A lunar eclipse is a special event that takes place one to two times per year, occurring when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon. Celestial events like these can have an energetic or transformative influence on us; the moon has strong associations with our emotions, intuition, and inner states, meaning the force of its shift can have impacts on our thought patterns. During eclipse periods, crystals can absorb, store, and amplify energy. The energy of the moon, especially during an eclipse, can enhance these properties further. This is why many people who use crystals for manifestation or spiritual purposes regard these times as particularly significant. The lunar eclipse is an ideal opportunity to wear specific crystals in your jewellery, in order to ensure that they are in close proximity to you during this period. Likewise, you can display crystals and gemstones in your home that bring qualities and energies that you are particularly looking to manifest.
The upcoming lunar eclipse will occur on March 25th, 2024 and this is a Lunar eclipse in Libra, following on from the solar eclipse on October 14th, 2023, which was a new moon in Libra. This particular lunar eclipse will be known as ‘penumbral’. During a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon moves through the Earth's penumbral shadow, causing a subtle shading on the lunar surface. In Australia, we will be able to see this eclipse from 7pm (AEDT) on Monday 25th March 2024, when 95.57% of the moon will be immersed in the Earth’s penumbral shadow. The eclipse will have a duration of 1 hour and 32 minutes.
How The Lunar Eclipse May Affect You
People may notice changes during the lunar eclipse, which can catalyse the formation of new patterns in your life. One significant shift you may note during the lunar eclipse is that of transformation and renewal. The shadow cast on the Moon during an eclipse is seen as a symbolic representation of darkness or challenges that can be overcome, leading to personal growth and positive change.
Additionally, we may notice energetic shifts. These events often influence emotions, consciousness, and spiritual awareness, providing an opportunity for introspection and personal development. Lunar eclipses can provide the perfect time to release old habits or emotions and let them go entirely. You may use this event as a time to cleanse elements of your life that no longer serve a purpose, or to reflect on past experiences, release negativity, and make space for new beginnings. Changes we experience may be abrupt or intense and this is important to remember: although these changes can teach us important life lessons, we also must be aware that everything is heightened during an eclipse.
Reflecting on and vocalising your goals and ambitions is a great way to utilise the lunar eclipse in a positive and productive way. This is a powerful moment to set intentions, perform rituals, or engage in spiritual practices. The heightened energy during these celestial events is believed to amplify the effectiveness of such activities.
The lunar eclipse is also a significant opportunity to connect with our feminine energies. The moon is often associated with feminine energies and so the celestial event of a lunar eclipse can be used as a particularly significant time for connecting with feminine aspects, intuition, and emotional well-being.
People belonging to the astrological signs of Libra, Cancer, Aries and Capricorn will feel the event of the March 25th eclipse more powerfully, all of which are known as the cardinal signs. Cardinal signs mark the beginning of each season in the astrological calendar (Aries for spring, Cancer for summer, Libra for fall, and Capricorn for winter). People born under cardinal signs are thought to be initiators, catalysts for change, and leaders who like to take charge of situations.
General Crystals To Guide You: Clear Quartz, Selenite and Moonstone
For eclipse season, you may want to use certain crystals in order to manifest certain energies relating to the eclipse, or to guide any changes being brought about in your life. There are a range of general crystals that you can use during these periods, as well as specific, more intentional crystals which may help you navigate certain situations.
One great crystal to use or to wear in jewellery during eclipse season is Clear Quartz. This crystal is very versatile, so using it during a lunar eclipse is a practice rooted in various spiritual and metaphysical beliefs. Clear Quartz is often associated with clarity, amplification, and the ability to enhance energy, making it a perfect choice to use during a lunar eclipse. It is also associated with all chakras and is believed to help balance and align them. During a lunar eclipse, individuals may use Clear Quartz to facilitate chakra alignment, meditation, or energy work, aiming to attune themselves to the celestial energies. The uncertainty which is often brought by eclipses means that Clear Quartz is a popular choice of crystal used to gain clarity on specific issues, make important decisions, or receive intuitive guidance.
Selenite is another clear crystal option to use during a lunar eclipse, due to its associations with the moon, making it a popular choice for those seeking to connect with lunar energies. The origins of the name of this crystal are from Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon and it is believed to have a high vibrational frequency that can dispel negative energies. Selenite is known for its purifying and calming energies and is commonly used for cleansing and charging other crystals. Wearing a gemstone like Selenite in your jewellery during a lunar eclipse will ensure you are physically close to it, which will help you make the most of its properties.
Additionally, Moonstone is a crystal which is intrinsically linked with the energies of the moon, as suggested by its name. Use of Moonstone during the lunar eclipse may be seen as a way to amplify and attune oneself to the heightened celestial energies associated with the event. This is considered a powerful time for spiritual insights and using Moonstone may be thought to enhance one's intuitive abilities and connect with inner wisdom.
Crystals To Use Intentionally During The Lunar Eclipse: Amethyst, Rose Quartz and Black Tourmaline
There are other crystals which are popular to use during events like the Lunar eclipse, which have more of an intentional function. Amethyst, for instance, is used for remaining calm and emotionally controlled during intense periods like the eclipse. Amethyst is often associated with spiritual growth, inner peace, and higher consciousness. During a lunar eclipse, which is considered a powerful and spiritually charged event, individuals may use Amethyst to enhance their connection to spiritual energies and promote a sense of tranquility. Amethyst is also known to promote lucid dreaming and dream recall. If this is an unwanted effect, Amethyst is better to be used during daytime hours, as its functions may be intensified during celestial events such as the Lunar eclipse.
Rose Quartz is a crystal that can be used intentionally, especially with regard to love and relationships. If you are looking to manifest certain romantic emotions in yourself or in others, the Lunar eclipse can be an ideal time to focus on this. Since emotions will be particularly heightened during this time, this can be an ideal opportunity to use this stone to guide your relationships or focus on intentions related to love, compassion, and heart-centered qualities. Lunar eclipses are often seen as powerful moments for setting intentions. Whether you choose to use Rose Quartz through meditation or by wearing a piece of jewellery containing a beautiful Rose Quartz gemstone, you will be able to connect with the crystal and use it for manifestation purposes. If being used intentionally, consider opting for a Rose Quartz pendant, which will allow a close proximity of the gemstone to your heart.
To protect against negative energies and electromagnetic fields during the Lunar eclipse, Black Tourmaline can be used. During a Lunar Eclipse, individuals may use Black Tourmaline to create a protective shield, ground themselves and shield against any potentially intense or disruptive energies. Black Tourmaline is believed to have the ability to transmute or transform negative energies into positive ones. Use of this gemstone is therefore ideal for cleansing and purifying your energy field, which will help you retain a sense of clarity. Having Black Tourmaline in close proximity to you will help you achieve this barrier of protection, hence why it is a popular choice in jewellery, which will be next to the body.
Engaging In Rituals During The Lunar Eclipse
Certain rituals can be carried out during the eclipse period and the heightened energy and symbolic significance can provide an opportune time to do so. Meditation, cleansing and charging crystals and carrying out rituals are all examples of things you can do to celebrate and utilise the lunar eclipse. Meditating with the crystal of your choice in the palm of your hand is a way to manifest your intentions and verbally speaking these out loud before or during your meditation is a clear way to reinforce your desires.
An example of a ritual that you may choose to carry out during the Lunar Eclipse is making moon water. This can simply be done by filling a bowl or jar with water and placing it under the moonlight on the night of the full moon. This can be used to drink, as part of your beauty routine, or to spray, in order to cleanse and revitalise your energy. Making crystal grids is an additional way that you may choose to enhance healing properties and these are deemed most effective when placed in geometric patterns.
On the evening of the Lunar Eclipse, many people take the opportunity to cleanse and charge their crystals. There are many things to consider when charging crystals. Firstly, you need to select the crystals that you want to be charged with a specific energy, or that align with your goals. They can then be put out under the moonlight and you can set intentions for them.
Being aware of the Lunar Eclipse is important in understanding your own energies. Heightened emotions are likely, but this may allow you to manifest desires more powerfully and set out your specific goals and resolutions.
