Eclipse season is a time of year when major shifts take place internally and externally. Indigenous peoples from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Latin America paid respect to the land, the sun, and the moon during this rebirth and transformation. Traditions practiced for thousands of years are honored, creating a powerful connection between the physical and spiritual world. The interconnectedness of all things is a strong belief within many Indigenous groups as a way of life. Eclipse season is a time when that connection can be strengthened and confirmed to Spirit. The energy is powerful whether it's a solar or lunar eclipse, partial or full. Modern times have disconnected many of us from the interconnectedness of all things that are foundational beliefs of Indigenous peoples. We can regain it by honoring the spiritual traditions passed down through generations by our ancestors. A total lunar eclipse on March 14 will follow the Full Moon in Virgo's peak and will be visible throughout the United States and South America, as well as parts of Europe and Africa. On March 29, we welcome a partial solar eclipse, which coincides with the New Moon in Aries. This creates an excellent time for manifesting and gathering in community with others to raise the vibration here on Earth. What is a Lunar Eclipse? A lunar eclipse is a dance between the sun, moon, and Earth. The Earth takes the lead, moving between the sun and the moon and casting a shadow on the moon. Lunar eclipses, whether partial or full, only occur during a full moon, which creates heightened energy on its own. Spiritually, lunar eclipses are respected as a transformative time. It brings the shadowy sides of ourselves to the surface to be healed. What is a Solar Eclipse? A solar eclipse is another kind of astrological dance when the moon leads, passing between the sun and Earth. Partial solar eclipses happen when the moon blocks only a portion of the sun. Whether the moon is blocking the sun fully or partially, it casts a shadow on parts of the Earth. The energy can be felt across our planet. Like a lunar eclipse, solar eclipses hold spiritual significance as powerfully transformative times. As the moon momentarily blocks the sun, we can honor the shadow work that is so essential to spiritual growth and healing. What Indigenous Spiritual Rituals Are Done During a Lunar Eclipse? Indigenous people often practiced deep introspection during lunar eclipses. Many traditions include fasting, abstaining from sexual activity, staying indoors, prayer, and meditation. Their stillness was a way to show respect to Mother Earth and the Great Spirit for the significant cosmic changes and renewals taking place during the lunar eclipse. Palo Santo and Copal are great during this time. You can even mop your floors with a mixture of warm water, Florida Water, and Rue Water. Rue, or ruda, has been used for centuries to remove evil energy from spaces and people. It cannot be consumed but is quite powerful as a cleanser or in spiritual baños or limpias. After your space has been cleansed of negativity, stagnant energy, and blockages to joy and inner peace, it's time to fill your home with gratitude and love. Consider gathering everyone who lives in the home together to meditate and pray. Hold hands in a circle and tune into the energy that is created. Deep breathing together and even long embraces can improve the flow of energy in your home, community, and the world at large. It begins within us and will naturally flow outward. What Indigenous Spiritual Rituals Are Done During a Solar Eclipse? Solar eclipses are honored and respected in similar ways to lunar eclipses. Some Indigenous groups believe staying indoors shows respect for the sun's symbolic death and rebirth during the eclipse. Other traditions include being outdoors during the eclipse and dancing under the sun in celebration of its life-giving energy or partaking in naming ceremonies to honor new life. When the moon casts its shadow over the light, engulfing the planet in momentary darkness, silence, prayer, and meditation occur until the sun's rays return. In Western civilization, we often wear protective glasses to marvel at solar eclipses. But Indigenous traditions believe the opposite. As a sign of respect for this display of life's cycles between the light and the dark, Indigenous groups did not look up at it but instead turned inward to connect with it on a spiritual level and allow the energy of the eclipse to flow through them. The upcoming March 29 partial solar eclipse would be a great time to celebrate as the sun shines and then revert into stillness as the moon casts its shadow. Think of yourself as a plant that has survived winter. You may have to prune the parts of yourself that have died or are dying. This could be old ways of thinking, patterns, or even people and places you may have outgrown. Dig deep to find the parts of you that are no longer needed and remove them so the other parts