Your Tarot Card of the Year: Discover the Archetype Guiding You in 2026
I’m a sucker for year-end reflection rituals. And since planning is one of my favorite hobbies, I also love looking ahead to see what energies might be at play in the new year.
One of my favorite ways to do both of these practices is through exploring my Tarot Card of the Year.
In case you’re new to Tarot, Tarot is a deck of 78 cards rich with archetypal imagery that helps us access intuition, self-reflection, and meaning. In my own practice, I use Tarot both projectively (as a mirror for the psyche) and spiritually (as a conversation with spirit and source). Please approach this tarot exercise in whatever way feels right for you.
Want to start a Tarot practice? —> How To Pick Your First Tarot Deck
Got a new deck? —> How to Interview Your Tarot or Oracle Deck
How to Calculate Your Tarot Card of the Year
Step 1: Add up the numbers in your birthday, but use the upcoming year instead of your birth year.
Example: April 19 birthday, and you want to know your card for 2026.
4 (April) + 1 + 9 (day) + 2 + 0 + 2 + 6 (year) = 24
Step 2: If your total is higher than 22, keep reducing until you get a number between 1 and 21 by adding the digits together.
24 → 2 + 4 = 6
Step 3: Find the corresponding Major Arcana card.
6 = The Lovers
How do you know when to reduce the number?
There are only 21 numbered Major Arcana cards (with The Fool as 0 or 22), so if your total is 1–21, you can keep it as-is.
If your total is 22, you can either reduce it to 4 (The Emperor) or consider it The Fool (0)—symbolizing fresh starts and new beginnings.
To Ponder 🪞
Once you’ve found your card, take a few minutes to reflect on what it might mean for your coming year.
You can journal on these prompts or simply hold them in your awareness:
What invitation does this card offer for the year ahead?
What patterns or fears might this card be asking me to release?
What qualities, tools, or strengths from this archetype can I embody more fully in 2026?
Explore The Numerology of Your Card of The Year
You can explore the numerology of your card of the year more here: The Numerology of Tarot: A Shortcut to Reading the Energy of Your Cards
Take It Further: Reflect On The Past Year
Calculate your card of the year for 2025 to reflect on the lessons you’ve just lived.
Example for April 19 birthday —> 4 + 1 + 9 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 23 —> reduce to 5 —> Corresponds to The Heirophant
Prompts for Reflections:
How does this card mirror the themes of the past year?
Did you learn what you needed to from its lessons?
If not, how might those lessons be repeating in 2026—but from a new angle?
How to Work with Your Card Throughout the Year
Your Tarot card of the year isn’t just a one-time reflection. Given that it’s the card of the year, its themes and lessons are meant to grow and evolve over the course of the year. Consider is a steady companion as you move through the months ahead.
Here are a few gentle ways to work with this archetypal energy
Journal with your card each month. Pull it out, notice what stands out in the imagery, and ask how its message relates to what’s happening in your life.
Create an altar or visual reminder. Place the card somewhere you’ll see it often, like a desk, mirror, or nightstand, to stay attuned to its lessons.
Pair it with lunar or seasonal rituals. Notice how the themes evolve through different phases of the year, based on what’s happening in the world around you.
Whether you see Tarot as sacred symbolism or a way to study your psyche deeper, your card of the year can become a gentle guide — nudging you to release what’s complete, name what’s emerging, and step into the new year with awareness and intention.
Explore The Energy of 2026 with an Intuitive Tarot Reading
Tarot readings with me are designed to clarify, reassure, and empower you as you navigate a season of transition, questioning, or awakening.
I bring the insight of a lifelong helping professional, years of personal tarot practice, and dedicated study under talented teachers to provide you with accurate, insightful, and empowering readings
