9 Things to Know About Eclipse Magic

Eclipse magic can be a strong and powerful thing. The energy of the sun and moon are condensed for a short period of time and your magickal working will most certainly benefit from this. This is a good time to get a tarot reading, set up an altar or shrine, or perform a ritual.

This year on August 21, 2017 North America will experience a visible solar eclipse. The NASA website tells us “Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights – a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun’s tenuous atmosphere – the corona – can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun’s disk. ” The site will also be live streaming the eclipse, and providing valuable scientific information for kids and adults alike.

But what about the magic of the Eclipse ?

How do these energies work for or against your spells and rituals? Let’s make a list.

1. You don’t need to witness the eclipse to harness it’s power. Just like other celestial bodies and events, you are still affected even if you can’t see them.
2. Many cultures view the Eclipse as an omen. According to Smithsonian Magazine the Chiqutoan Manasi people of eastern Bolivia, “The sun was a resplendent man and the moon was his sister. Eclipses were caused by celestial serpents which attacked these luminaries, threatening mankind with darkness. This catastrophe was to be followed by the transformation of men into hairy animals and by their mutual extermination.” Pay special attention to signs and omens in your own life now, not just the ones involving politics.
3. Some Jewish folklore says that there was an eclipse when Adam an Eve left the garden of Eden. This makes the eclipse a great time for serpent magic, and for rites and rituals involving the ancient Goddess Lilith. For herbs and other offerings for this Goddess please see my post Lilith Dark Goddess of your Dreams.
4. Since an eclipse takes place over a condensed period of time you can use this to amplify your magic. Because of the limited time period some have said that eclipse magic is only for advanced practitioners. Personally, I believe if you aren’t capable of raising and harnessing energy in a short period of time, you should be working on that. The eclipse is about focus, and this is a good time to use your focus, along with the energy from above to create positive change.
5. Both solar and lunar eclipses are a great time for charging your crystals and other ritual items. One of my fellow Patheos bloggers Aliza Einhorn wrote this week “light your candles and kiss your rose quartz and pray for what you want, wish upon a star, and believe.”
6. In accordance with the nature of an eclipse being about dark and light, this is a great time to perform rituals about getting rid of unwanted energy and influences and bringing positive change. On pangyrea.org High Priestess Dusty Dionne gives instructions for a just such a ritual.  “When the entirety of the sun is eclipsed: The God and Goddess will have merged, creating at its center the void, a fertile womb created by the coupling of these two divine energies. The light of our current reality will have disappeared with the rays of the sun. In this moment, we will plant a new “Seed Reality” in the center of that womb-like void. Visualize placing this beautiful celestial seed made of light and love directly into the center of the eclipse to grow in place of the reality that has dissolved with the darkness. Set it here in this window that will close as the eclipse moves on, leaving the Seed Reality safe between the worlds to grow and flourish. “
7. Expect the unexpected. It has always been part of my personality to help myself and others come to terms with certain life lessons can can be called universals. When I was younger this manifested in my hiding around corners and jumping out at my little sister yelling “expect the unexpected,” sorry sis. During an eclipse things can seem mixed up, jumbled, or backwards. You can use this energy to bring about drastic change and innovation.
8. The days leading up to, and also following an eclipse are also very powerful. This is a great time to collect rain water, if possible. You can also use this time to carve candles, blend oils, etc.
9. What many people don’t know is you can also use eclipse magic to charge up ritual items with the energy of the eclipse to save for later. That way you can have the effect of this powerful phenomenon anytime of year.

Enjoy the eclipse magic ! And as always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to share, share, share !