time of hiding the light and enveloping all in darkness. What a beautiful time to reflect that no matter our insta posts or highlight reel, we ALL contain darkness. Instead of denying or hiding your darkness in the shadows, let this eclipse expose it. Let it make you feel raw, exposed. Then pause and understand that the darkness in you is also the darkness in me. For we all contain the light as well as the dark. We may deny our darkness but it is there. Acknowledge the darkness. Sit with it. Learn from it. But it does not define you. No more than the light defines you. So celebrate your human-ness and ground yourself on this rare event.