By Tanaaz | Source

2026 is destined to be a year of new beginnings. Maybe you are feeling it in the air already. Maybe you have started to see a new path unfolding. Nothing can be more of a catalyst for this energy than the Aquarius Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse on February 17th.

Not only does this Solar Eclipse kick off a new Aquarius-Leo Eclipse cycle that is set to transform and awaken a new part of our lives, but it also brings an unexpected new pathway for us. In fact, you could say that a mantra for this Eclipse is “expect the unexpected.”

Let’s take a deep dive into the energies behind the Aquarius Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse and how we may see its energies manifest in our lives.

A Ring of Fire Eclipse

A Ring of Fire Eclipse, or Annular Eclipse, is when the sun is partially blocked, leaving a ring of sunlight. These Eclipses are said to open new pathways and bring new streams of consciousness into our reality. What was previously in the dark can become illuminated.

If you know your chart, you can look to see which house is ruled by Aquarius and Leo, for clues on the themes of what may come up. You can also think back to what was happening in your life between February 2017 and January 2019, which was the last time we had Eclipses in these signs.

If you think back to this time period, you may notice yourself leveling up on similar themes as we work through this Eclipse cycle for the next 18 months.

An Unexpected Road Opens

Uranus, the planet of awakening, change, and surprise, and also the ruler of Aquarius, is activated under this Solar Eclipse, which is why it holds the element of the unexpected.

We may feel caught off guard or see a new pathway that we didn’t see before. Information from the shadows may be exposed, shifting our consciousness in ways we could not have predicted.

When we are just starting out on a new Eclipse cycle, the changes can be subtle at first but then come into full bloom as we move deeper into the energies. Think of it like the first stone being laid on a path that is not yet carved. We can sense the new beginning, we can see the road opening up for us, but more time is needed to see exactly where we are heading.

We may also experience abrupt endings under this Eclipse in order for the path to clear for us.

It is also interesting to note that sometimes Solar Eclipses can shift power dynamics. We may see this in our own lives, or even on the world stage, regarding world leaders and heads of big companies.

There is another Eclipse in this series expected in August 2026, so this could be a time when more clarity arrives.

An Unexpected Path to Healing

Chariklo, the Goddess Asteroid of Spirit Medicine, is active under this Aquarius Solar Eclipse, opening a gentle pathway to healing. Chariklo brings a softening, which will be welcomed considering the transformative nature that Eclipses can sometimes bring.

Cahriklo asks us to turn to nature and our intuition for guidance. Spending time outdoors, slowing the body, and reconnecting with natural rhythms can be especially supportive now. Chariklo teaches that nature holds what we need to feel full, whole, and supported.

As the asteroid of Spirit Medicine, Chariklo encourages us to pay attention to our dreams and intuitions, to take note of what we are putting into our bodies, and to honor the life force of all living things (including our own).

What revitalizes and recharges your own life force energy? Do you feel alive and well in your body, or are you sluggish, tired, and heavy?

Chariklo invites us to bring healing through paying attention to the subtle clues Mother Nature provides. Go for a walk, ask for a sign. Stay open to what comes. Doing so just may bring some unexpected insights that we have been looking for around healing and wellness.

Setting Intentions under the Solar Eclipse

Solar Eclipses are like supercharged New Moons, making them a powerful time to set intentions and put our wishes out to the Universe. While we can certainly make the most of this energy, this Eclipse invites us to set open-ended intentions that are not so specific or rigid.

Solar Eclipses often move pieces into place behind the scenes, guiding us toward experiences that support our growth, even if the full picture is not yet clear. What unfolds under this Ring of Fire Eclipse may feel unexpected at first, but it is ultimately designed to align us with a deeper authenticity.

By staying open, observant, and willing to trust the process, we allow this Eclipse to lead us exactly where we are meant to go. Sometimes the most powerful intention we can set is simply to find the strength for what is ready to emerge.