Spiritual Preparation for the Eclipse

My grandparents were farmers and lived, planted and harvested by the cycles of the moon. Their livelihood depended on it. Understanding and respecting nature's cycles was an innate part of their existence. They spent time in nature, appreciating her gifts and respecting her predictability. They taught me the value of paying attention and I have never turned away from that perspective.
Many have grown detached from nature. I know people who don't know the phase of the moon or whether it is waxing or waning. Sadly, their are those who don't even know what that means. But the eclipse on August 21st has captured the attention of nation and beyond, and people are paying attention! Some merely see the eclipse as an amusing spectacle, but it is so much more. It isn't so much about how to view it, but how to use the momentum for months ahead. This is an ideal time to consider how to prepare. 
The August eclipses are in Leo and Aquarius, providing a bridge to move us from the status quo to a new and more meaningful way of life. if we  take time for self reflection and take action.
Eclipse season is two fold. It began on August 9 with a full moon partial lunar eclipse and received little attention. Those who watch the sky, however, were well aware of the power of this eclipse to consider letting go of what isn't serving us well, and we have been using that energy to embrace tomorrow's event. 
People are traveling across the country to get a better view of the August 21 eclipse. Viewing it an exciting part of the experience, but the real opportunity is in using it for self reflection and progressive movement towards a more fulfilling life.
Each month brings a new moon, an ideal time for new beginnings. If I'm starting a new project, exercise routine or on line class, I coordinate with the new moon to bolster the odds of momentum and success. This new moon solar eclipse has the power of three new moons and it is the ideal time to move toward new challenges! 
Those of you who follow my blog ( I get an average of 4,000 hits a day so I know you're out there!), know that I occasionally review and update my manifesto. I'll be posting it tomorrow.  I encourage you to join me in considering your values, core beliefs and what you will and won't settle for in life. If you don't have a manifesto, you might want to consider creating one to provide a strong base for daily living. You can use mine as a guide, but I strongly encourage you to create your own based on your personal values. Copying mine will be significantly diluted compared to creating your own. 
The power of this eclipse will support you most strongly at the beginning, but will continue to be powerful for months ahead. Use this time to find closure and release the people. places, projects and things that aren't working in your life. Put aside unhealthy relationships to open doors for new ones. Leave or avoid places that drain your energy. If you won't, or feel you can't leave, use creative thinking to do all you can to improve them. Complete, delegate, or abandon projects that are unfulfilling. Get rid of clutter. I recently did a post on the beatifying and healing aspects of clearing space. 
​As the moon moves across the face of the sun, consider what you want to 'eclipse out' of your life. Do you have negative mental clutter that would best be replaced with positive affirmations and a focus on gratitude instead of fear? Do you comfort yourself with the three white powders - salt, sugar and flour - when you know your body deserves food that provides vitamins and nutrients instead of white fluff? We look like what we eat, by the way. Do you surround yourself with beauty to honor the beauty inside, or do you deny yourself because you feel you are underserving? Do you share your time and energy with people who cherish you and lift you up, or are you being continually drained by people with opposing values, in a continues depletion of energy and joy?
Use the gentle movement of the moon's shadow across the sun to reconsider, reevaluate and release. As the sun reappears, welcome new love, light, self understanding and self acceptance. 
The sun is the creator of all energy in our universe. It is the energy, the shakti, that enables all growth. Use this boundless energy force to redirect your life focus towards things that bring you joy! Namaste!