The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius occurring on February 17, 2026, marks the beginning of the New Lunar Year. According to Chinese Astrology, we are entering the Year of the Fire Horse, which will last until February 5, 2027.
This shift marks the beginning of a new energetic cycle: it is a moment of collective renewal which, this year, coincides with the start of Eclipse season, a time of accelerated change and transformation. The Fire Horse carries intense Yang energy and ushers in a need for speed, passion, and bold forward movement. The upcoming year favors courage, independence, and decisive action, and asks us to move toward the direction that instinctively calls us.
In the West, we follow the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the relationship between the Sun and the Earth. This calendar was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII and follows the solar year and the four seasons.
In the lunisolar calendar, which has been used for thousands of years in various regions of the world, including China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and many others, the year is measured by combining both solar and lunar cycles. In this calendar, linked with the cycles of agriculture, months are aligned with the Moon phases and begin with a New Moon. In a year, there are either twelve or thirteen months: one month is added to the calendar when necessary to maintain alignment with the solar year.
The Lunar New Year begins with the second New Moon after the December Solstice. Its exact start date changes every year, but it always falls around the end of January or the first half of February, according to the Gregorian calendar. The difference in the calendars reflects two opposing ways of relating to time: one oriented toward consistency, external structures, and linear time, the other attuned to cyclical rhythms and natural ebbs and flows of energy.
In Chinese Astrology, each Lunar Year is associated with one of the twelve Zodiac animals and one of the five elements(Fire, Metal, Wood, Water, or Earth). Each combination of energies occurs only once every 60 years, and represents a specific shift in the flow of qi that influences the themes we are collectively called to explore. The last time we experienced a Fire Horse Year was between 1966 and 1967. This is an interesting time to observe what was taking place in the collective back then, or reflect on our personal lives, if we were already born.
Chinese Traditions and Celebrations for the Lunar New Year
Celebrations for the New Lunar Year have already started several days before the New Moon that marks the beginning of the year. In China, the final days of the year are traditionally focused on tying up loose ends, paying off debts, and collecting loans. These days are considered a time to have pending conversations and restore harmony. There’s also special attention to sweeping away stagnant energy from homes. Physical cleaning is performed intentionally, in depth, and with precision, as it is seen as a ritual, and there is a clear awareness of its energetic effects.
Before welcoming the New Lunar Year, there is emphasis on the importance of honoring the past, the deities, and the ancestors. Offerings of food, drinks, incense, and flowers are placed on both domestic altars and in temples, while the front doors of private homes are decorated with the color red, associated with protection, vitality, and good fortune.
Celebrations culminate on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which coincides with the Full Moon. On this day, the Lantern Festival marks the traditional end of the New Year’s celebrations.
From the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse
The Year of the Fire Horse follows the Year of the Wood Snake, which unfolded from January 29, 2025, until February 16, 2026. The past months have been filled with opportunities for shedding skin, letting go of old identities, and transforming from the inside out: during the year that is coming to a close, we had chances to become more aware of patterns that don’t serve our growth and old ways of being that are holding us back from evolving.
The Year of the Snake has been a time to observe before acting, develop our intuition, and move with strategic awareness. This has been a year of deep inner transformation, a year focused on recognizing and shifting long-standing patterns, a year of meaningful growth that may not be externally visible yet.
The element of Wood taught us to make sure our transformation is intentional and sustainable. It emphasized the importance of patience, of not forcing outcomes, and aligning with the organic timing of change. The Wood Snake is oriented toward long-term planning rather than impulsive action. The past year invited us to be aware of why we do what we do and why we choose what we choose, and inspired us to be more intentional with how we show up in life.
Fire feeds on Wood. Therefore, the inner growth, transformation, and everything we have cultivated during the Year of the Wood Snake becomes the fuel for the changes that will unfold during the Year of the Fire Horse. As we move into the New Lunar Year, we experience a strong energetic shift that propels us forward before we even realize what is happening. Beginning with a powerful New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius, the Year of the Fire Horse brings strong momentum and an invitation to take action, to move, to initiate, and to dare to explore unconventional paths and directions.
The Year of the Fire Horse: Nurturing our Wild Inner Flame
The Fire Horse has potent Yang energy. This symbolism speaks of speed, passion, and unrestrained movement. The element of Fire amplifies the bold, driven energy of the Horse: the Fire Horse thrives on risk-taking, immediacy, and following instinct without second-guessing.
The Fire Horse is all about cultivating courage and moving toward independence and spontaneous self-expression: this Lunar Year pushes us to act decisively and follow the call of our passions. Throughout the upcoming months, we will feel a strong need for freedom, and we will be drawn to take leaps of faith and move toward what feels alive and meaningful. Recklessness and scattering our energy are potential risks of this combination of energies, one that asks us to nurture our wild inner fire and our desire for expansion without burning ourselves out or burning everything around us.
It is interesting to note that the Fire element has been gaining prominence also according to Western Tropical Astrology. Saturn and Neptune have recently entered Aries, where they will remain, respectively, until 2028 and 2039. Moreover, Jupiter will move from Cancer to Leo on June 30 and remain there for twelve months. The movement of three planets from Water to Fire signs reflects an acceleration of the general pace of events, more forward momentum, and more action-oriented energy.
All these shifts invite us into a maturation process relative to how we relate to our desire and instinct:they challenge us to become aware of the place from which we act or react and ask us to nurture our inner flame responsibly. The Year of the Fire Horse is a time to cultivate discernment and self-mastery alongside courage. This year is an opportunity to learn how to harness enthusiasm without spiraling into excess and exaggeration and channel our passions toward conscious and directed action.
