January 2026 Monthly Forecast

In this surprise audio edition of the January forecast, we return to a live, spoken tarot reading after a pause from the podcast. January opens the first full month under our new collective archetype for 2026: The Wheel of Fortune. This reading explores how disorientation, emotional processing, and shifts in communication shape the month ahead—and why clarity may not be the goal right now.Using a four-card spread (Theme, Environment, Challenge, Opportunity), this episode looks at how lunar energy, old mental patterns, and productivity culture interact with the Wheel’s turning.Cards DrawnTheme: The MoonJanuary opens in uncertainty, confusion, and psychic recalibration. The Moon reminds us that disorientation is not a failure—it’s part of the process. This is not a month for forcing clarity or demanding answers. Instead, we’re invited to notice what’s washing through us as the Wheel begins to turn.Environment: Three of SwordsThe surrounding emotional climate points to old wounds, familiar patterns of mental or relational pain, and moments that echo past hurts. Rather than signaling catastrophe, this card highlights the beginning of a cycle—where awareness of pain creates the possibility for change. Reactivity is unlikely to be helpful here.Challenge: Eight of PentaclesThe challenge this month is the temptation to hide inside productivity. Busyness, fixing, and “working harder” may feel culturally sanctioned—but they can also become a way to avoid deeper emotional or spiritual questions. January asks us to question whether effort is truly needed, or whether it’s functioning as a distraction.Opportunity: Ace of SwordsNew clarity is available—but it emerges slowly, through rest, reflection, and restraint. This Ace represents a shift in how we think and communicate, especially in charged situations. Unexpected breakthroughs may come from speaking differently, less defensively, or with greater simplicity.Key Themes & Takeaways* January is a liminal month, more about sensing than deciding* Confusion and emotional churn are part of the Wheel’s movement* Not every feeling requires action or communication* Rest and withdrawal (Four of Swords energy) support real insight* Productivity can obscure desire and lunar practice reveals it* Watch for subtle shifts in how you speak, especially under pressureMentioned ResourceFor a deeper exploration of the year’s governing archetype, including journaling prompts and practices, the Wheel of Fortune Guidebook for 2026 is available in the Incandescent Tarot shop for a limited time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

This month’s reading situates us in the Two of Wands’ visionary talents. What do we want to dream and then enact this month? The visions, goals, and questions we bring to the following month are likely to yield potent answers, especially if we devote ourselves to creative optimism and peaceful practices of the Queen of Cups. Of course, as with any wands-y reading, burnout is a real danger, particularly the vision-obscuring busyness of the Ten of Wands. Yet if we manage to thread this challenging and worthwhile needle, a whole new chapter can open up via the final card of The Fool’s Journey and the final card of our reading: The World. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

This reading is brought to you by a technical difficulty resulting in a surprisingly cozy nighttime recording! It’s lovely as always to be back with a forecast, but first an important announcement: I’ll be pausing the regularly scheduled content here on the newsletter for a creative and spiritual reset; of course, paid subscriptions will also be paused during this time as well. If you have any ideas or input about the next phase of Incandescent Tarot, do reach out here or to [email protected]. I always love to hear from you - you’re the reason this space exists! Now, onto the cards… This month’s reading plunks us right into the darkness of the Nine of Swords where we’re asked to hang up our suffering, feel through it, and let ourselves feel and be held by the support available to us. In a beautiful gesture, the world reaches back when we reach out as our environment card, the Six of Cups, shows that tenderness and connection is on offer if we can step towards it. Our final cards illustrate a tricky process of discernment wherein we’re tasked with resisting the complacency of the King of Pentacles in service of the spontaneous, riskier magic of The Magician. Energy and growth is on the table, but if we choose The Magician’s path it will be both deeply meaningful and propulsive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

July highlights the burgeoning excitement, experimentation, and direction of the Two of Wands - this is a month to pay attention to what inspiration is appearing naturally while protecting this tender new growth from harmful influences. The Knight of Swords indicates a critical environment and a choice for us to turn against ourselves or turn against what’s holding us back via the Eight of Swords. The Knight of Pentacles reveals a different approach, one we may already be taking behind the scenes: slow, diligent, and dedicated work that can grow to support a meaningful life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

A robust and fiery energy for the start of the summer! This spread features the powerful, authoritative Emperor as our theme card. We’re positioned to make big gains this month, using our strength and determination to shape projects, routines, relationships - anything that requires our focus and vision. In our environment position, the Six of Wands shows an abundance of support and collaboration. Success is possible if we engage with others, delegate, and practice mutuality. The challenge, however, is to avoid burnout and emotional withdrawal via the Four of Cups while accepting the fast-moving developments (and successes!) of the Eight of Wands. Listen in for the entire forecast and be sure to share your comments below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

In May we step out of the world of pentacles and into the suit of swords. Led by the Page of Swords, our theme card, we’re inspired to revisit old narratives and step into a future that has us revising our assumptions and feeling awkward and inspired. The Queen of Swords asks us to be on the lookout for people, resources, and situations that encourage us to think flexibly and to trust our powers of discernment. It’s a powerful time to shift our viewpoint around struggle and effort: Will we choose to feel put upon and irritated like the Seven of Wands or dynamic and confident like the Two of Pentacles? All in all, this is a month of blue skies with clouds receding and a remarkable opportunity to reframe our lives, plans, and even beliefs. Listen in for the full reading and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

April sees us stepping onto the throne of the King of Pentacles as we’re asked to appreciate and be empowered by our increased ability to support ourselves, our lives, and communities. All things pentacles are getting a refresh as this powerful card joins forces our envrionment card, the Seven of Pentacles. What actions, plans, projects, and jobs have yielded results? Do you like them? This month gives us a wonderful opportunity to edit and prune our growing plans. Our challenge comes in the form of the Five of Swords as miscommunication and even betrayal from ourselves and others enters the scene. Grounding ourselves in what’s real, what feels generative, and what we’d like for the future can help offset any hurt feelings or impulses to lash out. Finally, our opportunity lies in the expansive vistas of the Two of Wands: What new horizons are calling us? This month we’re seeing how the small steps we’ve taken have led us to a pivotal and exciting turning point. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

Well, only 2/4 of this reading are court cards, so it’s an improvement, right? March is set to be an intense month as we contend with the pain of endings via the Ten of Swords and the tempting call to enact consequential change through Judgment. Our opportunity card, the Queen of Cups, however, encourages caution; fiery and impulsive moves characteristic of our challenge card, the King of Wands, may further inflame an already difficult situation. Listen in for the entire forecast and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

Well, we’ve decreased our “court card count” to 50% of the reading, and this month’s spread is, overall, far more gentle than January’s. We begin with an invitation to center ourselves in our networks of care through the Nine of Cups. Emotional and spiritual abundance is backing us as we contend with new inspiration through the Queen of Cups and new ways of thinking through the Ace of Swords. It’s not surprising that our opportunity from last month has pivoted into our challenge for February. Embracing the social intensity and drive of the Queen of Wands threatens to lead us into burnout - too much fire is not a good thing! - and the environment this month is, in contrast, characterized by the soothing and beautiful cups suit. Listen in for the full reading and don’t forget to share your insights and impressions in the comments below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com

The Ask a Tarot Reader segment is back! This month, we have a timely question from a listener named Kristen, who asks:what is the difference between a personal card of the year vs. the collective card of the year? How would we relate to them differently and how might they affect us differently? My personal card of the year is always the next year’s collective card - I’m specifically, and personally, wondering what your thoughts are on the experience of living with a tarot archetype 2 years in a row (but maybe in a different way).Listen in as we explore the ins-and-outs of personal birth cards and the card of the year and how they can inform each other and the year ahead. To submit a question /// click hereTo calculate your birth cards /// click here To get a mini-reading /// click hereIncandescent Tarot is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com