Traction on Ice: Winter 2026

Abundant moisture froze into glassy ice coatings encasing the winter landscape- mirrored by planets in water signs, Saturn & Neptune in Pisces and Jupiter in Cancer.

Mercury, Mars, Sun and Venus formed a stellium in the cardinal earth sign Capricorn- a heavy hitter turning down the temperature to a harsh icy edge. Saturn’s repressive influence takes precedence January into early February as this stellium moves from Capricorn to Aquarius. 

The first new moon of 2026 was 28˚ Capricorn on January 18. The “new” moon on the “new” year is “old” in late degrees of Capricorn combined with a planetary signature in Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac. Saturn & Neptune in Pisces represent the victim archetype.

Neptune enters Aries on January 26. A full moon in Leo ensues February 1 opposed by a stellium of Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars and Pluto in the fixed air sign Aquarius- the water bearer bringing sustenance to the people. Saturn’s the traditional planetary ruler of Aquarius, denoting rules and rigidity. Uranus, the modern ruler of Aquarius, expresses a rebellious and erratic nature. 

Uranus turns direct at 27˚ Taurus on February 3.

Saturn ingresses into Aries on February 13. Saturn in Aries symbolizes the warrior- no longer the victim.

The Chinese lunar year of the horse starts with an annular solar eclipse at 28˚ Aquarius February 17, which receives an activating push from rabble-rouser Uranus. 

Saturn and Neptune make an exact conjunction at 0˚ Aries on February 20, 2026- the  previous conjunction was in Capricorn on November 13, 1989. Boundaries dissolve as imaginal conceptions manifest systematically. The catch-22 is, what visions transmute into reality? 

Aries, a cardinal sign, starts the western tropical zodiac and points toward a new beginning. Saturn in the sign of its fall depicts corrupt government that catalyzes society to challenge unjust leadership and come together as a united people.