The three cards dealt for January are an apt demonstration of the themes apparent in this year's reading. Pentacles, threes and card reversals are all dominant trends. Pentacles are the predominant suit in this 12-month reading, where eight Pentacles cards appear overall, showing that material matters will be overshadowing current affairs. Suit cards showing the number three appear throughout the reading more than suit cards of any other number.

Three is an important figure in numerology as it is the number of completion, when one phase ends and another one begins. To have four threes in a spread - as we get here - can show a period of determination and creativity. The first card drawn for the year is the Ten of Pentacles, which appears reversed, demonstrating that money, business and the material world is very much at the forefront of people's minds. This card can suggest that gambling is under discussion, and that someone's reputation could be on the line.

The Four of Pentacles backs up this card, suggesting that a cloud of suspicion and prejudice is in the air. This makes it hard for the truth to be seen clearly. The Three of Cups is reversed, to show that a failed friendship will hit the headlines, causing a certain amount of disillusionment in the people involved.