The Year of the Fire Horse

The Fire Horse Year arrives today with celestial company. Today is the first new moon of the 2026 Lunar New Year, as well as a solar eclipse and the beginning of Ramadan. This is a time of family and community reunion and renewal, fresh starts, and the promise of tomorrow. In China, the Spring Festival is a joyous spectacle.

The Chunyun travel rush during the extended holiday period in China is gravitational. To the tune of 9.5 billion trips being made across and around the country. Workers returning in droves from the cities to their hometowns. Students eager to see mom and dad, grandma and grandpa. Friends reconnecting. Young and old attending vibrant celebrations of colorful culture and tradition. It is boisterous. Spirits are high.

2026 is not a typical Horse Year. It is the Year of the Fire Horse. This special year happens every sixty years when the zodiac animal reunites with its original element (there are twelve animals and five elements). The last Fire Horse Year was in 1966. Six decades ago. One elemental cycle complete. Most of us will only live such an experience once.

Astrologically, this new year will be both auspicious and challenging. Passions will be heightened. Emotions will be running hot. Fire energy is not subtle.

This year is personal to me. I am a Fire Horse. I grew up as a Horse. I stack up favorably against several Horse traits. Independent? Yes. Intense? Oh yes. Adventurous? Absolutely. Confident? Not infrequently. Charismatic? Let’s not get carried away.

But there is a wrinkle.

A BIG one.

One I did not realize until I reached college.

And one I have basically ignored since then.

I was born in calendar year 1966. But before the Lunar New Year. Which means that technically, astrologically, officially, I am not a Fire Horse. I am a Wood Snake.

Now, don’t get me wrong. the Snake qualities of being wise, strategic, compassionate, and graceful are enticing. The thing is, though, I do not think of myself as a Snake. I just don’t.

I feel at home being a Horse. And a Fire Horse to boot. It fits.

So, as dumplings are wrapped and boiled, people gather with family and friends, laughs and stories are shared, red packets of gift money are sent digitally and handed out, and wishes for good fortune and health abound, here’s to a

Happy Year of the Fire Horse!