Ends and Beginnings

SPACEWEATHER.COM NEWS: 02/17/2026

THE SOLAR ECLIPSE THAT ALMOST NO ONE SAW: A rare solar eclipse occured in Antarctica today when the New Moon blocked the summer sun over the frozen continent. So far we have received no photos of that remote event. However, here’s how it looked 4,000 miles away in Paarl, South Africa:

 

“For my 88th eclipse of the sun, I traveled to South Africa and saw a 5.7% coverage of the solar disk,” says Paul D. Maley. “Sky conditions were picture perfect. Only my wife and I were at the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl with nobody else even being aware of the eclipse.”

In Antarctica, coverage was 96% and the eclipse was annular. In other words, the Moon was slightly too small to cover the entire sun, so the eclipse created a “ring of fire” effect. If only anyone saw it…

Were you in the eclipse zone? Submit your photos here.

more images: from Fabio Dornelles of Cape Town, South Africa; from Joerg Schoppmeyer of Turtle Bay, Mauritius; from Oleg Toumilovitch of Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa;

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“Ring of Fire” Eclipse from Antarctica

This phase — known as annularity — lasted a little over two minutes and was visible across a remote, 383-mile-wide (616 kilometer) corridor of the Antarctic continent containing the Concordia research station, which hosts less than a hundred scientists and visitors at any one time.

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Lunar New Year 2026: Year of the Fire Horse Starts With a “Ring of Fire”

Lunar New Year begins on February 17, 2026 — the same day as the “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse. It’s a fitting kickoff for the Year of the Fire Horse: a “fire” sign starting under a fiery ring in the sky, created when the New Moon lines up with the Sun.

In 2026, Chinese New Year (called Spring Festival in China) is celebrated on February 17. This festival is always tied to the date of the New Moon in China. The Lunar New Year celebrations end on the day of the Chinese Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival marks the first Full Moon of the new lunar year, which will occur on March 3 at 11:38 GMT.

StarWalk.com offers details and traditions.

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The Year of the Fire Horse: Embrace Change, Act Boldly, Balance Intensity, Focus on Health

The 2026 Year of the Fire Horse represents a rare (every 60 years) combination of the Horse’s natural energy, independence, and speed with the intense, transformative power of the Fire element. It signifies a period of rapid change, bold action, high-energy, and potential volatility—a time for taking risks, pursuing passions, and breaking free from limitations.

Rapid Transformation: Fire amplifies the Horse’s dynamic nature, leading to fast-paced events, quick, decisive actions, and major, often abrupt, changes.
Boldness and Independence: This year encourages taking bold risks and forging your own path. It is a period for fierce independence, but it can also lead to impatience or impulsive decisions.
Intensity and Passion: The Fire element adds high intensity to the year, making it a time for pursuing goals with high stamina, passion, and, at times, encountering chaos.
Symbolism of Growth: While fire can be destructive, in this context it is seen as a force that clears the old to make way for new beginnings and significant personal growth.
Social & Historical Context: Historically, Fire Horse years (also called Bing-Wu) are associated with societal or political shifts and instability.

The last year of the Fire Horse was 1966.  
SOURCE: National Geographic, Culture

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MOON PHASE: March 3, 2026, Full Worm Moon

See MoonGiant.com for details.

The Full Worm Moon was named by South American tribes. Earthworms were not present in North American at the time of naming. 

Northern American tribes such as the Shawnee tribe, the Worm Moon is called the Sap Moon instead, as a reminder for the tribes that they can begin tapping maple syrup. In general, March’s full moon is known as a herald for the beginning of spring and new agricultural cycles.

The Anglo-Saxons even used the Worm Moon as a way to predict the state of their crops. They called it the Storm Moon if it was stormy, which was a sign that their crops would fail. But if it was dry, they called it the Rugged Moon, an indication of a bounteous harvest.

One of its other names is the Chaste Moon, symbolizing the purity of early spring. The Pueblo tribe named it the Moon When the Leaves Break Forth, while in Shoshone culture it was known as the Warming Moon. Sometimes it is called the Crow Moon, after the crows and other birds that appear as winter draws to a close. 

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At Sunset, February 18, 2026

TWILIGHT LUNAR OCCULTATION ALERT: When the sun sets on Wednesday, Feb. 18th</strong, go outside and look west. Mercury and the crescent Moon will be extremely close together low in the twilight sky. Across at least 10 southern US states, the Moon will eclipse or “occult” the planet, producing a photo-op of rare beauty. Enjoy the show! Resources:sky map | Mercury photos | city-by-city timetables.

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Mayan Calendar Time and Synchronicity

13 Transformer/CIMI marks an Ascension under the Day Sign of the Holy Spirit. The Solar Eclipse marks and end and a beginning. CIMI is the Sign of a Major Life Change on the scale of Life and Death. By the Christian Calendar, February 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday, begins the Season of Lent. Today, 13 Transformer/CIMI is Time to tie up loose ends from the past.

CELEBRATE THE FUTURE. CIMI shares the gift of Clairvoyance. The Future will be what we look to see.

Pope Leo XIV ordered the 40 Days of Lent to be a time for the Intention of Unity – to listen, fast our words, and to pray in Unity with the Whole. This carries on the tradition of the Vision Quest, and the Jaguar’s path of invisibility from which we become a Witness of life all around. According to the Signs, from the Ring of Fire, we’ll rise from the Ashes of our Past.

John 14:18-26 KJV
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Mercury is the Messenger of Divine Communication. The Occultation of the Moon is a sign of Light that speaks to the heart. Mercury is the fasted orbiting planet. The Fire Horse offers the horsepower to “get a move on” and shake the dust of the ashes off our feet.

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THE TRECENA OF JAGUAR/IX: AN INVISIBLE JOURNEY OF SPIRIT
MAYAN CALENDAR DAYKEEPER’S JOURNAL
13 Transformer/CIMI (kee mee), Cherokee, Twins/TAKATO’KA, Destiny Kin 26, Position 6
February 17, 2026, 02/17/2026

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13 Transformer/CIMI (Cherokee, Twins/ TAKATO’KA)  – Day 13, Ascension of the 1 Jaguar/IX trecena

Descriptions by Ian Xel Lungold (12 Sun/AHAU), wisdom and Tzolk’in calculator preserved on MayanMajix.com

Galactic Tone 13: Ascension; Thirteen assists us to go to the next higher step, propels us to try something new or to try again. Thirteen energy takes us over the next mountain just to see what is there. Thirteen carries the last success to the newest effort. Thirteen is a number associated with the Ascended Masters, creation, expansion, and manifestation.

Transformer/CIMI: Cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Transformer persons achieve goals and emotional wealth. Transformer people can become highly respected business persons. They have the ability to help others through any and all transitions with tranquility due to their spiritual strength and guidance. Communities often benefit from Transformers discipline and organization skills. They strengthen the life of pregnant women and guide them through the transitions of maternity. Establishing contact with the ancestors activates innate psychic abilities, gifts to be used as tools to assist others. Transformers can have the ability to send evil intentions telepathically, this is their undoing. From these acts they lose power, easily fall into a victim role and begin to manipulate with a vengeance.

A GOOD DAY TO: Tie all loose ends.

Cherokee, Twins/ TAKATO’KA: Twins symbolize a mirror’s reflection, the Female Sun and Male Moon,  whose union keeps the world going round. Cherokee myth has the Morning Star heralding the Sun, Venus, also being the Evening Star as representing the TWINS. The energy brings major changes all throughout life, riding the tsunamis of earthquake and upheaval, making their own waves wherever they go. They undergo powerful transformations, alternating like a flashing neon sign. The challenge is to master Balance while experiencing Chaos leading to re-birth and abundance through infinity.

[Text in italics was the primary source of inspiration for my journal. These are the sources that started my journey and they are the reference for interpretation each day. By providing the original text, I hope to offer a way to see what inspired my thoughts and by including all the aspects – allow for something more to inspire you. Mayan descriptions are those written by Ian Lungold. Cherokee descriptions came from multiple sources. Links to sources and other resources of study are offered on the Daykeeper Resources Page. ~Debra]