Tips for September's eclipse season

At least once a month, a silver sliver of moon quietly slips away until the entire sky is black. During these two to three days of the new moon phase, it's like the universe is telling us to rest - to "go dark" with the moon.

In addition to rest, new moons are times for resetting, restarting, and refreshing. You might think about what happens to the body when you go to sleep - all of your internal systems have the chance to detox, recalibrate, and renew.

You may think back to August 22nd, 2025, which was the new moon at 00 degrees Virgo, and inquire what was germinating then in the Virgo realms of health; healing; the physical body; cleanliness; details; appointments; daily tasks and routines; occupation/ work; service; attending to the rudiments of a craft; excellence; apprenticeship; and legacy.

It just so happens that every two to three years, we experience two new moons per solar month. And this Virgo season has gifted us with a second new moon, on Sunday, September 21st at 29 degrees Virgo.

Themes from August 22nd may circle back around on September 21st, inviting us another opportunity to re-start and even receive a karmic or cosmic boost. This is because this second new moon is a solar eclipse, when fate can come and take the wheel. Eclipses are times not to over-effort or force any situation. Instead, between now and Sunday, September 21st, do as much as you can in the aforementioned Virgo realms to get ahead, get on top, and get organized.

In between the two Virgo new moons, we experience a full moon lunar eclipse in Pisces on Sunday, September 7th. This lunation ushers us into the two-week "vortex" between eclipses, where it is wise to relax, to surrender control, and to practice responding to events as opposed to reacting. This full moon will invite us to "tune out," "turn off," and release mental effort. There will likely be a lot going on as it is a full moon; however, practice detaching from outcomes and ride the waves of your emotions. Most importantly, have trust and faith that everything is working out - because it is, whether we choose to believe it or not!

This eclipse season highlights the polarization between effort and non-effort. Virgo is effort and Pisces is non-effort. Like the new and full moons, the nighttime and daytime, the out-breath and in-breath... we need a balance between both. It's never going to be a perfect balance (otherwise there would be stasis!), but give yourself the gift of compassion when you feel yourself teetering on one side over the other, and maybe practice a little more of the opposite.

You might also join me at the studio on Monday evening, September 22nd, from 6:30-8:00, during the new moon phase, for the practice of Yoga Nidra. This guided, deep relaxation practice gives the entire system the real opportunity to reset. You will be invited to create a sankalpa, or heartfelt resolve, and journey through the layers of being to arrive at the fertile ground of your awareness, where your sankalpa can take root.