Release & Purify

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Release & Purify 〰️

We are currently between two powerful cosmic events: the recent Lunar Eclipse in Pisces that happened on the 7 September 2025 and the upcoming Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo (21 September 2025), which arrives just one day before the September Equinox (22 September 2025).

This year brings an unusually rare alignment: a solar eclipse falling just one day before the autumn equinox. While eclipses always occur at a New Moon, it is far less common for the biannual “eclipse season” to overlap so precisely with the seasonal turning point of balance between day and night. Such timings only happen once every decade or two, with the last major example in 2015. The 2025 Virgo solar eclipse on 21 September, arriving just hours before the 22 September equinox, makes this a uniquely potent moment of reset and transition.

The skies highlight a polarity between Pisces (dreams, dissolution, imagination) and Virgo (precision, health, digestion, and discernment). When combined with the equinox, a balancing of day and night , the message is one of integration: holding both release and renewal. I have already seen great breakthroughs with some clients in the last 2 weeks, particularly in observing where their wounds might be coming from. This culminated in some spirals, but also breakthroughs. The energy hasn’t finished with us yet.

Understanding the Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse, was almost universally interpreted by our ancestors as a powerful and often unsettling omen. The predictable rhythm of the cosmos was momentarily disrupted, leading to a variety of interpretations:

Devouring Deities: Many cultures, including the ancient Chinese, Norse, and various Native American tribes, believed that a celestial creature, a dragon, a wolf, or a giant frog, was attempting to consume the sun. Loud noises, such as banging drums or shooting arrows, were often employed to frighten the creature away and restore the sun's light.
Divine Anger or Sorrow: In other traditions, a solar eclipse was seen as a sign of the gods' displeasure or grief. The Inca, for example, believed the sun god Inti was angry, and would offer sacrifices to appease him.
Celestial Battles or Unions: Some mythologies depicted a solar eclipse as a conflict between the sun and the moon, or, conversely, as a celestial union or marriage.

Regardless of the specific interpretation, a solar eclipse was a time of great spiritual significance, often prompting rituals, prayers, and a deep sense of introspection. An eclipse is symbolically seen as:

A Disruption of the Norm: The temporary blotting out of the Sun's light signifies a break from the past and a potent moment for change.
Revelation and Rebirth: By obscuring the conscious mind (the Sun), an eclipse can bring subconscious patterns to the surface, offering a chance for a profound reset and rebirth.
Accelerated Change: Events and shifts that might otherwise take months or years can be rapidly accelerated during an eclipse.

Solar eclipse images The 1842 Eclipse and the Corona — Vaquero, José M., and Manuel C. Vázquez. "The 1842 Eclipse and the Corona." *Nature* 508, no. 7496 (April 17, 2014): 314. https://doi.org/10.1038/508314a.

A solar eclipse is astrologically described as a “triple strength New Moon”. While New Moons are often ripe for starting new routines, ots significance in health is primarily seen through its potential to trigger or influence health conditions, and it is generally advised to avoid initiating new health routines or remedies during such times. It signals endings, beginnings, and a temporary “reset” of energy. Medical astrologers often advise:

Not ideal for new beginnings: Health interventions, new remedies, or major lifestyle changes are best avoided right around the eclipse window, as outcomes can be unpredictable.
Surgical caution: Traditional astrology advises against elective surgery from 48 hours before to 24 hours after a solar eclipse.
Duration: The influence of an eclipse can last for up to six months. A “fallout date” around three months later often brings concrete manifestations, especially in health or external events.
Eclipses are noted if they "hit malefic planets" or are in conjunction with planets or angles, which can aggravate or induce health problems. Conversely, eclipses in opposition to planets or angles may help "clarify a situation". Eclipses can also affect the power of fixed stars in a chart.

The September Equinox: A Time of Harvest and Transition

The September equinox which annually between September 21st and 24th, marks the official beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Astronomically, it is the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from north to south. For our ancestors, this was a time of profound importance, primarily associated with the harvest.

The equinox is a moment of equilibrium, when day and night are of nearly equal length across the globe.

Harvest and Gratitude: A time to reap what has been sown and give thanks for abundance.
Balance and Harmony: A call to find balance within our own lives, between light and shadow, action and rest.
Transition: The threshold into the darker, more introspective half of the year.

Across various cultures, the themes of balance, gratitude, and preparation for the darker months of the year were paramount.

Many ancient traditions and festivals centered around the equinox:

Mabon: In Neo-Pagan and Wiccan traditions, the autumn equinox is celebrated as Mabon, the second of the three harvest festivals. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and to reflect on the balance of light and dark in one's own life.
Michaelmas: In Christian traditions, the Feast of Saint Michael, or Michaelmas, falls near the autumn equinox. It is a time associated with protection and the triumph of light over darkness.
Chuseok: In Korea, the major harvest festival of Chuseok is celebrated around the time of the autumn equinox, with families gathering to honour their ancestors and give thanks for the bountiful harvest.
Equinox at Chichén Itzá: The ancient Maya civilization demonstrated their astronomical knowledge at the pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichén Itzá. During the equinoxes, the setting sun creates a shadow that appears as a serpent slithering down the pyramid's northern staircase.

A common thread in these celebrations is the recognition of a liminal time, a threshold between seasons. It was often believed that the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds was at its thinnest during the equinox, making it a potent time for divination and communication with ancestors.

The September Equinox Connection

The eclipse is followed within 24 hours by the September Equinox, when day and night are equal.

Equinoxes mark profound shifts in light and circadian rhythm, affecting melatonin production, mood, and biological rhythms. Research shows:

Bipolar disorders: Hypomanic symptoms peak around the autumn equinox, while depressive episodes cluster around the winter solstice (Akhter et al., PubMed).
General depression: Symptoms tend to worsen with reduced light and circadian disruption (Nature).
Circadian rhythm stress: Seasonal transitions act as “tipping points” for mood and sleep.

When combined with a solar eclipse, this creates a double impact on circadian regulation and emotional balance. For sensitive individuals, this may feel like both an inner and outer reset.

Significance of the eclipse in Virgo

The constellation of Virgo, prominent in the night sky, has long been associated with themes of purity, fertility, and the harvest. The name itself means "virgin" or "maiden" in Latin. Due to the precession of the equinoxes, the sun now passes through the constellation of Virgo during the September equinox, a phenomenon that has been occurring since approximately the 4th century BCE.

The mythology of Virgo is rich and varied, often linked to powerful goddesses:

Demeter and Persephone: In Greek mythology, Virgo is often identified with Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, or her daughter Persephone. The disappearance of Persephone into the underworld and Demeter's subsequent grief were used to explain the changing of the seasons. The sun's presence in Virgo at the time of the harvest strengthens this association.
Astraea: Virgo is also linked to Astraea, the celestial virgin and goddess of justice. According to legend, she was the last of the immortals to live among humans during the Golden Age and fled to the heavens when humanity became wicked, becoming the constellation Virgo.
Ishtar and other Fertility Goddesses: In Babylonian astronomy, parts of what we now know as Virgo were associated with Shala, a goddess of grain. The brightest star in Virgo, Spica, means "ear of grain" in Latin, a clear link to its agricultural significance across cultures.

The Sign of Virgo: The Realm of Harvest and Healing

Virgo is an earth sign associated with health, service, and the harvest. Its symbolism is rooted in purity, order, and practical application. When activated by an eclipse and the equinox, its themes become paramount:

Purity and Refinement: Virgo energy encourages us to analyze and purify our lives, our diets, our habits, our thoughts—and to let go of what is no longer healthy or useful.
Harvest and Analysis: This is a time to critically assess the "harvest" of our lives. What is working? What isn't? Virgo encourages practical, tangible improvements.
Service and Healing: The alignment can bring a focus to themes of health, healing, and how we are of service to others and the planet.

When these three events converge, the symbolic meaning is amplified. It suggests a powerful moment for a collective reset related to our physical world (Virgo), initiated by a dramatic cosmic event (the eclipse), at a time of natural transition and balance (the equinox). It's a call to analyze and release old patterns that are unhealthy for ourselves and the planet, and to plant new seeds for a more balanced and orderly future.

A male hand picking ripe wheat at harvest time

Virgo and the South Node

This eclipse occurs in Virgo at the Moon’s South Node.

South Node (Ketu): Considered a “malefic” point in medical astrology, it signifies decrease, deficiency, weakness, leakiness, karmic or hereditary conditions, and fated challenges. It is where energy is released.
Virgo rulerships: Virgo is linked to:
- Small intestine (nutrient absorption)
- Pancreas (blood sugar regulation)
- Digestive enzymes
- Liver (co-ruled with Sagittarius)
- Spleen (co-ruled with Saturn)
- Enteric nervous system (the “gut brain”)

Virgo energy is precise, analytical, and health-oriented, but under the South Node its weaknesses can be amplified.

Potential challenges include:
- Digestive irregularities, “leaky gut”, malabsorption
- Endocrine imbalances, blood sugar issues, hypoglycaemia
- Abdominal swellings, sluggish liver, dryness
- Psychological challenges such as depression or dysthymia
- Sensitivity to drugs and medicationThe Confluence of Equinox, Eclipse, and Virgo: A Modern Astrological Perspective with Ancient Roots

While our ancient ancestors did not leave specific records detailing their interpretation of a solar eclipse occurring in Virgo during the September equinox, we can infer a powerful convergence of themes. The balance and harvest symbolism of the equinox, combined with the transformative and often disruptive energy of a solar eclipse, all taking place under the sign of the maiden of the harvest, would have created a potent time for reflection and ritual.

Modern astrology offers insights into this alignment, suggesting a period of profound re-evaluation of our relationship with the earth, our health, and our daily routines. It can be seen as a time to "harvest" what we have sown, to let go of what no longer serves us (the "eclipse"), and to plant the seeds for a more pure and ordered future, in line with the symbolism of Virgo.

Who Might Feel This Most

Those with placements at 25–29° Virgo, or other mutable signs (Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius).
Heavy Air element charts, as these are particularly sensitive to sleep and circadian changes.
Strong 6th house (health, daily rhythms) or 12th house (subconscious, sleep, hidden patterns).
The eclipse point aspecting any natal planets.

Aspects Adding Texture

Neptune aspects: Heighten confusion, hypersensitivity, misdiagnosis risk, dream-intensification.
Saturn aspects: Can bring constriction, fatigue, chronic health themes, slower recovery.
Uranus aspects: Trigger nervous shocks, erratic sleep, anxiety spikes, unexpected events.
Equinox energy.

While these may feel destabilising, they also offer opportunities to see what isn’t working and create new strategies once the eclipse energy passes. A solar eclipse in Virgo occurring on or within a day of the September equinox is a rare and significant celestial event. The link is both astronomical and astrological, marking a powerful convergence of celestial mechanics and symbolic meaning.

Helpful Practices During This Eclipse Season

Do

Anchor morning light exposure within 1 hour of waking.
Eat warm, cooked, easy-to-digest meals.
Journal to process and release.
Practise breathwork and earlier wind-downs.
Introduce herbs or supplements slowly, one at a time.

Avoid

Elective surgery around the eclipse window.
Radical health overhauls right on the eclipse.
Overstimulation (caffeine, screens) late at night.

Maybe

Gentle bitters like chamomile or fennel if digestion is sluggish.
Short walks or movement after meals.
Light naps if sleep is disrupted.

A Positive Message

While eclipses at the South Node can highlight deficiencies, they also offer opportunities for release. Virgo invites us to refine routines, simplify, and focus on what truly nourishes. This is a time to observe, track patterns, and gently support the body’s natural intelligence.

The message is not one of doom, but of discernment, healing, and subtle alignment.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can I start a new diet or supplement at the eclipse?
A: Best to wait until a few days after, when the energy has settled. Use the eclipse to observe patterns instead.

Q: Should I be worried about surgery?
A: Avoid elective procedures 48 hours before and 24 hours after if possible. Emergencies are different and must be handled by your medical team.

Q: How long will I feel the effects?
A: The influence lingers for up to six months, with a key point three months later.

Q: What if I have strong Virgo or mutable placements?
A: You may feel this eclipse more intensely. Pay extra attention to digestion, sleep, and nervous system balance.

Q: Can this affect mental health?
A: Yes, particularly through circadian disruption. Research supports mood shifts at seasonal transitions. Practices like morning light, steady meals, and calming routines are especially helpful.

Final Word

This eclipse and equinox season is best approached with patience, awareness, and care. Track your rhythms, support your digestion and sleep, and remember that challenges can also be catalysts for healing and growth.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace medical, psychological, or surgical advice. Always consult your healthcare providers for personal guidance.

References

Akhter et al., “Seasonal variation of manic and depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder.” PubMed.
“Seasonal variation and circadian rhythms in depression.” Nature.
Carter, J. (2025). Forbes: Complete Guide to September’s Solar and Lunar Eclipses.