ASTROLOGICAL MARKET AND GLOBAL TRENDS OUTLOOK February 2026

Written by Barry Rosen www.appliedvedicastrology.com

Geopolitics and the Cycle of War

The US appears increasingly committed to a strategy of slow lockdown rather than rapid escalation. In our monthly video magazine, we highlighted that the Saturn-Neptune conjunction, which peaks on February 20th, marks an important stage in Earth’s realignment. This rare coincidence has historically been correlated with the dismantling of long-standing institutions, financial instability, debt crises, and the collapse of idealized political narratives, and this cycle follows exactly that pattern.

Iran now appears to be the most immediate geopolitical flashpoint, with US naval assets building up in the region and European allies increasingly condemning Iran’s political establishment as a terrorist organization. At the same time, time is rapidly running out for a meaningful Russia-Ukraine peace agreement. It is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine President Zelenskiy pursuing reconciliation under the current circumstances. A potential diplomatic opening may not emerge until the next Jupiter-Venus conjunction on June 1, 2026, when Jupiter enters Cancer.

The global realignment cycle peaks around February 20th, and it will be interesting to observe the rapid realignment of the geopolitical chessboard. Signs continue to rise that the United States may withdraw from NATO in the coming months, but February’s Saturn-Neptune peak may still be too early for full implementation. Meanwhile, India remains a strategic wildcard, facing increasing pressure to cut off Russian oil purchases while quietly recalibrating alliances.

Unfortunately, Europe seems increasingly inclined towards confrontation with Russia. Several cycles show that war risk increased in February. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is seeking to prevent Slovakia and a handful of other allies from supporting expanded military funding or EU-backed war financing, reflecting growing internal rifts within Europe.

The February 2026 major war risk window focuses on the convergence of unstable signatures.

• Mars square Uranus (late February)
• Saturn conjuncts Neptune (February 20th)
• Solar eclipse (February 17)

China, Russia, and long-term astrological risks

The current cycle suggests that a U.S.-China conflict is more likely than a direct war with Russia in the medium term. Although a cautious detente with Russia appears to be making progress, China continues to project military power through naval blockade drills around Taiwan.

Rahu’s transition to China’s Capricorn ascendant in November 2026 will further increase ambitions for world domination and territorial expansion. Following this, Saturn will enter Aries in June 2027, and Saturn will be debilitated in signs of aggression. Notably, a significant portion of World War II unfolded with Saturn in Aries, a stark historical parallel.

Planetary Highlights for February 2026 (Siderial)

Mercury enters Aquarius — February 3rd

Mercury square Uranus — February 5th

Venus Square Uranus — February 8th

Mercury and Rahu conjunction (true node) — February 12th

Sunsquare Uranus — February 16th

Solar eclipse at 5 degrees Aquarius — February 17th

Pluto in Shravana (10°–23°30′ Capricorn) Saturn conjuncts Neptune — February 20th

Mars enters Aquarius — February 23rd

Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius — February 26th to March 20th

Mars and Uranus square — late February

Sun conjuncts Rahu — February 27th

Mercury conjuncts Venus — February 28th

February 2026 heralds innovation, disruption, and a structural reset amidst a powerful concentration of stellar transits in Aquarius and heightened global tensions. Aquarius rules collective movement, technology, and humanitarian ideals. Rahu’s transit through Aquarius continues to be correlated with civil unrest, riots, and conflicts over government power, especially immigration and national power.

The annular solar eclipse on February 17th represents an important turning point in energy, the effects of which will continue over the next six months. The eclipse will be strongest in locations where it is physically visible, such as parts of South Africa, Chile, and Argentina, but its effects will be global. The trine of Jupiter from Gemini to Aquarius, although volatility remains high, will have some moderating influence and help disruptions manifest more constructively.

First disruption of the month: Mercury, Venus, and Uranus

Mercury enters Aquarius on February 3rd, stimulating innovative thinking, but it quickly collides with Uranus via square on February 5th. Venus then forms a square with Uranus on February 8th. Historically, assuming key technical levels are met, Venus-Uranus squares often coincide with market rebound lows, especially in precious metals.

From a mundane perspective, the clash of these air signs causes sudden policy shifts, technological failures, and social media unrest. On the financial front, Uranus aspects often trigger flash crash phenomena in cryptocurrencies, AI, and high-beta technology stocks. Traders should be prepared for sudden volatility and prefer defensive positions.

Mercury conjunct Rahu on February 12 will intensify compulsive trading behavior, misinformation, and emotionally driven selling, especially in emerging markets and speculative assets.

ECLIPSE PEAK: Technology, Power and Volatility

The solar eclipse at 5 degrees Aquarius on February 17th will square Uranus, marking a major turning point in our collective social consciousness. Solar eclipses in Aquarius are often associated with technological advances or breakdowns. Rahu’s influence amplifies Tamasic and destabilizing energies, while Pluto in Shravana exposes corruption within entrenched institutions. Expect continued exposure of wrongdoing in Minnesota, Ohio, and California.

Risks such as cyber disruption, regulatory crackdowns on Big Tech, AI-related scandals, and infrastructure failures are expected to increase. Economically, this eclipse poses high risks for the Nasdaq and cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin potentially falling towards the 70,000 level. The Sun-Rahu conjunction on February 27th reinforces the theme of leadership instability and sudden changes in power.

Structural changes: Saturn, Neptune, Mars

The conjunction of Saturn and Neptune on February 20th signals the classic Great Reset, dissolving illusions around governance, borders, and alliances. We’ve been talking about this global reshuffling of the chessboard for over a year, and it’s now fully unfolding.

India is moving away from alignment with the US and towards Russia and China, while the US is increasingly hinting at withdrawing from NATO and Ukraine to avoid nuclear escalation. Iran remains increasingly isolated internationally, and U.S. naval deployments against Iran reflect heightened risks.

Mars enters Aquarius and then squares Uranus on February 23rd, accelerating aggressive reforms, protests, and military escalation. Mercury will be retrograde from February 26th to March 20th, placing it in the same sign as Mars, increasing bickering, media battles, and diplomatic tensions. Additional Mars-Mercury conjunctions on March 15 and April 20 suggest a long-term rhetorical and ideological conflict.

Given these dynamics, defense sector ETFs such as XAR remain an attractive hedge as the broader stock market approaches its cyclical high.

Stock market and financial cycle

The S&P 500 continues to show signs of top and fatigue. The Nasdaq 100 index reached its all-time high in October, but has yet to confirm a new high. Recent geopolitical threats against Iran have caused fresh downward pressure, but a formal technical top remains unconfirmed until S&P Cash breaches 6,789 and Nasdaq 100 futures breach 25,000.

January has long been predicted to be a cyclical high, but current themes of war risks, geopolitical instability, and global change strongly argue against continued new highs. The vulnerability of Japan’s interest rates and global restructuring risks are increasing downward pressure.

Of the Magnificent Seven, only Google and Apple have been profitable since August, a worrying sign for Nasdaq leadership. Microsoft’s disappointing AI capex guidance and Tesla’s post-earnings weakness further strengthen late-cycle dynamics.

We continue to expect declines from February to April, with a downside target of around 5,600 on S&P Cash.

The following major market lows

A major cycle cyclone is still predicted for April 2026, coinciding with Mercury’s debilitation in Pisces from April 10th to 29th, and Mars joining it. Historically, this combination has been correlated with declines in stocks, crypto assets, and speculative assets. Even with the recovery in June, there will be no new highs, and this summer’s tensions will weaken, with the S&P 500 index potentially plummeting to 3,650 by November.

Sector outlook

energy and crude oil Oil prices rose on the back of war tensions and closed above key resistance levels, pointing in the direction of 90-92. We’re on the verge of inflation, which favors energy stocks and ETFs like XLE, XOP, and USO.

interest rate Saturn and Neptune indicate continued financial instability. While the short-term cycle may encourage a flight to bond quality and lower rates from February to May, longer-term upward pressure will continue into 2026 and 2027.

metal Gold and silver performed better than expected. The long-term cycle supports silver towards $148-155 this year and gold towards $10,800 by 2028. Despite extreme volatility, including the recent sell-off in silver, we continue to prefer the metal as a long-term holding. Latest timings are provided daily in the Fortucast newsletter.

cryptocurrency Bitcoin remains vulnerable, with a downside target near 70,000 by April. Cryptocurrencies are particularly sensitive to the Mercury-Neptune cycle, making the April waning period important. The long-term upside target of around 225,000 remains consistent with the post-halving cycle.

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This is a monthly update. X events occur every day, making February the most volatile month of the year.

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