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 comes after a year of the wood snake, with more yin like qualities, laying in waiting, transforming and the process of inner alchemy. The snake has now shedd the skin. Now we enter a year with different qualities, things come to light and action.
The year 2026 has a very special constellation, that only occurs once in 60 years, it is the end of a cycle, and the starting point for a new one. It brings the energy of a big radiant (yang) fire, the horse itself is a yang animal related to fire, too. And on top of all – 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. Here are some tips how to enjoy the ride.
I expect a very dynamic year
The horse brings horsepower, intelligence, strategy, aspects of spirituality, it can work hard. It is an explorer. It also brings quick turns and jumps. Fire and horse coming together stand for: action, movement, power, surprises, twists, turns, spirituality, free spirit and speed.
The horse when spooked, explodes into running, it might be difficult to stop. A fire can turn quickly when the wind changes direction, so I expect surprises, quick turns. Fire is also the element most dependent on fuel, without it, it will burn out. For us that means, we need to pay extra attention to our “fuel” and keep the head cool in twists and turns. Fire also relates to the heart, passion, brain, joy, purification, cleansing. The heart relates to shen, spirituality, soul, connection. That is why next to the explosive energy and risks I also see ….
Great chances and possibilities:
Now we know what to expect – we can anticipate and enjoy the energy. Fire can purify, transform, burn down old structures and systems, prepare and open the space for something new. That is a great chance. I expect great changes in society, economy.
Looking at 1966 and 1906 shows us revolutionary changes and movements, ranging from Martin Luther King, to Mao’s cultural revolution, the peak of the Vietnam war, hippy culture, the movement for woman rights, luna 9 and 10 (first landing on the moon and circeling the moon), the first direct dial phones, Kashmir crisis, Botswana and Lesotho becoming independent, Nigeria in civil war, and many more. The beginning of something new is also indicated in the yearly Lo Shu for 2026.
To balance the energies we are challenged to handle ourself wisely and cultivate a strong inner balance, inner stillness, grounding. The horse is a spiritual companion, a free spirit. Let’s embrace it. My tip: take extra care of our health and body, staying cool, balanced, grounded, nourishing our fuel and essence. Let’s sense more, feel more, slow down. Rationalize before acting on impulse, especially when taking important decisions. Let’s help each other to stay on track.
The horse in 2026 also asks us for balance and authenticity 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 and direction, 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. The power lays in working together – together we know more, the one who is best for the current task takes the lead. Those who work together, are more successful.
The male leader is in the back of the herd, not active, unless danger comes, then he will speed up the group to run to safety. He is backing the herd, defending and if necessary he chooses the speed. To maintain his role, he might fight other males. The herd asks for a male leader that lives for the wellbeing of the group, by protecting the back, protecting the herd towards the outside and who let’s the females lead the way. Respecting female and male leadership and qualities. The herd can not thrive without the females. It is a call for being different, appreciating differences, with equal rights. The years asks for it, how wonderful if we can establish that, too.
So here, once more, the year is about balancing yin & yang
Yin stands for female aspects like: space holding, stillness, cooling, nourishment, grounding, listening, being, feeling, sensing, the body, slowing down. Where Yang energy stands more for action, thinking, doing, movement, speed. We can create inner balance consciously: as the year brings an excessive amount of yang and fire, the yin side will be happy with more care. We feed the yin, the yin feeds yang, naturally.
Yin & Yang can not exist without the other
Yin and Yang, both matter equally. They interact and relate. They are part of natural cycles. We can not go against the universal energetic cycles, we can understand and act accordingly, in harmony with those cycles. If there is too much yang, the system collapses. That is the natural way, it is meant to be. A collapse is a new beginning, a change. As in 2026 yang and fire is overly represented, I do expect some structures to overheat and collapse in the year. Which opens 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 change for society, with many chances. The horse is also a spiritual companion, seeking authenticity.
The yearly Lo Shu gives us a drop of water energy, a little help, also indicating a new cycle, a start. I have a lots of hope for the year, though the ride might be explosive for some and 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’, lead 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. Especially in summer, when fire energy has it’s peak within the yearly cycle. And in october when the monthly Lo Shu empowers fire. Burning down, purifying, cleansing, transforming. Opening up space. Quick developments might be dazzeling. I expect things to slowly cool down by end of the year.
Electricity/EMF (radiation) has fire energy, which is too present in the year. It would be good to check electric systems to avoid burns and crashes of an overloaded system and reduce our exposure to radiation. Unplug or wire more. Also electricity production and availability might be unstable.
I say: let’s do it! If you are already prepared to ride – buckle up, enjoy the ride! The horse can carry you through war and peace. Nothing compares to the feeling of being as one with a powerful, vital, galloping horse …
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’ of interpreting the Lo Shu grid works, I invite you to take a look at the courses I offer.
In march the next Lo Shu course starts.
In april a TAO 1 course will start.
The more people learn, the more can benefit, and the better life will become.
I wish you a blessed year and happy horse riding.
