Eclipses and Magic
Recently, there has been a huge uptick in followers wondering if practicing magic is safe during eclipses and when is the best time to practice ritual magic. I have posted this information in several online witch groups, but thought it might warrant a blog post dedicated to eclipses, because there is so much information to talk about that it’s overwhelming to do so in 300 characters (looking at you twitter/X!)
In astrological magic, especially in the Vedic tradition, eclipses are seen as a malefic to the sun and to the moon. Eclipses occur when either of these conjunct the nodes (south node/Ketu or north node/Rahu) in an astrological chart. In 2023, the nodes shifted from the Scorpio/Taurus axis to the Aries/Libra axis, with Rahu into Aries and Ketu into Libra. Depending on your own natal chart you can see how these eclipses might affect you by the houses they will occur in.
While I do not recommend engaging in ritual during the time when the moon is in the sign of the eclipse, plus or minus a few days on either side, some well versed magicians find that the eclipse energy is profound for binding spells. Ultimately, we must all choose to practice in our own way - because magic is personal. However, I’ve shared a few tips below which I hope help each and everyone of you during these times.
Salt Baths
Regardless of if you are doing any rituals, I highly recommend partaking of salt baths - doubly so during eclipse season. It cleanses your body and energy and prevents any malefic effects from sticking to you. While great for sore muscles and soft skin, epsom salts are not really salt and will not clear your energy the way salt does, so make sure you use consecrated salts, or just table, himalayan, or french salts etc. Witches salt with activated charcoal and consecrated materia is ideal though messy in the tub, so use a muslin sack here.
Altars
A few days before an eclipse, I cover all my working altars with a light sheet or blanket to prevent their energy from being absorbed. This is especially important for abundance and wealth altars as you don’t want their growth energy to be affected by the eclipses.
Ritual, offerings and prayers
Eclipse season is the perfect time to reconnect with your guides/the Gods by making offerings appropriate to each of them and to just commune with them. I do not ask anything of them at this time, instead I offer milk, honey, fruits, wine, nuts, seeds or anything else that I know they really like.
Venus/Freya loves sweets for example so I offer her something sweet like donuts with some honey and milk.
Thor/Jupiter really likes meat on the bone and roasted vegetables, so I offer those to him - usually chicken thighs are received most warmly.
Offering up hymns like the Orphic Hymns is also a fabulous way to honour them. The act of making homemade bread for your pantheon is also a really great way to show your devotion and gratitude to them, but in a pinch, a nice store bought peasant loaf will do. Just make sure it’s not generic white bagged bread because it’s full of chemicals and preservatives and does not please them.
Basically, any offering that you have put thought and consideration into will be gratefully received. It’s the intention to please them that matters.
Mundane activities
So now you’ve likely cleansed your body and energy, your altars are covered and the Gods are appeased. This is also a perfect time to cleanse your physical space. Go through attics and closets and purge anything that doesn’t fit or no longer serves. Do a full-throttle house cleanse, including in the corners, behind doors or anywhere else that negative energy sticks. Clean our your car and garage. Tidy the yard and tend to the garden.
Fast and abstain from any mind-altering drugs or alcohol, or just eat light and healthy. Give yourself a literal or metaphorical enema - yes, I said enema!
Or, just take these few days off. Pamper yourself and your loved ones. Spend time together play cards or board games and cooking good and nutritious food - this can also serve double as offerings to the Gods.
Eclipse season doesn’t have to be bad or scary. It can be a delightful time when we have no “have to’s” and just take it easy and get back to the basics.
May this see you well fellow witch and bring you an uneventful and peaceful eclipse season.
Ást og friður!
Dallee