2026 Astrology Calendar: Every Major Transit Date You Need to Know

If you're planning your year around the cosmos (and let's be honest, who isn't?), you need exact dates for every major astrological event in 2026. This is your comprehensive astrology calendar—bookmark it, reference it monthly, and use it to time your biggest decisions.

From Neptune's historic entry into Aries (the first time since 1862!) to the Fire Horse lunar new year, from three Mercury retrogrades to two Venus retrogrades, 2026 is packed with transformative cosmic events.

No vague "early spring" or "mid-year" timing here. These are the precise dates, down to the day, for every major planetary transit, retrograde period, and eclipse in 2026.

January 2026 Transits
February 2026 Transits
March 2026 Transits
April 2026 Transits
May 2026 Transits
June 2026 Transits
July 2026 Transits
August 2026 Transits
September 2026 Transits
October 2026 Transits
November 2026 Transits
December 2026 Transits
Complete Retrograde Schedule
Eclipse Dates

The Biggest Transits of 2026 (At a Glance)

Before we dive into month-by-month details, here are the absolute game-changers:

🔥 Neptune Enters Aries - January 26, 2026
The transit of the century. Hasn't happened since 1862. Stays until 2039.

🐴 Fire Horse Lunar New Year - February 17, 2026
Rare 60-year cosmic event in Chinese astrology. Intense, transformative energy.

⚡ Jupiter Enters Leo - June 30, 2026
Expansion, luck, and creative breakthroughs through mid-2027.

💔 Venus Retrograde (Round 1) - April 21 - June 4, 2026
Relationship review in Taurus. Reevaluate values and attachments.

💔 Venus Retrograde (Round 2) - October 3 - November 14, 2026
Relationship review in Libra/Scorpio. Deep intimacy work.

🌑 Eclipses Shift Axes - March 14 & September 7, 2026
From Aries-Libra to Virgo-Pisces. Collective evolution accelerates.

January 2026 Major Transits

Neptune Enters Aries - January 26, 2026

What it means:
Neptune hasn't been in Aries since 1862-1875 (American Civil War era, for context). This is THE astrological event of the decade. Neptune stays in Aries until March 2039, bringing spiritual awakening through action, pioneering new spiritual movements, and dissolving old identities.

Who's affected most:
Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn (cardinal signs)

What to do:
Start spiritual practices that involve movement (yoga, martial arts, dance). Question who you think you are. Embrace identity evolution.

Important note:
Neptune retrogrades back into Pisces later in 2026 (October 22) for one final pass before settling in Aries permanently in 2027.

Other January Transits:

Mercury enters Aquarius - January 8
Sun enters Aquarius - January 20
Mars enters Leo - January 6
Venus enters Pisces - January 3

February 2026 Major Transits

Fire Horse Lunar New Year - February 17, 2026

What it means:
The Year of the Fire Horse begins. This is a rare 60-year cycle event in Chinese astrology (last one: 1966). Fire Horse years are known for rebellion, transformation, rapid change, and breaking free from outdated structures.

Who's affected most:
Everyone, but especially those born in Horse years (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014) and their trine allies (Tiger, Dog).

What to do:
Embrace change. Take calculated risks. Channel intense energy into creative projects. Wear red for good fortune.

Read more: Fire Horse 2026 Complete Guide

Other February Transits:

Sun enters Pisces - February 18
Mercury enters Pisces - February 14
Venus enters Aries - February 28
Mars continues in Leo (stays until April 18)

March 2026 Major Transits

Jupiter Stations Direct in Cancer - March 11, 2026

What it means:
Jupiter has been retrograde in Cancer since November 2025. When it stations direct on March 11 at 15° Cancer, forward momentum returns to home, family, emotional security, and real estate matters.

Who's affected most:
Cancer, Capricorn, Aries, Libra

What to do:
Finalize plans related to home moves, family expansion, or emotional healing work. Green light returns for domestic projects.

First Eclipse of 2026 - March 14, 2026 (Lunar Eclipse in Virgo)

What it means:
The first eclipse on the new Virgo-Pisces axis. This is a turning point for health, work routines, service, and spiritual integration.

Who's affected most:
Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius (mutable signs)

What to do:
Examine your daily routines. Release perfectionism. Balance practical service with spiritual surrender.

Read more: 2026 Eclipse Season Guide

Mercury Retrograde #1 Begins - March 15, 2026

Retrograde period: March 15 - April 7, 2026
Sign: Aries (and dips into Pisces)

What to avoid:
Starting major new projects, signing contracts without thorough review, impulsive decisions.

What to do:
Review recent initiatives, reconnect with old contacts, refine strategies, fix tech issues.

Other March Transits:

Sun enters Aries - March 20 (Spring Equinox)
Mercury enters Aries - March 9
Venus enters Taurus - March 23

April 2026 Major Transits

Mercury Retrograde #1 Ends - April 7, 2026

What it means:
Communication, technology, and travel start flowing normally again. Safe to move forward on delayed projects.

Venus Retrograde Begins - April 21, 2026

Retrograde period: April 21 - June 4, 2026
Sign: Taurus (Venus's home sign)

What it means:
Deep reevaluation of values, money, relationships, and self-worth. This is the first of TWO Venus retrogrades in 2026 (rare to have two in one year). Taurus Venus retrograde asks: What do you truly value? Are your relationships aligned with your worth?

What to avoid:
Major relationship commitments (engagements, marriages), big financial investments, cosmetic procedures.

What to do:
Reevaluate your relationship patterns, reconnect with old lovers (for closure or rekindling), audit your finances, reflect on self-worth.

Who's affected most:
Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius (fixed signs)

Read more: Venus Retrograde 2026 Complete Guide (coming soon)

Other April Transits:

Mars enters Virgo - April 18
Sun enters Taurus - April 20
Mercury enters Taurus - April 23

May 2026 Major Transits

Mercury enters Gemini - May 7, 2026

What it means:
Mercury in its home sign brings mental clarity, communication ease, and information flow. Great time for learning, networking, and short trips.

Other May Transits:

Sun enters Gemini - May 21
Venus continues retrograde in Taurus (until June 4)
Mars continues in Virgo (stays until June 9)

June 2026 Major Transits

Venus Retrograde Ends - June 4, 2026

What it means:
Relationship clarity returns. You've done the inner work on values and worth. Now you can move forward with decisions about partnerships and money.

Post-retrograde shadow: June 4 - July 18
(Venus retraces the degrees she covered retrograde—still sensitive territory)

Jupiter Enters Leo - June 30, 2026 🎉

What it means:
This is HUGE. Jupiter (planet of expansion, luck, growth) enters Leo (creativity, leadership, passion, self-expression) and stays until July 2027.

Who benefits most:
Leo, Sagittarius, Aries (fire signs), and anyone with planets in fire signs.

What to expect:

Creative projects get major boosts

Leadership opportunities arise

Confidence and charisma skyrocket

Entertainment, arts, and performance industries thrive

Romance and dating heat up

Children and education expand

What to do:
Launch creative projects. Step into leadership. Express yourself boldly. Take the stage (literally or metaphorically). Fall in love with life again.

Read more: Jupiter in Leo 2026-2027 Guide (coming soon)

Other June Transits:

Mars enters Libra - June 9
Sun enters Cancer - June 21 (Summer Solstice)
Mercury enters Cancer - June 13

July 2026 Major Transits

Mercury Retrograde #2 Begins - July 18, 2026

Retrograde period: July 18 - August 11, 2026
Sign: Leo (and dips into Cancer)

What to expect:
Drama! Leo Mercury retrograde brings miscommunication in romantic situations, creative projects stalling, ego clashes, and tech issues with entertainment/creative tools.

What to avoid:
Launching creative projects, making big romantic declarations, signing performance contracts.

What to do:
Revise creative work, revisit old artistic projects, reconnect with past romantic interests (for closure), fix creative tech (cameras, editing software).

Other July Transits:

Venus enters Gemini - July 11
Mars enters Scorpio - July 25
Sun enters Leo - July 23

August 2026 Major Transits

Mercury Retrograde #2 Ends - August 11, 2026

What it means:
Creative flow returns. Safe to launch projects, sign contracts, and make big romantic moves.

Other August Transits:

Venus enters Cancer - August 4
Sun enters Virgo - August 23
Mercury enters Virgo - August 28

September 2026 Major Transits

Second Eclipse of 2026 - September 7, 2026 (Solar Eclipse in Virgo)

What it means:
The second eclipse on the Virgo-Pisces axis. New beginnings in health, work, daily routines, and spiritual service.

Who's affected most:
Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius

What to do:
Set new health goals. Restructure daily routines. Commit to service work. Integrate spiritual practices into daily life.

Other September Transits:

Mars enters Sagittarius - September 5
Sun enters Libra - September 23 (Autumn Equinox)
Venus enters Leo - August 28
Mercury enters Libra - September 14

October 2026 Major Transits

Venus Retrograde #2 Begins - October 3, 2026

Retrograde period: October 3 - November 14, 2026
Signs: Libra & Scorpio

What it means:
The second Venus retrograde of 2026 (unusual to have two!). This one goes deeper. Libra Venus retrograde examines relationship balance, fairness, and partnership dynamics. Then Venus dips into Scorpio (around October 25) and the work gets intense—intimacy, shared resources, power dynamics, and sexual connection.

What to avoid:
Same as April—no major commitments, big financial moves, or cosmetic procedures.

What to do:
Deep relationship work. Therapy. Shadow work around intimacy. Reevaluate shared finances. Reconnect with past relationships for healing or closure.

Who's affected most:
Libra, Scorpio, Aries, Taurus

Neptune Retrograde Returns to Pisces - October 22, 2026

What it means:
Neptune entered Aries in January but retrogrades back into Pisces for one final pass (until January 2027). This is the last chance to complete Piscean spiritual lessons before the Aries era begins in earnest.

What to do:
Finish any spiritual or creative projects started in the Neptune-in-Pisces era (2012-2026). Release illusions. Surrender fully before the new cycle begins.

Other October Transits:

Mars enters Capricorn - October 13
Sun enters Scorpio - October 23
Mercury enters Scorpio - October 3

November 2026 Major Transits

Mercury Retrograde #3 Begins - November 6, 2026

Retrograde period: November 6 - November 26, 2026
Sign: Sagittarius (and dips into Scorpio)

What to expect:
Travel delays, miscommunication in educational or legal matters, philosophical debates gone wrong, tech issues with publishing/media.

What to avoid:
Booking major trips, signing legal/educational contracts, publishing important work.

What to do:
Review belief systems, revisit educational pursuits, reconnect with teachers or mentors, edit writing projects.

Venus Retrograde #2 Ends - November 14, 2026

What it means:
Deep relationship work complete. Intimacy issues resolved (or at least clarified). Ready to move forward in partnerships with new awareness.

Post-retrograde shadow: November 14 - December 21

Other November Transits:

Sun enters Sagittarius - November 22
Mars enters Aquarius - November 21
Venus enters Sagittarius - November 8

December 2026 Major Transits

Mercury Retrograde #3 Ends - November 26, 2026

What it means:
Communication normalizes just in time for holiday season. Travel and tech issues resolve.

Other December Transits:

Sun enters Capricorn - December 21 (Winter Solstice)
Mercury enters Capricorn - December 12
Venus enters Capricorn - December 2
Mars continues in Aquarius (until January 2027)

2026 Retrograde Calendar (Complete List)

Mercury Retrogrades (3 in 2026)

Retrograde #1:

Dates: March 15 - April 7, 2026

Sign: Aries (dips into Pisces)

Theme: Rethinking new initiatives and identity

Retrograde #2:

Dates: July 18 - August 11, 2026

Sign: Leo (dips into Cancer)

Theme: Revising creative projects and romantic communication

Retrograde #3:

Dates: November 6 - November 26, 2026

Sign: Sagittarius (dips into Scorpio)

Theme: Reviewing beliefs, travel, and education

Venus Retrogrades (2 in 2026 - RARE!)

Retrograde #1:

Dates: April 21 - June 4, 2026

Sign: Taurus

Theme: Values, self-worth, money, stable relationships

Retrograde #2:

Dates: October 3 - November 14, 2026

Signs: Libra & Scorpio

Theme: Partnership balance, intimacy, shared resources

Mars Retrograde

None in 2026!
(Mars was retrograde in late 2024-early 2025. Next one isn't until 2027.)

Jupiter Retrograde

Dates: July 28, 2026 - November 24, 2026
Sign: Leo
Theme: Reevaluating creative confidence, leadership, and self-expression

(Jupiter retrogrades back into Cancer briefly in September-October before re-entering Leo)

Saturn Retrograde

Dates: May 24 - October 11, 2026
Sign: Pisces
Theme: Reviewing spiritual structures, boundaries in compassion, and karmic patterns

Uranus Retrograde

Dates: August 29, 2026 - January 25, 2027
Sign: Taurus (moving toward Gemini in 2025-2026)
Theme: Reevaluating material security, values, and comfort zones

Neptune Retrograde

Dates: June 30 - December 5, 2026
Signs: Aries & Pisces
Theme: Spiritual identity, dissolving ego, and completing Piscean lessons

Pluto Retrograde

Dates: April 30 - October 9, 2026
Sign: Aquarius
Theme: Collective power structures, technology, and revolution

2026 Eclipse Dates

First Eclipse Season - March 2026

Lunar Eclipse in Virgo - March 14, 2026

Type: Total Lunar Eclipse

Axis: Virgo-Pisces (first eclipse on this new axis!)

Theme: Health, service, routines, spiritual integration

Who's affected: Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius

Second Eclipse Season - September 2026

Solar Eclipse in Virgo - September 7, 2026

Type: Annular Solar Eclipse

Axis: Virgo-Pisces

Theme: New beginnings in health, work, daily practices, and service

Who's affected: Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius

Note: Eclipses always come in pairs (or occasionally threes), roughly 6 months apart. The Virgo-Pisces eclipse axis replaces the Aries-Libra axis that dominated 2023-2024. This new cycle runs from 2026-2027.

How to Use This Calendar

For Personal Planning:

Avoid scheduling during Mercury retrograde:

Major contract signings

Important travel

Tech launches

Critical communication events

Plan launches during Jupiter favorable periods:

Jupiter in Leo (June 30, 2026 - July 2027) = best time for creative launches

Jupiter direct (after November 24, 2026) = forward momentum returns

Use Venus retrograde for inner work:

Relationship therapy or couples counseling

Financial audits and budget restructuring

Self-worth journaling and inner child work

Use eclipses as reset points:

March 14: Release what's not working (Lunar Eclipse)

September 7: Set new intentions (Solar Eclipse)

For Business & Career:

Best months for launches:
January (before Neptune shift), June-July (Jupiter enters Leo), December (Mercury clear)

Months to avoid major launches:
March-April (Mercury retrograde + eclipse + Venus retrograde begins), July-August (Mercury retrograde #2), November (Mercury retrograde #3 + Venus retrograde ending)

Best months for creative projects:
July 2026 - December 2026 (Jupiter in Leo, retrograde or not)

For Relationships:

Best months to commit:
January, June, September (between Venus retrogrades and Mercury retrogrades)

Months for relationship work (not commitment):
April-June (Venus retrograde #1), October-November (Venus retrograde #2)

Best months for dating:
July-September (Jupiter in Leo, summer energy, no Venus retrograde)

Month-by-Month Energy Summary

January: Spiritual revolution begins (Neptune in Aries). Prepare for intensity.

February: Fire Horse year ignites. Change accelerates. Embrace the chaos.

March: First eclipse + Mercury retrograde + Jupiter direct. Reset and review.

April: Venus retrograde begins. Relationship work intensifies. Slow down.

May: Quiet month. Integrate. Prepare for summer shifts.

June: Venus retrograde ends. Jupiter enters Leo. Green light returns. Momentum builds.

July: Mercury retrograde #2 in dramatic Leo. Creative projects stall temporarily.

August: Mercury direct. Jupiter in Leo. Peak creative energy.

September: Second eclipse. New beginnings in health/service. Mars gains momentum.

October: Venus retrograde #2 + Neptune back to Pisces. Deep inner work. Final closure.

November: Mercury retrograde #3. Venus retrograde ends. Jupiter retrograde continues.

December: All retrogrades end except outer planets. Holiday season flows.

Special Considerations for 2026

Why Two Venus Retrogrades?

Normally, Venus retrogrades every 18 months (once every ~584 days). Having TWO in one calendar year is rare but happens when the cycle overlaps year boundaries just right. The last time this happened was 1993-1994. After 2026, you won't see two Venus retrogrades in one year again until the 2040s.

What this means:
2026 is a MAJOR year for relationship transformation. If you're meant to be with someone, these retrogrades will clarify that. If you're not, they'll reveal it. No relationship escapes 2026 unchanged.

The Neptune Shift (Most Important Transit)

Neptune entering Aries on January 26, 2026 is the headline of the decade. This hasn't happened since 1862-1875 (American Civil War, abolition of slavery, reconstruction era). That was the last time collective spiritual identity underwent this level of revolution.

Neptune in Pisces (2012-2026) dissolved boundaries, heightened sensitivity, and emphasized compassion and victimhood. Neptune in Aries (2026-2039) will spiritualize the individual, warrior archetypes, and pioneering new spiritual paths through action.

Prepare for:

Spiritual activism and warrior spirituality

"Doing" as spiritual practice (not just meditating)

Individual spiritual authority over institutional religion

Masculine spirituality rising (balance to Pisces era's feminine emphasis)

Fire Horse Cultural Impact

The Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 - February 5, 2027) historically correlates with rebellion, independence movements, and breaking free from tradition. 1966 (last Fire Horse year) brought:

Civil rights movement peak

Cultural revolution in China

Youth rebellion worldwide

Sexual revolution

Expect similar energy in 2026: breaking traditions, questioning authority, and rapid social change.

Bookmark This Page

This is your go-to reference for the entire year. Bookmark it, share it, and check back monthly to see what's coming.

Pro tip: Set calendar reminders for major transits:

January 26 (Neptune enters Aries)

February 17 (Fire Horse New Year)

March 15 (Mercury retrograde begins)

April 21 (Venus retrograde begins)

June 30 (Jupiter enters Leo)

And so on...

Updated: February 20, 2026
Next update: Monthly (we'll add new insights as transits unfold)

Want to understand how these transits affect YOUR specific birth chart? Get your free personalized reading at North Star Astro.