Moon Magic—Full Moon and New Moon Tarot insights for January 2026
The new year offers not only fresh beginnings but also new perspectives and opportunities. Step into the moonlight with me and accept this invitation to pause, reflect, release, and begin again. As 2026 dawns, January’s moon phases encourage us to shed the weight of past regrets and setbacks, opening the way for a more hopeful, positive outlook.
The Full Moon in Cancer heightens our emotions and deepens our intuitive awareness, making this a powerful time for inner reflection and nurturing our emotional well-being. Later in the month, the New Moon in Capricorn calls us to step into ambitious leadership, planting the seeds of discipline, structure, and intention for the year ahead.
This month, the moon and your intuition invite you to balance heart and strategy, clearing away the old while stepping boldly into what comes next. Together, let’s explore the messages and insights waiting to guide your journey into the new year.
Full Moon in Cancer – January 3, 2026
Cancer is an intuitive water sign, deeply connected to home, family, and emotional security. Associated with The Chariot card in tarot, this moon reminds us that even tender hearts can be powerful drivers of change. By allowing your heart to lead while maintaining steady momentum, you’ll find both strength and clarity in the path ahead.
The Full Moon asks us to release the emotional baggage we’ve been carrying—old hurts, fears, or stories that no longer reflect who we are becoming. Cancer energy can cling tightly to the past out of comfort or protection, but proper security comes from nurturing ourselves in the present. By letting go of outdated attachments, we create space for more profound healing, stronger boundaries, and more authentic connections. This is your moment to honor what once was, bless it with gratitude, and then lovingly release it.
Tarot Spread:
Card #1 – What is your intuition saying?
The Moon—This is the card of big dreams. Take time to pause and allow your intuition to speak. You cannot hear your higher self or discover your path forward without quiet space to listen. Take this time. Your dreams are worth the effort.
Card #2 – Emotions to honor Strength
Be courageous. You are stronger than you know. Kindness should never be confused with weakness. Honor your heart by empowering your voice.
Card #3 – What to reflect on and release
The World—This powerful card signals the end of a cycle, and as we just finished 2025, we’re being called to take stock in our successes as well as areas of our world we would like to improve. You are a cocreator of your reality. What do you want this year to look like? Set your intentions and release your fears.
Affirmation: “I honor my heart, release the past with gratitude, and step boldly into the new cycle before me.”
Journaling Prompt: What emotional patterns or past attachments am I ready to release under this Full Moon, and how can I nurture myself in ways that support courage, clarity, and growth in the year ahead?
New Moon in Capricorn – January 18, 2026
This New Moon in grounded Capricorn reminds us that while we may hold ambitious dreams for the year ahead, the path forward does not require sacrificing our well-being to reach them. Capricorn is linked with The Devil card in tarot, calling us to examine the chains we willingly carry—habits, fears, or obligations that keep us stuck in cycles of overwork and burnout.
The fresh start of this moon cycle offers the stability to build something lasting, but only if we allow ourselves to release what drains our energy. Expand your vision by aligning discipline with balance and ambition with self-care. By freeing yourself from what no longer supports your growth, you open the door for success that is both sustainable and soul-nourishing.
Tarot Spread:
Card #1 – Dreams to reach for
Knight of Cups – Knights bring forward motion, and Cups connect us to passion and emotion. This knight reminds you to plant seeds that reflect your heart’s true desires. Strive for dreams that spark joy and fuel inspiration, not just obligations.
Card #2 – How to persevere
Ace of Pentacles – Aces are new cycles just beginning, and Pentacles ground us in health, abundance, and the material world. This card asks you to set clear, tangible intentions to persevere through challenges. Small, steady actions now will grow into a prosperous future.
Card #3 – How to celebrate your progress
The Fool—Trust the journey. Celebrate each bold step, even the uncertain ones. Taking a leap of faith opens you to possibilities beyond what you can currently imagine. Joy comes not only from achievement but also from the adventure of saying yes to life.
Affirmation: “I release what drains me and honor the dreams that light me up. With clarity, courage, and balance, I build a foundation for lasting success.”
Journaling Prompt: Where am I holding onto habits, fears, or responsibilities that no longer serve me—and what new seeds can I plant under this Capricorn New Moon to create success that feels both fulfilling and sustainable?
As January opens the door to a new year, we’re reminded that endings always make space for fresh beginnings. The Cancer Full Moon invites release and healing, while the Capricorn New Moon inspires grounded ambition and the building of goals that align with both our dreams and our well-being. Together, these lunar energies encourage balance, courage, and faith in the possibilities ahead.
If you’d like more profound insight into the unique energy shaping your personal journey in 2026, my Year Ahead Reading spots are open until January 31st. These sessions offer a powerful way to uncover the themes, opportunities, and lessons waiting for you in the months to come—helping you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Step into this year with an open heart, a clear vision, and trust that the universe is guiding you toward your brightest path yet.
“Every new year is a sacred invitation—not just to dream bigger, but to trust more deeply in ourselves and in the divine timing of the universe.”
— Lisa Kessler
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