2026 Aquarius solar eclipse
Tao Te Ching - Chapter 73
One who’s fearless in being brave will be killed.
One who’s fearless in being cautious remains alive.
One of these is useful, the other harmful.
Heaven disdains what it disdains
Who knows the reasons why?
Even the wise find these things difficult.
The way of heaven overcomes easily without contention,
Replies though it does not speak,
Invites though it does not summon,
Obeys the laws though it seems free.
The net of heaven is vast.
The mesh is wide
But nothing slips through.
Solar Eclipse Lore
I’ve heard eclipses referred to as initiations, introducing challenging or fateful situations. Historically, in less nuanced and balanced terminology, they have simply been considered bad omens. In the Zohar, book of Jewish mysticism, they are mentioned alongside the head of creation, the head of emanation, described as a “a spark of darkness” or “a ray of divine darkness”. It is not difficult to see the parallels between eclipses and incomprehensible points of creation. According to Jewish belief, solar eclipses meant omens for nations, while lunar eclipses were linked with Israel. Lunar eclipses, tied to Shekinah, or the divine feminine, are taking away, energetically moving towards a yin cycle. During lunar eclipses Jews would increase Torah study and prayer. During a regular lunation, astrological-spiritual tradition would be to set intentions, but eclipses have intentions of their own. Results could be chaotic, almost as if a powerful spiritual energy were rushing in to settle but upset an unprepared psycho-emotional-physical world. “Manifesting” should be approached with caution if done at all in my experience at this time.
2026 Aquarius solar eclipse
The 2026 Aquarius solar eclipse (and new moon) is one of several late-degree new moons of 2026. It is not an easy eclipse with Saturn in detriment dispositing the eclipse, Mars, and Pluto. The Moon (or any planet in fact) in the late degrees of a sign suggests we are at the end of a cycle. People who experience this Aquarian eclipse interacting with their natal chart, those born with personal planets and points at approximately 24 to 30 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) and 0 to 4 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) will see the most significant change.
There is likely to be a change in environment related to new beliefs or attitudes. Aquarius is an air element sign, an element we experience through our mental sphere. If you practice tarot, you might notice a prevalence of swords coming up, as this suit is associated with air. Dual symbolism is rich; while the Moon loosely approaches Venus, offering an apple we can’t resist, there is still something serious and austere about life right now. Venus is exalted in Pisces, the sign of two fishes, giving us an evolutionary choice. Saturn, however, sextiles both Pluto and Uranus presenting depth, intensity, and periods of disruption. The Moon, Neptune, Saturn, Pluto, and Uranus are all either at the end or beginning of a sign, blending two worlds. It is almost as if there is a possibility we may not take the Venus apple if we cannot see past some Saturnine issues at hand.
Solar eclipses are said to spark events that play out for the length of time they occur. This eclipse will last for approximately two minutes and be primarily visible from Antarctica. Whatever themes this solar eclipse introduces will play out over the next two years in our life in some way.
Leaving Behind the Unusually conventional
As the moon separates from a square to Uranus in the late degrees of Taurus we are probably leaving behind an unusually conventional period of our life. A period of life that was difficult or somehow unaligned with our goals. During the time of the pandemic, I remember reading an article about anarchists who established a farm in the country. There is nothing more Taurean than land acquisition, yet there is also something rebellious about being off-grid. I remember wondering if they had become insular in their community as general rural populations hold Christian or more conventional values. This is an example of how a Uranian group might be living conventionally, but out of their element. However, this element of our life is changing face. Those anarchists might be going back to Portland Metro.
Venus themes and the divine masculine
Venus is giving us life in the otherwise dry, fiery, barren astrological atmosphere of 2026. While we move away from a strange period in our lives, the Moon loosely conjuncts an exalted Venus on the North Node (the Moon has an orb of 8 - 12 degrees). At the time of the eclipse you may have already been talking, thinking, or writing about this opportunity, receiving a message regarding it, as Mercury has just separated from aspecting Venus and Jupiter. Venus, being in a wide applying trine with Jupiter, suggests this eclipse is moving us towards vibrant opportunity in addition to destiny-affirming developments. Venus being Venus, I’d say this is related to a partnership, artistic pursuit, or other Venusian theme expressing itself through the Pisces and Cancer elements of your chart. As with all Venus - Jupiter aspects, be careful of excess. These are aspects that can encourage overestimating our abilities and bank accounts. This is a business partnership where two individuals share the same wavelength, but tend to overspend on a grand vision. This is the perfect date that simply costs too much. There is something of excess to be aware of.
The Emerald Crossroads
A choice is presented as Venus is in a dual sign, Pisces, where there are two fishes, or two future paths presented. There may be two business partners, two people you’ve been dating, two investments (Venus rules finance), or two artistic styles you’ve been exploring. Pisces in your chart could be an easy way to identify how this choice will manifest. Venus is teeing up for a trine to Jupiter on February 22nd, so pay attention to what is happening around this time or if any aha moments make this choice clear. Maybe you end up dating the spiritual Pisces over the straight-laced individual whom you’d have picked in a previous life. Perhaps you’ve become the straight-laced one.