Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in 21°09’ Sidereal Aquarius in Purva Bhadrapada: PURIFY / INTENTIONALITY – Sept 7, 2025 at 14:09 ET
*Long post* Eclipses are considered to be powerful revealing events that shine the spotlight on areas that have been hidden or are ready to be seen. They can make secrets public, as we always see in the “bombshell” news articles the days immediately surrounding an eclipse. They highlight our karmic connections and give us opportunities for further engagement or release. They can usher in massive change, especially if there are connecting to planets or degrees in our personal birth charts. When an eclipse comes around, we get to do a deep dive into the areas highlighted by the eclipse as it unveils and unravels karmas ready to be faced or released… or we can create deeper karmas during these times. It’s always recommended to be mindful and intentional during eclipse season.
The Sept 7 Full Moon Lunar Eclipse falls in Purva Bhadrapada, an intense degree of sidereal Aquarius, whose name translates to “the lucky front feet.” It is symbolized by the front legs of a funeral cot (representing ultimate transformation and purification), and is ruled by Aja Ekapada, a one-footed deity who is a fierce form of Rudra, the storm god (a manifestation of Shiva, the destroyer). He’s a mythological figure, whose name means “he who eradicates problems from its roots," and connects to strength, stability and infinity. This is a powerful eclipse pushing us to go deep, burn off the old, make necessary shifts, and act with courage and determination.
When Purva Bhadrapada is prominent in the sky as it is with this eclipse, we're asked to turn inward - to examine the roots of our beliefs, mindset, habits, and behaviors with radical honesty. This is not a time for sugarcoating. It’s a time for burning illusions and stepping into authenticity. Eclipses are rarely gentle planetary events; rather they shake things loose, often bringing buried truths to the surface. If there’s anything we’ve been avoiding, eclipses make sure we face it.
The Vedic sign of this Eclipse is fearless; it’s not scared to walk through the fires of transformation as its symbols suggest. Rather, it leans into burning away the illusions in order to help us move towards deeper authenticity within ourselves and our paths. We are being urged to let go of the false narratives and distorted versions of ourselves we’ve held onto - especially if they weren’t consciously chosen - and to align more fully with our authentic truths. We’re being given a chance to reflect, release and pivot - and in impactful ways.
-SAUCHA-
A draw of this Purva Bhadrapada Eclipse is to “Saucha” — purity and cleanliness — one of the Niyamas (observances) outlined in the Yoga Sutras (*see below for more on the Yamas and Niyamas). It is said that all other niyamas/observances serve the purpose of achieving Saucha or purity in all areas of life, making it a foundational value for living in alignment. This eclipse offers us a potent window for cleansing — not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
In Ayurveda, we can cleanse in many ways. A few ideas: with a simple kitchari monodiet for a few days, with cleansing pranayama breath work, with nourishing abhyanga (self massage), with purifying swedana (intentional sweating). These all help us build up to Panchakarma, the more involved purification and rejuvenation program that is foundational to Ayurveda. As always, reach to a qualified practitioner for support. My resources page has helpful articles and videos: https://www.lexneon.com/resources
Individual articles:
https://ayurveda.com/recipes-kitchari/
https://ayurveda.com/video_stream/top-secrets-of-pranayama-an-ancient-art-of-blissful-living/
https://drclaudiawelch.com/abhyanga-ayurvedic-oil-massage/
https://blog.theayurvedaexperience.com/swedana-sweating-therapy-to-heal-from-inside-out/
-LUNAR CONNECTION TO NODES AND JUPITER-
This Full Moon is closely aligned with Rahu, the North Node, a powerful, unpredictable force of extremes that amplifies emotions or can create disassociation. When it merges with the Moon, feelings may become overwhelming, detached, or obsessive, making it challenging to stay grounded.
To navigate these energies:
-Practice grounding techniques. Staying inside and in meditation during the eclipse is recommended.
-Keep meals simple and warm throughout the day. (See kitchari recipe above)
-Write down your intentions and next steps clearly. Keep it simple and within reach. Meditate on this during the eclipse. It is said our thoughts are greatly magnified during an eclipse so stay focused and positive.
-Use mantras, affirmations, or breathwork to stay centered if you feel ungrounded or unable to meditate easily.
-Stay anchored in the present as much as possible. Rahu can make us antsy or makes us get in our heads about things, so seated yoga postures during the day will be helpful. Aquarius connects to the calves so activating this part of the body is supported.
-KETU/JUPITER-
Ketu (the South Node) and Jupiter also aspect this Full Moon, creating a push-pull between intuition and confusion, faith and doubt. It may feel like a tug-of-war between inner knowing and the fear of making a misstep or being misled. With the eclipse in Aquarius, a sign associated with social systems and the collective consciousness, we’re prompted to reflect on how societal expectations have shaped our beliefs and self-worth, and how we are engaging to support the whole.
-PITRU PAKSHA-
This eclipse also marks the beginning of Pitru Paksha, a sacred time (from Sept 7-21) to honor our lineage. We are invited to reflect on the lives, struggles, courage and love of those who came before us. It’s a time for deep ancestral healing, clearing karmic patterns, and offering gratitude for the strengths and sacrifices that shaped our path. This is also a moment to consider our role in our lineage and in the idea of the “seven generations”: how what we heal now echoes back to our ancestors and forward to future generations. These eclipses are an opportunity to consciously break cycles that no longer serve, and to carry forward only what is rooted in wisdom, love, and truth. It’s a supportive moment to spend time in the coming days reflecting on our roots:
-What gifts have been passed down that you now have the opportunity to embody more fully?
-What burdens are you ready to release that weren’t yours to carry?
-What legacy are you building for those who will come after you?
JOURNALING PROMPTS
Eclipse Questions to consider:
-Where have I been covering my eyes or avoiding facing the truth?
-Is there an illusion that is ready to fall away?
-Where might I be acting from societal conditioning rather than truth or soul purpose?
-What collective vision feels aligned with my personal vision?
-Am I engaging authentically in the world?
-Are my actions in alignment with the greater good?
-What part(s) of my life are in need of “saucha” - of purification and cleansing?
-YAMAS/NIYAMAS-
*In addition to Saucha (purity/cleanliness), the other Niyamas include: Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline/austerity), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender/service). See article: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/yoga-philosophy-basics-the-5-niyamas. The Yamas are the restraints to observe: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation or energy conservation), and Aparigraha (non-greed or non-possessiveness). See article: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/yoga-philosophy-basics-the-5-yamas.
::PEACE::
