Photographed by Mark Nicdao
In 2026, big changes are coming. To prepare for the new year, astrologer Wiji Lacsamana shares an astrological forecast according to the rising signs.
As we step into the new year, know that we are not just saying farewell to a singular year but to an entire era that focused on emotional safety, isolation, and stability. Since 2019, the outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto have been in Earth and Water signs. These are very dense, highly emotional, and security-driven energies. Try to muse on how life has felt for you these past years. How is your heart? Have you been constantly worried about finances? How is your nervous system?
To close off this era, 2025 embodied the Year of the Snake. It was a year that asked us to shed, so that we may expand into a better version of ourselves. It was a year that asked us to finish and tie up all the loose ends, so that we may begin with a clean slate in 2026.
2026 is a new, unprecedented era. It comes with a significantly different energy, one that flows with more momentum, intensity, and intentionality. It is the era of fire and air. We are shifting from feeling (Water) and being (Earth), to doing (Fire) and thinking (Air). We will be called to be more brave; we will be called to be caretakers of not just ourselves, but of others. We will step into a big, pivotal role: to be actual heroes in our own beautiful lives. 2025 unraveled profound truths; 2026 will transform all this wisdom into dedicated action.
We will feel the urge to focus on actualizing our dreams and to build structures differently from how we would have. This year, we will be called to move from the stirrings of our hearts.
Pluto, the planet of rebirth and transformation, moved into Aquarius in 2024 and will stay there until 2044. This is an intense energy radiating towards collective empowerment and advances in technology. There is a shift in focus from those at the top of a societal hierarchy to those who actually constitute the majority. The energy is helping us truly realize that the power does not come from the top but from the people. We the people are reclaiming our power.
Neptune, the planet of spirituality and dreams, moves into Aries in January 2026 and shall stay there until 2039. This energy will help us alchemize our dreams into reality.
Saturn, the planet of discipline and commitment, will move into Aries in February 2026 and will stay around that perimeter until early 2028. We will be updating and recalibrating the way we do things. We will be devoting more time to fulfilling our dreams.
Jupiter, the planet of expansion, is moving into Leo in June 2026 and will stay there for a year. This energy will ask us to move towards where the heart wants to and to bet on ourselves.
The eclipses will start shifting from the Pisces-Virgo axis to the Aquarius-Leo axis starting in February this year. The new eclipses will implore us to examine our relationship with our egos and how we extend this to our communities, for better or worse. This energy will ask us to examine what motivates us. More importantly, this energy will sway us to move towards courage, communities, and progressive ideas.
To know where this lands in your life, look at your rising or ascendant sign below.
For Aries Ascendants, discipline will find you
This could feel like a more disciplined year for you. You could find yourself dedicating your time to new knowledge and skills. There is expansion coming in halfway through the year in your creative and romantic life, and this energy will last a year, so use it wisely. You could find yourself communicating differently and perhaps finding yourself amongst new people whom you would never have expected to hang out with.
For Taurus Ascendants, be open to opportunities
New, unconventional opportunities for income streams could come in for you this year. There could be a breakthrough moment where you realize your worth and what you give value to. There will be expansion in your home life, perhaps welcoming in a new member of the family or maybe even just more focus on your home and family. This year, you could also feel a pull towards more devotion to healing, especially since there could be changes in your career–perhaps you will be called towards more technological, environmental, or humanitarian community work. Find what it is that will soothe your soul and ground you.
For Gemini Ascendants, be bold and confident
You could be processing things and speaking in ways that are new to you. Or perhaps there could be a big, unexpected shift in the way you move through the world. Be bold and confident this year, especially be unafraid to take up the spotlight. This is a year to speak and be your truth. This year, you could be called to get published, or to travel, or to finally sign up for that course you always wanted to try.
For Cancer Ascendants, abundance is coming
The energy of this year will give you more intentional, dedicated energy in your career. It makes sense that there could be expansion in your money sector. However, be careful not to spend just as much as you earn. This expanded abundance, though, could be shared with the family or spouse, or perhaps you will be looking into investments and other legal matters more.
For Leo Ascendants, more attention will find you
This year, you will be finding yourself getting more attention. Despite this, your focus could be more on your partners, from the platonic to the romantic to the business. You could finally be finding yourself working on that book or the visa papers for a trip you’ve been meaning to take. You could also be more disciplined towards learning something new. New, unexpected people could be entering your life.
For Virgo Ascendants, your life will be restructured
The energy of this year could find you restructuring how you live your life daily: your workflow, your daily routines, your wellness regimens. You may also need more focus on legal matters this year. Look out for little shifts in your career; there could be energy coming in that will sway you in unexpected directions.
For Libra Ascendants, you will find yourself creatively anew
2026 will feel like a creative rebirth year. You could feel more called to express yourself and ponder on your creative transformation. This year could find you reviewing your closest relationships, those that are in for the long run. How stable are the foundations of these relationships? Do these relationships bring you joy? If all is well, then you shouldn’t worry. The energy of Saturn and Neptune in your 7th house can bring in deeper commitments. If things are not great, then trust that any release is making space for something great to come into your life.
For Scorpio Ascendants, welcome transformations and opportunities
There is a lot of focus on family and home this year; there could be transformations. Your daily life routine will feel more energetic, clear, and dedicated. That said, Jupiter will be entering your career house, and it shall bring expansiveness there. Always remember to balance work and life. Unexpected opportunities could come in regarding shared resources and wealth, perhaps in technological ways too. Triple check everything and do not sign anything, especially during Mercury retrogrades and eclipse months (which are February and August).
For Sagittarius Ascendants, sustain your relationships
There is a focus on your neighbors, siblings, and immediate communities this year. How do you create and sustain deep, transformational relationships? You could find yourself expressing yourself more intentionally, more directly, this year. If you have been thinking of creative projects, this is the year to finally do it. There could be opportunities to travel and study this year. There could be breakthroughs or unexpected situations with committed partners.
For Capricorn Ascendants, you will expand through sharing
New, progressive ideas about generating income could come in this year. Unexpected opportunities will appear in your seemingly mundane daily routines. Or perhaps a new version of your worth is being activated. At the same time, the energies will get you more focused and dedicated to home and family life. There is an expansion in sharing: sharing a home, sharing resources, sharing the version of you that only so few get to know so intimately.
For Aquarius Ascendants, you will leave your old self
This year will find you deeply shedding the version of yourself that can no longer fit who you are evolving into. It is important that you communicate all these truths to a community you trust, be it siblings or friends, or lovers. Let it out so that you can move forward lightly, without all that baggage. You could also be accessing unexpected opportunities to be more creative this year, a medium, an abstract vessel for which to plant your truths. You could find more intensity and boldness, and courage in your committed partnerships. Say what is in your heart of hearts. This is the year to be brave.
For Pisces Ascendants, you will be more intentional
You are being more intentional with how you appraise your worth and what you give worth to. Perhaps you could be witnessing a more frugal and disciplined version of yourself this year–all because you are set towards achieving a financial goal. You could be more dedicated to work this year, perhaps even a leadership opportunity could land. Changes or shakeups in the home and family life are very possible this year. Maybe you could be moving houses, or unexpected surprises could happen in the home. Transformational experiences that will take place this year will prompt you to check on your nervous system or perhaps your relationship with spirituality, however you define it.
Wiji Lacsamana is an artist, astrologer, and reiki healer.
