The Happy Eating Podcast · Carolyn Williams PhD, RD & Brierley Horton, MS, RD

People Magazine’s Astrologer: What’s Coming in 2026 by Astrological Sign

February 5, 2026·56 min·4 clips

Valerie Mesa tells Libras 2026 is a 7.5-to-8 out of 10 year — the south node demands they stop people-pleasing and 'fly their freak flag,' while Saturn and Neptune in Aries help them finally draw real boundaries in relationships.

1. The Happy Eating Podcast brings back Valerie Mesa — People Magazine's go-to astrologer — for a 2026 zodiac forecast covering each sign from Aries to Pisces in order. 2. Hosts Carolyn and Briarley describe Mesa as a listener favorite whose previous episodes have consistently performed well; both identify as Libras and admit the first month of 2026 has felt underwhelming. 3. The episode's central thesis is that 2026 marks a major astrological transition, driven primarily by Neptune entering Aries after 14 years in Pisces and Saturn joining it on February 20th. 4. Mesa describes Neptune's 2011-2026 transit through Pisces as producing 'drunk energy' — a collective confusion tied to social media filters, fake news, and an inability to feel grounded in reality. 5. With Neptune in Aries until 2039, Mesa says the emphasis shifts to individual autonomy, standing firm in personal beliefs, and pursuing dreams with structure — the visible (Saturn) and the invisible (Neptune) coming together. 6. The hosts ask directly whether Mesa sensed a pre-pandemic-style threat for 2026; she explains that astrologers were alarmed before COVID because Saturn (karma) and Pluto (underworld) conjoined in rigid Capricorn, forcing collective confinement and mask-wearing. 7. For 2026, she identifies Pluto in Aquarius as the energy to monitor: Pluto represents power, Aquarius represents communities and the internet, and together they signal transformative upheaval in social networks and institutions built on hierarchies that abuse power. 8. Aries is predicted to enter new communities with the right people to pursue dreams, shedding illusions of who they thought they were as Saturn and Neptune stabilise their identity and purpose. 9. Taurus is described as entering a period of simultaneous career eclipses and deep inner work, with Chiron the wounded healer entering their sign after seven years in Aries, calling them to heal areas of rejection. 10. Gemini is forecast to experience a major identity revolution as Uranus enters their sign on April 25th — Mesa links the Uranus transit to a coming shift in how communication, media, and information are processed, comparing it to the Uranus-in-Taurus years that produced influencer culture and Klarna payment systems. 11. Cancer is expected to level up professionally in unexpected ways via Saturn and Neptune activating their 10th house of career, with eclipses in the second house of money pushing them toward authentic career paths rather than emotional autopilot. 12. Leo is called 2026's 'celestial favorite' with Jupiter entering the sign in June; Mesa calls Jupiter 'the Santa of the zodiac' — it magnifies what it touches and delivers what a sign needs rather than wants, so Leo's expansion comes alongside a south node demand to release unhealthy ego. 13. Virgo is forecast to have their public reputation transform radically with Uranus at the top of their chart, with Mesa suggesting they may change how they use their voice in media, podcasting, or public-facing work. 14. Both hosts being Libra makes that reading the episode's emotional centrepiece: Mesa rates 2026 a 7.5-to-8 for Libras, telling them the south node pushes them to release social people-pleasing and keeping up appearances, while the north node in the fifth house opens up passion projects and self-expression. 15. For Libra relationships, Saturn and Neptune in Aries activate the seventh house of partnerships, helping Libras draw clear boundaries and release commitments that were never authentic — the phrase 'fly your freak flag' immediately resonates with the hosts. 16. Scorpio is described as burned out and on autopilot, with a predicted career break coming later in summer 2026 and Jupiter offering a new perspective on pride and public perception that has been holding them back. 17. Sagittarius is forecast to experience a revolution in relationships via Uranus entering their relationship sector, with unexpected romantic or professional connections possible around April 25th when Uranus conjuncts Venus in Gemini. 18. Capricorn is told they are 'getting their flowers' in 2026, with the north node activating their second house of self-worth and money after years of shouldering burdens for others; Uranus entering their sixth house signals liberation from rigid service roles. 19. The tone throughout is warm and conversational, with Mesa frequently personalising readings for the two Libra hosts and using pop-culture metaphors like 'Santa of the zodiac' and 'drunk energy' to make planetary concepts accessible. 20. Best suited for listeners interested in astrology who want a 2026 sign-by-sign overview, particularly those curious about how macro planetary shifts like Neptune in Aries map to personal areas like career, relationships, and identity.

As heard by us

A conversational 2026 horoscope walk-through with a grounded, easy pace.

Astrology is treated here as a way to get a grip on a year that still feels unsettled. Valerie Mesa returns, the hosts keep the pace easy, and the conversation stays grounded enough to sound like people thinking out loud.

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Why you'd press play

A conversational 2026 astrology check-in with Valerie Mesa, going sign by sign from Aries to Pisces.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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