Issue #2602

How is your horse, rider?

Hello Reader

Another sporadic instalment! Over the hump that is the end and beginning of the Gregorian year, I'm back on it at the start of the Lunar one.

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Dancing in stardust while riding the Fire Horse.

Well, well, well – the horse has bolted and there is truly no reason why we should try to bolt the stable door now; it’s definitely too late.

Hello 2026!

Dancing above and dancing below
​The sky ballet never disappoints, nor does the human disco down on terra firma. In the last week or so, we’ve had or will have:

• Venus in Pisces – 10 Feb to 6 Mar
• Saturn entering Aries – 13 Feb
• Lunar New Year – year of the Fire Horse – 17 Feb
• an annular solar eclipse – 17 Feb
• Saturn and Neptune conjunction at 0° Aries – 20 Feb
• Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune ‘align’ across the sky – 28 Feb

We are made of stardust and timeline of the universe is long so although these dates pass relatively quickly, their effects linger on for some time after.

Astrology a.k.a. stardust, can be a point of access, clarification and discovery when you are exploring your energetic surroundings day to day and/or in a reading. If you dabble, delve or dive into the astrological world, you’ll be aware of how your go-to astrologers are contextualising these and other big events this year. If you don’t, and haven’t a clue where to start, let me know and I can recommend some great places to begin your journey.

Back to the sky ballet – I selected these particular events, not to give you an in-depth astrological analysis but to highlight something of the quality of the energy that’s out there at the moment and how you might view it.

How is that working out for me?
​I’m a child of Saturn and that means that when Father Time, the Daddy of Discipline, even so much as whispers an instruction, I am standing to attention in front of my neatly made bed with brightly polished boots and a sharp salute, ready for inspection.

The shift in energy from Saturn moving out of dreamy Pisces and into Aries was not subtle for me; I physically felt the shift. Suddenly, soft edges and cul-de-sac vibes have become uncomfortable. Still, the real kick – like the hind legs of a prairie pony – was the burning fire that was the sun revealed, renewed even, after the moon passed between us and it during the annular solar eclipse. Let me tell you how this ushered in the conflagration that was the Fire Horse breaking down the stable doors of 2026 and taking with it every piece of flammable dust that I have been holding onto for who-know-how-long!!!!

Today, Saturn and Neptune are conjunct at 0° Aries, and this is a once in a civilization type event. Saturn – structure and rules and Neptune – dreams and illusions, are within 10° of each other and amplifying each other’s ‘energy’ at the very ‘beginning’ of the zodiac – Aries – ambitious and energetic! Delve deeper into this one with your own chart and with your favourite astrologers.

Venus, exalted in Pisces, gets a special mention here because what more could I, and hopefully you, possibly need to self soothe when everything is ablaze than the dreamy watery vibes of love, beauty and refinement.

How are you feeling?
​On an energetic level, this is an exciting time to offer up any flammable dust you are holding on to and see where your horses will take you. Think of it as the kindling to the cleansing fire that will light the path of the year ahead. Throw on to the fire your old newspapers (stale narratives), receipts (the energy is spent, get rid of it) and even your dirty laundry (unnecessary emotional baggage). If you can, safely feel into the intensity of what is happening around you right now and look for the intuitive knowing or what else you can let go of, you may get some clarity on what new paths lie ahead in the light of the blaze.

Your horse might be out of the gate or startled but take care to regroup and regain composure before it bolts wide-eyed and out of control into the night. This is a spirited beast that only you can saddle and ride, as it’s your companion and will go where you lead. Make sure to ground yourself regularly. Remember, that Aries energy can be passionate, visionary and fearless at best, but can just as well be impulsive, aggressive and selfish. You get to choose and Saturn will normally let you know if you’ve chosen in error.

What about the cards?

In Lenormand, The Rider (1) is suited and booted on a handsome steed, bringing the news freshly pressed to you with a sense of urgency and a sense of purpose. In tarot, we have so many horses to choose from, which one do you feel represents where you are right now? In the minor arcana, could it be one of the Knights, each mounted and ‘doing the work’? In the major arcana, the horses bring the meaningful motion vibes in the Chariot (VII). The luxury vehicular transport of ancient times and powered in all probability by actual horses, the chariot is about motion – triumph, power, status and war. Always two sides to the coin; energy for driving forward and energy for destruction.

Again, choices…choices…

But what of fire? One card leapt out at me when I started to write this – The Tower (XVI). A much-maligned card, mostly because we crave the comfort and stability of the known, fearing inevitable and profound change. But, when we embrace the fact that every day is new and that the future is yet to be written, there is great comfort in knowing the old structures that are no longer useful can be disposed of to make space for what comes next. That’s how I have learnt to hold The Tower for myself – without fear and with gratitude for the assistance; nudging, pushing or expunging what has got to go!

The cards are shuffling and smacking down onto the table with an alacrity that echoes the joy and uncertainty of new, fresh energy. As always, I’m here to read them if you have questions.

Cate xx