2026 is the first year of a new 9-Year cycle.
While each year is unique, the first of a new cycle activates key themes. The previous one was 2017, when Donald Trump launched his ‘America First’ determination, China’s President, Xi Jinping achieved greater prominence, and Brexit was announced. This short list continues to have a major global impact.
Now, with AI, digital ID and currency rising rapidly, the headlines are clear. These developments can be deemed obvious in light of modern technology. Our world is poised to enter a whole new age, let alone epoch or era. Specifically, it is the Age of Aquarius, the sign of high technology, computers, humanism, and the celebration of individuality within the group. That these themes have already been operative for a long time is true, but the 2,160-year Age of Aquarius has yet to officially begin in terms of sunrise, but we are in the process right now. The dawning process at its earliest start point can be traced to 1920, the year the League of Nations officially began, it so happens.
The Moon’s Nodes changing signs, Saturn and Neptune entering Aries, Uranus entering Gemini and Jupiter entering Leo highlight key astrological events of 2026. While all but Jupiter listed here already entered the signs outlined in 2025, they entered their final stint due to each planet turning retrograde. So, when they re-enter in 2026, it will be for the duration of their transit, which for Saturn is about 2.5 years, for Uranus about 7, and for Neptune about 13 years. I elaborate on these cycles of influences in the Horoscope for the Year – 2026, which Members have access to.
January 18th New Moon
The first New Moon of 2026 occurred on Sunday, January 18. The Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Mars remained in Capricorn as a feature of this New Moon seed event, with Sun and Moon exactly conjunct (which equates to the exact moment of the New Moon), and Mercury and Mars are also conjunct, if a couple of degrees behind.
Just a little over a day afterward, the Sun entered Aquarius on the 19th, thus it begins during a waxing New Moon.
Where Capricorn is oriented to realistic, determined and decisive action, with Saturn (the ruling planet for Capricorn), and Neptune also closely aligned in Pisces, one aspect of the focus is on a push to clear away the past, like clearing lingering old, dirty, crusty snow prior to it melting away on its own under the early spring Sun. Another aspect of this configuration includes assertive power moves driven by economic ambition. Uranus in the late degree of Taurus is the strong indicator. The Lunar North Node, also in Pisces, adds to this disintegration process, all in preparation for new norms and expressions.
This marks the last official Lunation Cycle in the Year of the skin-shedding, growth-oriented Wood Snake.
So, the next New Moon begins the Chinese Lunar Year of the Fire Horse, which is getting a lot of press due to its exciting meaning, reputation, and purpose at this pivotal turn for our times. Below, I will weave some other various themes associated with this significant event to reveal the visionary significance of this coming event compounded by, or illustrated by the first Solar Eclipse of 2026, igniting the flames of change.
February 17th New Moon (Solar Eclipse)
The infamous Chinese Year of the Fire Horse, beginning with a Solar Eclipse on February 17, 2026, contributes to the gravity.
While it should not be interpreted literally, it is true that the Fire Horse Year is deemed ‘challenging‘ according to Chinese tradition. It has a way of ‘disrupting the status quo’, like a herd of horses galloping wildly through the outdoor marketplace. We are wise to at least take note and be as prepared in the whole sense of the word.
The exact degree of the Solar Eclipse is 28 Aquarius 50.
The following is an interpretation of the Sabian Symbols by Dane Rudhyar, from his book: An Astrological Mandala. Since it is freely available on the internet, here is the LINK to access it. Rudhyar is a powerful figure in modern Western Astrology and is the founder of Humanistic Astrology. To work with the book efficiently, you are advised to read the book in its entirety, including the Introduction and Parts 1,3 and 4, as well as Part 2. The material shared is quite deep, and sophisticated knowledge, so it will likely require a few reads and some rather sincere study, review and contemplation as well.
The basic thing for now is that for any of the 360 degrees of the Zodiac under consideration, you would read:
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the degree itself to determine the background influence,
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the following degree to determine the main associated focus of action, experience, or behaviour
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and the degree following it, to determine the overall direction or goal.
So, keeping the above in mind, here are the Sabian interpretations for 28, 29, and 30 degrees of Aquarius associated with the powerful, upcoming Solar Eclipse on February 17, 2026.
I am specifically sharing it with you to support your awareness and appreciation of the understanding that whatever is happening in the world now and whatever unfolds in 2026, it is woven with destiny and purpose.
PHASE 328 (AQUARIUS 28°): A TREE FELLED AND SAWED TO ENSURE A SUPPLY OF WOOD FOR THE WINTER.
KEYNOTE: Knowledge and skill used in its natural surroundings for the satisfaction of vital basic needs.
This symbol combines, as it were, the implications represented in the two preceding ones. It relates to natural living, the human capacity to prepare for the future, and to use both physical strength and mental ingenuity. In meeting the hardships inherent in an existence close to nature, strength, efficiency and intelligence are needed, but they are incorporated in a life in which every act can be part of a harmonic and beautiful ritual permeated with deep significance.
This is the third in the sixty-sixth five-fold series of symbols. It refers to the efficient use of natural resources for ensuring man’s well-being. Such a use is based on INTELLIGENT FORESIGHT.
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PHASE 329 (AQUARIUS 29°): A BUTTERFLY EMERGING FROM A CHRYSALIS.
KEYNOTE: The capacity to utterly transform the character of one’s consciousness by radically altering the structural patterns of everyday living and the types of relationships one enters upon.
This is the second time within a very short span of the cycle that the butterfly symbol appears (cf. Aquarius 25°). Here, what is emphasized is the process of metamorphosis itself. It is the fourth symbol of a five-fold sequence, and it stresses the essential character of the activity required at this stage of the cycle, i.e. nothing short of a complete renewal of all the implications of being alive as a human individual will do. A radical change is needed. At this stage, this change is individual and mental, and it should be seen against the background of humanity as a whole. What is revealed is the potential ability of every human being to participate in a higher realm of evolution AFTER his or her emergence from a critical state of transition.
At this fourth stage of the sixty-fifth sub-cycle, the Keyword is METAMORPHOSIS. In spiritual terms, this implies “Initiation,” i.e. entering a higher realm of conscious existence and there joining a sacred Company.
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