PHOTO: Sean Locke/Stocksy

The first eclipse to make its entire way across the U.S. since 1918 (and the first one seen in the U.S. since 1979) will be visible Monday, August 21—and it’s a big deal. Sure, it’s a major meteorological event, but it’s also spiritual for a lot of people.

Glamour‘s astrologer, Jessica Lanyadoo, runs down what the eclipse means for your zodiac sign, what solar eclipses typically symbolize, and how long its effects could last.

This eclipse seems like a big deal to members of the astrology community. What makes this kind of event special to people who do what you do?
Part of what you’re seeing is the uptick in people’s interest and understanding of astrology. Eclipses happen a couple times a year, but not all eclipses are total as this one is. It’s unusual in that it will be visible across the whole U.S. Eclipses create a shadow, and astrologers see that we, in turn, are forced to confront our own shadow. It’s intense, and people are really feeling it.

Astrologically speaking, what are Eclipses known for doing?
Eclipses are harbingers of change. This one marks a time to stand up for what you believe in and to live your life with more passion and integrity.

Could the chaotic news cycle be blamed on eclipse season? Or will it at least affect how we react to the news?
Absolutely! In my opinion, we are being confronted by our shadow. That means different things for different people, but for us as a country, it’s pretty clear: this Eclipse is asking us to investigate our shadow on the collective level. The shame of genocide, slavery, the KKK, anti-Semitism, and institutionalized racism are the shadow of the U.S.A. We as a nation cannot look away or turn our backs on what’s happened in our history or what’s happening in the here and now. My dear friend, astrologer Christopher Renstrom, says, “Solar Eclipses in Leo—especially total Eclipses—are said to presage…the downfall of a person in high office.” And to be honest, I totally hope so!

Do they affect certain signs more, or differently? If so, why?
Astrology is a bunch of math, as unsexy as that sounds. So for anyone who has the math of their chart directly aspected by the math of this Eclipse (the Moon and Sun will both be at 29 degrees of Leo), the effects will be stronger. For people who have Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, or Scorpio prominently placed in their charts, this will be an especially personal event, but no one will be untouched by this Eclipse.

Any Eclipse-specific self-care tips?
We’re all on call to confront our own shadows and bring them into the light. This is an emotional time, and the Sun in astrology is related to the will: it represents our identity and desire to do something. So here’s my tip: choose love, and align all of your actions from that place. There are really only two choices in life: fear and love. If you distill all of your thoughts and all of your actions down to their most essential form, they are the embodiment of one or the other. Fear is pervasive. It promises to make you safe and pretends to be wisdom, but it isn’t. Love is risky and radical and comes from a place of strength; it’s the very force of creation. Align yourself with that, especially when it’s hard.

When can we expect the effects of the Eclipse to wear off? Does it even work that way?
Anywhere from the next six months up to the next year and a half will be marked by the events that happen now. But here’s the beauty of astrology: We look at things as a continuum, not isolated events. So the growth or regressions of this moment are always an opportunity. We can rise or fall (that’s where your free will comes in), but it won’t happen all at once. This is a New Moon, and that represents a powerful new chapter; it’s one we’ll be exploring for a long time to come.

For more eclipse news and info—including when you might be able to see it in your area—NASA has a great tracker.