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THE RUNDOWN
- In 2026, there are several key astrology dates that could give the next 12 months a dramatically different feeling.
- With 13 full moons, three Mercury retrogrades in water signs and dramatic shifts from Neptune, Saturn and Jupiter many signs will feel a welcome change of pace.
- There are four eclipses taking place across the year, two lunar and two solar.
Every few years, a series of astrology dates will arrive in the calendar that signal outer-planetary shifts astrologers associate with generational change rather than fleeting speed bumps. In 2026, there are several such major astrological movements that many believe will shape the year as a genuine turning point. From retrogrades to full moons, there will be several cosmic twists this year that provide risk and reward.
Uranus will change signs for the first time since 2018, while Jupiter makes a dramatic entrance into Leo. This is the first time since 2015 that the planet has entered the sun sign, and it will provide a powerful boost to self-belief, creativity and personal expression. Expect to learn how to take up space again. Add to this, Jupiter trining Saturn and Neptune from July 2026 to September 2027. Astrologer Kristy Gray says this will have a much-needed stabilising effect. “These [trines] are the stabilising forces that we’ve been craving; they remind us that expansion doesn’t require burnout. The scaffolding of our lives will get stronger. Think of this transit as the rebuild that will soften our long term vision and purpose.”
Meanwhile, Neptune and Saturn are both leaving Pisces, providing relief for put-upon mutable signs, and entering Aries within weeks of each other, bringing firepower to our subconscious and long-term goals.
For anyone who’s had a rough few years, these astrological dates will bring seismic changes that promise relief and a decisive change of pace. If 2025 felt exhausting, 2026 is asking for action, clarity and conviction.
But it won’t all be smooth sailing. Three Mercury retrogrades in turbulent water signs will inject some volatility into the year, while Venus retrograding through Libra and Scorpio is set to heat things up. Below, find the key astrology dates for 2026.
Key Astrology Dates For 2026: Full Moons, Retrogrades & More
Mercury Retrogrades 2026
There’s a strong emotional undercurrent to this year’s Mercury retrogrades. All three take place in deeply feeling, often turbulent water signs: Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio. Astrologer Kristy Gray says these three astrological dates will bring the technical mishaps and logistical delays Mercury retrograde is famous for; but there will also be an emotional edge. “Decisions will need to feel intuitively write. These are reflective, emotional windows and they can be disorienting when you’re running on logic alone.” Balancing the head and heart will be key during this period. “Think emotional regulation meets practical reflection,” advises Gray.
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces: February 26–March 20, 2026
The first retrograde of the year unfolds in dreamy, creative Pisces. Memories resurface and you may find your logical mind taking a back seat as dreams take on vivid colour. This is a time to slow down rather than push through. A more considered approach can reveal where you’re stuck. Do you need to abandon a stalled creative project in favour of something new? Are there areas of your life where boundaries are being ignored? Mercury retrograde in Pisces brings these realisations to the fore.
Mercury Retrograde in Cancer: June 29–July 23, 2026
Mid-year, Mercury turns retrograde in Cancer, bringing conversations around home, family and emotional security back onto the table. Old dynamics may resurface, but don’t lose faith. This period offers the chance to renegotiate relationships on your terms.
Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio: October 24–November 13, 2026
The final Mercury retrograde of the year takes place in stormy Scorpio, and nothing stays hidden for long. This is the most psychologically intense of the three. Think Tell Me Lies, astrologically speaking: any dishonesty around power, intimacy, finances or trust is likely to rise to the surface. It may not be comfortable, but it will be clarifying.
Venus Retrograde Through Scorpio And Libra: October 3–November 14
Venus may be the planet of love, but this transit is anything but warm and fuzzy. Landing just in time for the end of the year, Venus retrograde triggers a deep audit of love, money and self-worth. Scorpio exposes the raw truth of desire. Is passion masking fear? Has attachment tipped into control?
As Venus slips back into Libra, the focus shifts from intensity to balance. Who gives more? Who compromises? Are the dynamics in your relationships fair, or merely familiar?
By the time Venus stations direct in mid-November, you may find you’ve redefined what love, beauty and commitment actually mean to you.
Full Moons 2026
Full Moons are periods of intensity and culmination. Paying attention to the sign they fall in can offer insight into how to work with their energy, whether you’re manifesting, performing a full moon ritual or simply reflecting. For example, a Capricorn Full Moons lend itself to career reflection, while a Libra Full Moon favours matters of love and partnership. Below, find a table of all the full moons of 2026 along with the themes they will bring up.
| Full Moon (Sign) | 2026 Date | Themes |
| Full Moon in Cancer | Sat, January 3 | Home, memory, belonging |
| Full Moon Leo | Mon, February 2 | Visibility, confidence, expression |
| Full Moon Virgo (Total Lunar Eclipse) | Tues, March 3 | Closure, recalibration, discernment |
| Full Moon Libra | Thu, April 2 | Balance, negotiation, partnership |
| Full Moon Scorpio | Tue, June 30 | Intensity, truth, transformation |
| Full Moon Sagittarius (Blue Moon) | Sun, May 31 | Expansion, meaning, perspective |
| Full Moon Capricorn | Thur, June 30 | Accountability, ambition, structure |
| Full Moon Aquarius | Fri, July 30 | Detachment, innovation, community |
| Full Moon Pisces (Partial Lunar Eclipse) | Fri, August, 28 | Surrender, healing, release |
| Full Moon Aries | Sun, September 27 | Assertion, courage, momentum |
| Full Moon Taurus | Mon, October 26 | Stability, value, embodiment |
| Full Moon Gemini | Wed, November 25 | Relationships, curiosity, clarity |
| Full Moon Cancer | Thur, December 24 | Reflection, care, emotional truth |
New Moons
Each month in 2026 is anchored by a New Moon that feels purposeful. Capricorn opens the year with grounded intention, followed by Aquarius and a solar eclipse that signals collective change. Pisces invites emotional release, while Aries reignites momentum.
Mid-year New Moons in Taurus, Gemini and Cancer centre on stability, communication and belonging, before a powerful solar eclipse in Leo in August reframes creativity and visibility. Virgo and Libra refine systems and relationships, while Scorpio’s New Moon in November marks an emotional rebirth. Sagittarius closes the year looking outward again, future-focused and optimistic.
This won’t be a quiet year, but for those who’ve been feeling stuck in limbo, it may prove to be one of the most defining chapters yet.
Eclipses Dates:
- Solar Eclipse In Aquarius: February 17
- Lunar Eclipse in Virgo: March 3
- Solar Eclipse in Leo: August 13
- Lunar Eclipse in Pisces August 28
There are four eclipses in 2026 with two spread across February and March and two taking place in August. The first two eclipses of the year will be especially potent, colliding head-on with Mercury in retrograde. These are bold turning points, and two of them intersect directly with Mercury retrograde, especially the first window in Feb–Mar. The Aquarius–Virgo polarity asks us to balance big-picture idealism with practical integration. The Leo–Pisces eclipses mid-year crack open our creative expression, sensitivity, and trust in timing,” explains Kristy Gray. As with Mercury retrograde eclipses aren’t a good time to st rigid goals or plans. Instead, think of them as portals. “If you’re willing to be honest with yourself, they’ll move you from stuck to self-aware quickly,” says Gray. She says the February-March eclipse window is one to watch. “It’s a powerful opportunity to step back and ask: is this still working?”
This year won’t be a quiet one but for those of us who have been feeling like we’re in limbo, it might be one of the most defining chapters yet.
The post These Are The Key Astrological Dates For 2026 appeared first on ELLE.
