2026 New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse in Aquarius + New Lunar Year of the Fire Horse
Author’s note: Apologies for this being late on this. After previously drafting & then experiencing paralysis by analysis on top of all the other curveballs this eclipse energy brought about, I decided to start from scratch using the current cosmic influences of Mercury in artistic Pisces (about to go retrograde), the Uranian/Aquarian influence of needing to change things up to make progress, & Aries just wanting to get stuff over with. I can always add more later & let y'all know of any updates.
NEW MOON ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE IN AQUARIUS 28°
This Annular Solar Eclipse in Aquarius on February 17, 2026 appropriately creates a “ring of fire” to kick off the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse.
This meme perfectly sums up the energy.
SUMMARY (MEME VERSION)
In today's eclipse report, I'd like to bring you back to an older internet meme I feel sums up what we may be collectively going through, which I feel is also appropriate given Aquarius is correlated to the internet or, the "world-wide web."
The meme scene pictured is from a Community episode titled "Remedial Chaos Theory." If you haven't seen the origins of this meme, I highly recommend watching it here to fully take it in. It's short & sweet at 1:28.
The scene starts with a group of friends coming together to play a game & figure out who's picking up the pizza from the delivery guy below.
Aquarian chance, fun, & anticipation. Piscean entertainment, mystery, recreational drugs, & a victim.
Both signs related to bringing together a diverse group of people in a unifying, pleasant way.
One thing leads to another & the meme captures that particular fated outcome. Like the butterfly or domino effect, every person's action unknowingly contributes to the next.
There's a sense of urgency & violence that Aries evokes, unexpected twists & turns brought on by Uranus, Neptunian confusion of what is actually happening, the gravity of choice & dealing with the immediate, dire consequences influenced by Saturn & Pluto. Even the titled of the show & episode is highly Aquarian.
The North Node of this Solar Eclipse in Aquarius is still in Pisces, which makes this particular eclipse stand out more to me in the current Aquarius/Leo Eclipse lineup. Pisces reminds us that we're all connected, whether we know it or not. Venus & Mercury are also here in a collaborative trine with Jupiter exalted in Cancer: divine support & visions for the best.
SUMMARY (ORIGINAL VERSION)
This New Moon Solar Eclipse is in the fixed Air sign of Aquarius.
Air signs deal with connections, communication, & frequencies. With the steady time lord Saturn traditionally being the ruler of Aquarius, there is a sense of concreteness, karma, & detachment for the long-term, highest collective good that is associated with this sign.
In our personal lives, this eclipse highlights where our thoughts may have become fixated & catalyzing fated change & overhaul if we've failed to recognize & initiate overdue change on our own.
In our personal lives, we may see this energy when it comes to group-think, movements, & relationships that have demanded constant investment, yet continue to feel disconnected, stale, &/or unequal.
While everyone will feel this, how it directly impacts you will be dependent on your unique cosmic blueprint (hint: look for where Aquarius & its co-rulers Saturn & Uranus are in your chart).
Donna Stellhorn, author of Chinese Astrology: Life, Love, and Luck in Twelve Animal Signs & the professor who publishes the Chinese New Year forecast each year on Kepler College, likens the Chinese horse energy to Libran energy in Western Astrology. While I have not yet had a chance to read her book, I understood her rationale completely when I watched her forecast, which I recommend watching here.
Humanity has had a long collaborative history between man & horse that has required constant care & training in order to yield a partnership that can bring both care, adventure, new opportunities, & fulfillment. Keep the essence of horse spirit in mind as you take in these energies.
With Saturn having an exact conjunction with Neptune at the “World Point” (0° Aries) three days later, I wanted to offer words of support.
You're doing the best you can within the frontline of this new paradigm shift with limited tools & fires everywhere. Return the compassion you give to others towards yourself while going through this. Staying in frustration or resentment (with yourself or others) will lead nowhere productive without this compassion going forward.
And remember, rest is a revolution in itself.
It will feel like multiple fires are going on at the same time, all demanding attention. The people who will thrive in these immediate times are those who will be able to understand the gravity & strategy of making quick decisions that are centered & aligned with their Higher Selves.
When all of us honor our unique needs, we can provide the world our unique gifts. Then we may come together as puzzle pieces to contribute to the beautiful collective vision of the ideal future.
IN SHORT
Eclipses feel like cosmic course corrections. It’s 2/22 as of me publishing this, & the next eclipse happens on 3/3. There’s a dust storm being kicked up in the process, making it hard to see what the ultimately outcome is. We’ll get a chance to settle into our feels once Mercury goes retrograde in Pisces in a few days (25th or 26th depending on timezone).
TIP
For now, BREATHE & let the universe do its work.
Keep hopeful & centered in your values.
Ground yourself & focus on what you can control. (Hint: it’s not other people.)
Rewrite thoughts that have expired lest they hold you back in this new timeline.
Above all else, keep your fire burning & faith in humanity & the universe.
And may the odds be ever in your favor.
