Rebecca Szymczak, aka Cardsy B, author of The Saturn Diaries and tarot reader to the stars, consulted her tarot deck to offer insight on how to embrace the opportunities 2026 will bring this month. January emphasizes how emotional intelligence supports leadership, with the Full Moon in Cancer arriving on January 3. Technology and communication sectors will flourish by the end of the month as innovation accelerates during Aquarius season. This month calls for intentional pacing, smart collaboration, and clarity on long-term Q1 priorities as teams regain momentum.
Any tedious logistics we tried to avoid or push forward into the new year will quickly come to light as the Cancer Full Moon on January 3 brings visibility to team dynamics, resource allocation, and leadership style. Emotional awareness plays a role in decision-making, especially around budgets and staffing in early January. Momentum builds mid-month as Venus enters Aquarius on January 17, encouraging progressive partnerships and future-focused collaborations. The Capricorn New Moon on the 18th supports goal-setting, structural planning, as well as a desire to redefine outdated industry standards. As the Sun and Mercury move into Aquarius on the 19th and 20th, fresh ideas, innovative strategies, and future-focused conversations begin to shape the direction.
January calls for inspired action and strategic redirection of anything that’s no longer feeling efficient. Early January favors assessment and refinement, while the second half of the month supports bold thinking, smarter systems, and visionary planning. Especially toward the end of the month, it’s essential not to rush execution until strong foundations are in place that can support success throughout the year ahead. Read on to see what the cards have in store for your sign to work with January’s energy most effectively.
Aries/Aries Rising (March 21 to April 19)
Card: The Emperor
The Emperor, the card that Aries astrologically rules, reinforces your role as a decision-maker this month. As you lean into new responsibilities, it is important to pay attention to where leadership requires clarity, structure, and consistency rather than speed. Others look to you for direction, so staying grounded in the longer-term vision is essential.
Highlight: Establishing Structure Early Brings Efficiency
The Capricorn New Moon on the 18th supports setting expectations and defining leadership boundaries. Use this window to clarify goals, roles, and timelines for Q1 initiatives. When structure is established early, execution becomes far more efficient.
Heads Up: Emotional Awareness Is Crucial
The Cancer Full Moon on January 3 spotlights team morale and internal dynamics. Pay attention to how decisions affect people emotionally, especially early in the month. Leadership grows stronger when people feel seen and supported.
Mantra: You Know the Rules, You All Know the Game—Try and Do What’s Right
– Motörhead
Taurus/Taurus Rising (April 20 to May 20)
Card: Hierophant
The Hierophant asks you to return to trusted systems and established standards that have proved to work for you in the past. January is about reinforcing credibility and strengthening your role within your organization. Your consistency becomes an asset as others seek stability.
Highlight: Refining Now = Rewards Later
The Capricorn New Moon on the 18th supports refining processes, policies, and/or long-term plans. Minor adjustments to existing systems will improve growth going forward. This is a strong month for strategic planning rather than experimentation.
Heads Up: Stay Open to Unconventional Ideas
As Aquarius season begins on the 19th, new ideas may challenge familiar approaches. You don’t need to abandon what works, but remaining open to innovation keeps you competitive. Balance tradition with forward-thinking.
Mantra: Solid Ground
– Vance Joy
Gemini/Gemini Rising (May 21 to June 20)
Card: Page of Swords
Curiosity and information gathering shape your January. The Page of Swords encourages you to prioritize research and strategic conversations that influence the roadmap for the first half of 2026. Your ability to ask poignant questions sets the tone for progress.
Highlight: Your Ideas Gain Major Traction This Month
Mercury enters Aquarius on the 20th, activating innovative thinking and collaborative dialogue. Meetings, brainstorming sessions, and strategy conversations are especially productive in the second half of the month. Now’s the time to confidently share new ideas you may have been holding in your back pocket since the end of 2025.
Heads Up: Avoid Information Overload
With so many ideas circulating, focus is key. Prioritize conversations that support clear outcomes rather than over-processing every vague possibility. Direction matters more than volume this month.
Mantra: Share Ideas
– Lucas Napoleone
Cancer/Cancer Rising (June 21 to July 22)
Card: Queen of Cups
The Full Moon in your sign on January 3 puts you at the center of this month’s emotional tone. The Queen of Cups highlights emotional intelligence as your leadership strength. Your ability to read the room and sense your team members’ greatest strengths supports smoother collaboration.
Highlight: Lead with Insight
Early January is an ideal time to discuss well-being, sustainability, and long-term team health. This can be done through larger team meetings or one-on-one conversations where appropriate. Addressing emotional undercurrents builds trust and loyalty. Your intuitive approach enhances professional outcomes.
Heads Up: Empathy and Boundaries are Not Mutually Exclusive
Being supportive does not mean absorbing everything. Protect your energy as responsibilities increase mid-month. Clear boundaries allow you to stay effective without burnout.
Mantra: Boundaries
– Celine Dion
Leo/Leo Rising (July 23 to August 22)
Card: Six of Wands
If last year felt slower in terms of work progress, rest assured that 2026 brings much more momentum. The Six of Wands indicates recognition and visibility coming your way early in the year. January highlights achievements that position you as a key player within your organization and/or industry.
Highlight: Consistency is Key
Use early wins to build credibility and set the tone for upcoming Q1-Q2 projects. The Capricorn New Moon on the 18th helps you leverage recent recognition to position yourself advantageously for future projects. Visibility combined with strategy ensures success this month.
Heads Up: Share the Spotlight
Aquarius season emphasizes teamwork and collective success. Acknowledge collaborators and support others’ contributions. Shared success strengthens your influence long-term.
Mantra: The Winner
– Drake
Virgo/Virgo Rising (August 23 to September 22)
Card: Eight of Pentacles
The first half of January supports focused effort and skill refinement. The Eight of Pentacles aligns well with Capricorn season energy, highlighting productivity through dedication and attention to detail (a specialty of Virgos). Your natural work ethic shines this month and sets a strong standard for the year ahead.
Highlight: Small Tweaks = Big Wins
This is an ideal month to improve workflow systems, sharpen skills, and dedicate time to professional growth. Small improvements lead to visible progress by Q2. Staying consistent pays off.
Heads Up: Avoid Perfection Paralysis
Progress matters more than flawlessness. The Sun and Mercury moving into Aquarius on the 19th and 20th of the month favor adaptability over rigidity. Trust that it’s okay for adjustments to happen along the way.
Mantra: Work in Progress
– John Mayar
Libra/Libra Rising (September 23 to October 22)
Card: Justice
The Justice card, ruled by Libra, brings clarity and balance to January. Decisions regarding contracts, negotiations, and leadership ethics come into focus. You have the chance to share initiatives that promote fairness and transparency, which also strengthen your professional reputation.
Highlight: Make the Call
The Capricorn New Moon on January 18 encourages final decisions that may have been delayed. Trust your judgment and proceed with confidence. Making efficient and clear choices restores momentum that benefits you and your team in many ways this month.
Heads Up: Release Indecision
Libras tend to consider all perspectives, which can lead to indecision. Aquarius season (starting January 19) encourages decisive action and planning. Avoid dwelling on resolved issues. Success comes when energy isn’t spread too thin across too many options.
Mantra: Our Bright Future
– Tracy Chapman
Scorpio/Scorpio Rising (October 23 to November 21)
Card: Death/Rebirth
After an intense end to 2025, transformation defines your January. The Death/Rebirth card signals an ending you have been craving, clearing space for a more aligned professional direction. Embracing the change will bring faster progress.
Highlight: Strategic Reset
The Capricorn New Moon on January 18 encourages you to revise and redefine certain Q1 goals. This is a powerful time to let go of outdated commitments. Streamlining initiatives over the next two months creates space for more aligned opportunities.
Heads Up: Trust the Process
Scorpios are known for their constant ability to shed their old scorpion shells and emerge even stronger. Remember that change benefits you, even if it feels uncomfortable early in the month, especially around the Cancer Full Moon on January 3. Trust that what leaves now paves the way for greater stability later.
Mantra: New Chapter
– Souleye
Sagittarius/Sagittarius Rising (November 22 to December 23)
Card: Knight of Wands
The start of the new year fuels the ambition of naturally energetic and optimistic Sagittarians. The Knight of Wands highlights renewed motivation and inspiration this month as well. Your ideas gain momentum when shared with collaborators, especially after Venus enters Aquarius on January 17.
Highlight: Channel the Energy
Use the second half of the month after the new Moon in Capricorn (January 18) to pitch ideas, initiate projects, and explore new directions. Aquarius season supports innovation and calculated risk.
Heads Up: Pace Yourself
Sagittarians love to go, go, go, but it’s important to avoid rushing ahead without a plan. Sustainable success comes from balancing excitement with structure. Strategic focus keeps momentum steady.
Mantra: Forward Motion
– Daya
Capricorn/Capricorn Rising (December 22 to January 19)
Card: King of Pentacles
Happy Birthday, Capricorn. Your solar return highlights your natural leadership qualities. The King of Pentacles signifies stability, expertise, and long-term success. Others trust your judgment and follow your guidance more than ever this month.
Highlight: Set the Standard
The New Moon in your sign on the 18th is a powerful reset point. Define priorities, reinforce boundaries, and recommit to goals that support lasting success. Your intentions and areas of focus at this time set the tone for the year ahead.
Heads Up: Delegate Strategically
You don’t have to do everything alone. Sharing responsibilities boosts results and saves your energy. Leadership thrives on prioritization and knowing the best way to use your skills and those of others. Use the fourth week of January to organize your workflow and clarify responsibilities.
Mantra: Built to Last
– Mêlée
Aquarius/Aquarius Rising (January 20 to February 18)
Card: The Star
Happy almost birthday, Aquarius. The Star card symbolizes clarity, optimism, and renewed vision just in time for your season. As the Sun and Mercury move into Aquarius at the end of the month (the 19th and 20th), your ideas become more visible and supported. January emphasizes your role as an innovator within your team.
Highlight: Your Vision Takes Shape
Late January is a good time to share ideas to advance a project that has been somewhat stalled. Collaboration and innovation are especially encouraged when Venus enters your sign on January 17. Speak confidently about what can come next.
Heads Up: Stay Grounded
Big ideas need practical frameworks. Combine inspiration with a clear plan of action to ensure follow-through. Remember, big visions are most powerful when supported by structure. It’s okay to ask for help if this isn’t your strong suit—you have the right collaborators around you.
Mantra: Future Focus
– Jeremy Loops
Pisces/Pisces Rising (February 19 to March 20)
Card: High Priestess
January encourages you to observe first before acting. The High Priestess reminds you of your gifts of insight, intuition, and strategic patience. Behind-the-scenes awareness helps inform smarter decisions later.
Highlight: Quiet Strategy
Use early January to evaluate dynamics and gather information. The Cancer Full Moon on January 3 enhances emotional awareness and intuitive understanding of workplace changes. You’ll likely notice shifts that need to be addressed before others do—it’s a good time to plan behind the scenes before sharing more at the end of the month.
Heads Up: Don’t Rush Visibility
Aquarius energy later in the month (starting January 19) may feel fast-paced. Trust that your moment to act arrives soon. Thoughtful planning now leads to smoother execution later.
Mantra: Trust Your Timing
– Fearless
Focus on intentional pacing, smart collaboration, and clarity with help from GA
This January, it’s all about focusing on intentional pacing, smart collaboration, and clarity as we move deeper into the first month of the new year. And at GA, we’re here to help with all of it. Take a free tech skill class, register for a hands-on workshop, or embark on one of our many AI or other courses to get skilled up and ready to make 2026 your year.
Get in touch now to take action and make it real.