The cosmos never ceases to remind us of its grand choreography and once again, the planets are assembling in a rare celestial display – a second planetary alignment called a planet parade gracing our skies this season.

January’s spectacle of six planets in formation was a marvel, but now, an encore is upon us. Mercury, swift and elusive, has joined the celestial procession, bringing the total to seven. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune continue their dance across the heavens, while Mercury lingers just above the horizon, offering a fleeting glimpse at dusk.

What is a planetary parade?

In case you're unfamiliar, a planetary alignment, or ‘planet parade,’ occurs when multiple planets appear to line up in the night sky. Though separated by vast distances, their positioning creates the illusion of a cosmic procession, a rare occurrence that invites us to pause and look up. These formations can include up to all eight planets, but this time, seven have aligned, making for a striking celestial event.

Where and when to see it in Australia

This rare alignment can be spotted from almost anywhere, but city lights may obscure the fainter planets. Neptune and Uranus will require binoculars or a telescope, while Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn should be visible to the naked eye. The best viewing window? Just after sunset – about 8 PM AEDT – when Mercury makes its brief appearance before vanishing into the Sun’s glow.

For the ultimate stargazing experience, Australia’s only designated ‘dark sky park’ in NSW’s central west provides an uninterrupted view of the cosmos. Elsewhere, vast open spaces across the country offer similar clarity—just find a spot far from city lights and let the sky unfold before you.

If you missed January’s alignment, this is your second chance. Mercury joins the formation from February 24, with peak visibility expected between February 28 and March 1. These alignments may not be once-in-a-lifetime, but they are far from ordinary—NASA reminds us they don’t happen every year.

Does this mean anything astrologically?

Beyond its visual wonder, a planetary alignment carries energetic significance. Each celestial body exerts an influence, and as their orbits converge in our line of sight, their themes become amplified. Mars, the planet of drive and ambition, has just moved forward from a long retrograde, igniting urgency. Meanwhile, Venus inches toward its own retrograde on 2 March, shifting tides in love and attraction.

For Aries, Aquarius, Cancer, Gemini, and Taurus, the planetary dance may feel particularly potent – an unseen force pulling them toward action, introspection, or change.

The universe does not speak in words, but in movement. And for now, it is whispering to us through the alignment of its planets. Look up, and listen.