With 2025 coming to a close, it’s time to look down the road at the astrology of 2026 to get a sense of what you can expect in the months ahead. By getting a sense of what the planets and luminaries — that’s the sun and the moon — will be up to, you can prepare yourself mentally for the energy shifts that are inevitably coming down the pike. Better yet, you can take advantage of moments when there are clear opportunities to release what’s no longer serving you or set a bold intention that will catapult you into your ideal future. One of the easiest ways to do this is by working with the lunar cycle or understanding which new and full moons you can expect to occur each month of the year.
Read on to learn how to make the most of 2026’s new moons and full moons in general, as well as a guide to each new moon and full moon of the year ahead.
What is a new moon?
The new moon occurs once — and once in a while, twice — a month when the moon and the sun share the same exact spot in the zodiac. Because the two luminaries are so close, the sun’s light doesn’t reflect off the moon at all, so, from our point of view on Earth, the moon’s form appears hidden. In turn, a new moon serves as your monthly vision board — a blank canvas on which you can cast your dreams, goals and intentions.
You could feel an amplified sense of possibility, anticipation and emotional self-awareness. New moons also present a chance to plant seeds that you can watch grow over the following two weeks and the following six months.
What is a full moon?
Full moons happen once — less commonly, twice — per month when the moon and the sun are positioned opposite one another in the sky and in the zodiac. Because they’re sitting opposite one another, the sun’s vibrant light reflects off the moon, spurring a wow-worthy spectacle in the night sky. When it’s full, the moon lights the sky up brighter than at any other time in its cycle, so you can think of it as working to illuminate your emotions—generally feelings that are coming to a head and require addressing or releasing.
In astrology, the moon rules our emotions, intuition and nurturing style. And when it’s full, all of those aspects of our inner life are heightened. The sun-opposite-moon dynamic also puts an emphasis on partnerships. So, no matter what sign a full moon falls in, you’ll do best to reflect — and take action — on matters of the heart. You could feel extra sensitive, empathic, passionate or even wiped out.
When can you work with new moon and full moon energy?
You can make the most of new or full moon energy for four days before and after the event occurs. There’s just one exception, which is when a new or full moon occurs alongside a solar or lunar eclipse. Eclipses are so powerful that they don’t require any conscious action on your part. Instead, your job is to buckle up for the ride and be as open as possible to the wild — and yes, even potentially wonderful—shifts that they bring.
Following a new moon, you’ll see the fruits of your labor starting to make themselves apparent about two weeks later at the time of the full moon, as well as six months down the road when we have a full moon in the corresponding sign. For example, if you set an intention in the days surrounding the Capricorn new moon in January 2026, you’ll see recurring themes and possibly a culmination point related to your goal when the moon is full in Capricorn in June 2026.
The basics must-knows for every new moon and full moon in 2026
January
January 3, 2026: Full moon in Cancer
- Themes: Home, emotional well-being, family and your sense of security.
- What to meditate on: How are these aspects of your life fitting with your professional path, public image and sense of authority?
January 18, 2026: New moon in Capricorn
- Themes: Making your mark, pragmatic game plans for achieving big picture goals, claiming the spotlight, earning recognition.
- What to meditate on: A rational strategy can lead to well-deserved accolades.
February
February 1, 2026: Full moon in Leo
- Themes: Self-expression, confidence, loyalty, romance, playfulness.
- What to meditate on: Have you had the opportunity to tap into this side of life recently, and if not, what can you let go of in order to find more room for fun and joy?
February 17, 2026: New moon and solar eclipse in Aquarius
- Themes: Community, the future, humanitarian causes, striking out against convention.
- What to meditate on: How can embracing your rebellious streak and connecting even more deeply to like-minded people push you into your ideal reality?
March
March 3, 2026: Full moon and lunar eclipse in Virgo
- Themes: Health and well-being, grounding, self-awareness, finding magic in the details.
- What to meditate on: Releasing a tired narrative tied to these topics might be essential for growth and your next evolution.
March 19, 2026: New moon in Pisces
- Themes: Self-compassion, emotional healing, empathy, artistic impulses.
- What to meditate on: How can you step up practices that benefit your mind and emotions to hit a goal close to your heart?
April
April 2, 2026: Full moon in Libra
- Themes: Partnerships, balance, diplomacy, beauty.
- What to meditate on: How can you further define a relationship and take partnerships of all kinds to the next level?
April 17, 2026: New moon in Aries
- Themes: Independence, competition, inner drive, action and energy.
- What to meditate on: How can you use the go-getter vibe of the cardinal fire sign to take the reins on your own life trajectory, be more assertive, see yourself as a leader and aim to win?
May
May 1, 2026: Full moon in Scorpio
- Themes: Transformation, emotional bonds, joint resources, sex.
- What to meditate on: What do you need to release or be more vulnerable about in order to bolster your comfort level and sense of emotional well-being within your closest bond?
May 16, 2026: New moon in Taurus
- Themes: Self-worth, material possessions, sensuality, tenacity.
- What to meditate on: How can you harness the determined energy of the fixed earth sign to fuel your ability to stick to your strategy and achieve whatever it is you’ve set out after?
May 31, 2026: Full moon in Sagittarius
- Themes: Wanderlust, opinion versus fact, soaking up knowledge and releasing old ways of thinking in order to make room for new philosophies and perspectives.
- What to meditate on: What can you let go of in order to broaden your horizons, go bigger in life and set the stage for gratifying personal growth?
June
June 14, 2026: New moon in Gemini
- Themes: Information-gathering, curiosity, learning, socializing, friends, siblings, neighbors.
- What to meditate on: What’s the best way to satiate your appetite for new information and experiences?
June 29, 2026: Full moon in Capricorn
- Themes: Taking responsibility, implementing pragmatic structures to achieve practical goals, authority figures and achievement.
- What to meditate on: When difficult feelings arise, how can you channel the industrious energy of the cardinal earth sign into putting your nose to the grindstone to lay new foundations, level up and get organized so you can move beyond the past and plow forward?
July
July 14, 2026: New moon in Cancer
- Themes: Family, home, emotional intelligence, sensitivity, nurturing yourself and others.
- What to meditate on: What’s a goal you can set to honor your emotions, bolster your sense of security and connect on a deeper level with your nearest and dearest?
July 29, 2026: Full moon in Aquarius
- Themes: Platonic relationships, the push-pull between rational and creative, revolution, rebellion.
- What to meditate on: How can you shed the past in order to strike out on your own in some way now, perhaps in order to strengthen how connected you feel to a certain community, friends or colleagues?
August
August 12, 2026: New moon and solar eclipse in Leo
- Themes: Identity, self-expression, optimism, romance, artistic self-expression and leadership.
- What to meditate on: Use the proud, warm, generous and fun-loving fixed fire sign’s energy to feel empowered in going after an even bolder, brighter path than you previously have.
August 28, 2026: Full moon in a lunar eclipse in Pisces
- Themes: Empathy, sensitivity, psychic ability, dreams, imagination.
- What to meditate on: What’s an ongoing narrative in your life that seems to be reaching a climax, and how can you be more present as you move through this life-changing experience?
September
September 10, 2026: New moon in Virgo
- Themes: Communication, self-improvement, wellness, cerebral energy, grounding yourself in routine.
- What to meditate on: What details in your day-to-day grind can you tweak to create even more magic on an everyday basis?
September 26, 2026: Full moon in Aries
- Themes: Assertiveness, taking charge, going to bat for your most ambitious vision, acknowledging your needs while navigating a partnership.
- What to meditate on: How can you move past what’s no longer serving you in order to tap into a whole different level of motivation, pride, passion and even impulsivity?
October
October 10, 2026: New moon in Libra
- Themes: Partnership, mediation, negotiation, balance, art, romance.
- What to meditate on: What’s a goal you can set alongside a dear friend, loved one, significant other or colleague that will result in a greater sense of equilibrium?
October 26, 2026: Full moon in Taurus
- Themes: Engaging with the world through all five senses, nurturing your self-worth, exploring your relationship to material possessions, tapping into your sense of determination.
- What to meditate on: By grappling with whatever emotions are coming up for you now, how can you use the resolute nature of the fixed earth sign to move forward in a down-to-earth, slow and steady way?
November
November 9, 2026: New moon in Scorpio
- Themes: Fearlessness, inner fire, transformation, deep-rooted emotions, vulnerability
- What to meditate on: How can you use the energy of the fixed water sign to shed light on your shadow side, better understand your emotional needs and open up within your closest bonds in order to feel more seen and supported?
November 24, 2026: Full moon in Gemini
- Themes: Gathering information to better process emotions, technology, connecting with others, short-distance travel, and language.
- What to meditate on: How might you want to tailor your self-expression to acknowledge and work through challenging emotions? Use the communicative power of the mutable air sign to navigate intense moments that might arise.
December
December 8, 2026: New moon in Sagittarius
- Themes: Broadening your horizons, seeking eye-opening experiences and growing as a result of being open to different world views.
- What to meditate on: What will make you feel prepared to take on the world with an elevated appetite for soaking up knowledge?
December 23, 2026: Full moon in Cancer
- Themes: Sentimentality, security, emotions, intuition and instincts
- What to meditate on: Acknowledging and honoring your emotions is just as integral to your productivity as well as your relationships, sense of security and overall well-being.
