Igniting the Flame of Our Great Transformative Awakening

This New Moon Solar Eclipse in Virgo on September 21st at 3:54 p.m. EST is about releasing karmic patterns, getting serious about what we truly want in this life, and softening into the wisdom of the Spirit.

This is a powerful and intense moment in time. Many planets and asteroids are active in the sky, too many to explore fully in one article, and they are all pointing to a deep transformation in every part of ourselves.

Transformation has been a key theme throughout this year, and it will continue to be a focal point for the next few years. Every layer of self is going through transformation. This includes our emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual selves as well as our archetypal layers: our inner masculine and feminine, the lover, the warrior, the healer, the witch, the priest/priestess, and so much more.

If we can attune ourselves—bring our conscious awareness—to the transformation occurring within (and the world as a whole), it will be easier to navigate our day-to-day lives, world events, and the “ascension” symptoms so many of us are experiencing. Attuning to the frequency of this rebirth cycle also opens us up more fully to this profound moment in time, allowing the energy to work us in even deeper ways.

I mention this because it is a theme for this current eclipse and the overall astrology until about 2027. This is the undercurrent weaving through every New and Full Moon in the coming months. This specific eclipse, however, is amplifying this transformative energy to the next degree. For us to truly become the next best version of ourselves, we must release what is keeping us in the “old.” And that is what this New Moon Solar Eclipse in Virgo is truly about.

(To learn more about eclipse energy and the South and North Nodes, check out my past astrology report. I dive into the specifics of eclipse seasons, including what’s actually occurring in the sky and why they are such deeply powerful and intense moments in time.)

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Virgo Overview

This New Moon Solar Eclipse is occurring at 29° of Virgo. The 29th degree is a powerful point, commonly referred to as the Anaretic, Crisis, or Karmic degree. It signals the end of a cycle, as it is the last degree in a zodiac sign, and anything left unfinished will be brought to the forefront.

As a karmic degree, it is a release point. Karma is the law of cause and effect; for every action, there is a reaction. It signals coming face-to-face with what we are meant to learn and evolve from based on past choices or experiences. These can be intense lessons, as they often involve soul-deep, karmic, or past-life wounds, experiences, or contracts that we are meant to resolve. This occurs on the world stage as well as in our personal lives.

Not only is the New Moon occurring on an anaretic degree, but it is also a South Node Eclipse opposing Saturn (28° Pisces) and Neptune (0° Aries). The South Node is karmic, ancestral, past-life territory. Saturn is considered the “Lord of Karma,” while Neptune is the mystic, all-is-one consciousness.

The fact that this South Node Eclipse is opposing Saturn, Lord of Karma, shows just how deeply karmic this New Moon is. It is shadowy, triggering, intense, challenging, and may be extremely uncomfortable for some. It’s a time of great purging as we collectively and individually release the old and move into the new. By “purging,” I mean a release of past energy or karma, and this can happen energetically, emotionally, or physically.

Because this eclipse is happening on the health and spiritual axis (Virgo and Pisces), you’ll want to pay attention to your physical body. Really nourish and take care of your physical vessel this New Moon, and if something does come up with your health, go deeper into it.

Whether it’s a cold, a stomach bug, muscle pain, or an injury, I recommend meditating on the experience to see if there’s anything you are meant to know about it. Plus, by bringing your conscious awareness and love to the pain or discomfort, you help yourself heal and release the energy.

Normally, New Moons are about planting seeds and setting intentions for the next phase. While this is still true for this New Moon, it’s a bit paradoxical because of the intense karmic energy. As such, it’s about planting seeds or intentions to release what no longer serves.

The Saturn opposition adds a level of strict masculine energy. He’s saying, “It’s time to get serious with yourself. Pay attention! Let go of what you know you are meant to let go of!”

He can be a harsh reality check. But these challenges are how we grow and mature, ultimately becoming healthier and more fulfilled versions of ourselves.

However, to get there, we usually have to change something about ourselves or our lives, and this can be the hardest part. This is where we cling to what’s known and comfortable, even if it’s hurting us. Have immense compassion for this part of yourself, and if you can, gently allow yourself to let go. Surrender to the river of change, and through surrendering, the path will become smoother. It may not be easy, but fighting and clinging to the old will make it much harder.

The Saturn–Neptune opposition also points to getting serious about what we truly want to create and experience in this life. It’s about making the dream real. With the Sun and Moon in Virgo, reflect on what you can do daily to bring your dreams into reality.

It also points to grounding the spiritual into your day-to-day routines and habits. It is about creating daily space and structures (Saturn) to dream, imagine, meditate, connect to your higher self, and focus on the love that connects us all (Neptune). 

Reflective Questions:

• What supports me in weaving my spiritual, heart-centered self into my daily habits, routines, and work? 

• What cycles, patterns, or relationships in my life feel complete, even if I’ve been resisting their end?

• How has my body been speaking to me lately? What signals or discomforts am I being asked to pay attention to?

The Neptune Fog

With the Sun + Moon opposing Neptune, a dense collective fog is revealed. It’s the cloud of unknowing, the haze of illusions and delusion. This fog is alluring and captivating, drawing us into the collective frenzy of fear and confusion. 

When we are in this fog of distractions, we cannot see clearly. It is the warming light of the Sun that clears away the fog and shines on the deeper truth of the moment. It is not the mind that will help us emerge from the fog, but the light of the heart and the soul. 

When you feel pulled by distractions and overwhelmed by the weight of what’s occurring, sink into your heart and body. Go all the way into your bones and find stillness there. Welcome the light of your soul to fill every part of yourself, and from this place, seek clarity and truth. 

This is something to pay close attention to during this eclipse and the coming months. Many opinions and emotions will be circulating through the collective atmosphere. It will be easy to become distracted and pulled by this energy. This moment in time is asking us not to seek answers or truth from external sources, but from the wisdom within.  

It is not that we should bury our heads in the sand and ignore what is happening, but rather discern when it’s time to “unplug” from the energy. We can unplug by grounding into our heart and body and tuning into the present moment. Going out in nature or taking a shower/bath can also help release the fog and bring our awareness back to the present. By “unplugging” from the fog and “plugging into” the present moment, we help nourish our mind, nervous system, energy, emotions, and physical self.

I also mention this collective fog and distractions because this is a powerful moment in time that we want to be aware of. There is so much potential and opportunity for growth, deep healing, and for releasing old baggage that we no longer need to carry. But we have to attune ourselves to it—we have to set aside distractions and go within. 

Despite the intensity, there is also so much wisdom, insight, joy, and gifts on offer during this eclipse. It is often through releasing, healing, and accepting that we uncover gifts—gold nuggets of wisdom, revelations, peace, and joy. 

Reflective Questions:

• Where in my life right now do I feel unclear, overwhelmed, or pulled in too many directions?

• What practices help me drop from my mind into my heart and body?

• When is it helpful for me to engage with collective conversations, news, and opinions—and when is it draining?

• What boundaries can I set to protect my nervous system, heart, and energy from collective overwhelm?

Pluto, Uranus, and Sedna: Amplifying Our Great Becoming

This New Moon Solar Eclipse forms a unique kite pattern in the chart. As mentioned, the Sun and Moon are opposite Saturn and Neptune. They are also trining Pluto (Aquarius 1°) and Uranus and Sedna (Gemini 1°). They are trining each other, and are sextile to Saturn and Neptune. Altogether, this geometry creates the shape of a kite, a powerful configuration. 

This is, again, pointing to deep transformation and great awakening. Uranus + Sedna, Pluto, and Neptune will remain in a Grand Trine (which forms part of the kite) for a few years, creating a prolonged transformative energy in the astrology. As such, the following isn’t just something to reflect on during this eclipse, but for the next two years. 

Sedna is an archetype of the sacred feminine, and her story is about transforming from a human into a goddess. Uranus is a great awakener with the capacity to open our consciousness to new dimensions of reality. He is awakening Sedna’s frequency (deep, full-body transformation) in our bodies, energetically and physically.  

Pluto is the lord of the underworld; he makes the unconscious conscious. Both Pluto and Uranus + Sedna are in air signs, which represent the mind. As such, there is a capacity to understand the transformation occurring and what is emerging from our shadow. Pay close attention to your thoughts, emotions, and triggers that come up during your day. 

If something comes up that is subtly poking at you (or perhaps not so subtly), I highly encourage you to set aside time to go deep within yourself. Perhaps you go into your heart, into your wise self—or you meet your higher self—and you see the more intricate undercurrents of what you're experiencing. Perhaps this will lead you to insights around your path forward. Or maybe it will take you to your inner child, or reveal fears, past wounds, or outdated habits that are influencing your daily life. 

Reflective Questions:

• What transformations am I currently experiencing in my inner or outer life?

• What shadow patterns, fears, or old habits are surfacing for me right now?

• What recurring thought, emotion, or subtle “nudge” has been poking at me lately, and what deeper truth might it point to?

• If I imagined my higher self guiding me through this transformation, what would they want me to know about my path forward?

Other Archetypal Energies at Play

Because there is so much occurring on the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Virgo, it is simply too much to cover in one report. Below is a list of other planets and asteroids that are loud in the sky, with their corresponding archetypal layers. If any of them stand out to you, I recommend meditating on them or incorporating them into your New Moon ritual or ceremony. 

• Mars: masculine warrior and lover; our action-oriented self (think: healing inner masculine wounds, becoming a warrior for peace and harmony). Caution: arguments, divisiveness, and righteous rage from the ego or wounded self. 

• Chiron: Shamanic healing; our greatest wounds becoming our greatest gifts.

• Vesta: Devotion to our inner, sacred flame. Devotion to our purpose, our passion, and what makes us feel alive. 

• Venus: Feminine lover. With aspects to Uranus and Vesta: sacred feminine awakening, sacred sexuality. Because she is in Virgo, think of being a lover of the Earth. 

• Shiva: Sacred masculine consciousness—strengthening our capacity to bring consciousness and focus to something. 

• Juno: Sacred contracts, marriage, long-term romantic partnerships (think: rewriting, upgrading, or releasing soul contracts). 

Practice Ideas 

Because this is a karmic, South Node Eclipse at the 29th degree, it’s a highly supportive time for shadow and inner child work. Perhaps you go on an underworld shamanic journey with a spirit guide holding the intention: “May you show me what I am meant to release or let go of.” 

Focus on energetic hygiene and body movement practices. One way to release old energy is to close your eyes, deepen your breath, and still your mind. Once you feel calm and centered, go within your body with an intention such as: “Show me where the energy is stuck and dense.” 

Pay attention to every subtle feeling and go to those places. Bring your consciousness to where you feel the stuck or dense energy, and allow it to start moving. Be gentle; there is no forcing or pushing. 

Your mind may jump in and try to control what’s happening. Gently let it go and trust the energy and sensations in your body. Your body knows how to move and release energy—let it. It’s okay if it’s weird! You can use breath, sound, movement, and visualizations to help move the energy. Let it be about the raw energy; your mind doesn’t need to understand what’s happening. If you are meant to know something about what you’re moving or releasing, you will know. 

Another practice idea is to allow the frequency of an archetype to come into your ceremony or meditation. Perhaps you feel called to work with Sedna, Vesta, or your inner lover or warrior. Set a sacred space and, with intention, allow that frequency to come online in your body. Maybe you open your crown chakra, and it spirals down from the stars. Maybe you simply allow it to reveal itself in your body. Be open to the wisdom that comes, and trust whatever you receive. 

Along with these practice ideas, I invite you to go within your heart as a daily practice. Bring your consciousness down from the mind and into your heart space. Breathe into your heart and simply notice what happens and how it feels. Notice the sensations and energy. Allow it to soften and open to the flow of love. You can practice this throughout your day as well—when you’re out on a walk, while doing household chores, while at work, and most importantly, when you’re interacting with people. 

Above all else, I encourage you to pay attention. Set aside time to be with yourself and go within to discover the love and wisdom that is always with you.

May the energy of this New Moon Solar Eclipse bless and awaken you to your highest potential. 

With love,

Rhianna Quanstrom
Read my other works here on Substack!

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For additional guidance as you navigate the remainder of this eclipse season and the current astrological weather at play, check out these supportive On-Demand Offerings:

• Portal: An Online+ Day-Retreat (on-demand day retreat)

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

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