At the start of January, our thoughts naturally turn to how we might navigate the new year, making progress toward personal goals and changing what holds us back. Plus, 2025 was a doozy and we’re all due for a little hope.
Your 2026 horoscope is one place to seek clarity, but there are a growing number of methods designed to guide you, give insight and teach you all about you. You might look up at the stars, into a chart of numbers or even inward to your very blood cells. Here are five popular soothsaying tools to help you find your way — even for the astrologically cynical.
Ketsueki-gata (Blood Type Personality Theory)
How often do you think about the significance of the cells coursing through your veins? We know that our blood is the secret sauce responsible for hauling nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, but in East Asia, it’s a common belief that it may determine your character as well.
Blood type theory is a popular method for decoding one’s personality traits, similar to zodiac signs. Originating from Japanese professor Takeji Furukawa’s 1927 paper, “The Study of Temperament Through Blood Type,” Ketsueki-gata (blood type personality theory) spread throughout the east side of the continent. It posits that type As are responsible at best and stubborn at worst, while type Bs are creative at best and selfish at worst. While our blood cells can’t predict the future, they may offer some revelations about yourself or others to take heed of in the new year.
How to find your type: Walden University and Tokyo Weekender offer free rundowns of each blood type and their corresponding traits.
Numerology
Every time the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, it ushers in a sense of renewal and opportunity — a clean slate. In 2026, that sentiment is especially true in numerology. The basic premise of this practice is that the digits of any number can be added together to find its “root number,” one through nine, reflecting a nine-year cycle. Each of these figures has a meaning attached.
This year, 2026 has a root number of one (2+0+2+6 = 10, 1+0 = 1), meaning the entire planet will experience a year where new paths are forged from purging 2025’s universal nine year — nine represents ending unhealthy patterns to make way for better beginnings. You can calculate your personal year number with your birthday and the current year, which is used to offer guidance on where to focus your attention in the next 12 months
How to find your year number: The Almanac and Numerology.com can help you understand your own year number’s meaning.
Chinese Astrology
Chinese astrology takes centre stage in January and February as the Lunar New Year approaches. 2025 was the year of the wood snake, signifying a transformative time of ‘shedding the skin’ of things in life that did not serve. If you’re nodding your head and saying, “Ahh, that makes sense!” buckle up because 2026 is kicking it up to high gear.
This will be the year of the fire horse: According to ancient Chinese principles, the horse is already a fiery creature, headstrong and fast. Throw fire into that mix and it becomes a heated double-whammy of a lunar year. While each Chinese zodiac sign will be affected by the fire horse in their own ways, it portends rapid change across the board.
How to find your sign: See how your sign will be affected by the fire horse at The South China Morning Post and The Japan Times.
Western Astrology
If you’ve ever dated in the 21st century, you’ve likely been asked about your sun, moon and rising signs. Western astrology looks at the location of celestial bodies and stars at the time of one’s birth, from the perspective of the Earth, to gain insight into personality and predict the ebbs and flows of life. This information is derived from your birth chart; to get an accurate chart, you’ll probably have to call your mom since you’ll need the exact time you came wailing into this world.
How to find your birth chart: Find your unique birth chart for free at sites like Chani and Co-Star.
Enneagram
If you’re a horoscope skeptic and have somehow made it this far despite all your eye-rolling, you’ve arrived at the right place. Enneagram is less a predictive tool than it is a framework through which to understand your personality and tendencies, what makes you tick. For example, if nothing motivates you like the accolades of others, then you might be a type 3, the achiever. Or, if your worst nightmare is a loved one cussing you or another loved one out, you might be a type 9, the peacemaker. What you do with that information in the new year is up to you.
How to find your type: Take a free Enneagram test through sites like Eclectic Energies and Advanced Personality. Or pay for an in-depth report at the Enneagram Institute.
