What is the story about?
Mark your calendars. On February 17, 2026, the universe is about to pull off one of its most dramatic performances, an annular solar eclipse, the "Ring
of Fire." Ancient astrologers believed that solar eclipses were highly karmic events that helped to balance the scales of justice in the world, and thousands of years later, spiritual practitioners still believe these celestial moments hold the power to completely redirect your life. When the Moon slides between the Earth and the Sun, plunging day into an eerie twilight and leaving only a blazing ring of light, something far deeper happens. During a solar eclipse, there is a shift in the vibration and frequency of energies on Earth. You might feel out of sorts, extra sensitive, or like time itself has momentarily stopped. And here's the wild part: it's not just humans who feel it. Animals can actually sense this change in vibration and often display erratic behaviour leading up to and during an eclipse. It was even observed that before a solar eclipse, spiders would dismantle their webs and build them up again once the eclipse had passed. If spiders are rebuilding their entire homes, imagine what's happening inside your body.
The Strange Things Happening Inside Your Body
Besides feeling tired and lethargic, a solar eclipse can also help to activate a dream-like state. Your sleep cycle? Disrupted. Your digestion? All over the place. Your emotions? Wildly unpredictable. Why? Because our circadian rhythms are dependent on the rising and setting of the Sun, and when darkness falls during the middle of the day even just for a few hours, it can definitely have an influence on our body. Your pineal gland, that tiny but mighty part of your brain responsible for your sleep-wake cycle, gets completely confused. This same gland is also connected to your third eye, your intuitive center. So when the eclipse hits, it can help to activate the pineal gland, which can bring about a spiritual awakening of sorts.
Your gut might also throw a tantrum. The solar plexus chakra, located just above your navel, governs digestion, personal power, and willpower. During an eclipse, this energy center can go haywire. You might experience stomach discomfort, acid reflux, or a sudden loss of appetite. This isn't random, it's your body responding to a massive cosmic shift.
And let's not forget the emotional rollercoaster. There are reports of increased agitation, unusual dreams, sudden bursts of creativity, and even relationship difficulties during a solar eclipse. Your balance may be off. You may feel like you're floating through the day. Your mood could swing from inspired to anxious within minutes.
What Astrology Says: Expect the Unexpected
From an astrological perspective, solar eclipses are cosmic wildcards. These cosmic events are known for creating the potential for swift shifts and intense growth spurts. These events are often marked by shocking revelations, sudden endings, and exciting new beginnings that help to realign us with our true calling, albeit sometimes in surprising ways.
The energetic effect of an eclipse often brings a "crisis moment" that pushes us out of our comfort zones and forces us to see life in a new way, which often leads to beginning and ending important chapters of our lives within a short amount of time. A job offer arrives out of nowhere. A relationship suddenly ends. A long-held dream finally feels achievable. Nobody gets out of an eclipse without impact.
And here's the thing: the energy of eclipses is also known to be unstable, they are times when things feel heightened. The universe is essentially hitting the reset button on your life, and you don't get much say in the matter. Think of it as fate stepping in to course-correct.
During a solar eclipse, the pattern for us energetically is like this: First, we have an intense 'power outage' that knocks you right out. This is then followed by a heightened renaissance: an amped up 'power surge.' You might feel utterly drained one moment and suddenly flooded with clarity and energy the next.
This particular eclipse falls in Aquarius, the sign of revolution, innovation, and collective awakening. Expect breakthroughs in technology, sudden insights about your life purpose, and a powerful urge to break free from anything that's been holding you back.
The Precautions You Absolutely Must Take
Now, let's get practical. If you want to navigate eclipse season without feeling like you've been hit by a cosmic freight train, here are the ancient precautions that have been passed down through centuries:
Don't Make Major Decisions: It's not advised to make big decisions during this time period because of the impact it can have on your mood. Job offers, breakups, major purchases, put them on hold. The eclipse energy is too chaotic for clear thinking.
Avoid Starting New Projects: Ancient astrologers always wrote that if you act under an eclipse, your plan would not work out quite the way you expected, and it will likely not be to your advantage. If someone else brings something to you? Fine. But don't initiate anything yourself.
Skip the Manifestation Rituals: During an eclipse, the sun, moon, and earth align in such a way that the light of the sun and moon becomes obstructed. This actually compromises the power of the luminaries, making it an inauspicious time to call on their energy in a ritual. Put your crystals away. Don't charge them in eclipse light.
Stay Indoors If You Can: There are many astrologers and spiritual advisers who would advise against standing outside and soaking up the sun during an eclipse. Because the light of the sun is obscured by the shadow of the moon, its power is radically reduced. The light will exhaust you and deplete you rather than empower you.
Fast or Eat Light: Many spiritual traditions recommend fasting or eating very lightly during the eclipse window. Don't cook or eat during a solar eclipse. Take bath and then cook once the solar eclipse is over Born Under Saturn. Your digestive system is already under stress from the cosmic shifts, don't add to it.
Take a Spiritual Bath Afterward: Once the eclipse passes, cleanse your energy. Ritual baths are a simple and effective way to invite the healing energy of the lunar eclipse to wash over your problems BuzzFeed. Use salts, rose petals, essential oils, and your intention to reset.
What You Should Do
Eclipse season isn't all doom and gloom. It's actually a powerful time for inner work. Use it as a time for reflection, planning, and being a little extra mindful of decisions. Let go of what needs to be gone and make space for all the new stuff coming in.
Meditate. Journal. Sit in silence. If your mind is racing, you're feeling anxious and you're worried about what's coming next, set aside time to write in your journal, breathe deep and meditate. Pull tarot cards for guidance. Connect with your intuition. This is the time to listen, not to force.
One way to get past all the restless energy radiating through the air during a solar eclipse is by simply taking a moment to cleanse your energy and your space. By lighting sacred smoke or incense, you will be able to clear away some of the mental fog and stagnant spiritual energy.
And most importantly? Be gentle with yourself. For those sensitive souls out there, you may feel the energies intensifying as the solar eclipse gets closer, so just be gentle with yourself and practice lots of self-love and self-care.
The days leading up to February 17 might feel strange. You might have vivid dreams, feel more emotional than usual, or find your sleep schedule completely off. This is normal. The eclipse portal opens about two weeks before the actual event, so you're already in it. Also, here's a secret: if you respect the energy, protect yourself with ancient wisdom, and surrender to the process, you just might emerge on the other side more aligned, more powerful, and more awake than ever before.
So when the sky darkens and that blazing ring of fire appears on February 17, don't panic. Breathe. Trust. And remember, this too is part of your journey. The universe is clearing the path for something bigger, something better, something you've been waiting for all along.
