How to Align With Planetary Energies
Astrology is one of the world’s oldest sciences. It’s brushed off by many as nonsense, but many more believe that our lives can be enhanced by the positions of the stars. One way this can be accomplished is by tuning our minds into the planetary energies. Each planet holds a different energy aspect, and we can strengthen our own resolve by focusing in on each.
To better understand how to harness planetary energies for personal development, discover the 17 essential astrology concepts you must know – right here on Gaia. Join Master Astrologer Rick Levine for this fascinating journey through planets, signs, and horoscopes. Sign up now!
Meditate on the Planets
With meditation, we focus on calming our mind and opening ourselves up to the knowledge of the universe, yet if we take a few moments and focus in on a certain planet, we can reap the benefit of the energy or aspect that it represents. We can influence everything from our thoughts, to transforming ourselves, to our beliefs, but it won’t happen overnight. As with most processes where our aim is to change or enhance our life, it takes time.
I’ve found that meditating for just a short period of time while focusing on our planetary body is sufficient.
To start, meditate as you normally do. If you’ve never tried to meditate, I suggest getting some practice in first before attempting this exercise. Having a focused mind is essential.
Learn to meditate on Gaia with the Here & Now: Beginner’s Guide to Meditation.
When you are in a calm state, envision the planet above your head orbiting in space. Picture it in your mind. I’ve used a photo on my laptop to get a clear image in my mind. See the planet in all its glory as it shimmers and pulses with energy. Each planet has a corresponding colour. See the planet shimmer and pulse with that color as well. Now, picture a beam of light in the corresponding color shoot out from the planet and shine down on you. Feel the energy of the planet cover your body. Sit in this glow for five or 10 minutes. When you’re ready, see the beam of light rise back up toward the planet.
How to Harness Planetary Energies
To keep the planet’s energy with you throughout the day, carry a small trinket of some kind that represents the planet. Crystals are very good for reinforcing the planetary energies.
Over the next few articles, I will introduce you to the planetary energies and provide you with information on how to use them. In this first article, let’s talk about the Sun and Mercury.
Sun
The giver of life, the sun is at the heart of our lives on a daily basis. We cannot live without the sun, and it’s no surprise that it represents the vitality of life. It is the center of our world, and when we welcome the sun’s energy, we are welcoming our own strength, vitality and personal power.
To keep the sun’s energy with you all through the day, consider carrying or wearing a stone or crystal associated with this planet.
Crystals associated with the Sun
- amber
- carnelian
- citrine
- quartz crystal
- diamond
- pipestone
- sunstone
- tiger eye
- zircon
Orange stones are also associated with the sun.
Note: sunstone (while aptly named) is used more to enhance sexual energy.
The sun is also associated with the third or throat chakra.
Mercury
The closest planet to the Sun, Mercury is the fastest of the celestial bodies, taking just 88 days for one whole rotation around the Sun. Seen as the messenger of the gods, Mercury represents communication in all aspects. If you wish to communicate with someone, focus on Mercury’s energy. If you cannot find the proper words to express yourself, use the energy of Mercury to clear the fog and say what is on your mind. For any and all forms of communication, you will find the words to express yourself with the Mercury’s energy.
Crystals associated with Mercury
- agate
- aventurine
- mottled jasper
- mica
- pumice
Yellow stones are associated with communications and can be used to help to channel Mercury’s energy.
Mercury is also associated with the fifth or solar plexus chakra.
If you wish to enhance planetary energies even more, there are certain times of the day that are best suited for each planet. It’s different for each part of the world. There are helpful charts available online to determine the planetary hour. You can edit the city, country and time to your specific area.
About the Author
2026: A New World - The Year of Great Beginnings
Table of Contents
- The Fire Horse (Chinese Astrology)
- Key Planetary Alignments of 2026: The Celestial Forces
- January 2026: Decisions and Closures (Venus Star Point in Capricorn)
- February – March: The Digital Revolution (Eclipses in Aquarius and Virgo)
- The Historic Conjunction: Saturn and Neptune at 0 Degrees in Aries (February 20th)
- Uranus in Gemini: The Revolution of the Mind (Beginning April 26th)
- Jupiter in Leo: The Awakening of the Heart (Beginning June 30th)
- August: The Total Solar Eclipse in Leo (August 12th)
- Venus Retrograde in Scorpio (October-November)
- Preparing for 2026: A Quarterly Guide
- Final Advice: Being Human
This article is presented as an initiation to enter the great portal of 2026, which will be remembered as the year of great beginnings.
2026 is identified as a collective turning point, a quantum leap in human consciousness, and spiritual and technological revolution that will usher in a new generation. It will be a year of radical innovation, inevitable change, and a peace that will make it impossible to go back to the way things were.
The year 2026 is year 1 in numerology (2+0+2+6=1), the year of the seed, of destiny, and of a new karmic cycle.
2025 was the Year of the Snake, a year that bridged and created a threshold between two worlds. The Virgo-Pisces eclipses forced us to shed our skin and release our burdens, stripping humanity of the unnecessary.
The Fire Horse (Chinese Astrology)
In Chinese astrology, 2026 is the Year of The Fire Horse, which officially begins on February 17th. This archetype demands movement, decision, freedom and courage, and favors those who dare to gallop into the unknown.
Key Planetary Alignments of 2026: The Celestial Forces
2026 arrives with unprecedented force, marked by significant lineups.
January 2026: Decisions and Closures (Venus Star Point in Capricorn)
The year begins with the Venus Star Point on January 6 in Capricorn, accompanied by Mars. The conjunction marks the culmination and final resolution process (relationships, partners, and projects) that have been developing since January 2022.
- January is a month of reckoning: what was half built is completed, and what no longer served its purpose dissolves.
- The exact opposition to Jupiter on January 10th amplifies this climax, illuminating what must move forward.
- The New Moon in Capricorn on January 18th opens the door to the first eclipse season and acts as a fruitful void for redesigning the system from the ground up, demanding maturity and autonomy.
February – March: The Digital Revolution (Eclipses in Aquarius and Virgo)
The first eclipse season will set the technological and social tone for 2026. It will be the strongest of the year.
- The Annular Solar Eclipse in Aquarius (February 17th): The first eclipse in this series in over 18 years, it signals the end of technological codependency, the collapse of digital systems, and a collective reflection on social media and AI. This cycle will last until 2028 and will drive advancements in AI, robotics, and astronomical discoveries.
- The Total Lunar Eclipse in Virgo (March 3rd): Echoing the March 2025 eclipse, it reshapes how we work, care for our bodies, and organize our lives. It eliminates outdated routines and ushers in new technologies, automations, and the potential use of robots in service.
- Consequences: Solar events and geomagnetic storms may necessitate upgrades to energy infrastructure, leading to a search for new electricity sources in the face of a possible temporary digital collapse.
The Historic Conjunction: Saturn and Neptune at 0 Degrees in Aries (February 20th)
In the midst of eclipse season, the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune occurs at 0 degrees in Aires. This is the beginning of the zodiac, the earliest spark of creation.
-
Archetypal Meaning:
Saturn represents form, laws, and the tangible. Neptune represents mystery, dissolution, the collective unconscious, and the spiritual.
-
Global Impact:
The conjunction of these planets brings about the dissolution of structures and the birth of new ones. It causes the fall of walls, the collapse of political systems, and a wave of spirituality and consciousness.
-
Historical Examples:
- 1989 (Conjunction in Capricorn): Fall of the Berlin Wall and end of the Soviet bloc.
- 1953 (Conjunction in Libra): Death of Stalin, reconfiguration of the URSS, and the birth of peace movements.
- 1917 (Conjunction in Leo): The Russian Revolution and the irreversible collapse of the Tsarist order.
-
Zero Degrees in Aries:
This conjunction has never before occurred at zero degrees in Aries. This marks a complete reset of the world, where reality becomes malleable and the rules are rewritten. Digital, ideological, and political walls will fall, ushering in an unprecedented spiritual renaissance.
-
The New Leadership:
A leadership based on purpose and vision will emerge, seeking to unite science and spirituality, technology and ethics. Saturn will give form to the invisible, and Neptune will restore soul to the material.
-
Historical Context:
The last time the conjunction was in Aries was around 1522, during the Renaissance, which marked the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern worldview. In 2026, humanity will leave the digital age as we know it and enter a new era of planetary consciousness.
Uranus in Gemini: The Revolution of the Mind (Beginning April 26th)
Uranus enters Gemini on April 26th and will remain there until 2033.
-
Impact:
This accelerates everything: communication, information, technological networks, and breaks down mental paradigms. This combination of the human mind (Gemini) and lightning (Uranus) awakens new connections and ways of learning at an unprecedented pace.
-
Examples (1941-1949):
The last period coincided with World War II, the invention of radar, the first computers, and the initial steps toward the internet.
-
Present Day:
It won’t bring the same wartime context, but it will bring an equivalent revolution on the mental, technological, and communicational levels. New AI, new forms of transportation, and augmented realities are expected.
-
Grand Air Trine:
Uranus in Gemini is amplified by Pluto in Aquarius, creating a grand air trine. This will mobilize an unprecedented energy of innovation, intelligence, and cooperation.
-
Purpose:
To prepare the human mind for the quantum leap and the prelude to a more awakened and free humanity. The need for cleaner air will also become evident.
Jupiter in Leo: The Awakening of the Heart (Beginning June 30th)
Jupiter enters Leo on June 30th.
-
Impact:
It ignites hearts, expands creative desire, and brings a new wave of leadership, expression, and confidence. It will herald new cultural, artistic, and social trends.
-
Examples (2014-2015):
It coincided with the boom of visual social media, the rise of young figures to fame, and the culture of self-affirmation.
-
Current Events:
Jupiter in Leo will act as a spotlight, highlighting who leads, who creates, and who inspires. Changes will be seen in monarchies, along with the rise of younger, more charismatic leaders. Collective romantic drama and new ways of loving will also take center stage.
Fire Moments Highlights:
-
Opposition to Pluto in Aquarius:
It creates tension between the individual (Leo) and the collective (Aquarius), potentially leading to power struggles and major revelations about public figures.
-
Grand Fire Trine (July):
Jupiter in Leo, and Saturn and Neptune in Aries. This is a visionary and creative portal, destined to launch artistic, philosophical, spiritual, or technological movements that will define the coming years.
August: The Total Solar Eclipse in Leo (August 12th)
The second eclipse season begins on July 14th, culminating in a total solar eclipse in Leo on August 12th. Visible in Europe, it will be one of the most significant astronomical events of the decade.
-
Historical Significance:
In ancient times, a total eclipse in Leo (the sign of the king) was interpreted as an omen for the monarch (crisis, overthrow, succession).
-
Current Events:
It marks the end of an era, the fall of a highly influential public figure, and the birth of a new narrative of global leadership.
-
Key Players:
Jupiter in Leo and Pluto in Aquarius create tensions that signal a structural shift in power systems, monarchies, and governments. It suggests the end of a dynasty (symbolic or literal) and the arrival of a new generation of leaders.
-
Karmic Closure (August 28th):
The last eclipse of the year is a partial lunar eclipse, which acts as the emotional, energetic, and karmic closure of everything experienced since 2024. It marks the final resolution of breakups, moves, career transformations, or psychological crises that began in the fall of 2024 and 2025.
Venus Retrograde in Scorpio (October-November)
Venus retrograde in Scorpio is one of the most powerful events of the last quarter.
-
4-Year Cycle:
This transition culminates an emotional and financial story that began at the Venus Star Point in October 2022.
-
Key Dates:
The exact retrograde phase is from October 3 to November 14, 2026. Venus and Mercury will be retrograde at the same time, similar to March 2025.
-
Intensity in Scorpio:
Scorpio rules shared money, secrets, and emotional power. You will see the collapse of unsustainable relationships, revelations that shatter old dynamics, and profound reconciliations. Venus in Scorpio cleanses thoroughly and leaves nothing hidden.
-
Rebirth:
As the old falls away, strong and intense bonds will emerge, bringing you closer to your destiny. The process culminates around December 12th, leaving a sense of emotional, financial, and spiritual rebirth.
Preparing for 2026: A Quarterly Guide
First Quarter: Self-Knowledge and Mind (January-March)
-
Focus:
Self-Knowledge and Self-Analysis.
-
Energy:
The Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Aries and the eclipse in Aquarius enhance the “I Am” and mental capacities.
-
Reccomendations:
- Self-affirmation meditations and mental reprogramming.
- Check out Rewired with Joe Dispenza or Self-Love Yoga with Koya Webb.
- Tools such as astrology or family trees to explore life patterns.
- Get started with Astrology 101 on Gaia.
- Self-affirmation meditations and mental reprogramming.
Second Quarter: Awareness and Abilities (April-June)
-
Focus:
Awakening the mind and abilities.
-
Energy:
Uranus’s entry into Gemini activates air energy and the upper chakras.
-
Recommendations:
- Channeling practices.
- Dive into Channeling: A Bridge to the Beyond.
- Awakening the pineal gland, telepathy, or telekinesis.
- Watch Who We Are about transcending the physical.
- Channeling practices.
Third Quarter: Love and Compassion (July-September)
-
Focus
Cultivating love, compassion and reconnecting with relationships that have become stagnant.
-
Energy:
Jupiter’s entry into Leo and the shift of the nodal axis to Leo-Aquarius.
-
Recommendations:
- Use of high-vibration stones to activate energy centers.
- Watch Mystery Teachings with Sarah Elkhaldy.
- Yoga to open the chest and support the expansion of the heart.
- Practice Open Heart with Tiffany Bush.
- Use of high-vibration stones to activate energy centers.
Fourth Quarter: Detachment and Depth (October-December)
-
Focus:
Invest in wisdom that reveals the shadow and the path to enlightenment.
-
Energy:
Venus retrograde in Scorpio.
-
Recommendations:
- Practices of conscious detachment and working with symbolic death and impermanence.
- Listen to The Art of Letting Go meditation series.
- Drawing on the energy of Scorpio’s water element to work with emotions and memories.
- Watch the popular documentary Heal.
- Feeling and practicing hypersensitivity.
- Watch Sensitive is the New Strong from Gaia’s Emersion Conference.
- Practices of conscious detachment and working with symbolic death and impermanence.
Final Advice: Being Human
2026 will test the “robots” and reward the “human” who creates with awareness. The advice is to be loving, compassionate, and act with kindness and awareness that others help us see parts of ourselves that we cannot see alone.
