Total Eclipse of the Heart

Well, I don't know about you, but last week was rough. And I mean ROUGH. I'm talking about losing some of the greatest within five straight days: Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Peter Cullen, Yayoi Kusama, King Harald V of Norway, Debbie "Storm" Clark... And then there was a devastating flood that practically obliterated Nepal, and over 4,500 people are still missing. And the number of the dead keeps going higher and higher... And then the weather is driving plenty of people in the American West and Midwest bananas with floods, excessive high heat, wildfires... And then, of course, there's problems with the Kennedy Center renaming and possible tearing down battle... Not to mention ongoing bus problems in a school county near where I live where over 10,000 students didn't get any buses for their first week of school... See what I mean? But then there was something else that made things a little rough. Although it's not in the way many people would expect it to be rough. Last Thursday night into early Friday morning was a lunar eclipse, aka the Blood Moon, came into view and made the moon turn into a vibrant blood red. If you're into space and science, the Earth's shadow actually covered 96% of the moon's face instead of the usual 100% of a total eclipse. But if you're into the other aspect of eclipses and the moon, it can carry just as much significance. You see, this particular eclipse carried quite a bit of astrological meaning for those of us who follow astrology. Specifically, there were themes of emotional release, closure, and clarity during the eclipse. If you'd like to get deeper into the astrological meanings, the full moon in Pisces sat opposite the Sun in Virgo, balancing emotional intuition with practical organization. Although it was a partial lunar eclipse, the moon reached Full Moon in Pisces while the Sun sits opposite in Virgo. The eclipse peaks at 4°54' Pisces, making the mutable signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces especially sensitive to some powerful themes. Astrologically, this is a release-focused moment: unfinished emotional patterns, unrealistic expectations, unhealthy routines and situations that drain your energy may become harder to ignore. If you want to go further into the astrological vernacular, lunar eclipses often manifest as flashes of clarity that energetically drive us forward and stimulate change, whether that means a shift in mindset or something more material. They tend to be markers for growth that can sometimes push us to make impetuous decisions because our emotions are running high in the process.

This particular lunar eclipse is joined by Mercury in Virgo and Uranus in Gemini, creating an interesting mix of emotion, analysis and unpredictability. With the sun in Virgo and the moon in Pisces, we may also find ourselves caught between the need to control everything and having to sit with our feelings, which can make our relationships, both romantic and platonic, feel a little unstable and erratic. However, as with any major celestial event, it’s important to lean into patience. Transformation is rarely a bad thing, and we’ll often come out the other side stronger. And if you want to go even further into the astrological side of things as a Virgo (23 August - 22 September), this impactful lunation is the fourth and final eclipse of 2026 and the penultimate eclipse in the series along the Virgo-Pisces axis that’s been ongoing since September 2024. This is an astrological polarity that connects the earth sign Virgo and the water sign Pisces across opposite sides of the zodiac wheel. Virgos tend to be focused on details, daily routines, logic, and practical problem solving. Pisces, on the other hand, are focused on intuition, emotions, the subconscious, and spiritual boundlessness. Put both of them together, and you get quite the adventure for the past few years! You see, Virgos want to try and plan every detail down to the last minute piece of information, while Pisces tend to let go and trust the invisible flow. And while both signs are polar opposites of each other, they can both teach us quite a bit about how to navigate the ups and downs of life. Virgos teach us how to utilize tangible, hands-on help through acts of service, and Pisces teaches us emotional and spiritual compassion through deep empathy. In other words: Both signs teach us how to bring high spiritual ideals into real, everyday actions. Interesting, right? Going back to the astrological side of things... For a sense of themes that you’ve already likely grown accustomed to moving through, think back to 17 September, 2024, and every six months since then. Whether tied to your health and wellness, spiritual awareness, home and family, or relationships, there’s been a specific storyline unfolding over these last nearly two years. 

Eclipses lay the groundwork for karmic experiences because they involve the North and South Nodes, points in space that are aligned with your destiny and your past, respectively. This lunar eclipse in Pisces, associated with dreams, spirituality, empathy, healing, and escapism, will push you to refine whatever it is you’ve been working toward or in service of over the course of this eclipse series. And with the moon forming a tense but activating square to Uranus, the planet of electrifying realizations and sudden change, you could have an eye-opening epiphany.  Okay, okay. Enough with the astrological mumbo-jumbo! "What does it mean for me?!" Well...

This is where we're going to break things down by each astrological sign, so I hope you all know your signs (pretty much which month you were born and the dates each of the signs align with your birth date), so bear with me. AIRES (21 March - 19 April): With this eclipse falling in your twelfth house of spirituality, you’re being called to go inward and prioritize self-reflection and meditative moments over what you tend to prefer to do, which is to take bold action. You may be called to consider how you’ve been caring for your emotional well-being (think: exploring new kinds of therapy or stepping back from a relationship that can’t be healed). With the moon forming a harmonizing trine to your ruler, Mars, in your fourth house of home life, you can lean on loved ones to support your journey.   TAURUS (20 April - 20 May): Activating your eleventh house of friendships, this lunar eclipse calls you to think about the platonic bonds that are supporting your long-term wishes—and potentially also the ones that are impeding your forward movement. It might be time to step back from communities and social circles that aren’t showing up for you at the same level you’re showing up for them. And with the moon opposing Mercury in your fifth house of romance and self-expression, you’ll be compelled to speak from your heart.   GEMINI (21 May - 20 June): This eclipse falls in your tenth house of career, stirring up dynamic change tied to your professional path and potentially also your work-life balance. You’ve been itching for more freedom, given that Uranus, the planet of independence, is hunkered down in your sign now and squaring off against this lunation. And this eclipse makes it clear that you’ll be most fulfilled by striking out on your own in some way. And as it opposes Mercury, your ruler, in your fourth house of home life, you’ll be nudged to open up about your inner truth.  CANCER (21 June - 22 July): Yes, you’re a homebody and a lover of cozy creature comforts, but you’ll feel ready to spread your wings in some way now, because the eclipse is falling in your ninth house of adventure and higher learning. You might feel confined by mundane routines, habits, or experiences and realize that your soul needs to explore uncharted terrain, whether by working with a mentor, picking up a new skill set, or going on a long-distance trip. Your wanderlust and desire to broaden your horizons are a fast track to personal and spiritual growth.  LEO (23 July - 22 August): On the heels of the solar eclipse in your sign, this lunar eclipse activates a narrative you’ve been moving through, centering on earning, managing, or investing money alongside a significant other or loved one, because it falls in your eighth house of shared resources. You could be struggling to gain traction on solutions you thought were surefire bets, or find that by leaning into a particular passion, you’re able to set the stage for a windfall. Letting go of old fears is integral to healing old wounds around money and intimacy. And with the moon sitting opposite Mercury in your second house of income, you could find yourself on the receiving end of intriguing, eye-opening news around your cash flow, perhaps related to a lucrative new partnership.  VIRGO (23 August - 22 September): As nerve-wracking as the energy might feel right now, trust that you know exactly what this eclipse is about for you, Virgo, because it’s part of a narrative about your identity and one-on-one bonds you’ve been moving through since September 2024. As this one activates your seventh house of partnership, you might be ending one chapter and beginning another within a significant relationship. You could also be kicking off a new way of caring for yourself and standing strong in your sense of self. And even more than usual, your cerebral strengths are your greatest asset with the eclipse falling just after the confident sun pairs up with your ruler, messenger Mercury, in your sign.   LIBRA (23 September - 22 October): In general, this eclipse may highlight opportunities to heal and care for oneself emotionally and spiritually, because it is colored by Pisces, but that’s especially the case for you, as it activates your sixth house of health. Move beyond that habit, daily routine, approach, or pattern that’s been keeping you from feeling truly centered and vital. You might find that opening yourself up to a completely out-of-left-field approach—thanks to the square to game-changer Uranus in your ninth house of adventure—serves as the key to forward movement. SCORPIO (23 October - 21 November): This eclipse activates your fifth house of romance, making it ripe for moving beyond any insecurities, fears, or inhibitions that are preventing you from fully embracing and enjoying the most lighthearted moments in life. Whether you want to be more present with your kids or grandkids, tap into artistic impulses within your creative work, or share what’s in your heart with your significant other or loved ones more openly, you’re being encouraged to acknowledge and boost your joy. With the moon forming a friendly sextile to your co-ruler, Mars, in your ninth house of adventure, giving yourself permission to dive into uncharted waters can pay off.   SAGITTARIUS (22 November - 21 December): You’re reaching the end of a particular story you’ve been moving through connected to your physical home, inner life, family relationships, or wounds you’ve been managing for a while, because this eclipse falls in your fourth house of home life. It may be time to acknowledge that the way you’ve been slapping a bandage on your emotional well-being isn’t going to cut it anymore, and it’s time for more significant healing. Because the moon squares off against Uranus in your seventh house of partnership, a significant other, loved one, or colleague could play a part in opening your eyes to the most positive, productive next steps.  CAPRICORN (22 December - 19 January): This eclipse could feel hairy, frenetic, frazzling, and also extremely mentally stimulating, because it falls in your third house of communication. You’re being compelled to reflect on how you share your ideas with others, brainstorm, or take care of business that involves short-distance travel. You’re highly industrious, but if you’ve been burning the candle at both ends, you might find that you have no choice but to streamline your commitments now. Thanks to the confident sun and Mercury joining up in your eleventh house of friendships, you can lean on your social circle to feel more empowered.  AQUARIUS (20 January - 18 February): The 12 August solar eclipse was all about your sense of self versus the one-on-one bonds in your life, but this eclipse takes you back to a space you’ve occupied since September 2024 that centers on your job, cash flow, and how you bring your skills to the table to earn a living. That’s because this lunar eclipse is in your second house of income. It may be time to speak up about your worth, take a stand, set a boundary, or actually cut ties with work that doesn’t fully reflect what you bring to the table. The sun and Mercury in your eighth house of shared resources boost your self-assuredness when it comes to going to bat for what you deserve.  PISCES (19 February - 20 March): With this lunar eclipse falling in your sign and first house of self, you’re being called to take stock of how you’ve been showing up for yourself and in the world. Is the way you’re being perceived by others genuinely reflective of your identity, your sense of self, your heart and spirit, or does something need to change (think: more self-love and compassion) in order for that to be the case? With the moon forming a shocking square to Uranus in your fourth house of home life, anticipate a lightbulb moment about old emotional wounds that require addressing in order for you to feel more fully and truly seen.  Well, now that we got the astrological details out of the way, I bet you're all wondering why a partial lunar eclipse made things so rough last week. Especially when many of us were feeling pretty sluggish and needing to rest quite a bit this past weekend. Do you notice the themes in each of the astrological signs? Letting go. Go forward into the unknown. Do something new. Be bold.

Putting yourself first. RELEASE. After the past few months, years, or however long you've been going about doing things, it seems that we're all being called to let go of what no longer serves us. What no longer fits our lives. And what is holding us back from moving forward. We may have seen the signs for a long time, but as we humans often do, we stuffed it down. We may have said that this was normal, and everything's fine. Or even said that these are our loved ones or this is my job, my life. Whatever's going on that's wrong or doesn't feel right will go away eventually, right? It does go away... But most of the time it's after something big happens that forces you to do things differently. It could be an argument between you and your loved ones, whether that's something tangible or a miscommunication that somehow exploded. It could be how you didn't get that promotion or move forward after playing by the rules for so long, and being so dutiful at what you do. It could be seeing someone else get hurt, or worse, you get hurt by someone else and being told that you're overreacting. Just like the past few times you got hurt, and you ended up accepting it for all these years. It could be how you're not getting the roles or parts you want to do, despite going to lessons and classes and workshops and sticking by what you know because you believe that's the best thing for you. It could be staying safe within your patterns and behaviors because you were simply surviving, but you long to thrive and actually live your life. Now whether or not you believe in astrology, you can't help but deny that at a certain point in your life you've decided that enough was enough. So much of what you've been carrying, dealing with, who you have in your life, and all of the knowledge you picked up may have become a little bit... Heavy for you to carry. Or worse yet, it's holding you back. And deep down in your heart, you know it all too well. But there are good reasons why you can't let it all go. And they involve the people you love, your job, your career, your home, your finances, your education, your expectations, and your path. You don't want to lose everything you've worked for, and you certainly can't afford to lose people who've supposedly been in your corner for all these years. You're scared that if you're forced to let go of it all, you'll go backwards. You'll miss out on that promotion or that financial bonus. You'll be forced to start over, and people believe that you won't survive without them or what you've worked for. I think the problem many people have with releasing so much of what no longer works is due to fear. And there seems to be a lot of that going around these days. Everyone's on edge because of how much we all had to adapt and change in the past few years, and a lot of it was out of our control. We all want to be in control of our lives, let's face it. We want every single detail hammered out to perfection so that there's no surprises and we can all go about our days as smoothly as possible. We want all of the answers. We don't want to figure things out or leave it to the fates to decide for us. We want things to happen on our timeline, and not let anyone else get what we wanted so badly. But when things are out of control, even for good reasons, it may be time to adjust and even accept that we're not in control of what we can't control. However, we are able to do something that's within our control: We can take the time to focus inward, and see how our beliefs, attitudes, and survival methods are shaping up in the current moment. And if they'll even continue to serve us beyond this current moment. I think it's safe to say that many of us have had hard conversations, looks, and venting sessions with ourselves and each other about how things have changed, and how we're all forced to change in the current circumstances. Maybe you've heard people tell you so many things about yourself that you need to change and work on, but never really heard it until this point. Or allow the words to actually seep into your bones and subconscious until now. Maybe you've had experiences where something that you once tolerated is making you more and more irritable than ever before, and for some odd reason, you can't stuff it down and ignore like you've done before. Maybe you've been put into a new position or circumstance or opportunity where you have to utilize all you've known and learn some new lessons the hard way, and while it may have come together in the best way that it did - even if it didn't come together at all - it still shook you a little bit. And you realize that you can do the hard things, but also that you may have to adapt a little bit more when the unexpected comes up. And maybe you're just tired of where you are right now. No matter how many times you've played by the rules, did your lessons, attended meetings, workshops, and events to connect with others, and stuck with material that you know would work to get you to that next step, you're still unsatisfied. Or it could be something entirely different - You might be living your best life, and you're deciding to do something different and new. And you're a little scared by what might happen. Or maybe the people you've had in your life who had the best interests at heart for you may no longer be the ones who might help you on your journey. It could probably be due to how much all of us have grown and transformed with the times, and we're no longer the same people we are when we first met each other as friends and acquaintances. Our needs have changed... And so have we. I think the reason why we are all so exhausted from last weekend is because of how much we've had to release, not just in the course of a single weekend... But in the days, months, and even years leading up to this moment. It would take a major event in our lives to see just how much we all needed to change, whether that's graduation, marriage, a new addition to the family, moving to a new city, starting a new job, going to back to school, being laid off or fired after so many years working at the same job, getting divorced, getting sick, losing a loved one, being single for an extended period of time, switching genders, going into a new field, voting in an election, losing a business, starting a business, venturing out on your own, buying your first home or apartment, finding out a diagnosis... Or it could even be in the humdrum of life and not questioning things that make you see just how much you've changed, and how much you can't accept the things you've accepted without question because of your career, how you were raised, or how you were simply grateful for the opportunity.

You can't ignore the restlessness within you. You know it's time for a change. You know it's time to let go once and for all. You know it will cost you so much and so many people who stood by you. You know you have to accept your current circumstances, but also accept that you're not meant to stay in the same place forever. You know that sometimes you may have to break down things to a reasonable chunk in order to get to where you want to go. You know that you're meant for something more. It's time to stop ignoring it. It's time to stop letting the restlessness become pain and regret and remorse. It's time to RELEASE it all... And change for the better. (Whew! That is quite a bit of astrological/scientific knowledge I threw at you for this week's post. Much thanks and gratitude for Google and various articles to help cipher much of the readings, languages, and predictions for this coming season. But even with all of the articles and knowledge I've amassed within the past few weeks, it's still worth noting that these are my observations and reflections. I don't have all of the answers for each sign under the astrological roadmap, nor do I profess myself to be aware of how my own sign can align with my life in my own way. But what I can offer is my own experiences, and you are welcome to disagree with anything or everything I've said in this or previous blog posts. What I won't tolerate is any form of hate speech, divisive language, or offensive words that harm and divide us even further. We all have to learn to live with each other, no matter what astrological sign we are, and appreciate each other's differences. If you can't do a simple thing like that, I will block you.)

I think it's worth saying that when we let go of what no longer serves us, we feel all sorts of emotions. Awe. Confusion. Grief. Anger. Fear. Relief. Happiness. Hesitation. Anxiety. Especially if we've been carrying so much for so long. One part of the past few years I've personally experienced was all about me learning to let go and release what no longer serves me, and it had to take some rough experiences to force me to see, acknowledge, and make a concentrated effort to release what is no longer a part of me. I think the phrase "letting go of excess baggage" comes to mind. As someone who has lived through a lot of trauma at home, school, and the real world, I've had a TON of excess that I needed to let go of once and for all. But it had to take being in unsafe environments, people calling me out for my behavior and learned habits, learning things the hard way, and listening to my body to actually start the process of releasing what no longer serves me. And the best way I started that? It was the simple act of losing weight and being more healthy... And putting myself first. The reason why I felt so worn out after the eclipse is because of how much I needed to release in the past 17 months, or even longer. And once I actually released it all, or even saw all of the ways I needed to put myself first after not doing so for more than a decade, I felt exhausted. But I also felt at peace. And I was also healing again. I've had to learn to let go of so much these past 17 months, and it was hard. There are habits and behaviors I'm not proud of, like how I overreact when people use a certain tone of voice with me. Or when I explode when I don't express my feelings or don't get my way. Or when I don't communicate my needs at all or swallow them down because I don't want to harm others. Or when I take on more tasks than I have to because I'm the only one who could do it right. Or when I have to put my best foot forward so that I don't let anyone else down. Or when I have to fix every problem because I don't want to deal with conflict or division. Or when I apologize for the problems that have never been mine to begin with. Or when I have to stay in toxic relationships because of what the other person could do for me and my life. Or when I have to struggle financially because of how much my finances were used for other things other than myself. Or when I don't listen to my body and what it wants and when it needs to rest and how I keep pushing and pushing and pushing... It takes a lot of work to hold yourself accountable and take the appropriate first steps to release, shed, and surrender to who you're becoming and what you can no longer hold onto. There's a bit of rawness after shedding so much weight and burden off of your shoulders and your whole being. Believe me, I'm feeling it right now, even after losing close to 58 pounds within 17 and half months. It's hard to recognize yourself after all of the work you've done and how you're holding yourself these days. But it's also hard for others to see it when many of them know you for being someone else for so long, and sometimes expect nothing but the same thing. Maybe it's best not to try and prove to them you've changed. Rather, let the hard work you've been doing speak for itself and let them come to their own conclusions. And also be sure to give yourself grace and self-compassion. There was quite a bit of release happening lately for nearly all of us, possibly against our own control, and we're all feeling weary and raw and uncertain about what's coming next. And we're all still feeling a slew of emotions as we process and determine the best way forward through all of this. My advice? Start small. Seriously! Taking smaller, big steps and breaking things down into chunks can do wonders for what you want to accomplish. And not only that, you can do things that are feasible enough for you to do and it's within your control. From there, those small things can lead to bigger things that you never thought were possible. Sometimes, you may even have to take a step back from things for a while and look at things from a different perspective. I never would've realized that I needed to hold myself accountable for past behaviors and actions had it not been for others calling me out. Nor would I have discovered that there were some people and places I needed to stay away from for my own health and safety, particularly where my mental and emotional health were concerned. Also, be sure to take the time to check in with yourself and your body. If you notice any tension or stress or emotional stress, do a body scan. What does it need right now? Maybe it's as simple as having something to eat, or doing some deep breathing and mindfulness exercises. It's not as complex as you think it could be, nor does it mean that your world is falling apart. Having a clear thought with a good meal can solve a lot of problems... Even going outside for a walk can a whole world of good. But one of the biggest things you can do for yourself is to simply release, let go, and surrender your plans, hopes, and dreams to a more divine order. God, the fates, the universe, whatever you want to call it. The Serenity prayer has been near to me lately, with requests to ACCEPT the things I cannot change, having COURAGE to change the things I can, and be able to have the WISDOM to know the difference. So much of our lives have been turned upside down lately, and we want to hang onto so much because we don't want the world to end as we know it. As hard as it is, it is okay to let go. You don't have to shoulder the burdens of all of the responsibilities of the world on your shoulders. Nor should you take on all of the things by yourself. Yes, you need to hold yourself accountable for your actions and behaviors, but you don't need to constantly fix yourself when you don't have to, even if it's to prove to others that you've changed and matured just to keep them in your circle. You don't need to people please anymore. That's no way to live! And that is quite a heavy burden to bear. Just being yourself, even after shedding so much of what you no longer need, can be so much lighter than you realize. It took me the past two years to realize all of this.

Make that...

Over 25 years. Don't make the same mistake I've made. It took some hard lessons, a health and wellness journey, and an eclipse to finally make me see that it's okay to release it all. Not to mention taking tangible actions on my end to ensure that I can enter into this new season with a clearer picture of what I want, and who I want to become. I'm feeling weary from doing it all and more, but I'm feeling that much more relaxed and at peace than I've ever been in my life. While I know there's still much to learn, I'm excited for what's to come next. And I hope that's the same for all of you. I hope September is a good month for all of you. One that's filled with gentleness, abundance, financial prosperity, success, doors after doors opening for you, positive opportunities, and many wonderful things to last through the rest of the year. We all deserve that. But the one person who deserves that the most... Is yours truly. Here's to a wonderful and gentle September for all of you! Special thanks to Google and the following articles that have helped me with this week's blog post: Parade: Your Zodiac Sign Experiences Fated Endings This Pisces Lunar Eclipse Vogue India: What the lunar eclipse on August 28 means for your love life The Economic Times: What August’s Final Planetary Movements Mean for Your Zodiac Sign