Mark your calendar with these key astrological dates for 2026

The year 2026 is astrologically eventful. Three Mercury Retrogrades will throw a wrench into travel, communication, and technology, while a Venus Retrograde will cause some chaos in your love life. Expect major life shifts around the time of the eclipses in February, March, and August—no matter your zodiac sign. Finally, the outer planets will provide some subtle yet powerful shifts throughout the year, including bringing a Saturn Return to all you Saturn-in-Aries babies (born 1996-1999).

Use this guide to strategically plan out your year. For example, it's a good idea to schedule your big vacations after Mercury Retrograde so you can avoid any unwanted travel delays. This summer brings some cosmic luck, so this is a good time to take risks and make big moves. And don't be surprised if you hear from your ex during Venus Retrograde at the end of the year!

• February 26-March 20: Mercury Retrograde in Pisces
• June 29-July 23: Mercury Retrograde in Cancer
• October 24-November 13: Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

Even if you're a total astrological beginner, you've probably heard of Mercury Retrograde. This thrice-yearly event has become something of a cosmic boogeyman in pop culture, but it doesn't have to be that scary. It's true that when Mercury retrogrades, all the areas of life that Mercury rules—such as communication, technology, and travel—go a little haywire. However, these risks can be mitigated by giving yourself extra time when traveling, re-reading any contracts carefully, and making sure to gossip in person rather than over text.

• October 3-November 13: Venus Retrograde in Scorpio and Libra

Venus Retrograde occurs once every 18-ish months, so not every year includes a Venus Retrograde. In 2026, however, it does. Just like Mercury Retrograde, Venus Retrograde is a period of time when everything Venus rules—including love, pleasure, and money—can get a little wonky. This is a period of time when you might hear from your ex, break up with your partner, or blow your budget on impulse purchases. Similar advice applies: Take life slow and easy and you can avoid the worst of it. For example, if you get into an argument with your partner, don't break up on the spot; instead, give yourself some time and space to cool off and then talk through your issue calmly.

• January 3: Full Moon in Cancer
• February 1: Full Moon in Leo
• March 3: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Virgo
• April 1: Full Moon in Libra
• May 1: Full Moon in Scorpio
• May 31: Full Blue Moon in Sagittarius
• June 29: Full Moon in Capricorn
• July 29: Full Moon in Aquarius
• August 28: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Pisces
• September 26: Full Moon in Aries
• October 26: Full Moon in Taurus
• November 24: Full Moon in Gemini
• December 23: Full Moon in Cancer

Full Moons occur roughly once a month, and 2026 brings us the standard 12 Full Moons. Throughout the year, Full Moons are a time for reflection and letting go of anything you'd like to leave behind you.

There are a few special Full Moons to mention, however. First, there are two Full Moons that double as eclipses. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 3 and the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Pisces on August 28 are extra eventful, shaking up the lives of the whole zodiac and especially anyone who has major Pisces or Virgo placements. Eclipses are a time when fate "speeds up." In practice, this looks like major changes happening in your life. Finally, there's the Full Blue Moon in Sagittarius on May 31. A rare "blue moon" occurs when there are two Full Moons in a single calendar month instead of one. With two Full Moons in May, you'll see the month in and out with a bang.

• January 18: New Moon in Capricorn
• February 17: New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius
• March 18: New Moon in Pisces
• April 17: New Moon in Aries
• May 16: New Moon in Taurus
• June 14: New Moon in Gemini
• July 14: New Moon in Cancer
• August 12: New Moon Solar Eclipse in Leo
• September 10: New Moon in Virgo
• October 10: New Moon in Libra
• November 9: New Moon in Scorpio
• December 8: New Moon in Sagittarius

• New Moons are the opposite of Full Moons: While Full Moons signal endings, New Moons represent beginnings. Just like Full Moons, however, there are 12 New Moons in 2026, and the eclipses—the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius on February 17 and the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Leo on August 12—will be extra eventful, particularly for anyone with major Aquarius and/or Leo placements in their birth chart.

  The outer planets in 2026

• January 26: Neptune enters Aries
• February 13: Saturn enters Aries
• April 25: Uranus enters Gemini
• June 30: Jupiter enters Leo

• While 2026 has a fairly standard year in terms of Mercury Retrogrades, New Moons, and Full Moons, we do see a lot of cosmic action in the outer planets. These planets are sometimes called the "generational planets" because they move more slowly than the inner planets, taking multiple years to move through a single sign.

  On January 26, Neptune, the planet of dreams and illusions, enters Aries, where it'll stay until 2038. Things might not feel very different immediately, but the next 12 years will bring subtle but powerful changes. With Neptune in bold fire sign Aries, we'll all be called to follow up our words with action. It's not enough to talk the talk, you also have to walk the walk.

  On February 13, Saturn enters Aries, where it'll stay until 2028. Saturn is the planet of challenges, structure, and restriction, and with it in Aries, we'll be more aware of the push-and-pull between impulse and responsibility. Those born when Saturn was last in Aries (April 7, 1996-June 9, 1998 and October 25, 1998-February 28, 1999), will also begin their Saturn Return, an astrological coming-of-age that brings you into cosmic adulthood. Congrats!

  On April 25, Uranus, the planet of sudden changes, technology, and innovation, enters Gemini, the sign of communication, where it'll stay until 2032. Similar to Neptune in Aries, this transit signals powerful shifts over time rather than immediate effects. Over the next six years, we can expect to see major technological changes, especially involving communication, such as social media.

  On June 30, Jupiter enters Leo, bringing all of us a dose of cosmic luck. Jupiter is the planet of growth and abundance, and it's nicknamed "the Great Benefic" because it makes good things happen. When it's in Leo, all the things associated with Leo—like creativity, fame, fun, and generosity—get a little cosmic boost. Jupiter will move into Virgo on July 25, 2027, so make sure you live it up during summer 2026—summer 2027 will feel very different.