January 2026 monthly horoscope: Your star sign’s tarot forecast

January opens with a quiet and clean kind of magic.

You can choose your next steps with intention rather than impulse. Planetary energy supports reflection, honesty, and practical hope.

Rather than dramatic breakthroughs, January offers steady insight: moments of clarity, sober realisations, and the chance to lay solid foundations for the year ahead.

Let’s turn to the tarot cards to gift us that guidance and insight.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Tarot cards for Aries for January: Nine of Swords, Four of Wands, King of Swords

Meaning: January is a month of courage and fortitude for you, facing demons and fears and overcoming them with style and ease, ready to claim the rewards and progress their demise provokes. Be bold. Embrace your Mars-ruled, ambitious nature and face what has to be faced.

The Nine of Swords sees you saying things out loud, secrets fears, that you’ve never admitted to before. And it’s liberating. You feel free of their grip.

The King of Swords gives you the ruthless and strategic mindset to break the root causes of these fears down, into bite-size pieces that you can chew and spit out!

The Four of Wands is the pathway opening up at the end of the month, as a result of your courage and persistence. You are going to unlock new promotions, next level openings, secret gifts and rewards. You deserve more, and it’s coming your way!

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Tarot cards for Taurus for January: Eight of Wands, Three of Wands, Queen of Cups

Meaning: You’re hitting the ground running in 2026. Action stations! The Eight of Wands has you occupying centre stage, you’re in demand, everyone is coming to you. You feel needed, desired, admired and respected, and it’s great.

The Three of Wands sprinkles your interactions with serendipity, coincidence and good fortune, so be ‘out out’ and be seen. It’s who vs what you know that will unlock new opportunities this month. And there could be big ones!

The Queen of Cups has you starting this year feeling good about yourself, your life, and your relationships especially. You are attractive, loved, needed, and valued. Build on the lovely network of folk around you, nurture them, celebrate them, and invite more new faces to the party. This is a time to shine.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Tarot cards for Gemini for January: Eight of Cups, Five of Cups, Ace of Coins

Meaning: New Year can feel kind of pressured, right? Like you have to have a plan, a good start, and a strong headwind blowing you towards your goals… and it might not feel that way for you, but don’t worry. Life is life. It doesn’t obey our commands and intentions.

Focus on what is there for you, vs what you hoped or desired would be. The Five and Eight of Cups bring some brief, fleeting moments of disappointment or setbacks. Something you hoped would work out fine might not be as good as you hoped.

That’s okay. Look it in the eye and make a new plan, a better one. The Ace of Coins reveals that the true seeds of ambition and planning for 2026 will be laid in the reality of this month’s events. So, pay attention, spin them positively, and see the potential even in the tough stuff.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Tarot cards for Cancer for January: Five of Coins, Page of Swords, The Hanged Man

Meaning: As the year turns, you often feel a little melancholy, looking back at what was or could have been, wondering how long Winter is going to last, dwelling on ‘what ifs’ and old wounds even. Darkness makes you that way. The Five of Coins is a grief card.

But… It’s countered by positive forces coming in the shape of the Page of Swords, which is the green light from the Universe to put new ideas and goals in action. Turn away from the past, firmly and for good. Look ahead.

The Hanged Man reveals this month could be a game changer for you, a shift in mindset and outlook that filters out into new decisions and actions. Change comes from within and January will be like a microcosm of that process – starting with sadness and ending with renewed, unforeseen joy and optimism. Let yourself shift.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Tarot cards for Leo for January: Two of Cups, Strength, Death

Meaning: Powerful forces at play in your realm this January, Leo, in the shape of transformation, blossoming and new relationships, and challenges which make you feel stronger and more powerful than ever (we have to test ourselves to truly believe in ourselves, sometimes).

The Two of Cups sees you falling (deeper) in love or entering into a beautiful season of friendship, fellowship and alliance. Look out for dreamy Water signs – Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio.

The Strength card issues you a challenge to overcome this month, something that gets you into a better position and you can accomplish, and the emotional reward of doing so if valuable. Self esteem and self respect.

Death shows you’re changing, evolving, leaving an old self behind and moving into a 2.0 version and it all feels great. This is a key theme for you in 2026.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Tarot cards for Virgo for January: Three of Cups, Judgement, Knight of Swords

Meaning: You know, you kind of like January. Decluttering your home, getting everything shipshape again, rejoining the routine, back to work and life feeling less chaotic. The Three of Cups has you enjoying daily life loads this month, and it suits you. Make the most of the seasonal urge to organise, streamline, get healthy, overhaul old habits and feel in control.

The Knight of Swords has you pushing back on a few things, with a few people, this month too. Maybe your workplace has taken advantage or a friendship circle has taken you for granted. Tell people what you need from them and hold the line. Stand your ground.

Judgement brings a powerful epiphany your way too, maybe in the form of self awareness or a piece of truly insightful feedback or conversation. You look in the mirror and see yourself anew, and it makes you want to serve this authentic version of you better. Changes lie ahead. Good ones!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Tarot cards for Libra for January: Page of Coins, Eight of Swords, Ace of Wands

Meaning: A great start to 2026 in the form of seeking education, higher learning, knowledge, new skills and the next level of whatever topic or area you’re already interested or employed in.

The Page of Coins and Ace of Wands set a studious tone to January (it is a great month for learning, the dark nights lend themselves to research and reading). So get stuck in- formally or informally, professionally or casually. Knowledge is power, it’s an investment in yourself.

The Eight of Swords has you also feeling very clear about your goals and aims this year, for you personally, vs what others in your life, or influencers, are saying and pushing. You really notice your tendency to people please and you are keen to stop doing it! 2026 is about putting yourself and your true desires first, and this feels like an empowering step change.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Tarot cards for Scorpio for January: Seven of Wands, The Star, Nine of Cups

Meaning: Double dream-come-true cards for you this January, Scorpio, so this might prove to be the best start to a year you’ve ever had! Aim high, the higher the better. Apply, ask, pitch, invest, propose. Put your best foot forward and show the Universe what it is you most want through action and intentional steps.

The Star and the Nine of Cups bring cosmic good luck and amazing acceleration towards your heart’s desires as long as you’re overt about them. The Seven of Wands puts you in a competition of some kind too. It might be a literal contest, or even a rivalry, or a strive to hit a target or goal.

Embrace ambition. Enter into games, contests, goal-setting and challenges with enthusiasm, because they’re designed to help you win, to get more, to prove something to yourself. This is a great month, with your growing confidence and success, to push yourself into something challenging. You’re unstoppable!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Tarot cards for Sagittarius for January: The Devil, Nine of Coins, Seven of Cups

Meaning: You are consciously letting your imagination off the leash this January to explore what horizons are really calling to you in 2026. It’s a ‘1’ year in numerology, a pioneering adventure year, which excites you and you can almost taste the fresh air and new landscape you could enter and explore!

The Devil invites you to think big, be worldly, aim high, don’t let self doubt or imposter syndrome anywhere near this process of imagineering! The Seven of Cups enhances blue sky thinking and freely flowing creativity. Your life, from this point on, is a blank sheet of paper. The choices you make now can design the life you wake up to.

The Nine of Coins steadies your hand as the ideas pile up. Now is the time to apply a practical lens – what is feasible now, what could be researched/saved up for in the medium and even long term. Group your ideas by feasibility of timescale and then start pinning down the plans of action.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Tarot cards for Capricorn for January: Six of Cups, King of Coins, The Hermit

Meaning: I think of this trio of cards as a advising ‘behind the scenes maintenance’ this January. Deep rest and restoration with The Hermit. Looking inwards, discovering new parts of yourself to explore and use as a guide for the year ahead.

Gentle reunions and rekindling of important bonds in your family, friendship and love life. The Six of Cups brings nostalgia and affection, whatever can be repaired or mended from the past… should be now.

The King of Coins is you making solid, positive, health and wellbeing-affirming goals for 2026. Looking at your health, wealth, work and home and creating a list of things that need tackling, starting, changing, or exploring. You love being on top of your material world. And this is your month of deep planning and visualising for that. Get stuck in.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Tarot cards for Aquarius for January: Five of Swords, Six of Swords, The Moon

Meaning: A sliding doors kind of month for you, it might feel a little surreal or even enchanted, like things are happening led by unseen forces, and maybe they are! The Moon presides over the whole show. Secrets and illusions will be exposed. False selves or pretend connections will wither under the glow of this month’s moon, and you will see all as it is really is.

The Five of Swords shows there may be some discord as a result, some disagreement openly, and some conflict that brings a simmering unseen tension to a head. Good. Better out than in.

The Six of Swords sees you moving away from outdated or fading bonds, roles, commitments and even selves. You are letting go this month, truly shedding the dead wood and dead weight. And it feels empowering, truly. Be led by truth. Embrace honesty, even if it’s spiky, and know that what you’re investing in from now on will hold fast and be firm. This is a real pivot towards strength, loyalty, and longevity.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Tarot cards for Pisces for January: The Empress, Queen of Wands, Temperance

Meaning: Powerful cards emerge for you this January, Pisces, with The Empress and Temperance. Your festive peace, goodwill and love for all humans extends into 2026 and brings you a wonderful, harmonious month of quiet company, gentle fun, and loving presences. Be still, calm, and thankful. You are surrounded by folk who love you, and that alone is enough. Prioritise your inner circle, your community, your alliances, and your loves.

The Queen of Wands also sees you hitting the ground running with your resolutions. You are feeling inspired, maybe because you’re so relaxed and at peace, to build on your successes, see more of the world, take up a new skill or class, revamp your daily lifestyle, and bring a little fresh sparkle to your everyday life.

It starts here. It starts with inspired steps and exciting ideas. Maybe this is what you and your loved ones can discuss and plan together? Maybe this year is about shared goals and plans? How magical!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

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