This Rare New Moon Solar Eclipse Is Pure Magic: Here's How To Harness Its Power

Calling all sirens and mermaids! The February 26, 2017 new moon (solar) eclipse in enchanting Pisces—the watery sign of the Fish—opens the floodgates of healing and compassion, while also exposing us to what's been hidden in the depths.

Ruled by spiritual Neptune, Pisces governs the seas—and this eclipse may reveal what's been hidden deep in the fathoms below. Avoid denial (a Piscean pitfall) at all costs. The only way to really heal is to actually deal, painful as that may be for some. Eclipses can bring shake-ups and wakeup calls, and this one might alert us to people who are hurting in our midst. Don't underestimate the power of a small, loving gesture to change another person's life!

Having healthy boundaries is equally important, too. Giving is not a true act of generosity if we exhaust ourselves in the process. Snip those toxic ties—and quickly—because getting burned a second time is just not worth the anguish.

The Pisces new moon solar eclipse also marks the beginning of a poetic, romantic and divinely inspired cycle that culminates with the full moon on September 6, 2017. Plunge into your passions! This is a stellar time to start a meditation practice, journal or free-write, learn an instrument or dive into the arts—particularly music and dance, which fall under Pisces’ jurisdiction. But don't be discouraged if you don't nail it on the first go. Practice makes perfect!

Since Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet of the subconscious and illusions, life is but a dream under this mystical spell. But hey, it can be fun when things go differently than planned—once we stop fighting against the current. The Pisces new moon eclipse presents the perfect opportunity to question, well, just about every assumption we’ve ever made.

We’ve heard enlightened people (and wannabe enlightened folks, like us) suggest that “reality” is a made-up concept, subject to interpretation. But you know, there might just be something to that. Albert Einstein, whose theory of relativity turned our concept of reality on its head, was a Pisces. This new moon encourages us to question linear concepts like distance and time. Ever notice that when you’re bored, an hour feels like a lifetime—but when you’re “in the zone,” it flies by way too quickly?

Pisces is the zodiac’s twelfth and final sign, which is why so many people born under this sign are “old souls” with a strong connection to the other side. Pisces is also associated with reincarnation and the afterlife. Another book that’s made a huge impact on us is Anita Moorjani’s Dying To Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing. When Ophi lost a friend due to tragic circumstances, we were so grateful to have found this woman’s autobiography.

Moorjani’s entire body was overtaken by cancer, and she battled the disease for four years. On her supposed deathbed, she realized her value as a human being, and that old, unconscious fear was at the root of her cancer. During this experience, she experienced pure oneness and love, being in multiple locations at once, and a state of freedom that she describes in poetic detail. After regaining consciousness, Moorjani’s health made a miraculous turnaround and she was released from the hospital weeks later without a single trace of cancer in her body.

What if you regarded everything you do—from brushing your hair to writing an email—as a work of art? Imagine what kind of honor, dignity and divinity you could bring to every waking moment. You would exist in a true state of grace. So here’s a Pisces new moon idea: try this as an experiment for two weeks and see how your experience of life begins to shift.

Pisces rules the subconscious, and more and more, brain scientists are finding shocking health benefits of tending to yours through meditation. While the idea can seem intimidating (is someone else's "om" more high-vibe than yours?) or irritating (you want me to sit still for how long?), you don't have to run off to a ten-day silent retreat to achieve the stunning benefits. Far from it. Meditation simply requires you to sit still and be aware of your breath, even for a couple of short minutes (this great guide to meditation for non-meditators explains it well).

Pisces rules the oceans and seas, and this eclipse could spotlight the need to protect and share our planet's water. We are still in a state of disbelief that the residents of Flint, Michigan continue to be subjected to contaminated and poisoned water, after the Trump administration quietly closed the investigation. Or the people of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe who were forced to evacuate earlier this week, thanks to the same administrations prompt reinstatement of the Dakota Access Pipeline which put their clean drinking water in jeopardy.

Beyond this, millions of children around the world have little to no access to safe, clean drinking water. There’s a good chance that many of us at home use more water than we need to, so be extra diligent about not running the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth and reusing water in the kitchen whenever possible. Since our oceans are more polluted than ever, cutting back on household trash can help, too. At this Pisces new moon, take action to change that, whether you get involved with the #Justice4Flint cause post-rally or start your own CharityWater campaign.