2 weeks in February and the powerful February 17th Aquarius eclipse!

 

We experience the first eclipse of 2026 on February 17^th with the lunar peak falling at 7:01 EST. This is an annular solar eclipse at 28.50 degrees of Aquarius.

The eclipse  degree is just a fraction of a degree away from the 29^th degree called the anaretic degree. This degree is associated with crisis points that can occur in the world and in our lives.

The 29^th degree represents the culmination of an intense karmic period and brings high tension and unexpected events collectively and individually. Many things will change with this eclipse and for some; nothing will ever be the same because this is a re-set moment.

Aquarius will bring up themes that affect us as a collective we all concerned with because Aquarius rules 11^th house of the collective and is considered the most humanitarian of signs. Aquarius is co-ruled by Uranus the planet of change that often occurs in sudden and totally unexpected situations that often seem shocking.

Freedom is all important to Uranus/Aquarius; often at any cost and this will be an important theme of this eclipse. Uranus is known to bring about sudden endings, divorce, breakups, job losses and projects falling through at the last minute.  It can also relate to brilliant inventions, discoveries and ideas ahead of their time.  

Aquarius is also associated with brotherhood, friendship and equality. Groups of likeminded people can become important and the only downside is that at times we become too single minded concerning the values and ideals of the particular group we associate with.

Aquarius is also associated with the Divine feminine and the balance of masculine and feminine energies. Women typically rise under the influence of heavy Aquarian planets or transits and Pluto is currently in Aquarius for the next 20 years or so along with Mars at the time of this eclipse.

                                   

This eclipse kicks off an 18 month period where Aquarius/Leo themes will affect us all. Aquarius is the sign of the people and with Mars and Pluto in Aquarius at this time, the will of the people will be made clear. It’s opposite Leo rules royalty and the theatre and is known for making bold moves. If there is any sign that craves attention it is Leo. We see a lot of grandstanding in the world when Leo planets are dominant.

This is not however just a simple Aquarius solar eclipse. The eclipse is in the sign ruled by Uranus and it will also square transiting Uranus at 27 degrees of Taurus. This is a changeable and unpredictable energy that can go in many different directions. We can expect to see personal changes, people breaking away from things or people who no longer suit them and this will translate to change in the world, unexpected events and disruptions. Since Uranus turned direct February 3^rd this amps up the Uranian energy. A planet is at its most powerful when it is stationing retrograde or direct making this eclipse even more significant to us and the world.

The disruptions will be apparent along with many possibilities that can seem unsettling but there may be other potential not so easily seen events that can ultimately bring advancement and new ways of doing things. It’s important to keep an open mind which Aquarius is quite good at.

This eclipse will be particularly significant in the chart of the US because it falls on the Moon in the US Sibly chart which rules the people. With Uranus square the US chart moon it is likely there will be a situation or situations that seem jolting and unexpected and will be associated with major news events.

The eclipse is significant on the charts of many world leaders; in particular US President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, but it is not limited to these two.

Some of the events in the world that would occur with an aspect like this include

-War, talk of war, and explosive situations or explosions

-Plane crashes or accidents

-Hackings or issues that affect the internet

-Changes in the financial markets

-Unexpected extreme weather conditions and earth related disasters

-Unexpected events that come out of the blue

Eclipses typically come with surprises and they point the direction like a light post at night showing us the direction we are headed.

The energy of an eclipse can go on for some time. Typically events will play out within 30 days before or after the eclipse but it can be longer depending on the strength of the eclipse.

 While this is an extremely significant eclipse there are so many other things that are affecting us this month that play into the energy I can’t tell you it won’t be rocky!

I would dare to say that one year from now the world will not look the same as it does today. Many astrologers say that nothing will even be the same, and they are correct. Here is why and the other energies all play into the eclipse:

February 13^th, Saturn enters Aries just 4 days before the eclipse. I have written about this extensively and don’t need to publish another volume on it. If you want to know more go back to some of the old blogs. Saturn enters Aries at 0 degrees, the anaretic degree, which is significant because it can affect us all. It is the very beginning of the zodiac and called the world point.

Aries is ruled by Mars, and while Mars does rule our actions it can be very aggressive in nature. Mars is associated with men, war, police and action. On the positive end it can denote bravery, courage, grit and valor.

Aries is about new beginnings in many ways. This can include just about anything you can think of but especially technology, new ventures, new ways of doing things and looking at things. We will see a great deal of this in the world and ourselves and those we know. It may be time to start or try something new!

Saturn in Aries conjuncts Neptune at 0 degrees. Neptune entered Aries on January 26^th and it will perfect or be exact February 20^th. This is the beginning of a new cycle that only occurs every 36-37 years and it has never occurred in written history at 0 degrees of Aries.

Saturn rules our structures and Neptune dissolves them. As we look around and watch the news we see a dissolving of society not only in the US, but around the world.

This transit is indicative of major world events, including geo-political change. As the old crumbles, the new will be born and rise. The time of the dinosaurs and old way of doing things is on its way out. Of course it won’t happen in a day, but over time.

February 26, Mercury turns retrograde at 22 degrees of Pisces, turning direct again March 20th. Just when we thought we were finished with Pisces there is more!

Most reading this know that retrograde Mercury is a time of correcting or re-doing the things we have been working on, or re-accessing many things. This isn’t the time to start anything new; that time will be in April when Mercury has passed its shadow and is back to normal speed.

Mercury doesn’t clash with any of the outer planets. It does however make a significant aspect in the chart of the US which shows us something significant is happening at that time.

In the US chart natal Neptune lies in the 9^th house of laws and foreign concerns and matters (22 Virgo)and it squares Mars in the 7^th house (21 Gemini).

Transiting retrograde Mercury turns retrograde at 22 degrees of Pisces opposing the US Neptune and square the US Mars.

Mercury/ Neptune can relate to lies, propaganda, and distorted communication, unrealistic thinking, deceit, and at times revelations are uncovered.

Mercury/Mars transits are associated with arguments, debate and accidents.

Mercury sets off the natal Neptune/Mars square in the US chart so we will see issues around laws, foreign policy and nations, the military and the US workforce. This aspect could also affect the health of the people in the US.

There is always the good with the bad and this eclipse won’t be bad for everyone! It will however represent a significant turning point in the world and in particular the US.