Eclipse Season & The Sacred Pause: Honoring the Sun and Moon
There’s something humbling about watching an eclipse. It reminds us that we are part of something vast, something ancient. Our worries, though important, are small in the grand dance of the cosmos.
This eclipse season, which began with the total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, will continue with a partial solar eclipse on March 29. It is a time of alignment—when the Earth, moon, and sun come together in ways that shift light, shadow, and energy.
Many Indigenous cultures saw eclipses as deeply sacred moments. One legend tells of the Sun and Moon as lovers, destined to chase each other across the sky, rarely meeting. But when an eclipse occurs, it is their private moment to be together—a moment so intimate that it is considered respectful to turn away, to observe in reverence and silence.
I love this idea—the eclipse as a celestial pause, a moment of sacred stillness. In many traditions, eclipses are not a time for action, but for reflection. The sky itself is telling us: Wait. Observe. Listen.
Stillness in a Time of Upheaval
And yet, it can feel hard to pause right now. The world is loud, chaotic, uncertain. The weight of current events—the struggles for women’s rights, climate justice, and scientific integrity—can feel overwhelming.
Last weekend, on March 8th, I attended the Women’s March in town. It was grounding to be among others who care enough to show up and speak out. There was something deeply reassuring about standing together, sharing space, reminding each other that we are not alone in these struggles.
Moments like these—of activism, of connection—are important. But so is the quiet in-between. The eclipse reminds us that even in times of change, there is a need for stillness. We cannot be in constant motion—just as the moon must sometimes step into the shadow before returning to the light, we too need moments of pause.
Qigong: The Sun, the Moon & Finding Balance
This idea of celestial balance is also woven into Qigong, where many movements honor the Sun and Moon. Movements like "Gazing at the Moon" and "Raising the Sun" invite us to embody their energies, connecting our practice with the natural rhythms of the cosmos.
At the end of Qigong, we perform a symbolic union of Sun and Moon—one hand makes a fist, representing the Moon, while the other spreads its fingers like the rays of the Sun. Bringing them together in front of the heart feels empowering, whole, and deeply satisfying—much like witnessing an eclipse. It is a moment of sacred union, alignment, and balance, reminding me that, even in times of uncertainty, there is harmony to be found.
A Simple Equinox Ritual
As the Spring Equinox (March 19-20) approaches, bringing a balance of light and dark, I invite you to honor this celestial time not with grand action, but with gentle presence.
🌙 Light a candle – A small flame as a reminder of the fire within.
🌙 Chant or meditate – Try Om Chandraya Namaha, a mantra to honor the moon’s wisdom.
🌙 Step outside and observe – Even if you don’t see the eclipse directly, look up. Feel the transition.
🌙 Practice a Qigong movement – Whether it’s "Gazing at the Moon" or simply bringing Sun and Moon together with your hands, embody this sacred moment.
This is not a time to push forward forcefully, but to listen to what is unfolding. The world needs us engaged, but it also needs us steady. Just as the Sun and Moon take their moments of stillness together, we too can honor these sacred pauses, knowing they are part of the greater rhythm of change.
