Cosmic Weather:

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been” – Rainer Maria Rilke

On this very first day of 2026, we are treated to mental Mercury, in scholarly Sagittarius, exactly square to transcendent Neptune in Pisces (8:33 am) – suggesting an honorable, noble search for deeper meaning now could potentially get hijacked by a few tempting, time-consuming rabbit holes savagely dotting our, otherwise, inspired path. 🙂

Probably also not very helpful that we have the Waxing Moon deposited in ever curious, scattering Gemini, which Mercury rules!

Astrologically, Mercury-Neptune pairings are often described, on the shadow side, as foggier periods cerebrally, when we may be muddling through intimidating gaps of information/misinformation. Even outright deception or lies!

On a cheerier, more redemptive note, however, Mercury-Neptune aspects are also equated with perceived surges in imagination, creativity, sensitivity and compassion. Our nocturnal dreams may also be especially vivid now.

Later in the day, the winged messenger Mercury exits outgoing Sagittarius to take up a three-week occupancy in the more worldly-ambitious, practical, subdued sign of Capricorn (4:11 pm), joining the Sun, Venus, and Mars already stationed there.

This placement of Mercury, in persevering Capricorn, ideally helps us to make our dreams and goals a reality by fostering a more step-by-step approach in relation to our thoughts and ideas. It is also associated with a more guarded/circumspect communication style. Some cynicism/crustiness may also be thrown into the mix, for good measure!

“Every ounce of my cynicism is supported by historical precedent.” – Glen Cook, Shadow Games

*All times EST

On This Day in History: On January 1,1818, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” or, “The Modern Prometheus,” is published anonymously by the small London publishing house of Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones.

One of the best-known works of English literature, Shelley was only eighteen years old when she began writing the Gothic novel, completing it at age 20.

Astrologically on the publication date, there was a stellium of planets (Uranus, Venus, Neptune, and Jupiter) conjunct in master story-teller Sagittarius, the sign which also rules publishing. Transformational Pluto in Pisces was additionally squaring this lineup; Pluto is associated with, among other things, darker themes and issues of power or control.

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Hope it’s a good one! Please be safe and well.

Patrice Thompson

Copyright 2026

Source Notes:

Photo by Tobias Bjørkli: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-standing-on-a-rock-near-snow-covered-land-1853354/

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/cynicism

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/new-beginnings/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein

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