Surrender to Faith and The Watery Depths of Transformation 

When you reflect on the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Pisces happening on Sunday, September 7 at 2:09 p.m. EST, I want you to think about water. Imagine a river flowing, ocean waves crashing, and a pond in tranquil stillness.

Go deeper into the symbolic mysteries of water, which reflect the feminine, emotions, intuition, sensitivity, creativity, purification, transformation, healing, the unconscious, and cosmic consciousness. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Pisces is strongly linked to the element of water, with many planets and asteroids inviting us to surrender to its mysterious depths.

In this guide, I’ll explain why the energy is pointing to these qualities, as well as ways you can work with and embody the transformative energy of this powerful Full Moon Eclipse. This includes journal prompts, practice ideas, and a sacred water meditation.

But before we get into the specifics of this Full Moon, let’s explore why eclipse energy is so intense and why it’s something you’ll want to pay attention to.

The Power of Eclipses

An eclipse occurs when the Moon’s orbit aligns with the Earth’s orbit around the Sun (called the ecliptic). This alignment only happens at two points where the Moon’s tilted orbit crosses the ecliptic, known as the North Node and South Node. Because the Moon’s orbit is tilted, most full and new moons miss this alignment. However, about every six months, the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up near the nodes, and an eclipse occurs.

These nodal points shift westward about every 18 months because the moon’s orbit “wobbles” due to gravitational influences. Because they shift westward (rather than eastward like the constellations), it appears that the nodes shift backwards, which is why the nodes move retrograde on the zodiac wheel.

Currently, the North Node is in Pisces and the South Node is in Virgo. Because the Moon is near the North Node during this Full Moon, there will be a lunar eclipse, which occurs when the Earth is perfectly aligned between the Sun and the Moon. The Earth’s shadow filters the Sun’s light, bending the red wavelengths around our atmosphere and causing the Moon to glow a deep reddish hue.

Eclipses elicit awe, wonder, and sometimes fear in those who witness them. There is something eerie and mysterious about the Sun or Moon transforming into something unfamiliar. The whole Earth responds to these events, with changes in the ocean tides and animals exhibiting strange behavior. There is no doubt about the power of an eclipse, and it affects our personal lives and inner world just the same. As within, so without.

Eclipses are deeply transformative and represent times of death and rebirth. They are catalysts for change, often revealing what’s hidden beneath the surface. They can instigate karmic releases and propel us towards our dharma.

Eclipse portals are times for shedding and releasing what no longer serves, as well as embracing change and growth. They eclipse out the old and eclipse in the new. As such, they are times for detoxification and cleansing—spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

During the few weeks of an eclipse portal, the energy is charged and intensified. It is a highly spiritual time when the veils are thin and it’s easier to access the unseen. It is an especially potent time for spiritual practices and for attuning with nature, your spirit guides, power animals, and your higher self.

The Nodes of Fate

The North and South Nodes are significant points in the zodiac. Always opposite each other, they represent our destiny line.

The South Node is where we come from, what we know, and what we’re comfortable with. It contains our ancestral and past-life lineage, including all the gifts, wisdom, wounds, and beliefs we’ve inherited.

The North Node points to how we are meant to grow and evolve. It can point to our deepest desires and what our soul is longing to experience in this lifetime. It is the path to our highest self, so to speak. But it is also the unknown, for it contains lessons we must learn. Therefore, it can be scary, uncomfortable, or challenging to walk the North Node path, but it can also be the most fulfilling and rewarding.

For this Full Moon, the Moon is conjunct the North Node in Pisces, and the Sun is conjunct the South Node in Virgo. This is the spiritual axis of the zodiac. As a collective, this Full Moon is pointing us toward integrating the wisdom of Pisces and releasing the shadow of Virgo.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Pisces Overview

Full Moons are a culmination, a release point. They initiate the symbolic shedding that occurs as the Moon wanes before we reach the starting point of the following New Moon. As such, they represent what we are ready to let go of, heal from, or release.

However, because this Full Moon is conjunct the North Node, there’s a both-and energy. Yes, it is a time for releasing, but it is also a time for stepping courageously into the unknown and welcoming the new.

This Full Moon is asking us to release the shadow of Virgo, which shows up as perfectionism, hyper-anxiety, tension, and control. When living in a state of fear, Virgo tries to control every little detail around it. In doing so, there is a sense of security that as long as one is aware of everything happening and are controlling the details as much as possible, they’ll be okay. This can look like an information overload of everything happening in the world, doomsday preparation, and fixating on doing everything “right” to feel safe.

Mercury is also conjunct the Sun and South Node in Virgo. The mind is more engaged with the analytic process of going over the details of our lives. The shadow of this placement is relying solely on our rational, linear mind to figure out and “fix” the problems we’re facing.

The North Node, conjunct the Full Moon in Pisces, is asking us to let go and surrender to a Higher Power. It is asking us to release the need to understand and relax into the peace of the Great Mystery. Pisces is the most spiritual sign in the zodiac, representing faith, cosmic consciousness, and unconditional, Divine love.

There is no doubt that a whirlwind of fear, chaos, sorrow, and illusion is whipping through the collective consciousness. To feel safe, we might think we need to know all the details of everything happening, or that we need to be constantly vigilant. But this eclipse is asking us to release the fear and desire for control, and to trust that there is order in the chaos. This order is not dictated by humans or those in power; rather, it is a sacred, universal order that is far beyond our human understanding.

The image that comes to mind is being lost at sea in a dark storm. The wind is harsh and the waves are rough. The more fearful we are, and the more we fight against the onslaught of wind, rain, and crashing waves, the worse the storm becomes. It is through letting go of control, surrendering, and deepening into the peace that is always within—no matter what’s happening externally—that the storm calms. It is allowing yourself to sink deeper and deeper into the arms of the Great Mother.

This Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is pointing us toward moving from the frequency of fear to the frequency of love; from the mind to the heart. By aligning the heart with the mind, we may experience more clarity and understanding about our personal journeys and what no longer serves our path forward (Mercury conjunct the Sun + South Node).

Because the Sun and South Node are in Virgo, and the Moon is illuminating this placement, we may also experience unusual or painful digestive symptoms. Virgo rules the large intestine and digestion as a whole. If you notice abnormal digestive issues during this time, there may be old energy being released from your system.

If you tune into it, you may energetically help the release and even gain insights into what’s occurring. Or you may not, for transformation and healing often work in the undercurrents of our body and subconscious. Trust in the wisdom of your body and soul, and hold the intention: “May all I experience be for my highest good.”

Reflective Questions: 

• Where in my life do I cling to control, perfectionism, or constant vigilance as a way of trying to feel safe?

• What fears lie beneath my need to manage every detail?

• What would it look like to let my heart lead and allow my mind to support rather than control?

• How does surrender feel in my body, in my heart, and in my mind? What helps me enter a state of surrender? 

• What is my relationship to faith? How can I cultivate it in my day-to-day life? 

• How can I soften into the unknown and allow myself to be held by something greater than my own effort?

• If my digestive system (or other areas of tension) could speak, what message would it want me to hear?

• How can I support my body in gently releasing what no longer serves me?

Blessings of the Water

During this Full Moon Eclipse in Pisces, there is a Grand Water Trine between Jupiter in Cancer (19°), Hekate in Scorpio (15°), and the Moon (15°) and North Node (18°) in Pisces. These are the three water signs of the zodiac, and this formation forms a perfect triangle in the chart. Because the Moon is perfectly opposing the Sun, it also forms a Kite pattern, with the Sun, South Node, and Mercury conjunction sextile Jupiter and Hekate.

Hekate is a dark goddess, and she is queen of the witches and crossroads. She is a psychopomp who can move between worlds. She represents oracle and visionary capabilities, as she can see the past, present, and future simultaneously. She also symbolizes the witch wound, the wisdom of cycles and seasons, our underworld shadow, and awakening to our spiritual power.

Jupiter is the great amplifier, bringing expansion, good fortune, abundance, and grace. Together, these two energies bless this Full Moon, adding their wisdom and gifts to the mix.

Jupiter is amplifying the energy, while Hekate is bringing depth and dark goddess magic. As psychopomp, she is midwifing what we need to release. She supports the shedding of what no longer serves and the detoxification process we’re all moving through.

In Scorpio, she’s working in the undercurrents of deep emotions and mystery. Because of this placement, she adds a layer of sexual healing, purging, and releasing of old, stuck emotions and trauma. She shows us how to access our power and that our inner power is not something to fear, but something to embrace.

She can see through the bullshit, she can get to the juicy depths of what really matters, and let go of everything that does not align with our soul path forward (North Node).  She is the psychopomp or midwife for transformation and the death/rebirth cycle we’re collectively moving through. All the while, Jupiter is adding nourishing and comforting support.

This is why delving deeper into the symbolism and healing power of water is highly supportive during this Full Moon. All that water represents—emotions, sensitivity, intuition, purification, empathy, and creativity—may be heightened.

It’s also important to pay close attention to your dreams, for they exist in the Neptunian realm of our subconscious waters. By reflecting on their symbolism and meanings, we may discover insights and golden nuggets of wisdom for our soul's path forward. 

Reflective Questions: 

• What emotions are rising to the surface for me right now? Can I give myself the space and permission to feel them fully? 

• What does purification (emotional, energetic, or physical) look like for me in this season?

• Where in my life am I standing at a crossroads, being asked to choose a new direction?

• What feels out of alignment with my soul path (North Node)?

• If I am being transformed, who do I imagine becoming? 

• What gifts or strengths do I have that are coming online and that I can nurture?

• What is my relationship to my inner power? What does it feel like in my body, and what comes up for me (emotions, fears, thoughts, visions) when I feel into it?  

Practice Ideas 

I highly recommend spending time near or in water around and during the time of this Full Moon. Perhaps you perform a Full Moon bath ritual with Epsom salts, and as you soak, hold the intention of releasing any energy that does not serve. Allow the water to cleanse and purify your energy. You can hold this same intention while swimming in a river or lake, or simply by putting your bare feet in a creek.

Because the veils are thin, consider going on a shamanic meditative journey to visit your spirit guides, power animal, or higher self. I suggest visiting the lower world or journeying to the depths of the ocean, and see what’s there for you. You might hold an intention like: “Show me what I am meant to see or know that serves my soul’s path forward.” Be open to whatever reveals itself, even if it doesn’t make logical sense.

Give yourself space to move energy, especially emotions. Sink deeply into the sensations of your body, and allow the sacred energy of this Full Moon to release anything within you that no longer serves.

Sacred Water Meditation

I suggest doing this guided meditation while in the bath, shower, or near a body of water, as the physical presence of water will help amplify the energy. That said, being near water is not required to do this meditation.

Before starting, I recommend some energetic hygiene, deep breathing, or movement that grounds you and releases energy. This includes yoga, dance, or walking in nature.

Begin by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths—in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breathe deep into your belly. Settle into your body, bringing all of your focus to this present moment.

Once you feel settled, imagine water pouring down on you from above. You might imagine standing beneath a waterfall, the water falling from the cosmos, or your spirit guide or higher self pouring a pitcher of water over your head.

This is sacred, cleansing water. It washes away anything that no longer serves, while also providing nourishment and healing. You may hold the intention (or something similar): “May this water cleanse and nourish me. May it wash away anything that doesn’t serve, and may it fill me with the energy of the Spirit.”

Allow it to wash over your body. Open your crown chakra and let it funnel down into your mind. Let it wash all the way through you— feel it flowing down your throat, into your heart, your solar plexus, and down into your base chakras and out your root. Let this sacred, cleansing water fill every part of you. There’s no need to force or push; simply keep your focus on the water. You are receiving this energy—soften and open to it.

Play with the sensations and follow your intuition. Let the wisdom of the sacred water go where it wants to go. Perhaps it lingers in your heart or womb. Let it. Trust and explore.

Trust whatever arises, and most importantly, let your energy move. You may feel vibrations in your spine, emotions may surface, or you may feel sensations in your belly. Surrender to it, embracing the nourishing and healing energy of this Divine, gentle water as it lovingly caresses every part of you.

Once you feel complete, return to the room you’re in, and journal anything that feels important for you to remember. 

May this Full Moon support you in releasing what no longer serves and open you up to the Divine Truth and Power within you.

With Love,

Rhianna Quanstrom
Read my other works here on Substack!

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For additional guidance & support as you navigate this Eclipse Season, check out these supportive offerings:

• Portal: An Online+ Day-Retreat (livestreaming from the Tipi on September 14th)

• Yin Yoga: Eclipse Edition (on-demand class)

• 013 • Eclipses, oh my! (podcast episode)