Guidance For The Year Ahead: 2026

We stand at the threshold of 2026, carrying the weight of what has been and the anticipation of what is yet to come. The veil between the past and future is thin, and it’s the perfect time to ask: What must I release? Where do I anchor? What deserves my focus as I step forward?

To guide us, I turned to the tarot. The message that came from the cards is one of surrendering control, rooting in trust, and building with courage and clarity.

The cards drawn were:

~ What to release: The Tower (clarified by the Eight of Cups & Death)

~ The anchor: The Star (clarified by the Page of Cups & The Empress)

~ What to focus on: Six of Wands (clarified by the Sun & Justice)

~ Overall energy: The Wheel of Fortune

What to Release: The Tower

The Tower arrives like lightning splitting the sky, and signifies a sudden collapse of structures we thought were unshakable. It is the card of endings we didn’t plan, of truths that break through illusions.

Clarified by the Eight of Cups and Death, the message is this: 2026 asks us to release attachments to what no longer serves, even if it feels destabilising. The Eight of Cups shows the quiet courage of walking away, while Death reminds us that every ending is also a beginning.

This year, let go of the need to control outcomes or cling to crumbling foundations. Trust that what falls away creates space for what is meant to rise.

Reflection prompt: Where am I holding on out of fear of change? What would it feel like to walk forward, even if the path is uncertain?

The Anchor: The Star

At the heart of 2026 lies The Star, a card of hope, renewal, and gentle guidance. It is the light that shines after the storm, reminding us that healing is possible and that faith is not naïve but necessary.

Clarified by the Page of Cups and The Empress, this anchor is about nurturing wonder and creativity. The Page of Cups invites us to stay open to inspiration, while The Empress grounds us in abundance, reminding us that growth comes from tending what is alive and fertile.

 

Anchor yourself in trust this year. When doubt rises, return to the quiet shimmer of The Star. Let hope be your compass, creativity your fuel, and nurturing your steady ground.

Tip: When fear whispers “it won’t work,” let The Star remind you that renewal is always possible.

What to Focus On: Six of Wands

The Six of Wands strides forward with confidence, a card of recognition, success, and shared celebration. 2026 wants you to focus on stepping into visibility, owning your victories, and allowing yourself to be seen.

Clarified by The Sun and Justice, this focus is not about ego but about truth. The Sun illuminates joy and authenticity, while Justice demands integrity. Together, they remind you that true success is not getting hollow applause but experiencing the radiance of living in alignment.

This year, focus on bringing your gifts into the world with courage. Celebrate your progress, honour your truth, and let your light be witnessed.

Invitation: Ask yourself, where am I ready to step forward and be seen? What truth do I want to embody publicly?

Overall Energy: The Wheel of Fortune

Hovering over the year is The Wheel of Fortune, a reminder that cycles turn, seasons shift, and destiny moves us forward whether we resist or not. This card speaks of change, synchronicity, and the dance between fate and free will.

The Wheel asks you to stay awake to the patterns unfolding. Notice where life is nudging you, where doors open and close. Trust the rhythm of change, and remember that every turn of the wheel carries both challenge and opportunity.

Reflection: How can I meet change with openness rather than resistance? What patterns am I ready to break as the wheel turns?

2026 is a year of surrender and renewal. Release the crumbling towers, anchor in hope and creativity, and focus on stepping into visibility with integrity. The Wheel reminds us that change is inevitable, but how we meet it is our choice.

This year is about courage and trust: letting go, shining brightly, and walking forward with faith that the path will unfold.

New Year Ritual: Lighting the Path Forward

Here’s a simple practice to embody the guidance:

You’ll need: a candle, a bowl of water, paper and pen.

Light the candle. Let its flame represent The Star, your anchor of hope.

Write down what feels heavy or unstable (your Tower). Place the paper in the bowl of water, watching the ink blur as you release control.

On a fresh paper, write one word or phrase that represents your focus for 2026 (your Six of Wands truth). Hold it to your heart and say: “This light I honour. This path I walk.”

Snuff the candle, keeping the second paper near as a reminder of your intention.

Optional journalling: How does it feel to release control? How does it feel to honour hope and visibility?