Who's ready to say "goodbye" to 2025? Last year's astrology was a doozy, mostly because we were dealing with intense transits for the first time in decades, if ever! As you get ready to say goodbye to 2025, you might feel a bit worried and excited about what's to come in 2026. The cosmic forecast for 2026 promises to be full of spontaneous change that will help launch you forward.

So, what do you need to know about 2026's astrology? Although there will be many transits to cover in the next year, you may want to focus on the major transits: zodiac sign seasons, retrogrades, lunations, eclipses, and significant ingresses. These astrological transits will likely have the most impact and influence on your year ahead.

Mark these dates in your calendar, because these are all the transits you need to know about the astrology of 2026. Read on to discover what this year has in store for you.

 

The Zodiac Seasons

A zodiac season begins when the sun enters a new zodiac sign. The sun takes around 30 days to transit a zodiac sign, so each zodiacal season lasts about a month. The start and end dates per zodiac season are subject to change depending on the day and time the sun enters a new zodiac sign. 

Here are the start and end dates for the 2026 zodiac seasons: 

• Capricorn Season: Dec. 21, 2025 - Jan. 19, 2026
  
  • The beginning of 2026 will coincide with the ending of Capricorn season, which began in December 2025
• Aquarius Season: Jan. 19, 2026 - Feb. 18, 2026
• Pisces Season: Feb. 18, 2026 - Mar. 20, 2026
• Aries Season (Spring Equinox): Mar. 20, 2026 - Apr. 19, 2026
  • This is your astrological new year... Celebrate, set intentions, & feel renewed!
    
  • Coincides with Ostara
• Taurus Season: Apr. 19, 2026 - May 20, 2026
• Gemini Season: May 20, 2026 - Jun. 21, 2026
• Cancer Season (Summer Solstice): Jun. 21, 2026 - Jul. 22, 2026
  • Coincides with Litha
• Leo Season: Jul. 22, 2026 - Aug. 22, 2026
• Virgo Season: Aug. 22, 2026 - Sep. 22, 2026
• Libra Season (Fall Equinox): Sep. 22, 2026 - Oct. 23, 2026
  • Coincides with Mabon
• Scorpio Season: Oct. 23, 2026 - Nov. 22, 2026
• Sagittarius Season: Nov. 26, 2026 - Dec. 21, 2026
• Capricorn Season (Winter Solstice): Dec. 21, 2026 - Jan. 19, 2027
  • The beginning of 2027 will coincide with the ending of Capricorn season, which began in December 2026
  • Coincides with Yule

 

Full Moons, New Moons, & Eclipses

On average, there are 12 lunar cycles per year. Typically, there is one full moon and one new moon per month. Full moons represent the end of a six-month cycle, whereas new moons represent the beginning of a six-month cycle. Some full or new moons double as an eclipse, which coincide with fateful yet unpredictable events. 

Full Moons & Lunar Eclipses

Full moons are best used for release, reflection, and introspection. A six-month cycle will end during a full moon, so this might be an emotional and nostalgic period. If the full moon doubles as a lunar eclipse, then this will represent the fated yet unpredictable ending of a six-month cycle. Use caution during a full moon lunar eclipse, since anything could happen or end. 

Here are the full moons & full moon lunar eclipses for 2026:

• Jan. 3, 2026: Full Moon in Cancer
• Feb. 1, 2026: Full Moon in Leo
• Mar. 3, 2026: Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse in Virgo
• Apr. 1, 2026: Full Moon in Libra
• May 1, 2026: Full Moon in Scorpio
• May 31, 2026: Full Moon in Sagittarius
• Jun. 29, 2026: Full Moon in Capricorn
• Jul. 29, 2026: Full Moon in Aquarius
• Aug. 28, 2026: Full Moon Partial Lunar Eclipse in Pisces
• Sep. 26, 2026: Full Moon in Aries
• Oct. 26, 2026: Full Moon in Taurus
• Nov. 24, 2026: Full Moon in Gemini
• Dec. 23, 2026: Full Moon in Cancer

New Moons & Solar Eclipses

New moons are best used for manifestation, setting intentions, and making wishes. A new six-month cycle will begin during a new moon, so you may feel excited for what's to come. Anything can happen, so be mindful of what you're putting out into the universe during a new moon. If the new moon doubles as a solar eclipse, then this will represent the beginning of a fateful yet unpredictable six-month cycle. Use caution during a new moon solar eclipse, since anything can begin or manifest.

Here are the new moons & new moon solar eclipses in 2026:

• Jan. 18, 2026: New Moon in Capricorn
• Feb. 17, 2026: New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse in Aquarius
• Mar. 18, 2026: New Moon in Pisces
• Apr. 17: New Moon in Aries
• May 16, 2026: New Moon in Taurus
• Jun. 14, 2026: New Moon in Gemini
• Jul. 24, 2026: New Moon in Cancer
• Aug. 12, 2026: New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Leo
• Sep. 10, 2026: New Moon in Virgo
• Oct. 10, 2026: New Moon in Libra
• Nov. 9, 2026: New Moon in Scorpio
• Dec. 8, 2026: New moon in Sagittarius

 

Retrogrades

Believe it or not, retrogrades occur every year. Retrogrades are cosmic optical illusions, meaning that the planets only appear to spin backwards from our vantage point on Earth. In reality, the planets cannot physically regress, hence the optical illusion!

Retrogrades are a time to rethink, review, and then revise. The planet and the zodiac sign allude to the themes in your life you may want to think twice about. With the exception of the sun and moon, all planets eventually station retrograde. On average, Mercury retrograde occurs 3-4 times per year. The outer planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto—station retrograde once per year, but their retrogrades last 4-6 months depending on the planet. Venus and Mars are least likely to station retrograde, because Venus retrograde occurs once every 18 months and Mars retrograde occurs once every 24-26 months.

Here are the retrogrades for 2026:

Mercury Retrograde

• Feb. 26, 2026 - Mar. 20, 2026
  • In Pisces
• Jun. 29, 2026 - Jul. 23, 2026
  • In Cancer
• Oct. 24, 2026 - Nov. 13, 2026
  • In Scorpio

Venus Retrograde

• Oct. 3, 2026 - Nov. 13, 2026
  • Begins in Scorpio & ends in Libra

Mars Retrograde

• None - yay!

Jupiter Retrograde

• Nov. 11, 2025 - Mar. 10, 2026
  • In Cancer
• Dec. 12, 2026 - Apr. 13, 2027
  • in Leo

Saturn Retrograde

• Jul. 26, 2026 - Dec. 10, 2026
  • In Aries

Uranus Retrograde

• Sep. 6, 2025 - Feb. 3, 2026
  • Begins in Gemini & ends in Taurus
• Sep. 10, 2026 - Feb. 8, 2027
  • In Gemini

Neptune Retrograde

• Jul. 7, 2026 - Dec. 12 2026
  • In Aries

Pluto Retrograde

• May 6, 2026 - Oct. 15, 2026
  • In Aquarius

 

Additional Major Transits

Wait, there's more?! Yes! Aside from the transits listed above, there are still so many other transits happening throughout the year. In particular, you want to keep an eye on important ingresses. An ingress occurs when a planet enters a new zodiac sign, such as when the sun enters a new zodiac sign and begins a new zodiacal season. Astrologers have their eyes on certain planets and other cosmic bodies planning to enter new zodiac signs in 2026, because these ingresses don't happen very often. These kinds of ingresses may occur once every decade or so, if not longer. Some of these ingresses are rare, considering that they may happen only once or twice in your lifetime; other ingresses are more commonplace because they likely happen every few years or so. Ingresses are worth watching out for because something monumental may happen around the time of the transit.

Here are some additional transits to consider for 2026:

• Jan. 26, 2026: Neptune re-enters Aries
  • Neptune will remain in Aries until 2039 
• Feb. 13, 2026: Saturn re-enters Aries
  • Saturn will remain in Aries until 2028
    
• Apr. 25, 2026: Uranus re-enters Gemini
  • Uranus will remain in Gemini until 2033
• Jun. 30, 2026: Jupiter enters Leo
  • Jupiter will remain in Leo until 2027
• Jul. 26, 2026: North Node enters Aquarius & South Node enters Leo
  
  • The Nodes will be in the Aquarius-Leo axis until 2028

 

🤔  What's Your 2026 Cosmic Forecast?

Discuss your cosmic energy and starry future with ASCEND's in-house astrologer, Liz Simmons. Liz offers an array of readings, from birth charts to personal forecasts. Please don't hesitate to inquire if you're looking to extend your personal forecast reading to a 60 minute session.

⭐️  Book your astrology reading

 

 

 

✍️  Meet ASCEND’s In-House Astrologer & Writer

Liz Simmons is a writer, astrologer, and tarot reader based in Salem, MA. Liz is the resident astrologer at ASCEND Get Lifted. Aside from providing astrological readings and tarot readings, Liz writes for ASCEND’s blog. Her expert commentary is featured in over twenty publications, including Cosmopolitan, Shape, Women’s Health, & more. Check out her work on Instagram, @the_ _crone & book a reading with her at ASCEND.