Astrology: Pivot Point
By Hilary Harley
January/February 2026
In the very best of ways, January 2026 is a far cry from January 2025. The first three months of last year, like cosmic sludge, very difficult energy to work through. Not so now at the beginning of this New Year 2026. A completely different page greets us on January 1, 2026. This first month is clear, direct and unburdened by planetary twists.
The planets do not hold back, leaping right into a Full Moon in nurturing Cancer the Crab on January 3rd. Use this nourishing energy for some deep self-loving care after the holiday rush. Both Sun and Moon are protective and look out for our best interests. You will certainly know if you can afford something, whether a person or project is worth your time and energy, and what the long-term effects of your efforts will bear. The New Year’s planets have our back; there is a larger wisdom at work and our job is to trust and follow it.
Messenger Mercury, Valuable Venus and Motivating Mars in Capricorn clarify what is ours to manage versus what belongs to others to do. They draw a granite line in the sand. This is not warm and cozy energy. Capricorn’s key phrase is: I Use. Crystal clear, we know what we have in the way of resources and information. As Saturn and Neptune finish in Pisces, ruler of dreams, follow the visions calling you. Aligning to Uranus, we have both the imagination and brawn to bring our inspirations to life. Now, use these for building and constructing your dream. What is your dream?
This steady-eddie energy holds firm and fast through the first two weeks of January until January 17th when Valuable Venus kicks off a chain of cosmic shifts. As Venus, the planet ruling love, money and relationships, moves into Aquarius, she harkens to a completely different drum—anything non-mainstream and unconventional. All natural cycles turn from one season to another. And life is about to shift gears. Big time.
Just hours later, the New Moon occurs in Capricorn on January 18th. With both Sun and Moon in this ancient earth sign, the torch has been passed. There is no going back, only moving forward.
Venus joins Powerful Pluto in Aquarius distinctly marking what was from what is yet to be. Venus points to where we will now assign our time, talents and treasure. Following her lead, the Sun, Mercury and Mars roll into Aquarius, creating a planetary powerhouse from January 20th-23rd. We play by a different rule book now, and on unusual playing fields. Expect the unexpected as Aquarius rules surprise, anything sudden.
Best to roll with the punches. This is particularly important as the outer planets, Uranus—Neptune—Saturn, magnify and multiply our thoughts and words exponentially now. Enter Neptune in Aries on January 26th; it will be in Aries until 2039. Neptune is soul and consciousness itself. In Aries, Neptune acts, engages, accomplishes, based on impulse. It is not shy or reticent. Especially aligning to Pluto, Uranus and Saturn for the next two years, Neptune follows divine downloads and directives and asks questions later.
Slow progress and power dynamics of old are now behind us. We are in for one wild and exciting ride!
Our wild ride wastes no time, beginning on February 1st with the Full Moon in Leo. Where January was relatively calm cosmically, February is the battering ram of planetary activity. It is a time of intense creativity; no dream is too fantastic or odd. This is not the time to play small or hold back. The only chance you regret is the one you did not take.
As change-maker Uranus turns direct motion just days later on February 4th, we are called to invest in ourselves. In earthy Taurus, Uranus invites us to develop new skills and ways of applying our existing talents, time and resources to long-term goals.
Jump right into accomplishing your dreams when Saturn shifts into Aries on February 13th. Joining soulful Neptune, Saturn pushes us to get a move on. We’ve cleaned the slate and can now truly begin. Our fresh beginnings coincide with the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius on February 17th, marking the first eclipse of 2026. Both Sun and Moon—our will and emotions—demand innovation, that we break from the pack, including anything or anyone that has held us back.
When Messenger Mercury turns retrograde on February 25th affording time for reflection about how to go about the changes we feel impelled to create.
