The second new moon of 2026 will darken the sky on February 17, 2026, in the sign of Aquarius. Astrologers are calling it “exceptional,” since it’s actually a solar eclipse of the New Moon in Aquarius—the first eclipse in this sign for nearly eight years, and the start of the eclipse season. What’s more, it takes place on the exact same day of the Chinese New Year, simultaneously welcoming us into the year of the Fire Horse. So, plenty of change afoot. Here’s what that means for you personally:
What is a solar eclipse?
“An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon’s apparent diameter is smaller than the sun’s, blocking out most of the sunlight and giving the sun the appearance of a ring,” explains Rachel Ruth Tate, an astrologer for Casinos Analyzer.
Astrologically speaking, “this eclipse is the first to occur under the sign of Aquarius since July 2018, marking a transition to major endings and beginnings in the Aquarian realm of our lives, where Pluto has already been engaged in a transformation since entering the sign in November 2024.”
Essentially, radical changes often accompany eclipse seasons—both in our personal, work, and romantic lives. They offer an opportunity for liberation and profound transformation, accentuated by the energy of the Fire Horse. Karmic doors close, while new paths gradually open. Old patterns tend to break during this time, also. What you tolerated before—rationalizing away or somehow postponing—can no longer continue under these conditions. The energy of Aquarius invites revolution, innovation, and liberation, while the energy of the Fire Horse invites you to create momentum, with courage and freedom. Amid all of this, the solar eclipse invites you to press the reset button, with new opportunities in sight.
An overview of the next 18 months
“It’s true that the lunar nodes haven’t officially left the Pisces-Virgo axis… yet,” adds Tate. In layman’s terms, this just means that the changes brought on by the eclipse will happen gradually over the next 18 months. It’s not as if you’ll wake up on February 17 an entirely different person.
“This lunation with eclipse heralds the developments to come over the next 18 months,” says Tate. “Venus, the planet of love, desire, and pleasure, is in conjunction with the north node at the time of the eclipse, which means we’re going to feel it deeply. Expect to be struck by a yearning for more, as well as a determination to make it happen, whatever the cost.”
How the New Moon encourages permanent change
“The closest thing to this Saturnian New Moon eclipse is a charged square to Uranus, the queen planet of discord and upheaval, which is completing its seven-year journey through the fixed earth sign of Taurus. Notice the consistency? Taurus is one of the signs of Venus, and the beneficent planet itself is present on the North node of destiny.”
If all the above is hard to decipher, all you need to know is that this solar eclipse “presages permanent changes in heart and soul.” In other words, the changes you’ll see over the next 18 months won’t be mere experimentation. It could alter the course of your life path. But also, beware, because…
Fantasy and reality could become murky
“A few days after the eclipse, on February 20, Saturn, which rules the new moon, completes its conjunction with Neptune, planet of confusion and illusions, which means it will be difficult to distinguish fantasy from reality,” adds Tate. “Which opportunities are real, and which are just smoke and mirrors? It will be extremely difficult to tell. Many of us are likely to feel disoriented as things that seemed solid evaporate before our eyes.”
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