Tarot Forecast Jan 12th to 18th 2026
- Julie Embleton
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Tarot for the Collective
Hello and welcome to the first Tarot Forecast for 2026! I hope your year is off to a positive and gentle start. It’s hard to avoid the endless reminders about intention setting and turning over of new leaves at this time of year, but if you take your cues from Mother Earth, you’ll notice she’s not ready for rebirth just yet. January continues her cycle of dormancy, so allow yourself to rest too. The New Year is of course, a wonderful time to start planning goals and visualising where you’d like to be three, six, or twelve months from now, but it’s important to stay aligned with nature too. Once buds begin to appear in February, we can mirror that new beginning energy in our own lives. I’m adding a new feature to the Tarot Forecast. At the start of each month, I’ll draw a card to act as an energy compass for the month ahead. Each week will still have a 3-card draw, but there’ll now be an extra card guiding us through the energy flow of the month. So, without further delay, let’s get stuck into the reading for this week, starting with the headlining tarot card for January.
January Energy: Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups arrives as a gentle invitation to open your heart to new emotional possibilities and renewal. This card encourages you to nurture your own well-being, honour your feelings, and allow inspiration to arise without pressure. Let this be the month where you fill your own cup first; through self-compassion, creative exploration, and tuning into your intuition. The Ace of Cups asks you to let go of expectations and instead focus on gentle beginnings. Notice where your heart feels drawn, and give yourself permission to move slowly, trusting that clarity and inspiration will surface in their own time.
How to align with the Ace of Cups:
Set aside time for quiet self-reflection and nourishing rituals.
Celebrate small moments of joy and let them guide your mood.
Engage in creative activities that feel restorative, not demanding.
Approach your plans with softness, allowing your feelings to shape your intentions.
Page of Pentacles
The Page of Pentacles opens the week with an energy of fresh curiosity and grounded potential. This card is the gentle nudge to explore new ideas, skills, or intentions without pressure to master them straight away. Imagine yourself as a gardener, quietly planting seeds in the rich soil of your imagination. There’s no need for urgency, simply notice what interests or dreams are calling to you, and allow yourself to be a beginner. This is a wonderful time to research a topic, start a journal, or sketch out plans for a future project, all with a spirit of playful discovery. Let your intentions be flexible and open-ended, knowing that growth will come in its own time.
Affirmation: “I am open to new beginnings and trust that small steps now will blossom later.”
Eight of Wands
As the week unfolds, the Eight of Wands brings a subtle shift—like a breeze stirring dormant branches. While January encourages rest, this card suggests you may feel bursts of inspiration or notice progress in areas where you’ve been quietly preparing. It’s not about rushing or forcing outcomes, but rather being attentive to the moments when energy naturally rises. This could look like a sudden clarity about next steps, a message or opportunity arriving, or simply feeling more motivated than you expected. Trust the timing! When the momentum comes, act on it, but remember to pause and rest as needed. The Eight of Wands reminds us that progress can happen swiftly once the groundwork is laid, even in a season of stillness.
Affirmation: “I welcome inspired movement and trust the natural flow of my journey.”
King of Swords
Closing the week, the King of Swords invites you to bring clarity and discernment to your plans. This is a time to step back and review your intentions with honesty and wisdom. Ask yourself: are my goals truly aligned with my values and needs, or am I feeling external pressure to achieve? The King of Swords supports you in setting healthy boundaries, communicating your needs, and making thoughtful decisions. Use both your intellect and intuition. Write out your thoughts, talk them through with a trusted friend, or meditate on what feels right. This card encourages you to create a clear, practical plan, but to do so gently and compassionately.
Affirmation: “I honour my truth and make decisions that support my well-being.”
Journal Prompts
Where do I feel called to begin gently, rather than leap forward?
What creative or emotional needs am I being invited to honour this month?
How can I balance planning for the future with being present in this moment?
This week’s Tarot Forecast invites you to embrace January’s stillness, using the Ace of Cups as your compass for gentle renewal and mindful intention-setting. As always, take what resonates, and leave aside what doesn’t! Remember, a personal tarot reading can offer tailored support as you map out your goals for the year ahead. If you’d like deeper guidance or clarity, I’m here to help with readings and support as you move through the month.
Do you have a question, theme, or a topic you’d love to see featured in an upcoming Tarot Forecast? I’d love to hear from you! Just drop me a line at julie@creativesoultarot.com.
If you haven’t already, why not join my weekly newsletter? Each edition includes this Tarot Forecast, an oracle card for the week ahead, and a host of other inspired treats. Simply fill in the contact form at the bottom of the home page to sign up. Plus, subscribers are entered into a monthly draw for a chance to win a free tarot reading!