What will the Chinese year of the fire horse bring?
The Chinese new year of the fire horse starts on 17th of february 2026. It is a very special constellation, that only occurs once in 60 years. The year has the energy of a big (yang) fire, the horse is a yang animal related to fire. And on top of all the fire – the year also all falls into a 20 year periode, that empowers the element fire. I see a lot of fire and action oriented energy, while other elements that could balance it, are missing or less powerful. So it is up to us to bring the balance.
I expect a very dynamic year
The horse brings horsepower, intelligence, aspects of spirituality, it can work hard, however it also brings quick turns and jumps. The horse when frightened might be difficult to stop. A fire can turn quickly when the wind changes direction, it might surprise us, fire is also the element most dependent on fuel, without it, it will be ‘burned out’ very quickly. Fire and horse: action, movement, power, surprises, twists and turns, and speed.
On the good side:
Fire can purify, burn down old structures, prepare and open the space for something new. That is a great chance, which comes with risks and is challenging us to handle 2026 wisely with a strong inner balance, inner stillness, to be a good rider, take care of our nourishment, stay cool, balanced, grounded, take care of the body, our fuel, avoid being impulsive. Sense more, feel more, slow down. Not to act on impulse, be a good leader.
The horse in 2026 also asks us more than ever for balance in leadership
A herd is lead by an alfa female and an alfa male, each with their own tasks. The female leader chooses the path, she knows where the best food and place is. The female leader is situational, in the stable a different female might lead than when going outside. Females work together – the one who is best for the current tasks takes the lead. The male leader is in the back of the heard, not active, unless danger comes, then he will speed up the heard to run to safety.
To maintain his role, he might fight other males. I expect this to happen a lot in 2026: males fighting for their position within the herd and wanting to take over another herd. Let’s understand the horse – it asks for a male leader that lives for the wellbeing of the heard, by protecting the back, protecting the herd towards the outside and let’s the females lead the way.
So here, once more, the year is about balancing yin & yang
Respecting female and male leadership and qualities. That is what we should establish, too. Yin stands for female aspects like: space holding, stillness, cooling, nourishment, grounding, listening, feeling, sensing, the body. Where Yang energy stands more for action, thinking, doing, movement, speed. Those need to be balanced, as the year brings an excessive amount of yang and fire, the yin side needs more care.
Yin & Yang can not exist without the other
If there is too much yang, the system collapses. Due to the overly present yang and fire in 2026, I do expect some structures to collapse in the year. Which, if we act well, can be a good thing and create opening gates towards the new.
Now that we understand the energies, we can balance consciously. If fire and water are in balance and harmony, together they create steam, which in Chinese culture is a symbol for qi (chi), vital energy. Lots of energy. So, if we ride the horse well, it will be a powerful and joyful ride of a life time. It offers us a big and powerful change for society, with many chances. The horse is also a spiritual companion.
The yearly Lo Shu gives us a drop of water energy, also indicating a new cycle, a start. I have a lots of hope for the year, though the ride might be more like a rodeo at times. Will we learn to ride the horse? Can we keep the head cool, continue consistently, mind good timing, take care of health and our ‘fuel’, take the lead over the horse, balance yin & yang, celebrate and value female and male leadership and leap into new structures with spirituality?
My take on 2026: the years has promises, and it will be exciting. Quick developments might be dazzeling. I say: let’s do it! Buckle up, enjoy the ride!
Would you like to optimize your situation in 2026?
Of course, depending on your individual energy, zodiac, Lo Shu, your family system, home (and more) the year will bring individual challenges and possibilities. If you like to find out more: consider a Lo Shu reading and a consult to help you to optimize your home so it can support you and balance, harmony and prosperity in 2026.
If you prefer to empower yourself and learn how the ‘magic’ works, I invite you to take a look at the courses I offer. The more people learn, the better places we can create.
Garden of Chi 