Trust the Animals. Choosing relationships over rushing.
From Animal Communicator Julie Hirt
Happy New Year! I’m so glad you’re here as we step into 2026 together with our beloved animal friends.
As I was asking my animal guide team “how do you want us to work with all of you – even those in-spirit this year?,” their answer came through clearly… and even earlier than I expected!
They said the theme for 2026 is Connect. And they went on to share that from their perspective, connection isn’t something we earn, build, or work harder at.
It’s something we remember.
I love this because throughout 2025 many of the animals I had the honor to communicate with, this was something they would lovingly nudge their humans: remember who you really are. Remember that your intuition means something. Remember how bright your light does shine. Indeed, many of our guests on The Animal Communication echoed this too! from Victoria Loorz to Dr. Jennifer Freed as well as Kara Daniels and Nancy Windheart (just to name a few!) all talked about remembering the connections we have to ourselves, our animals and the Divine.
Oftentimes, the animals see how we try to heal ourselves (or others) by pushing, fixing, or figuring things out – especially when grief, loss, or uncertainty is involved. Instead, what they keep showing me is this: before anything can shift or soften, we need to feel connected.
Connected to ourselves, to our bodies, to love (even when it hurts), to one another, to Mother Earth and all the beings we share her with.
That’s why they chose Connect. It brings us back into remembering the relationship humans had long, long ago (and some cultures still do) with every being. And in that, we realize we aren’t meant to go it alone.
Why one theme for the whole year?
Instead of a new theme every month as we’ve done for the last several years, the animals asked us to work with one guiding thread for the entire year. Each month, we’ll explore a different connection point through simple, compassionate practices with our animals as trusted guides.
And even though we’ll introduce a new connection each month, please know there’s nothing to keep up with and nothing to master. This work is ongoing – it simply gives you a focus point for practice and hopefully, new tools to use as you continue to grow with your animal as your coach.
If a practice from a previous month feels supportive later in the year, you’re invited to come back to it. This work is meant to meet you where you are.
A little numerology + astrology support
I also love how supported this theme is energetically as well!
In numerology, 2026 is a 1 Year, a year of beginnings. But not the loud, pressure-filled kind. A 1 Year is about returning to self, listening inward, and clarifying who you are now before rushing forward.
Astrologically, January mirrors this beautifully. The month invites us to slow down, take stock, and feel where we’re starting from. The first Full Moon of the year on January 3 is a Super Wolf Moon in Cancer and it highlights emotional truth, care, and belonging. And don’t forget, with the Medicine Cards that I use in reading, the Wolf Medicine is “Teacher.” So what can you learn with wolf and your animals, about these themes in connection with January’s specific practice? (see below…)
January’s practice: Connect with Self
So that’s where we begin. As we move into the month of January our focus is Connect with Self.
This isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself (remember, we’re not “fixing). It’s about learning how to be with yourself, kindly and honestly.
You might notice:
- What your body is asking for
- Where grief or tenderness lives
- What feels supportive right now and what feels like too much
Connection doesn’t require effort. It simply requires presence.
And as you all know, our animals are wonderful teachers of presence. They show us how to listen, how to pause, and how to offer companionship when words fall short.
If you’re not sure how to begin, start by noticing how your animal connects with you. When do they seek you out? What are they doing? And what’s happening inside you in those moments?
As we step into this 1 Year — this year of beginnings — we’re starting where all true change begins -with connection. And I can’t wait to see where it takes us and what we can build with our animals, ourselves, our community and the Divine.
Welcome to the year of Connect.
This article originally appear as a Blog from our podcaster Julie Hirt. This and other blogs can be found on her website here.
You can listen to Julie’s podcast The Animal Communication Podcast here.
