The Year of New Beginnings

Today marks the first day of a new Gregorian calendar cycle, day one of the year 2026. In numerology 2026 is a one year, and one symbolizes new beginnings.

2 + 0 + 2 + 6 = 10 → 1 + 0 = 1

It just so happens, this particular new beginning is unlike any we've experienced in our lifetime.

Chinese New Year begins on February 17th, 2026 where we leave behind the year of the wood snake and enter the year of the fire horse. 

On February 20, Saturn and Neptune go conjunct at 0° of Aries. Thanks to the brilliant work of Heather Ensworth, these two outer planets haven't been conjunct at this exact point in over 6,000 years. 

Neptune is the planet of intuition, spirituality, dreams and compassion. Saturn is the planet of discipline, responsibility and what is tangible. 0° of Aries is the beginning of the zodiac, a point of pure potential. Together these planets are here to offer us a symbolic reset; Saturn is here to ground in Neptune's higher path for humanity in the sign of courage and action, Aries. 

But to really frame this all in a more meaningful context, we need to step back into 2025.

The Year of Endings

In numerology, 2025 is a nine year, and nine symbolizes endings and completions.

2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 9

The year of the wood snake, 2025, asked us to shed all that no longer served us. It showed us our shadow side, both personally and collectively. It invited us to peel back the layers and get uncomfortably honest with ourselves. It forced us to look beyond the surface into the depths below.

Wood, specifically yin wood, represents growth, flexibility, adaptability and patience. Snakes symbolize internal transformation; change that happens below the surface. Add them up and you get:

• the quiet dissolving of old identities

• a change in beliefs or belief systems

• a reorganization disguised as stagnation, discomfort and/or confusion

2025 was the year of quiet change. I'm not talking about the chaos of the world stage. I'm talking about the massive rise in consciousness that placed us in the in-between, the liminal space, on the bridge, the point where we had one foot in the door and the other foot out. One friend even shared that her community was metaphorically referring to this time as "the goo"-- a nod to the process a caterpillar undergoes before becoming a butterfly.

Another word for consciousness is awareness. In the year of the wood snake, the year of endings, we all became starkly more aware of what is and isn't working, personally and collectively. And for many of us, we were so ready to move beyond where we'd been, that we made a conscious commitment to step forward with little more than a hefty dose of blind faith. 

Said another way, so many of us decided to trust that the promise of the unknown must be better than the discomfort of the known. 

The Energy of the Fire Horse

So here we are, standing at the gate of a new beginning, the year of the fire horse. Most of us are still on the bridge, sensing and feeling where we're going, still not there just yet. 

I'm leaning into astrology, intuition, past life regressions and messages from my guides to carry me forward. You might be leaning into extra sleep, warm tea and a news detox. Where and how you seek comfort and guidance in your state of in-between is irrelevant. What matters is that you are committed to playing an active role in the evolution of humanity at this critical point in time. You are committed to showing up and moving forward in a way that benefits the wellbeing of one and all. Even if you never thought of it that way until this moment. 

In contrast to where we've come from, we're stepping into action, movement, speed and freedom. This is the year where all the work you've done quietly below surface comes to rise. And not gently, but with full force. We spent 2025 setting the stage and now it's time to act. It's time to take that dream (Neptune) and birth it into reality (Saturn). If you aren't sure how (🙋🏼‍♀️), your job is to lean in like never before, trusting in the energy of a one year, a fire horse, you're relationship to something bigger, and most importantly, yourself. 

2026 is the year you learn to trust yourself. To listen to your gut and the quiet voice that whispers yes when comfort and familiarity are shouting no.

A Bird's Eye View

If you weren't completely and utterly jazzed to be alive a few minutes ago, I hope you are now. I sure am. I personally feel I've been waiting my whole life, multiple lifetimes actually, for this year to arrive. Listen to any astrologer, psychic, shaman or intuitive, we've all been waiting for this year. 

Well, most of us that is. With that, I feel obligated to disclose that the world will not be rainbows and butterflies if you only look to the morning news or evening headlines. Without naming names or diving into the global stage, not everyone is on board with where humanity is going. You already know that. Those who are not on board with a better future for one and all are pulling every last card in their deck with the hope of maintaining the status quo; the version of humanity that works for them. 

Their card game is fated. They will not win, but their efforts will continue. As I always tell my decluttering clients, it's going to get worse before it gets better. Trust in the process. See the light.

What to Make of the Energies

So, here we are: day one of a new beginning in the year of the fire horse with the biggest astrological event of our lifetime here to guide us into higher consciousness. Into a better humanity for one and all. 

If you still aren't sure what stepping forward looks like for you, I encourage you to lean into whatever practices, rituals or activities connect you with your highest self. What brings you joy? What inspires you and lights you up? What makes you feel part of something bigger than yourself? Do more of those things.

If you'd like to dive deeper into the energy of this year here are some journal prompts to guide you.

• Where is my life asking for momentum rather than perfection?

• What would I begin if I trusted my courage more than my fear?

• If nothing from my past could define me, who would I be willing to become now?

• What dreams do I wish to experience in this lifetime?

  
  

With that, it's time I leave you to it. The fire horse will be arriving soon, ready to carry you forward into a life that makes you feel alive. Your job is to grab the reins and ride.

 

With love and light,

PS. It feels important to give credit to the work and ideas of the brilliant researchers, experts and leaders that have influenced and guided me to my own understanding and interpretation of 2026. While this list is not comprehensive, as I could not possibly keep track of the endless guides and teachers in my life, from rainbows to delightfully unexpected conversations with strangers, these are the voices I trust and turn to often as I travel my own path of awakening.

Heather Ensworth | Ph.D Clinical Psychologist and Astrologer

Pam Gregory | Astrologer

Molly McCord | Astrologer

Emilio Ortiz | Gen-Z spiritual seeker and host of the Just Tap In Podcast

Lee Harris | Energy Intuitive