Happy Chinese New Year of the Yang Fire Horse!
From The British Acupuncture Council Acu Magazine By CT Holman
By Dr CT Holman Acupuncturist: Oregon, USA
I hope this message finds you well and in good health! I am honoured and humbled to continue Lillian Pearl Bridges’ tradition of writing the Chinese astrology forecast for the Lotus Institute. I hope you find the following edited version of my 2026 forecast helpful as you navigate the year ahead.
Lilian’s memory lives on, along with her teachings which are reflected in my work. I have also been fortunate to study under Master Zhongxian Wu for over 15 years, who has authored several books on the subject, some of which were co-authored with his wife, Dr Karin Wu. Insights and explanations from their books are incorporated into this prediction.
During the Year of the Yang Fire Horse, yang energy reaches its peak
Throughout 2025, the Year of the Snake encouraged us to step into adulthood and thrive with strength, achieving our goals. During the upcoming Year of the Yang Fire Horse, yang energy reaches its peak, making it a time filled with excitement and creativity. Since this energy peaks around mid-2026, by June, we’re advised to begin taking time to rest, connect with loved ones, and shift towards a more inward-focused way of Being.
Horse Wu
The horse – wu – officially emerges on February 4, and celebrations for the horse year begin on February 17. The horse is the seventh earthly branch in which yang is at its apex and yin energies are beginning to emerge. This marks the time to shift focus from business and spend more time with loved ones.
However, as we transition to a gentler, more settled time, we might experience some discomfort with the change. We must utilise the enduring and sensitive nature of the horse to navigate 2026.
The Horse
Each year, Chinese cosmology involves three elements: one of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, one of the five elements, and either yin or yang. These three components offer insights into the year’s energy and help guide individuals in making positive life choices. This year is symbolised by fire atop fire.
The horse represents the month of June, the month of the summer solstice, according to the Chinese calendar. This time signifies the peak of summer when all plants are full and ripe with fruit. The yang energy reaches its highest point on the summer solstice – symbolised by the horse – which embodies strength, endurance, and vibrant energy.
Lively spirit
Besides its lively spirit, the horse also embodies gentleness and sensitivity, which are evident in its demeanour and healing abilities. Equine therapy is used to treat many health conditions, including emotional issues, autism, and cerebral palsy. The horse’s gentle energy can also be interpreted through its associated hexagram – gou – from the Yi Jing Book of Change.
Gou consists of five yang lines over one yin line, indicating that energy is shifting from pure yang to a phase where yin begins to emerge. Therefore, the horse year symbolises a transition from focus on business to relaxing and enjoying loved ones. According to Master Zhongxian Wu, gou can be interpreted as copulating, joining, mating, and the coming together of yin and yang. In 2026, we thrive by working together and setting aside our differences.
Emotions have grown heated over recent years, which can stir the sensitive nature of the horse. Therefore, it’s best for us to stay open-minded and enthusiastic, serving as an antidote to arrogance and agitation.
Fire
This Horse Year of 2026 will be more lively than usual due to the fire. Over the past four years, I have talked about the momentum building toward 2026 and how this year is the hottest in 60 years. This fire energy can be explosive, yet also creative.
In Chinese culture, fire represents imagination, charm, spontaneity, pleasure travel, expressiveness, curiosity, and inventiveness – 2026 may be a time for inspiration and innovation. However, fire also represents scattered energy and anxiety.
Stay Centred
To stay centred, it’s best to enjoy the moment and stretch it out
When things become too intense and exciting, it can cause your energy to dissipate, leaving you feeling ungrounded. To stay centred, it’s best to enjoy the moment and stretch it out, rather than seeking a quick burst of energy that leaves you wanting more – leading to adrenaline-seeking behaviour that drains your precious energy. This tendency might be stronger in 2026 due to its yang nature.
Yang
Yang symbolises action, daytime, the sun, male energy, and moving forward. This highlights the horse’s fire nature, which is primarily yang, setting the stage for a more active Horse year. With a strongly yang atmosphere, this year will be livelier.
Horses love to run, whether freely or out of fear, so it’s important to focus intentions on how we want to channel this powerful yang energy. Yang is about being active in the world, so we can aim to share our insights and curiosity with the human family. Rather than causing a wildfire of panic and insatiability – like a frightened horse running recklessly and endangering others – we seek to create a fire of slow-burning embers.
Significant Innovations
The momentum of the past few years has accelerated to 2026. This fire year holds the potential to bring about significant innovations and new perspectives on the world. However, amid worldwide polarisation, there is a risk of destruction and hatred, which can be mitigated by remaining open and spreading joy to others.
Ultimately, our perspective on others shapes our destiny. If we recognise that we are all illuminated beings connected to a single source, there is hope for moving forward in harmony. We must avoid falling into destructive over-excitement.
Weather
Fire is within us and will also be reflected in nature throughout the year.
All three symbols of 2026 – animal, element, and yin/yang – indicate fire. Therefore, we can expect a hotter-than-usual year. Heat waves are likely, especially in spring and summer.
The hexagram gou represents heaven over wind, suggesting wind will be prevalent. Expect strong winds from spring into autumn. These winds, combined with higher temperatures, increase the risk of wildfires. Those living near forested areas should consider trimming foliage and planting fire-resistant plants, such as succulents, deciduous trees, and fire-safe ground covers.
Chinese zodiac comprises 12 animals
The Chinese zodiac comprises 12 animals, each representing a year. Since the horse is associated with June and the summer solstice, there will be a peak of energy in the 12-year cycle. The Year of the Horse will feel like a continuous summer solstice, with energy peaking in June and bringing extreme heat. After June, the weather should cool down, and we’ll begin to turn inward and focus more on internal growth.
Health
The Year of the Horse brings a lot of excitement, and it can be easy to get swept away, becoming ungrounded. Remember that what goes up must come down. It is important to take time to recharge your energy and set an intention to begin winding down over the coming years.
The exciting energy can cause nervous anxiety and scatter the qi, leading to insomnia, hypertension, confusion, memory issues, and other heart-related conditions. Spending time to gather your energy and nourish peace will prevent the fire from damaging the mind and body.
Fire-Water Communication
It is essential to nourish the yin to maintain healthy fire-water communication. If the fire gets out of control, it can cause hot, dry patterns like constipation, dry cough, dermatological issues, stroke, nightmares, inflammatory conditions, etc.
Another way to supplement yin, especially in the kidneys, is to lie flat on your back. This position benefits the kidneys and deeply restores the body. In addition to breathing techniques and meditation, it’s crucial to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and eating foods such as seaweed, dark green leafy vegetables, and clear broth soups.
Foods
The horse promotes creativity, so try to be more inventive with your cooking this year. Foods related to the horse include green vegetables, bitter foods, lamb, and fish.
Since the horse symbolises summer, it’s recommended to avoid overeating and opt for lighter meals, using quicker cooking methods such as steaming, stir-frying, and flash-frying. Master Wu suggests having a cup of ginger tea on the summer solstice to nourish yang. This could also be especially beneficial in autumn and winter.
Social
Fire generates earth in the five-element theory. Engaging in more earth-related activities – such as baking, sitting and conversing, gathering, and attending community events – will help ground you and keep your centre in this fiery year.
A common reaction to the emotional intensity of fire is to overcompensate by becoming overly serious. Aim to balance your emotions by staying grounded and allowing yourself to enjoy the fire horse without getting overly excited by the passionate energy.
Relationships
This year will bring many ups and downs like flickering flames – use the endurance of the horse to handle challenges. It’s wise to strategise and set intentions with your romantic partner. For those not in a relationship, the year of the horse presents many chances for meeting that special someone.
To navigate difficulties, consider carrying or wearing a goat charm
Whether in a couple or not, this year presents an opportunity to elevate our spirits and vibrations, thereby raising global consciousness. The strong fire aspect of the year emphasises shen – spirit, and there is a powerful flirting energy. You might find yourself being more vibrant with your attitude and attire.
Fashion
Fire represents a playful, vibrant, flirtatious energy and bold colours and austere designs will be the theme of the year. Wear red to benefit your spirit, yellow to tap into your talents and unlimited capacity – especially for public engagements, black to ground, and green to advance and nourish your spiritual pursuits.
Business
Innovation and insights flow abundantly in 2026 – an excellent year to make money. AI is poised for a significant boom – this could be a tipping point for jobs and the level of involvement AI has in creative projects, such as writing, medicine, art, and more.
Jobs that involve physical labour, such as landscaping, construction, long-distance truck driving, piloting, and government roles, will all thrive. Businesses that deal in play and travel will flourish. Additionally, industries that involve careers requiring endurance, such as construction and shipping, are expected to thrive.
Charms
The horse is part of an auspicious triad of animals, along with the dog and tiger. As a result, the dog and tiger will have extra luck this year. Horses turning 60 in 2026 will also enjoy additional good fortune.
However, horses that are not turning 60 may experience what is referred to as Chinese good-bad luck, which can help offset the year’s challenges. Chinese good-bad luck encompasses events such as moving to a new house or city, having a baby, traveling, starting a new relationship, or getting married.
Goat Horse’s secret friend
The goat is considered the horse’s secret friend. For animals facing challenges this year – rat, ox and horse – a goat charm can be beneficial. To navigate difficulties, consider carrying or wearing a goat charm, which can take the form of an amulet, a small stone carving, or a miniature wood statue. Anyone can use a goat charm to enhance their luck.
Heart organ and channel
Each Chinese zodiac animal is associated with an earthly branch that represents an organ, an acupuncture channel, and a corresponding weather pattern. The horse is associated with the heart organ, the heart channel, and the shao yin/Emperor’s fire weather pattern.
2026 is unique in that both the organ and channel for the yearly earthly branch relate to the heart. The heart is associated with the fire element; therefore the fire energy this year can trigger anxiety and restlessness. Remember to take time for stillness, allowing the heart to perceive its surroundings clearly.
Emotions are like the wind
There is an ancient Chinese concept of the heart being a reflecting pool. When the water is still, people can perceive their environment accurately. Emotions are like the wind; this year, they are more active and can stir the waters, leading to misperception and confusion. It’s not that emotions are destructive – they are part of life – but when they go unprocessed, problems can arise.
Take time to meditate and steady the body, allowing emotions to be processed and released. Practise directing fire and guiding it down to your lower dan tian/lower abdomen to boil the water stored there, letting it steam up. Our water contains wisdom that can be accessed through this intentional meditation.
Heat stirs the Heart
Heat stirs the heart, which certain foods can aggravate. Avoid heat-flaring foods such as spicy, sugary, or greasy foods, drinks like coffee or alcohol, and information including news, social media, and action/horror movies. The media has increasingly relied on fear and anxiety-provoking content, fuelling an epidemic of mental distress. Balance this with your inner wisdom and peace.
Of course, there are ways to harness the fire of 2026: creativity, enjoyment, emotional warmth, and other qualities that promote healthy fire in the body. By nurturing the healthy fire within, we strengthen our light and shine brighter, illuminating the world.
Weather/shao yin
The weather pattern in 2026 is shao yin/Minor Yin Imperial Fire. Fire is balanced by water – therefore, it is crucial to strengthen the kidney water to manage the year’s explosiveness. Focus on supporting the yin nature of the body so that fire is controlled by water and does not flare out of control.
2026 marks a pivotal year when we shift from moving forward to inward reflection
The heat of the shao yin will not only affect the body but also contribute to increased heat in the environment, already worsened by global warming. Weather patterns are expected to become more severe due to the increased heat, and we can anticipate health challenges as a result. Set your intention to rest and enjoy the magic of the year by slowing down and savouring moments of insight and creativity.
Future
Horses are intuitive. We can harness this energy to gain visions of what lies ahead. 2026 marks a pivotal year when we shift from moving forward to inward reflection. We should focus on more yin-related activities over the next six years.
Wood and the expansive energy of Fire
We will transition from the drive of wood and the expansive energy of fire, which we have experienced since 2022, to a more contemplative and relational flow centred on loved ones.
The fiery nature of the year means that our shen – spirit – is emphasised, giving us a stronger ability to connect with source/God/universe/Dao, etc. It is easier to tune into our abundance and feel whole, both of which are beneficial for this energetic transition.
Be caring for our precious Mother Earth
This powerful fire energy also has a significant impact on the planet’s future – 2026 will be a crucial year for shaping humanity’s direction and how we care for our precious Mother Earth.
Visit Dr CT Holman’s website to read his full 2026 Yang Fire Horse Forecast https://mailchi.mp/redwoodspring.com/firehorse26-21109732
Dr CT Holman, a clinician with over 25 years of experience, teaches internationally and has written two textbooks: Treating Emotional Trauma with Chinese Medicine and Shamanism in Chinese Medicine. To highlight the power of music in medical treatments, he recorded and produced a CD/MP3 titled Resonating Vitality – Chinese Medicine Drum Treatments. Dr Holman trained in China three times, taught for several years at the Oregon College of Chinese Medicine for its master’s and doctoral programs, serves as the Director of Development for the Lotus Institute of Lillian Bridges, operates a mentoring program, and offers several video courses on CT’s Website: https://www.redwoodspring.com
Traditional Acupuncture Treatment
To help you negotiate the Year of the Yang Fire Horse. Let Hannah your Yang Fire Horse acupuncturist help you through. For Traditional acupuncture treatment and care: contact Hannah Charles LicAc MBAcC at: https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/contact/
Hannah Charles is a founder member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)
The BAcC is an advocate for traditional acupuncture professionals and maintains the highest professional standards to protect the general public. BAcC members are registered on an accredited register, regulated and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care (PSA). For More information, see the website; https://acupuncture.org.uk
