Solar Eclipse Aquarius: A New Eclipse Cycle

Solar Eclipse [28 Aquarius 50]

February 17, 2026 (12:02 GMT)

On February 17, there’s a Solar Eclipse in Aquarius, a New Moon with extra power. This is the start of a new eclipse cycle which will cut across the Leo/Aquarius axis of the zodiac and continue until January 2028.

Eclipses come with a bad reputation. You can understand the fear in years gone by when little was known about eclipses and the sky would turn dark in the middle of the day. Our ancestors must have thought the world was coming to an end.

Yet there are between four to six eclipses every year and so far we’ve survived them all. If we’ve learnt anything from eclipses, it’s that they can be times of change and accelerated growth.

Sometimes, leaders fall or rise during an eclipse. If you’re born on an eclipse, this may be especially relevant for you.

Yet eclipses are important for everyone, especially if you have planets or angles within 1-2° of the eclipse degree, which is 28° Aquarius this time around.

Eclipses often coincide with important life events that turn life around, re-route your direction or take you down a path in life you didn’t see coming.

If your Sun or Ascendant sign is Leo or Aquarius, this could be a peak period for you. Notice whether Leos and Aquarians are in the new more moving forward. Yet, eclipses are important for everyone depending where they fall in your horoscope.

Solar Eclipses

The eclipse on February 17 isn’t a total Solar Eclipse. It’s called an annular or ‘ring of fire’ eclipse. And, it won’t be visible in many parts of the world. Antarctica will get the best view while the southern parts of South Africa and South America may witness a partial eclipse.

Yet, eclipses are still powerful and worth paying attention to. The theme of accelerated growth may be especially true during this eclipse cycle because most of the eclipses are Solar Eclipses. Here are the dates/degrees:

• Solar Eclipse [28 Aquarius 50] – February 17 2026
• Solar Eclipse [20 Leo 02] – August 12 2026
• Solar Eclipse [17 Aquarius 38] – February 6 2027
• Solar Eclipse [9 Leo 55] – August 2 2027
• Lunar Eclipse [24 Aquarius 12] – August 17 2027
• Solar Eclipse [6 Aquarius 11] – January 26 2028

Eclipses are not by their own nature good or bad. Yes, they can sweep in to move things forward in life, sometimes at a fast rate and they often bring what’s hidden to light.

Sometimes change happens close to the eclipse date or seeds are sown and events build towards a major turning point. Remember that each eclipse cycle focuses on opposite signs of the zodiac and one cycle lasts for a couple of years.

It can be hard to plan for eclipses other than recognise that they often coincide with life’s highs and lows. They symbolise a time when the pendulum of fate swings dramatically and that can be both exhilarating and scary.

Leo/Aquarius Star Signs

It’s important to think about the star signs involved in the new eclipse cycle and what they represent. The Sun shines bright in Leo, the star sign linked to royalty. The essence of Leo is to be at the heart of proceedings, the centre of attention.

The big cat of the zodiac thrives when it receives plenty of stroking, accolade and admiration. Leo is a creative star sign, so this is about your identity, your unique skills and talents, what makes you ‘you’.

Aquarius is the opposite star sign to Leo which rules the collective rather than the individual. The Sun finds it harder to shine in Aquarius because it has to share the limelight. This isn’t about self-interest. Instead, Aquarius represents what’s good for everyone, common goals, a shared mission or purpose.

You may experience issues around fitting in or feeling like an outsider during this eclipse cycle. Where do you belong? Who can you team up with to achieve mutual goals?

Do you find your light is dimmed if you compare yourself unfavourably to others, if other people don’t get who you are or if your contribution goes unwanted?

Alternatively, are you ready to shine bright, share your natural talents with the world and make a difference? This is an important time to consider the groups you belong to, your friendships and associations.

You may decide to leave or move on from one set and find a new group or alliance. As with all oppositions, you can either focus on what divides you or work together to create unity out of polarity.

Astrology mirrors the duality in the world, as seen by the opposite star signs which are reflected during eclipses. And, astrology teaches us to find a way to work with the opposing elements and learn from each side of the axis.

There are times when we need to find a way to merge opposite principles, to see how they complement one another. Also, to accept the differences between people and not to take advantage of others or make people wrong because of our differences.

Previous Leo/Aquarius Eclipse Cycles

It can help to look back to previous Leo/Aquarius eclipse cycles to see what was happening in your life. They come around approximately every 18-19 years. Here are the dates:

• February 2008 to August 2009

• August 1989 to July 1991

• February 1971 to July 1972

The karmic nodes mirror the eclipses but they haven’t yet moved back into Leo & Aquarius. They will remain in the star signs Virgo & Pisces until July 26.

Only then, will they join the eclipses in Leo and Aquarius. Therefore, it may be that this first eclipse isn’t as powerful as the rest.

However, as Aquarius’ modern planet Uranus at 28° Taurus is exactly square to the eclipse, the theme of change and the unexpected rings large. It’s not an ideal time to take a big risk or act impulsively. Wait for the shadow of the eclipse to lift before leaping in.

What Does the Eclipse Mean for You?

Here are the areas of life highlighted by the Leo/Aquarius axis for each set of opposite star signs. Read your Sun sign and Ascendant sign:

• Aries & Libra: your friends, groups and society – your children, creativity, love affairs, what you ‘give birth to’
• Taurus & Scorpio: your career and vocation, where you’re heading in life – your home and family, your past and where you come from
• Gemini & Sagittarius: your education, neighbours and siblings, how you communicate – the bigger picture, travel, education, philosophy, religion, whatever gives your life meaning
• Cancer & Capricorn: money, assets and where your values lie – joint finances, sex, taboo issues, the unconscious realm and all that’s hidden
• Leo & Aquarius: your image and appearance, personal goals and aims – love and relationships, significant partnerships, contracts and enemies
• Virgo & Pisces: retreat, quiet, solitude, a spiritual path – your health and lifestyle, work and routine and where you are of service to others

Inner Star Circle

If you would like to receive weekly horoscopes so you know what to expect and keep up-to-date with the latest astrology, you can join my subscription service here: Inner Star Circle. Be in the flow and get one step ahead. I also write about star-gazing and add more information about the eclipses in my weekly newsletter.