2026: TNOs Eris and Pluto
Now that I have completely filled in my Llewellyn’s 2026 Daily Planetary Guide (everything from family birthdays, to octogenarian English guitarists’/comedians’ birthdays, to the start/end dates of Mercury’s retrograde zones), I’ll start sharing my thoughts….
Eris remains in Aries all year; it won’t begin to transition to Taurus until 2044-8. My mom (1927-2019) had her natal Eris in Aries; so will any grandchildren I get.
YouTube astrologer Andre Kahr has spoken a bit about Eris done well, based on the mythology. Eris didn’t get invited to that wedding (feeling left out, being ignored) - so Eris crashes the party and tosses the golden apple (inscribed, “For the fairest”) at the guests. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each claim it. Andre says that astrological Eris’ positive expression is all about finding the right balance between power (Hera), intelligence (Athena), and love (Aphrodite).
Anyway. Eris’ stations are proving to be big flashing celestial “caution” signs. It’s also important to note any longer-term interplay between Eris and the outer planets. For much of 2016, Eris and Uranus were conjunct - lots of unexpected surprises that year, what with Brexit in June, and then the Dolt 45 election in November. Then, for the 2019-21 time period, Pluto and Eris were square - a waning square in their cycle; their conjunction was in Capricorn, way back in 1756. Whatever got started back then (Ms M argues it was global imperial capitalism, as heralded by the Seven Year’s War) is now beginning to decay and crumble.
Nothing quite so drastic in 2026; after the final Chiron-Eris conjunction (woundedness about feeling ignored) begins to taper off, we move into a year or so of Jupiter/Leo trine Eris/Aries. Most likely a lot of zeal for addressing grievances. Interesting that the first trine (there will be three) matures right after the 2026 US midterm elections….
January 11 - Eris stations direct, 24°37’
March 19 - Eris/Aries conjunct Chiron/Aries, 24°59’ (third of three)
July 22 - Eris stations retrograde, 25°57’
November 8 - Eris Rx/Aries trine Jupiter/Leo, 25°12’
=+*+=+*+=+*+=
Pluto is now firmly established in Aquarius until 2043. We’ve seen a couple of Aquarius-type controversies already: one, the imposition of Artificial Intelligence; and two, who gets access to the internet (especially children; Aquarius opposes Leo, the sign of children).
Pluto, as you see, is very busy this year. Just look at all those outer-planet aspects! Let me point out, though, that sextiles and trines don’t necessarily always mean “good” or “nice” - at times they mean “flows easily with,” make of that that you will.
Astrologer Steven Forrest suggests (in The Book of Air) that, with Pluto moving through Aquarius, we need to focus on “moral independence…from the context of (our) natural values rather than those arising from any other source.” I think that’s probably too much to ask of a typical US citizen - the kind that equates “freedom” with “I can go shopping, and eat at Pizza Hut, any time I want to” - more realistic to focus on:
How dependent am I on internet access
Am I more comfortable with “groupthink,” or do I acknowledge my individuality
How can I help bring about a more humane world
Also: Andre Kahr has equated Pluto with the more “masculine” power trips, the dominant white male stuff - how can we help transform that into something healthier? More protective of others, maybe?
(It’s going to be important to resist a certain universal political doctrine that - regardless of where one stands on the political spectrum - basically boils down to, “how can you be happy and joyous when <insert latest atrocity> is happening?!?” Well, it’s because being happy and joyous is what we’re fighting for, that’s why!)
March 28 - Saturn/Aries sextile Pluto/Aquarius, 5°08’
May 6 - Pluto/Aquarius stations retrograde, 5°36’
July 18 - Uranus/Gemini trine Pluto Rx/Aquarius, 4°29’
July 20 - Jupiter/Leo opposite Pluto Rx/Aquarius, 4°27’
July 25 - Neptune Rx/Aries sextile Pluto Rx/Aquarius, 4°20’
September 16 - Neptune Rx/Aries sextile Pluto Rx/Aquarius, 3°16’
October 4 - Pluto/Aquarius stations direct, 3°04’
November 29 - Uranus Rx/Gemini trine Pluto/Aquarius, 3°31’
=+*+=+*+=+*+=
Next up: Neptune
