The first Full Moon of 2026 rises in Cancer on January 3, and it’s a powerful emotional reset.
Cancer is the sign of home, memory, family, and the feelings we carry long after events have passed. Under this lunar light, emotions swell — not to overwhelm us, but to show us what’s ready to be released.
This Full Moon isn’t about setting intentions or racing into the new year. Instead, it asks a quieter, braver question: what emotional baggage are you still dragging into 2026? The kind that quietly shapes your choices, relationships, and self-belief.
Using tarot as a mirror, let’s reveal the core emotion each star sign needs to acknowledge — and gently let go of — before the year can truly begin.
It’s all about emotional honesty, self-protection, and choosing to start fresh from the inside out.
Looking for more insight? My Year Ahead 2026 reading will give you all the answers, Or, come join my magical, mystical tarot club, free for a whole month when you sign up using this link.
Aries
March 21 to April 20
Tarot card for Aries for the Full Moon in Cancer: Seven of Coins
Meaning: It’s time to move into action and manifesting, rather than waiting (hoping?) for something to change externally. When you can’t move your circumstances, you must move yourself!
Patience is a virtue, but it has outstayed its welcome here. It’s time to be impatient, and recognise the shift in gears as you move into a mode of pursuit and activity. Bold steps ahead. They will pay off. It’s time to act.
Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries
Taurus
April 21 to May 21
Tarot card for Taurus for the Full Moon in Cancer: Three of Coins
Meaning: You have enjoyed success or reward as part of a team, duo, pair, couple or circle. And it’s lovely. And it’s tempting to stay in that confine and carry on… but you are ready to branch out and find your own way again now.
It doesn’t mean never collaborating or being involved again, but it does mean your onward journey includes a solo path, trodden by you, for you alone. Work out what you need now and set out to scratch that itch!
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus
Gemini
May 22 to June 21
Tarot card for Gemini for the Full Moon in Cancer: The Emperor
Meaning: You’re cleverer and sharper than almost anybody — we know that. This doesn’t mean you know best for others though. You do not know, or could ever know, the depths and layers of their needs, feelings, lives, and circumstances.
We are each an island. So step back from trying to dominate, lead, or judge someone whose life isn’t shaping up as you think it should. Be by their side, not behind their back or out in front.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini
Cancer
June 22 to July 23
Tarot card for Cancer for the Full Moon in Cancer: Two of Coins
Meaning: This Full Moon is in your sign so you feel emotional anyway, and it’s the start of a New Year, which brings up lots of expectation, hope, and maybe fear too. A blank sheet of paper can be intimidating when you don’t know where to start, or how.
So, simply be. Simply rest. Simply walk your day down and let yourself restore and renew at night. Bathe, meditate, listen to soothing music, hydrate, watch the stars and let the moon bathe you and cleanse you of the need to be ‘busy’. Don’t worry about 2026, it will take care of itself, one month at time.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer
Leo
July 24 to August 23
Tarot card for Leo for the Full Moon in Cancer: Queen of Swords
Meaning: Changes in your life have left you with more time solo, more agency over your lifestyle and activities, more independence and control. It’s good, but it sometimes makes you nervous or anxious that you won’t feel connected or in a true alliance again. Leo, you will!
Focus on your freedom and ability to manifest your own life’s desires. Folk will join your realm who are aligned with that, rather than haters or drainers. Simply be your full, wonderful, sunny self and the company you deserve and desire will emerge, drawn to that light.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo
Virgo
August 24 to September 23
Tarot card for Virgo for the Full Moon in Cancer: Knight of Swords
Meaning: Virgos all experience a need to be right and proper, stemming from an insecurity about fitting in, being respected or valued. And this can lead to pedantry and nit-picking, which ironically erodes the respect and value you want from others.
So, let things be. Know that you are loved, needed, and prized for your spirit, kindness, knowledge, calm presence and helpfulness. Being right is not necessary — hardly anyone ever really changes their mind anyway, it’s like a failed invasion every time. Focus on yourself. Be lovely. Bask in the glow of others’ appreciation.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo
Libra
September 24 to October 23
Tarot card for Libra for the Full Moon in Cancer: Nine of Coins
Meaning: You love having your options open — wide open. And, right now, you have started to feel a little hemmed in or thwarted, like you’ve signed up to something you never realised would be this taxing or long-term.
Don’t make any moves out of panic or fear. Get the facts, establish the material reality vs your emotional spiral, and then consider whether this is an investment you want to keep, alter, or remove. A rational decision is needed, not a knee-jerk one. Make it with intellect, not feeling.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra
Scorpio
October 24 to November 22
Tarot card for Scorpio for the Full Moon in Cancer: Page of Coins
Meaning: Typically, you are known as leaning more towards the shrewd, knowing, and even cynical side… but you’ve got rose-tinted glasses on about something, or someone right now. And you need to take them off and see things as they really are.
Full Moons always illuminate illusions and secrets, so get ready to see something very differently when the full facts come to light. It is not as you think it is. And your generous benefit of the doubt is not really warranted. See the truth and then change course accordingly. New info equals new response.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio
Sagittarius
November 23 to December 21
Tarot card for Sagittarius for the Full Moon in Cancer: Five of Cups
Meaning: The end of the year stirred up big and heavy emotions for you, linked to regret or grief, and it’s been hard to carry them. Let them go, put them down, embrace the sadness and know its source, and then open yourself to moving onwards and healing what was broken, lost or taken away.
You have so so much to look forward to, and the best is yet to come. Renew your spirits with the first Full Moon of the year, celebrate what remains and what you have!
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius
Capricorn
December 22 to January 21
Tarot card for Capricorn for the Full Moon in Cancer: Five of Wands
Meaning: Don’t pour any more fuel onto this fire. It’s time to put it out! Do so by stepping away, getting space so your perspective and mood can reboot. You need a little distance.
Then, review the facts and find the root cause of this squall and return to discuss things at that level, being open to change or compromise, coming to a shared resolution of how things move forward. Don’t keep circling this issue. Get it out your way before January ends.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn
Aquarius
January 22 to February 19
Tarot card for Aquarius for the Full Moon in Cancer: The World
Meaning: Many tasks, ambitions and desires have been ticked off, completed, and achieved. Good for you. And you’ve had a festive season of celebration and relaxation.
Only now, it has all left you feeling a bit ‘flat’, even bored, and as though there’s nothing for you to get inspired or fired up by. Seek a new mountain to climb, Aquarius. You love a challenge. Set a small one to reignite your spark and then let the ideas flow… they will!
Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius
Pisces
February 20 to March 20
Tarot card for Pisces for the Full Moon in Cancer: Eight of Swords
Meaning: You have been comparing yourself with others, or aspects of your flaws or disappointments with their strengths or successes, and it’s not a fair or just comparison.
You are assuming you know them. You don’t. They don’t show their flaws and disappointments, so you don’t have the full picture, not at all. Turn your gaze back to yourself, be positive and encouraging, and realise how much potential and talent you truly possess. Go use it and enjoy it! Stop looking at others.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
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