These Are the Luckiest (and Unluckiest) Months of 2026, According to Your Zodiac Sign

Aries (March 21–April 19)

Lucky month: January

Challenging month: April

We know you’re not one for patience, Aries, so you’re going to love seeing your luck come through right away this year. In January, Venus and Mars conspire to boost opportunities at work, giving you a chance to present a big project or get a bonus or raise. Since Mars rules action, the best thing to do this month is to take initiative on projects. Lead a group, volunteer to speak, offer to manage something—just get in front of the big dogs who make the decisions. You never know what an impact it’ll make.

Now, April is not typically a month I would say is challenging for Aries, considering it’s one of your birthday months. But here’s the thing: When the new moon is in your sign on April 17, there will be a total of seven planets in Aries. I know you’re not an astrologer, so I’ll just say this: That’s a lot! With that much Aries energy, it can bring you a lot of power or … just a lot of overwhelm. Since your sign rules action and movement, when you’re overwhelmed, try to get yourself to the gym. Take your frustration out on the dumbbells or treadmill, and you’ll feel much better.

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

Lucky month: May

Challenging month: October

May is your month, Taurus. In addition to doing some birthday celebrating, there’s a lucky new moon in your sign on May 16. Even better? You’re also getting some love from Mercury and Jupiter. This means you’re going to get some good news that helps you reinvent yourself and shine a little brighter. Think: an unexpected “yes” from a job you applied to weeks ago or news that you can move your hair appointment up to today. The best thing to do is to stay connected to your phone around this date; check your text messages, emails and social media inboxes. This “yes” is bound to come through over the internet.

So yes, May will be pretty darn amazing. But October? Not so much. During the whole month, Venus will be retrograde. Venus retrograde is just like Mercury retrograde, except it messes with our love lives instead. This one will cast you back into the past (e.g., receiving texts from exes, having dreams of exes, thinking about “what ifs,” etc.). And even though a new moon has the potential to bring new beginnings at work, it will be shadowed by other transits affecting your love life. The best thing to do is stick to routines that make you feel good. That way, when relationship drama hits, you aren’t thwarted. And that’s perfect for you, Taurus, since you love a good routine!

Gemini (May 21–June 20)

Lucky month: August

Challenging month: March

Get ready, Gemini: Between Aug. 12 and Aug. 15, your entire life might change. Thanks to the new moon eclipse, there’s a good chance you’ll get that life-altering email for a job or a text from a suitor you thought was way out of your league. When you read it, don’t hold back from an ecstatic response. We know you can talk (a lot), and you don’t want to scare this person away, but if you tap into your authentic self-expression, the planets will have your back. It could actually work more deeply in your favor and offer a sense of deep trust between you two.

On a separate note, Venus is moving through connection-driven Libra this month and offering you a great chance at love. If you’re usually one to hang only with people you know, this is the month to put yourself in new situations. Think: a book club or a speed-dating event.

But before you get to this point, you’ll have to deal with March. This will be a sticky month for everyone, but it’ll be particularly tough for you. A full moon eclipse, which tends to bring hard-hitting endings, will target your family life on March 3. This can bring up heavy issues around family and demand a resolution—for example, finally having that uncomfortable discussion around inheritance or resolving years-long tension between father and son. Whatever it is, it’s bound to be distracting, and you might even wonder why it has to happen right now. But take it from the astrologer: Eclipses push things into our lives when we can no longer avoid them. This discussion, ending or resolution has been a long time coming. Be open and get through it, so you can finally move forward.

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

Lucky month: August

Challenging month: February

August is a money-making month for you, Cancer! The new moon eclipse (a big new beginning) is aligning with both Mercury and Jupiter to bring you all the riches. You’re likely to receive news that someone is investing in you, sending you surprise money or giving you a raise. Since this is all happening in the proud sign of Leo, remember that you deserve this. Whatever is happening now is based on work you’ve already done. To keep yourself in that state of mind, write a list of all your accomplishments up until this point, and remind yourself that you are amazing!

And now for the less-than-ideal news: While lucky Jupiter will be in your sign in February, it will be retrograde the entire month—basically withholding all benevolence from you until it shifts in the right direction in March. The other problem? Mercury is also turning retrograde in your house of expansion. That means you probably won’t get any “lucky” opportunities, and you’re also feeling foggy around purpose, ideas and inspiration. Not a great combo!

Thankfully, once April rolls around, everything will start moving in the right direction. Plus, all the Aries energy in April will help out your career big-time. Save all your energy in February and March so you can kill it in April.

Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)

Lucky month: July

Challenging month: October

For you, Leo, July brings the most epic party of planets in your sign. Jupiter, the ultimate luck planet, is traveling through your sign, which magnifies everything. You’re charming already, but in July, heads will turn, publicity or career offers will come in left and right, and all eyes will be on you. That’s especially true on July 29, when the sun and Jupiter form a once-a-year connection. Astrologers call this the luckiest day of the year—and it’s happening in your sign. So live it up by taking a few risks! Throw your name in that raffle, ask that special someone out on a date or buy a lottery ticket. Honestly, you can’t lose on that day.

Unfortunately, by October, your luck runs a little dry. Venus turns retrograde in Scorpio, and family drama around money is likely to pop up. Think: debt driving a wedge between you and your spouse, intense discussions around inheritance, or debating a legal contract with siblings. Questions of who gets what and who’s in charge in the family will surface and take up a lot of your energy. But the good news is that Venus retrograde puts blocks up in our money life so that we can stop, reflect and make changes to things that are seriously not working. This is an opportunity to pave a new path and make a change that will lead to more money in the long run.

Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Lucky month: February

Challenging month: April

Love is in the air in February! In fact, a very special connection on Feb. 12 will have a direct connection to your destiny. Thanks to Mercury’s influence, you might receive some sort of karmic message (like an angel number on a clock, or a text from someone you’ve been thinking about) that gives you the courage to take the next step in your romantic life. A few days after that, on the 18th, you just might get that rom-com-style meet-cute or a serendipitous rendezvous with a soulmate. If you’re single, keep your eyes open as you go about your day. (Since this is all happening in Pisces, consider going to the beach or an art gallery.) If you’re taken, you’ll get a lucky chance to start again with your loved one.

February feels like a soft black-and-white romance movie. But then April comes, and it feels like a rude sucker punch to the face. For the bulk of the month, there will be seven planets in Aries, lighting up areas of debt and secrets. It just has a feeling like, “OK, your luck is up—time to pay your dues.” Attack the problems the only way you know how: spreadsheets. This is nothing a good spreadsheet can’t fix! And once you do fix it, you’ll be on track for lovely money transits in August—where your bank account will refill itself like nothing ever happened.

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Lucky month: August

Challenging month: April

In August, you’ll get an early birthday present in the form of checks and freebies, thanks to Venus in your sign and the new moon eclipse on Aug. 12. Both of these transits are making you a natural money magnet and putting you in the right place at the right time. (It’s all about who you know, right?) Add to that Venus and Uranus making a unique connection, which brings sweet surprises. Your connections will be taking you far, and you’ll be showered with complimentary gifts. Think: free dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant because you know the chef, or winning an all-expenses-paid trip for two in a raffle. Stay in touch with friends this month, and the rest will follow.

OK, you might want to sit down for this one. In April, we’ll experience seven major planets moving through Aries, which is … a lot. And it’s bringing some drama to all your relationships, romantic and platonic. Relationships are everything to you, so this will feel quite jarring. Instead of spiraling, try utilizing the new moon on April 17 to start healing conversations. This is especially true if there’s drama happening with a romantic relationship. Use this new beginning to lay out all the issues and form a plan to start over in your relationship.

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Lucky month: November

Challenging month: October

Thank goodness for November! It might feel like you thought the luck would never come this year, Scorpio, but November will make it all worth it. Jupiter will bring abundance to your career, while the new moon in your sign on Nov. 9 brings self-confidence. And you’ll need it because on Nov. 16, Mars and Jupiter will join forces to bring both career opportunity and energy to make use of them. For example, you might finally get over a three-week cold the day before the biggest interview of your life. Get some rest on Nov. 14 and 15 so you can tackle your luckiest day of the year on Nov. 16.

It’s a good thing November happens after October, because this month is not playing around. There’s not one but two planets turning retrograde in your sign this month: Venus and Mercury. Any time we experience a retrograde in our home sign, we feel stagnancy in those areas. Honestly, it’ll feel like a personal attack on your love life, cash flow and personal clarity. You may feel stuck or lost all month. The best thing to do? Use this period to analyze, not take action. Retrogrades present opportunities to revisit what isn’t working. So write out three problems you have in your love life and personal life, and commit to finding solutions for all six by the end of the month. I promise November will bring all the pieces together for you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)

Lucky month: January

Challenging month: May

It’s raining money for you in January, Sag! While Jan. 8 is one of the luckiest days of the year for everyone, thanks to a Venus-Sun meet-up, it’s very special for you specifically because it’s all happening in the money sector of your chart. And with Jupiter (abundance) entering the party too, money is coming from all directions today. For instance, on the same day, you could win your favorite hair products, receive a payout from work, find a promo code and find a $20 bill on the ground. Jupiter’s presence is also providing some surprise support from existing contracts. Don’t be afraid to start a hard conversation with someone about a contract you have together.

As for your challenging month, May, know this: It’s not just you! Everyone will be having a hard time this month, as a number of complicated transits will be making things unpredictable. But for you, it’s affecting your love life. May 18 and May 22 can spark controversial conversations in your relationship. Or if you’re single, these are days when toxic exes may waltz back into your life. As each speed bump arises, remind yourself that everything can be worked through with kind words and a cool head.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Lucky month: January

Challenging month: October

Your birthday month will be a whole lot sweeter this year, Capricorn. And while the beginning of the year may typically stress you out, this January will feel completely different. On Jan. 8, the sun, Mars and Venus all collide in your sign, granting you full access to riches and influence. This is a day when magic happens to you, and your new opportunities can help you rebrand yourself for the year ahead. It gets even better from there: On Jan. 18, with a new moon in your sign, you launch something new that you feel really represents you—a website, a portfolio, a new program. Possibilities are endless here; luck will find you!

Remember that feeling, because you’ll need something to keep your spirits up when October hits. This month is a bit of a mess for everyone, but it’s really slowing you down in terms of networking and money—two things that define you. Try not to worry too much if RSVPs are low, your social skills are fading in and out, and business partners are out of touch. This is just how the month is supposed to go. Everything will take a turn in November. That’s when you’ll lock people down.

Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Lucky month: June

Challenging month: October

You’re not usually one to fantasize about romance, Aquarius, but June will make you think twice about love. First, make sure you do something different on June 9, as Venus and Jupiter bring luck and love to your daily routine. A meet-cute could happen in the most ordinary of locations—from the post office to the grocery store—so make sure you get out! And go on a date on June 15. With the new moon in fellow air sign Gemini, it’s the perfect backdrop for terrific first-date conversations and plain old fun. And finally, on June 30, Jupiter enters Leo, setting you up for the luckiest year in love ahead.

While June is a never-ending party, October will put a halt to all the socializing as you put out fires at work. With all the Scorpio energy going on—particularly Venus retrograde in Scorpio happening all month long—money secrets are being revealed that make you realize someone at work isn’t on the same side as you thought. Watch out for Oct. 7, when a work colleague might try to expose something about you that isn’t true. A lot of this will be hearsay, so make sure to remember that. Focus on what you can do to be great at your job, and nothing else will matter.

Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)

Lucky month: February

Challenging month: March

Focus and love are on the way, Pisces. If you’ve been feeling lost lately, February is bringing some mental clarity, especially on Feb. 12. Thanks to Mercury, a karmic message is coming to you through a dream or a drifting thought. Keep a journal this month to record all thoughts and dreams so you don’t miss it! Then, the best transit of all happens on Feb. 18, when Venus collides with a fated point in the sky and you just might meet the love of your life. Scan over everything you’ve written out in your journal up until this point; it may bring you hints about where to meet this new lover.

After a month that feels like you’re living a dream, March will be a rude awakening. This will start on March 3, when a full moon eclipse could spell out a dramatic ending or sense of closure for a romantic relationship. (Think: going no-contact with a toxic lover.) And it gets even more complicated. For almost the entire month of March, Mercury will be retrograde in your sign, making you a bit tongue-tied and cloudy. It’s best not to try to over-explain to make your point; it will only make things worse. Instead, try writing out the important stuff and sending it in a note. Do so toward the end of the month, when a new moon in your sign arises—perfect for a new beginning after heartbreak.

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest provides an easy-to-understand guide to all things astrology—from understanding sun signs, moon signs and rising signs to exploring each zodiac sign’s strengths, challenges and desires. You’ll learn about your ideal match in love, career, hobbies and more, as well as learn how big astrological events will affect you. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including practicing astrologers, as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on the luckiest zodiac sign, Katie Robinson tapped her experience as an astrologer and journalist. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.