Partial solar eclipse in Virgo prompts reflection and caution

A partial solar eclipse is set for Saturday, September 21, with the event beginning at 1:29 p.m. EDT and reaching its peak at 3:41 p.m. EDT. The phenomenon occurs as the Sun, Moon and Earth align and the Moon's shadow partially blocks the Sun. The eclipse will be visible in part from New Zealand, eastern Australia, several Pacific islands and parts of Antarctica; observers in North America will not see it.

Astrologers place the eclipse at 29 degrees Virgo, a point associated with ritual purification and pruning. This alignment is said to invite letting go of perfectionism and over-analysis, a theme many observers may feel even if they cannot view the event from their location. "This rare moment of celestial energy provides a powerful opportunity for reflection, release, and renewal. It’s an energy that resonates globally, whether it’s visible from your location or not," Echo, a professional tarot reader at Tarotap, told The Post. The alignment is described as a call to delve into deep work and notice where we’ve been clenching, holding, and desperately clinging. [Image: solar eclipse collage]

According to Echo, eclipses ripple through the collective, so the shift is less about the shadow on the Sun and more about the shadows we’re ready to release. Even if you can’t see the eclipse from where you are, you’ll feel it. The event is seen as an invitation to deep work and a chance to realign with clarity, balance, and renewal.

Guidance for what not to do during an Eclipse emphasizes taking things slowly rather than initiating new ventures. Echo notes that eclipses aren’t ideal times to rush into new beginnings. Instead, they operate as a cosmic pause that invites a slower tempo and a retreat from habits that disrupt clarity: avoid impulsive decisions, don’t over-schedule yourself, skip perfection-driven projects, avoid forcing clarity, and limit the temptation to compare yourself to others on social media. "Choices made in the intensity of an eclipse often don’t stick. Give yourself space and wait until the energy has settled before making any long-term decisions," Echo said. "Keep plans light and allow yourself time to rest."

To help ground people during the high-energy period, Echo offers a set of practical rituals. A mindful break from screens is key, followed by a one-minute breath reset: inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four. Repeat three times or until you feel recalibrated. He also suggests a digital detox—an uninterrupted hour without screens during the eclipse week—to reduce mental clutter. Walking barefoot on grass, soil, or sand for five minutes is recommended to physically ground Virgo’s mental overactivity. These grounding practices are part of a broader toolkit designed to ease the eclipse’s destabilizing energy and support a gentler, more sustainable shift.

Echo also shares exercises designed to help release perfectionism in small steps. One approach is the 80/20 Reflection: write down 10 tasks you completed this week and highlight the two that mattered most and brought the deepest joy, reinforcing that impact can matter more than flawless completion. Another exercise is the Thought Parking Lot: write worries on sticky notes, drop them into a jar, and revisit them in three days to see which concerns still matter. A third method, the Compliment reversal exercise, involves following every self-criticism with a compliment, gradually softening negative self-talk. A tarot-focused practice called the Tarot shadow swap invites you to identify a habit you want to release with one card, then draw a second card to show what energy can take its place, signaling not just release but replacement with something better. Echo urged readers to view this solar event as a cosmic decluttering moment, a chance to simplify and clear mental and emotional clutter before the next seasonal shift.

For those seeking additional perspectives, astrologer Reda Wigle provides horoscopes that contextualize planetary configurations and their effects on signs. Her outlooks often integrate history, poetry and personal experience. Those interested in deeper guidance can visit Wigle’s website to book a reading.

As the eclipse energy circulates, many observers will feel the effect even if the sky remains mostly hidden. The weekend’s celestial activity is framed as an opportunity to slow down, reassess patterns, and choose gentler forms of progress. Whether you can see the Sun briefly dim or not, the moment offers a chance to release outdated habits and realign with a simpler, clearer path forward.