Why a High School Reunion Triggered My Shadow Work (and How the Eclipse Portal Is Pushing Us All to Heal)

From High School Flashbacks to Eclipse Healing

Even now, upperclassmen can make me feel like I’m back in high school—awkward, nerdy, and definitely not part of the “cool kids.” Luckily, my husband balances out my introversion, so I get to be a cool kid by association. That came in handy last weekend at his 40th high school reunion.

Here’s the twist: he actually got held back into my class after getting kicked out of boarding school. So, technically, our 40th reunion is next year. But at his reunion, I still felt that old, familiar sensation creeping in: not cool enough, not part of the group.

Isn’t it wild how fast those shadow-limiting beliefs get activated? One minute, you’re cruising along feeling fine, and the next, something triggers you right back to middle school—or even elementary school—feeling like a fraud. For me, the shadow belief that always gets triggered is: I’m not good enough.

I keep working on it. It’s like peeling back layers of an onion. Each time, I get the chance to notice it, sit with it, and heal a little more. That’s what the eclipse window is all about—bringing our unconscious shadows to the surface so we can face them.

The first step? Simply noticing the feeling when it hits. Then, unpacking the belief behind it. That awareness is the beginning of healing.

Eclipse Portal + Shadow Work

This is the last week of the Eclipse Portal, which closes on Sunday with the Virgo New Moon partial solar eclipse. We can’t see it here in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean it isn’t affecting us. Shadow work is all about making the unconscious conscious (borrowing Nancy Levin’s beautiful words).

A client of mine said last week that she thinks “the shadow is just the unconscious.” I thought—yes, exactly. That’s the core of inner healing: bringing unconscious patterns into the light so we can make different choices, instead of letting them run our lives in the background.

Planetary Shifts This Week

  • Mercury moves into Libra
     Mercury mirrors our mental state. In Libra, the focus shifts to relationships, awareness, and balance. This is a perfect time to notice where you need more awareness in your relationships—especially the one you have with yourself. Healing that inner relationship changes how we connect with everyone else.

     

  • Venus moves into Virgo
     Venus represents feminine embodiment, and Virgo brings Earth Priestess energy. Venus in Virgo reminds us we’re spiritual beings in physical bodies. It calls us to ground, connect, and remember our unity with the Earth.

     

  • Crescent Moon meets Venus
     On Friday morning, the waning crescent moon meets Venus in the east before sunrise. Venus is nearing the end of her morning star phase before disappearing into the Sun’s light. Ancient people called this Venus going into the underworld—a potent time for shadow work around the feminine. If you’re up early, catch this inspiring sight—it even inspired the oldest written myth on Earth.

I’m Sheridan, your Astrology Life Coach. I help women overwhelmed by perfectionism and self-sabotage clear the mental junk so they can create real transformation. Shadow work is at the core of what I do.

Free Equinox Astrology Coaching Event

And—mark your calendar! I’m teaching a free Equinox Workshop on Monday, September 22nd: Find Your Balance. We’ll align with the balance of equal day and night, shadow and light. The link to register is below.

✨ Register here for the free Equinox class + ceremony.

What’s one area of your life where you’d like to create more balance during this Equinox season?

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 ✨ With love,
 Sheridan
 Astrology Life Coach