The astrology of January 2026; Neptune enters Aries

 

Hard to believe its 2026 already but here we are so Happy New Year! I hope everyone reading this is blessed with health, happiness and prosperity throughout the year.

2026 will be a year like no other with all of the changes in the outer planets which will be ongoing now: Pluto in Aquarius; it’s the first full year, Uranus entering Gemini for the next 7 years and Neptune in Aries until 2039. Next month Saturn re-enters Aries until April of 2028. By the time we reach January 1, 2027 the world as we know it will be different! When I and other astrologers say the world will never be the same take that literally!

January and February 2026 we are still dealing with the Saturn-Neptune square that has been the prominent aspect all of 2025. Saturn represents structures we are used to and Neptune dissolves them leaving many people discouraged, confused and stressed. While we may start out the year like this in about 90 days this influence will start to wane and we will have more clarity and direction, so if things seem confusing as we start out the year, this will change. More about this later, however in my newsletter about 2026!

The first half of January we in the Capricorn season which calls for us to shore up our personal security, focus on the most important matters we have to deal with and make our own personal lives as secure as possible. When we enter the Aquarius season later in the month this will change, we can relax more and look at things a little differently.

During January Neptune wraps up its years long cycle in Pisces and enters Aries January 26^th. Jupiter and Uranus are retrograde all month. The Sun transits Capricorn and enters Aquarius and Mercury leaves Capricorn for Aquarius. Mars completes its cycle in Capricorn and joins the other planets in Aquarius. The Full moon falls in Cancer and we have a new moon in Capricorn. Let’s look at the details.

Mercury enters Capricorn

January 1^st, Mercury enters Capricorn but not before it squares Neptune while in Sagittarius during the morning hours which will be felt the evening of the 31st. This can be tiring and confusing and it is important to use care, especially if you are driving the evening of the 31^st as this is a transit that can cause confusion, or could even deal with DWI’s and accidents as a worst case scenario.

Mercury will remain in the sign of Capricorn until January 20^th when it enters Aquarius. Mercury in Capricorn will bring us down to earth in terms of our thinking, speaking and all communication. While Mercury was in Sagittarius our planning and communication was big, grand and bold. Now, we can take the ideas and plans we came up with over the past month and turn them into reality. We can expect to be operating from a place of being goal-oriented and much more grounded.

Capricorn rules business and leans toward a goal of success through efficiency and hard work. With Mercury in this sign our thoughts are clear and our communication is direct. Now is the time to access your business and professional life and plan for the future. This transit can help provide you focus on the practical nuts and bolts issues of life and work. Results will matter most with Mercury placed in Capricorn.

January 17^th, Venus enters Aquarius and will remain in this sign until February 10^th.

Venus in Aquarius is a little unpredictable if not changeable as Aquarius is ruled by both Saturn and Uranus, the planet of unexpected change. Aquarius is a fixed Air sign so energy moves more slowly and can be resistant to change. Air signs bring a logical and detached approach to relationships and operate from this basis rather than an emotional one. Aquarius is steadfast in terms of protecting individuality and does not change to follow trends, fads or the latest rage unless it is convinced this presents a better opportunity for all.

Freedom is all important to Venus Aquarius. You may not want to be confined or feel too tied down and may be more open to unusual friendships and hanging out with people who are different from your usual social circle. You will be interested in ideas outside the box, forming your own opinions, and more interested in making new friendships with unusual people.

The first few days of Venus’s entrance into this sign it conjuncts Pluto. This can be obsessive, indicative of toxic relationships, deep seated issues, and problems in relationships and with finances.  Relationships can end at times if they are shaky and we may hear news of scandals, sex and control.

The Sun enters Aquarius January 19-February 18th

Aquarius is about expanding our world, socializing and interacting with others while looking into new ideas and ways of doing and approaching things.

Aquarius rules the 11^th house of the zodiac which is associated with groups, friendships and the collective so it is here our interests will lie over the next month.

While both Capricorn and Aquarius are ruled by Saturn, the planet of structure and responsibility, Aquarius has a co-ruler; Uranus. Uranus is the planet of unpredictability, changeability, freedom and innovation. Uranus is known for its quirkiness and at times sudden and unexpected change that can surprise and in some cases shock. Don’t be surprised at the unexpected twists and turns that may occur over the next month.

Mercury enters Aquarius January 20-February 6th

Aquarius is known for its quirky, wild and weird side as well as its intellectual, inventive and eccentric nature. Uranus rules new, cutting edge types of concepts and with Mercury in this sign you may be able to expand your ideas and approaches and come up with more original ways of focusing on projects at work. In this way you may be able to benefit from Mercury’s transit through this most intellectual and logical of signs. Go bold this month because you could have flashes of intuition that could lead to new ways of looking at things and new approaches to your work. Uranus-Aquarius is associated with concepts that may seem off the grid but later resulting in innovations that become the future norm. Don’t be afraid to try out your ideas within your group or team, as Mercury-Aquarius works well if not best within groups and the collective.

January 21^st, Mercury conjuncts the Sun and this is sometimes associated with egos and willfulness.

January 22^nd, Mercury conjuncts Pluto. This can be associated with digging for answers. Just make sure you want to know the answer. This can be associated with arguments, accidents and can be obsessive in nature.

January 23^rd Mars enters Aquarius until March 1st

By the time Mars enters Aquarius we are fully in the Aquarius season with half of the planets in the sign of Aquarius. This will have a strong affect on whatever part of your chart Aquarius hits.

Mars rules our actions and while in Aquarius we may come across as freedom driven and oriented. We may take a different path from the way we normally do things and now is the time to look at and try out different approaches. Since Uranus is one of Aquarius’s rulers we may seem many twists and turns during this period or things could simply change in many ways. Now is the time to act on your ideas and try out something different, a new approach, or just looking at things differently.

January 26^th Neptune enters Aries until March 2039

Neptune dipped its toes into Aries April-October of 2025 giving us a preview of what Neptune will be like in this sign.

Neptune rules the unconscious both individually and collectively. It is the planet of creativity, spirituality, compassion and humanitarianism but it also rules lies, deception, misinformation and confusion along with addictions and drugs.

Neptune was last in Aries from 1862-1875. Of course this period covered part of the US Civil war and led to advances in chemistry and drugs among other things.

Aries is ruled by Mars the planet of war and aggression, action and it also rules men. Men could suffer collectively from some sort of identity crisis and some individuals may seem more aggressive or assertive. Mars is an assertive sign and there is nothing wrong with this but we must remember no one person is an island and we are all in the same boat of life.

Aries is the sign associated with the new. We will try out many new things with Neptune in this sign and we will begin to see signs of new enterprises, advances and ways of living while Neptune is in Aries. Pisces and Aries could not be any more different. Neptune has been at 29 degrees, or the final degree of the sign since October, 2025 and it has represented the end of a cycle in our individual and collective history. As it enters 0 degrees of Aries we are entering into a brand new cycle personally and on the world stage and this long cycle will begin to unfold into something new this year.

 Neptune in Aries will put impulsiveness in the sign of service and spirituality and even with Neptune’s veil we may see clearer cut actions and answers.

We could see those who are pioneers, religious zealots and extremists determined to carry out their goals but others will be just as determined. Aggressive actions and even wars are possible with Neptune in this sign as it is ruled by Mars. We must be careful not to develop a war like, harsh and aggressive mentality as Neptune rules the collective mindset.

What happens with you personally as Neptune transits this sign depends on where it falls in your chart and what it aspects.

The full moon in Cancer January 3^rd

Cancer rules the home, family and security issues. Cancer is ruled by the Moon which connects with our emotions and women in particular. This full moon along with the Sun opposes Mars, Venus and Mercury and we will see many events play out in the world over the next 2 weeks.

The key will be to keep your emotions under control and as steady as possible as Moon-Mars aspects can be upsetting, agitating and can be indicative of family issues, issues with women or women may be upset and it may seem like emotions may reach the boiling point personally and collectively in the world. We can expect this full moon to play out on the world stage in matters that involve security, patriotism or what poses as patriotism since not everyone views things in the same way.

Emotional anger and rage may be a problem for some at this time. Fortunately, the moon wills conjunct Jupiter and trine Saturn in the end so this may offer us some planetary help and wisdom.

The new moon on January 18 falls at 28.44 degrees of Capricorn

Since this new moon falls at almost 29 degrees this is considered another critical new moon that will be of importance in the world and personally.

The new moon conjuncts Mars, the planet of men, war, anger and direct action. This moon calls for us to act on matters of importance to us personally and personal security in terms of money, business, family and personal life.

Mercury conjunct Mars can lend itself toward anger and arguments but its sextile to Saturn can lend us some stability and its sextile to Uranus can point us in new directions.

This moon falls on Pluto in the US chart so expect to see serious issues that concern power, abuse of power, control and finances.

 January 6^th, the Sun conjuncts Venus, the ruler of women, love and values and this should be a very pleasant day and positive things can happen.

January 7^th Venus conjuncts Mars and while this could represent a transit of attraction it does not necessarily imply compatibility or love. At times this transit can create trouble between the sexes!

January 9^th the Sun conjuncts Mars. While Mars represents men and action its conjunction to the Sun can create disharmony. Venus also opposes Jupiter today and while this is typically pleasant things can be overdone or you may feel overly indulgent.

January 10^th the Sun opposes Jupiter as does Mars. This can be dynamic in nature and bold.

January 14^th Venus sextiles Saturn. This can be a great transit for a serious conversation and it is a great day for connecting with someone from the past! Mercury’s opposition to Jupiter today can represent a great deal of conversation.

January 15^th Venus trines Uranus. This is a very exciting transit for love and for some meeting a new person may be in the picture!

January 16^th-17^th Venus sextiles Neptune and this can be dreamy and romantic. The Suns sextile to Saturn can help us keep our feet planted on the ground.

January 19^th the Sun enters Aquarius until February 18th

When the Sun leaves Capricorn for Aquarius it is time to relax a little from the seriousness of Capricorn and take the time to approach things in a more open minded and receptive manner.  Aquarius rules the 11^th house of the zodiac which is associated with groups, friendships and the collective so it is here our interests will lie over the next month.

At this time you will naturally crave connecting with others whether it is your best friend, groups, co-workers or someone new. Deep conversations and new insights into others will become more important over the next month along with a desire to simply relax, and chill out after a month of trying to make up for lost time after the holidays.

Venus is exact in its conjunction to Pluto today and this is a powerful transit. that can be associated with change, transformation and at times, breakups. Pluto can be obsessive in nature and likes to control. This can be a difficult transit when it comes to relationships so the best advice is to not offer ultimatums and keep any jealousy under control. Mars trine to Uranus can help us view things from a different perspective.

Sun/Aquarius is a powerful transit for change especially since it conjuncts Pluto along with Venus.  This is only the second time in 247 years Pluto has conjuncted the Sun in Aquarius; the first was January 20^th, 2025. Of course the Sun conjuncts Pluto every year but not in this sign because it has been several hundred years since Pluto was last in Aquarius.

Power struggles and arguments can arise and this is a powerful aspect for change in the world and our lives and we can expect to hear important news collectively.

January 19^th Saturn sextiles Uranus

This transit is exact today. It has been with us for a while and will continue for a few weeks like background music. This is a positive aspect geared toward events on the world stage more than anything else but it can help us personally. Positive things can come of this and it can coincide with new ventures. Saturn rules the old and Uranus the new so when these planets come together in a positive way we can see advances in many things along with combining the old with the new and creating something different.

January 20^th Mercury enters Aquarius until February 6^th

Those born with Mercury in Aquarius are generally considered intelligent and drawn to science, metaphysics, and high tech activities. They are able to look at all sides of the picture and are generally not emotional thinkers, and able to mentally detach from ideas and situations more easily than some.

January 22^nd, Mercury conjuncts Pluto. This transit can be obsessive or demanding in nature. You may hang onto a particular thought until this aspect passes. Pluto aspects can also deal with suspicion and mistrust.

Mars enters Aquarius January 23^rd until March 1^st

Today the planet of action or Mars joins Venus and the Sun bringing a total of 5 planets into the sign of Aquarius. Like the other planets in Aquarius, Mars will be about more freedom and a desire to live our life in a more authentic manner. We will experience many unexpected twists and turns during this cycle

Non conformity and personal freedom are all connected to Mars in this sign. Mars-Aquarius should work great for Air signs and of course if you are a Libra or Libra ascendant it will transit your 5^th house of love along with Venus which can be significant in your love or social life.

Since Mars is ruled by Uranus we may see unusual circumstances in the world and even explosive and unexpected incidents.

As Mars enters Aquarius it conjuncts Pluto and this aspect is exact January 27^th. This may be one of the most significant dates this month and this aspect is prone toward anger, volatility, unexpected events and even explosions. We can see news concerning aircraft, explosions, war and important financial matters and events in the world. Use care in your surroundings.

Focus on what you need to today as this can give you great powers of focus. Be the agent of your own change as opposed to letting things change you or disrupt your course!

January 29th Mercury conjuncts Venus giving us a pleasant transit and the last planetary aspect of the month other than the Moon. This is pleasant and indicative of friendship, fellowship, socializing and pleasant conversation so enjoy!