If you’re looking for some magic to get you through the festive season, these winter solstice tarotscopes have it covered. One of the oldest winter celebrations in the world, the winter solstice – also known as Yule – celebrates the rebirth of the sun on the longest night, and shortest day, of the year. It might not feel that way as you walk home in the dark at 4.30pm, but the winter solstice marks the turning point in the year where the days slowly begin to get longer.
This year’s winter solstice arrives with the start of Capricorn season on 21 December, the day after the final new moon of the year. It’s the perfect time to reflect on everything that 2025 has brought your way (good and bad) and contemplate what you want to call in to your life in 2026.
Our resident mystic and monthly horoscope writer Emma Howarth has consulted the tarot to create winter solstice tarotscopes for every sign as the New Year approaches.
Tarotscopes created using The Starchild Tarot by Danielle Noel.
From your love life to your career.
Aries
20 March–18 April
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Seven of Crystals
Take a break while you can, Aries, because this card is all about working hard to get what you want in 2026. Not sure you’ve got any more work left in you? The Seven of Crystals says you have – but you can totally wait till January! Goals you set for yourself around the winter solstice are really just the beginning. You didn’t come this far to only come this far, Aries – and you know it.
The Seven of Crystals urges you to take a deep breath, remember who you are and step into 2026 with a fresh perspective. Why not you, Aries? Why shouldn’t you be the one who succeeds? Mindset is half the battle but so is keeping going when the going gets tough. And you are tougher than you think, fiery ram. This card invites you to press pause if you need to, but to also prepare yourself to fight on. Come New Year’s Day you’ll feel the shift you need to vision, dream or plan your way to the top in 2026.
Taurus
19 April–19 May
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Knight of Wands
If 2025 didn’t work out quite the way you hoped, this card is all about switching things up in the New Year. The Knight of Wands ushers in the confidence and determination you need to power forward and make a long-held dream come true. It’s a ‘lead the charge’ card! It’s a ‘sort your life out’ card! It dares you to feel the fear and do it anyway – all day, every day. And if you’re exhausted at the thought, know that you won’t be by the time the New Year dawns.
Spend some time getting clear about what you really want out of life on the winter solstice and set about making a plan you can stick to. A Taurus with a plan is a Taurus with power. And remember, this isn’t a race! Slow and steady has always been what you do best. Take one bold move forwards at a time and you’ll be there before you know it.
Gemini
20 May–20 June
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Ten of Cups
There’s magic in the air when this card appears on the scene! And it’s the kind of magic that levels up your love life. The Ten of Cups is one hell of a romantic good omen for 2026! If you’re loved up and blissfully happy, expect more of the same! If you’re single and looking… not for much longer! And if you’ve sworn off relationships for life, you might be forced to rethink that this winter!
This card is also a positive sign for anyone looking to turn a casual connection into something more committed in 2026. If it feels right, it probably is right, Gemini. Be brave enough to call it what it is! And if something doesn’t feel right? This is your sign to recommit to yourself and your happiness. This card is here to remind you that the right person is out there! Call in the love you want to find you on the winter solstice and don’t be surprised when it arrives.
Cancer
21 June–21 July
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Eight of Cups
This is the ideal card for anyone with a new project, plan or venture in the works for 2026. The Eight of Cups is a sign that you are not just willing to get stuck in to something new, you’re about to become a master. What this means for you really depends on what’s going on in your life right now, but whether you’re embarking on a course of study, launching a business, penning your memoirs or simply nailing your sourdough recipe, the vibes are immaculate.
Use the power of the winter solstice to clarify and call in your vision and make sure those closest to you are on side. The last thing you need is a doubter holding you back this time round. In fact, the more support you can gather, the better. There’s power in speaking this into existence, Cancer, so don’t keep it quiet. Shout your goals from the nearest rooftop. The brightest and best era of you is ready to be revealed.
Leo
22 July–21 August
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Transformation (Death)
First things first, don’t panic, Leo! Transformation – the Death card in a traditional tarot deck – doesn’t mean your time is up! It does mean a major shift is headed your way in 2026, though, and that might feel like a death of sorts. In fact, there’s almost certainly an ending of some kind in store with this card on your case. If you’re ready to take the next step on an exciting personal journey you have nothing to fear. Just know that it is time to create space in your life ready for a bright new beginning.
This might mean finally waving goodbye to a lifestyle choice, job or friendship that’s been holding you back. It might mean letting go of a dream in favour of peace, harmony and a simpler life. It might mean cutting off a toxic ex or family member and taking charge of your own future. However it plays out for you, know that what lies ahead in 2026 is far better than anything you’re leaving behind.
Virgo
22 August–21 September
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Two of Swords
It’s decision time, Virgo! When the two of swords appears in a reading, it’s a sign that there’s an important choice to be made somewhere in your life. As straight forward as that might sound, choices like this aren’t always easy. Perhaps putting your energy into one project or vision means letting another slide? Perhaps a relocation means saying goodbye to somewhere you feel at home? Or maybe choosing yourself means parting company with someone you never imagined losing?
Whatever choice you are facing, know that making it is the beginning not the end. It won’t take many steps along a new path this winter for you to see that you made the right call. Be bold. Be clear. Draw that line in the sand with permanent marker. Throw yourself into something new and you’ll realise it was always meant to be this way. You might even wonder why you didn’t do it sooner! The right choice was obvious all along.
Every star sign brings something unique to the table.
Libra
22 September–22 October
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Page of Swords
The Page of Swords is your sign to do what needs to be done, move forward with a plan and start living your best life in 2026. This card is a reminder that other people’s opinions of you are really none of your business. Any intention you set around the winter solstice is about you and you alone. Take the risk, put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to step into the unknown, Libra. Some risks are better taken!
The Page of Swords is also a sign that you have something important to share with the world. A story! A cause! A unique perspective! The time has come to use your voice, tell the truth and lead the way. Even if this feels like the last thing you want to do, bear it in mind as you move through the world in 2026. Someone is counting on you to step up. You’ll know exactly what to do when the moment arrives.
Scorpio
23 October–21 November
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Eight of Wands
Take some time out over the festive season if you possibly can, Scorpio, because 2026 is coming in hot, hectic and annoyingly demanding. The Eight of Wands is all about high energy, dynamic action and making the most of an opportunity that’s unlikely to repeat itself. There’s no time for indecision or even pausing for breath with this card on your team. The Eight of Wands insists that the time is now. Right now. And that means the moment the New Year dawns, Scorpio must make their move.
The best thing you can do now is prepare yourself. Get your life in order (hello declutter!), call in help where you can and get clear on what you want and where you’re headed. Start as you mean to go on, don’t take no for an answer, and definitely don’t talk yourself out of it the minute things get hard. This is your big chance and no-one wants to see you waste it.
Sagittarius
22 November–20 December
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Perspective (The Hanged Man)
This winter solstice card will make perfect sense if you’re feeling burnt out, broken and in need of some respite. Perspective – the Hanged Man in a traditional tarot deck – is all about taking stock, saying no to overwhelm and considering life from alternative angles. Life has been a lot for you lately, Sagittarius, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in magic. You might just need to take a moment before you can feel it again.
There’s a sense with this card that a decision needs to be made but it isn’t one you have to rush into. It also might not be the most dynamic, go-getting decision of your life. This card suggests that it may be time for you to redefine what success means to you and hit the reset button. Perhaps you’re ready to slow down? Or find inner peace? Or escape the daily grind for good? Know that 2026 could be the year that everything changes, if you choose yourself.
Capricorn
22 December–18 January
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: The Empress
A magical card for a magical new era of you, Capricorn. The winter solstice heralds the start of your birthday season, making it a great time to manifest the prosperity and abundance you want to call in to your life in 2026. And The Empress is your ideal wing woman! This card is all about exploring new ideas, making life feel magical again and becoming the person you were always meant to be. Let this be your sign to believe in your talent, your ability and your infinite power.
The Empress is a passionate, productive kind of card. It ushers in the energy you need to get healthy, get happy and really make something of your life. And the world is your oyster in 2026. Start a family! Leave the country! Fall in love! Take to the stage! Or all of the above! Twice! The Empress isn’t a card that wants to limit your options, it wants you to dream bigger than ever before.
Aquarius
19 January–17 February
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: King of Swords
Enjoy the festivities, Aquarius, because the King of Swords is here to hand you a big dose of reality come 2026. This is the card of truth, confidence and inner strength and you’re going to need all three where you’re headed this winter. Don’t panic, though. You already have what it takes to navigate anything life throws at you! The King of Swords appears when we need logic to override emotion in our lives, so be ready to take stock of a situation and see if for what it really is. It’s cool to be kind, Aquarius, but not at the expense of what is right.
This card urges you to seek advice from others who understand what you’re dealing with. A tricky ending doesn’t have to turn your life upside down if you get clear about what your boundaries are. Surround yourself with people who have your back and try not to take on more than you can handle. You are about to become the master of your own destiny, Aquarius.
Customise your manicure to the month you were born.
Pisces
18 February–19 March
Your Winter Solstice Tarot Card: Page of Cups
It’s time for Pisces to start dreaming again. If life took an unexpected turn in 2025, know that it was all part of a magical bigger picture. An idea that’s hit you in the last few months is waiting to be realised. And the time really is now. Use the magic of the winter solstice to set an intention that will guide your year in 2026. Your imagination is waiting for you to tap into its potential. Don’t wait for the world to catch up with your thinking, either. Start putting your vision out there as soon as the New Year dawns.
This isn’t a card that’s trying to instil a sense of urgency or panic, but it does want you to get started. Make Pisces a procrastination free zone in 2026. A project that feels light, joyful and freeing is the answer to more than one problem for you. You don’t need there to be a specific end in sight here, either. Expand your mind and you’ll expand your world in 2026.
