2026 in Astrology & Human Design: The End of Drifting

Living the Spiral

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2026 in Astrology & Human Design: The End of Drifting

Another year-ahead report? Why not?

Alison Dale

Jan 08, 2026

Hey friends,

A week into this already mind-boggling new year, I’m excited to journey into the Astrological and Human Design themes of 2026 with you.

You can listen to my 2-hour-long deep dive in the Substack player above, or find me on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Pods - or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And don’t worry, you can listen to the episode in chunks if one fell swoop seems unattainable! (You’ve got until February to tune in, before things start to really heat up…)

This year feels like the end of drifting through the earthen dust and watery seas, and the beginning of cultivating wind-blown, fiery, and heart-centered sovereignty. With Neptune having been in Pisces since 2011, we’ve been in a field of dreams, raw imagination and infinite potential. Now, we’re shifting into a new era, where our dreams are ready to take form and our intentions can manifest into reality.

The Fire Horse year, the Saturn/Neptune conjunction at the first degree of the entire Zodiac, and the shifting nodes of fate from Pisces/Virgo to Aquarius/Leo are just a few of the highlights of the next 365 days… tune in to get the full download, or read on for a quick synopsis.

P.S. »

If you’d like to get deep about how all of the massive changes of this year will be impacting your personal chart and life, you can book an astrology, human design, or combo reading with me on my new website at hearthandspiral.com. I also offer personal astro-breathwork sessions to integrate the energies of the current transits into your body’s lived experience.

Thanks for visiting! May your 2026 be filled with depth and radiance <3

This painging (Agnes Pelton, "Radiance", oil on canvas, 1929) evokes the elements that will dominate the year ahead: we’re moving into an era of fire and air.

The Year of the Fire Horse and Lunar New Year Eclipse

2026 is the year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac, a symbol of vitality, speed, and uncontainable energy. As we leave the Wood Snake behind, picture a wild stallion with a mane and tail made of fire, galloping across the plains, embodying freedom and momentum. This energy encourages us to embrace movement and action, highlighting where our energy wants to go.

The fire horse takes the reins on the Lunar New Year on February 17th, which is marked by a solar eclipse in Aquarius, amplifying this new beginning energy and setting the stage for dynamic shifts. This eclipse Lunar New Year creates a powerful reset that invites us to surrender to the larger cycles, release the old and welcome the new with open arms.

(Check out my post about the Numerology, Tarot, and Chinese Zodiac from 2019-2031 here!)

Planetary Ingresses: A New Era Begins

This year, we witness significant planetary ingresses as Saturn and Neptune enter Aries, Uranus moves into Gemini, and Jupiter transitions into Leo. With Pluto already in Aquarius for the next 18 years, this year is heavy in Fire and Air energy- a big shift from the dominance of water and earth over the last several years.

Each ingress marks a profound shift in energy, inviting us to embrace new beginnings and align our dreams with discipline and structure. Saturn and Neptune’s conjunction at 0 degrees of Aries on February 20th signals the beginning of a time to ground our dreams in reality, combining idealism with practical action. Uranus’s move into Gemini on April 25th brings innovation and change to communication and technology, encouraging us to think outside the box. And Jupiter’s transition into Leo on June 30th enhances our creativity and self-expression, urging us to step into the spotlight and share our unique gifts with the world.

Human Design Gates: Aligning with Our True Calling

As the outer planets move through new signs, they also transit through specific human design gates, offering unique insights and opportunities for growth. Pluto in Gate 41, the Gate of Contraction, emphasizes the pressure on our desires for a new world, urging us to transform our dreams into reality. Saturn and Neptune entering Gate 25: the Gate of Innocence, highlight sincerity and leading with love, encouraging us to align with our inner truth and embrace our authentic selves. Uranus entering Gemini Gate 20: The Gate of The now, focuses on the power of the present moment, inviting us to be here now and build skills that align with our true calling.

Harmonious Aspects: A Magic Triangle and A Basket of Hope

The harmonious configuration of Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune over the course of 2026 creates a supportive environment for collective growth and innovation. These aspects form a “magic triangle,” fostering new beginnings and encouraging us to work together to build a new world. When Jupiter joins the 3 outer planets on July 18, a rare alignment, known as the “Basket of Barbeau,” (named after Michel Barbeau, a French astrologer who accurately predicted the 2020 pandemic) is a rare configuration that enhances collaboration and connectivity, an auspicious formation that invites us to harness the power of community and collective action as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of this bucking-bronco of a year. The supportive energy of these aspects encourages us to embrace change and be open to new possibilities, as we co-create a future that aligns with our highest aspirations.

Watch a video by World Astrology Report about this Basket formation. It’s also known as a Cradle- both of which represent being held in the energy of a rebirth or new beginning… here’s hoping, at least!

This “Basket of Barbeau” or “Cradle” formation, where Jupiter joins up in sextile with the existing Pluto-Neptune-Uranus “magic triangle” will be exact on July 18.

Eclipses: Opportunities for Reflection and Realignment

This year features two eclipse seasons, with significant eclipses in February, March, August, and November. These celestial events offer opportunities for reflection and realignment, inviting us to revisit and rework emotional and relational themes. The February 17th solar eclipse in Aquarius and the March 3rd lunar eclipse in Virgo set the tone for the year, encouraging us to release old patterns and embrace new ways of being. The August 12th solar eclipse in Leo and the August 27th lunar eclipse in Pisces further this journey, offering insights and revelations that guide us toward greater authenticity and alignment with our true selves.

Retrogrades: Revisiting and Reworking Themes

Mercury retrogrades in water signs throughout the year encourage us to revisit and rework emotional and relational themes. These periods are invitations to repair, reconsider and renegotiate, offering a chance to slow down and reflect on what has been overlooked. The retrogrades in Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio invite us to explore our inner landscapes, uncover hidden truths, and heal past wounds. They provide an opportunity to deepen our understanding of ourselves and our relationships, as we navigate the emotional currents of 2026.

Venus will also retrograde in October and November, reopening the love and money storyline that looked “settled” earlier in the year. Expect relationship patterns, creative desires, and financial priorities to come back through the editing room, asking for cleaner agreements and truer value. It’s a strong window for revising, renegotiating, and re-choosing, with less urgency to launch and more appetite to refine.

Conclusion: A Transformative Threshold Year

2026 carries a real turning-point feeling. It’s a year that invites honest revisions, especially around identity, direction, and what you are actually willing to commit your time and energy to. The opportunities feel more meaningful when they’re met with discernment, and the challenges have a way of clarifying what matters.

On the podcast, we’ll move through the year moment by moment, tracking the transits that will shape the tone and the choices that you can consider to help you work with them wisely.

Thank you for listening! I’d love to hear what you’re noticing, what’s changing, and what you’re ready to build as we walk through this year together.