Photo by Rido Alwarno
No need to hit the ground running; just take a single step forward. (Then, when you’re ready, you can take another!)
Happy New Year! Since this time of year is when many of us are setting goals and resolutions for 2026, it feels appropriate to have our monthly pick-a-card reading focus on helping us bring our best energy forward. So take a calming and centering breath, focus on this intention, and allow yourself to be drawn to the message that is meant for you. This can be done by picking a number (one, two, or three), seeing which section catches your eye, or any other method you feel is right. These are general messages, so remember that this is only the beginning. You can meditate, pull additional cards, or journal about the message to make it your own.
Before we get into the messages for this month, I want to share a bit of advice regarding New Year’s resolutions. Keep in mind that seasonally, we are still in a time of stillness and reflection, and it might be a struggle to find motivation or energy this time of year. This is natural, so do not be hard on yourself if you don’t feel like you are able to hit the ground running with your goals and ambitions. Rest and planning are what you need right now!
CARD ONE: The Three of Pentacles
The Three of Pentacles is our first messenger. This is a card of collaboration, group harmony, and achieving goals through a balanced approach. The energy of this card is like when a group project actually goes right. It’s what happens when people listen to each other, and are able to recognize and celebrate the skills that each person brings to the table. Your strengths are yours to share, and things that are more challenging for you can be covered by someone else’s strengths. In this card, everyone is both the student and the teacher — the leader and the follower. If you are drawn to this card, you are being called to bring the energy of harmonious collaboration into the new year.
Reflect on what your strengths and challenges are. Have you been honest with yourself in the past about them? Do you let your strengths shine in group settings, or do you hold back and wait for someone else to step forward under the assumption that they know better? On the other side of things, have you at times been afraid to ask for help or admit you don’t know something? Perhaps you have been afraid that revealing an area of need will cause others to lose respect for you.
This year, invite your strengths forward, and honor your challenges as opportunities to learn from others.
CARD TWO: The Six of Pentacles (reversed)
If you were drawn to this section, the Six of Pentacles in the reversed position is your messenger. When this card is reversed, it can represent those who tend to not give themselves enough care while simultaneously giving all they have to others. This kind of imbalance can lead to feelings of resentment for other people who do not anticipate your needs the way you do theirs. This year, if you run into situations that feel imbalanced energetically, know that you have some reflecting to do.
The energy you need to bring into the new year is grace and understanding. Be patient with yourself. Understand what your needs are, and think about why you might have some feelings emerging around the amount of energy you are devoting to others. Your needs are valid; give yourself the care you deserve (and you do deserve care), regardless of what other people around you are doing. Some relationships may need to be more distant if the other person is taking advantage of you. Others might require you to speak up about what you need. While you may be able to anticipate others’ needs without being told, the people around you have different ways of showing that they care.
Part of this year is about leaving space for yourself to be cared for — and not just being the one who cares for others.
CARD THREE: The Eight of Swords
The Eight of Swords is all about feeling limited or trapped, when you actually have more power than you realize over the situation. In the classic Rider–Waite Tarot deck, this card shows a figure tied to a collection of swords, blindfolded and restrained. They are bound to the exact thing needed to cut their bonds. Think about the moments you feel stuck. Do you tend to panic before realizing that you have what you need to get out of the situation? It is not a fun feeling, but if you were drawn to this card, you need to remember that you have the power.
The energy you need to bring into 2026 is self liberation. What is limiting you? What has convinced you that you are more stuck than you actually are? Are you refusing to acknowledge your strengths? This card has an element of tough love; but ultimately, the message is about you being far more capable than you tend to give yourself credit for. It will be a battle, but one you are set to win — if you let the feeling of being blindfolded become an opportunity to turn inward and get creative. The freedom you will feel is worth the effort to show up for yourself.
This is the year you free yourself from the limitations that others (and that critical voice inside) put on you; they are not in charge anymore.
Jae Melland is a tarot, rune, and palm reader. You can visit seidrwhispers.com to schedule a reading or see her at her shop, Luna Apothecary on Clearwater in Kennewick.
Illustrations by Liam Bray
