Astrology found me in my early twenties, on my quest for self-actualization. I always identified with being an independent, spontaneous, fiery Aries, but when I found out that my astrology chart included way more than just my Sun sign, things started to make a lot more sense. All of the other aspects — my analytical Virgo Moon, my quick, communicative Gemini Rising — explained energies in my life I’d never understood before. It was a permission slip to be as multi-dimensional as I felt.

I don’t see astrology as dogmatic or prescriptive — more as a tool for self-awareness, or a mirror that points you toward things to focus on and sheds light on what’s already there. Like everything: Take what resonates and leave the rest. 

“I don’t see astrology as dogmatic or prescriptive — more as a tool for self-awareness, or a mirror that points you toward things to focus on and sheds light on what’s already there.”

What I didn’t realize until more recently is that there are actually many types of astrology — like Chinese and Vedic — each coming from different cultures, time periods, and vantage points of the sky. And what’s fascinating is seeing how similar themes emerge across these systems, even though they’re calculated and interpreted completely differently.

Beyond your personal chart, astrology highlights collective themes and shifts — ones that affect all of us differently based on our unique makeup. And around the end of last year, I started seeing tons of content on Instagram about the Year of the Fire Horse, the theme for 2026 according to the Chinese zodiac. It’s supposed to be intense, passionate, and full of momentum. So, I got curious. What does that actually mean for me? And how does it interact with everything happening in Western astrology this year?

I know my entire Western chart by heart, but until recently, I couldn’t have told you what my Chinese zodiac animal was without Googling it. (It’s the Water Rooster, by the way. You can find yours here.) So I reached out to two astrologers with very different perspectives: Jen Ingress, who practices and teaches Ba’Zi (Four Pillars) Chinese astrology and Feng Shui, and Jenn Hirsch, a Western astrologer, Wharton MBA, and futurist.

What I learned surprised me — not just about what’s coming in 2026, but about how these two systems see the same energy from completely different angles.

What is the Year of the Fire Horse?

I kicked off my research on a Zoom session with Jen I. She told me there are 60-year cycles in Chinese astrology. During that time, we cycle through 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig) and five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water). So Fire Horse years are rare — they only occur once every 60 years. The last Fire Horse year was 1966, and before that, 1906.

“Fire Horse years are rare — they only occur once every 60 years.”

The Year of the Fire Horse officially begins on February 17, 2026 — the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

“This year is full of fire — yang fire symbolized by the blazing sun, an inferno, or a massive bonfire. The Yang Fire energy is further emphasized by the Chinese Horse, which is one of the two fire animals in the zodiac. The horse is an incredibly sensitive, intuitive animal that has stamina, strength, power, and is born to run wild, free, and swiftly,” she explains.

The Fire Horse year was in 1966 — the height of Beatlemania, the year the Beach Boys released “Pet Sounds,” and a time of massive cultural and political upheaval. Before that, 1906 brought the Dreyfus Affair in France and the first constitutional monarchy in Russia. Both years were marked by seismic shifts — politically, culturally, and technologically.

And 2026? It’s shaping up to be another one of those years.

The energy signature of 2026

I love the idea that each year has an energy signature. Instead of setting arbitrary New Year’s resolutions, working with the energy that’s already alive in the collective can help you move your life forward — with flow instead of force.

So I asked Jen I., what are the major themes and energies we can expect this year?

“This is a pivotal year where we can expect themes of fast movement, expansion, and a passionate desire for more freedom — to go beyond limitations or perceived limitations.”

This is a year for momentum. For putting yourself out there, especially in academics, career, and creative pursuits. Think: fast movement, bold action, and breaking through what’s been holding you back. But here’s the catch — all this fire needs to be managed carefully. Fire can be a powerful catalyst for transformation and light, but fire that’s not tended to can burn out quickly or become destructive.

“Fire can be a powerful catalyst for transformation and light, but fire that’s not tended to can burn out quickly or become destructive.”

“Pay attention to overdoing, impatience, and feeling overwhelmed. Despite wanting to surpass limitations, be careful not to lose sight of having safeguards in place by getting all caught up in excitement. Make smart, calculated risks. Try to enjoy it responsibly, as opposed to complete unbridled passion.”

The Fire Horse isn’t asking us to be reckless. It’s asking us to be brave — but with wisdom.

How Western astrology sees 2026

Next, I wanted to hear from Jenn H. How did she see the Fire Horse energy showing up in Western astrology — and were these two systems pointing to the same thing? I’ve worked with Jenn on my personal chart before, and she has a gift for seeing what’s coming with clarity and precision — so I trusted what she had to say about the year ahead.

“2026 is asking each of us: What are you passionate about? What are you willing to fight for? What truly moves you that you want to fight for in the collective?“

“In Western astrology, we’re seeing a huge shift from our Earth Age (Capricorn) into our Air Age (Aquarius). There is an incendiary fire kicking off this year as both Neptune and Saturn move into Aries on February 15th, stoking the change agent of Pluto in Aquarius. Then we have Uranus moving back into Gemini on April 27th, really firing up our collective experience. The collective will be moving and shifting at breakneck speed — much like the way we describe the Fire Horse year.”

The way Jenn describes it, 2026 is asking each of us: What are you passionate about? What are you willing to fight for? What truly moves you that you want to fight for in the collective?

So, how does this apply to me?

Now that we understand what energy we’re working with this year, I wanted to get clear on how it would affect us personally. So I asked Jen I. to break it down by Chinese zodiac sign, and Jenn H to do the same for Western sun signs.

As a Rooster in Chinese astrology and an Aries in Western astrology, I’m stepping into more responsibility and claiming the bigness of being myself without apology. To find what themes are present for you this year, look up your Chinese Zodiac Sign here and your Western here.

Consider these themes a suggestion, not your destiny. Here’s how the Fire Horse energy will show up for each sign — remember, these are invitations, not mandates.

“Consider these themes a suggestion, not your destiny.”

Rituals to welcome the Fire Horse

As I wrapped up my conversations with both Jen I. and Jenn H., I realized I’d been approaching the new year with my typical Western mindset — waiting for January 1st to set intentions and make plans. But the Lunar New Year doesn’t arrive until February 17th this year, which means our fresh start actually begins now. So if you’ve already fallen off your January 1st new year, new you commitments — not to worry. You were simply in preparation mode– shedding the remains from last year– the Fire Horse energy actually begins now.

“The Lunar New Year doesn’t arrive until February 17th this year, which means our fresh start actually begins now.”

I’ve been thinking about what it means to welcome this energy — not just passively observe it. How do you ready yourself for a year that’s asking you to run wild, but with wisdom?

Jen I. suggests: “Marry both intuition and action. Pray and meditate for positive, peaceful outcomes.”

But don’t just sit back — move on what you know. Stay optimistic while recognizing reality. And pay attention to your heart, both literally and figuratively.

“Fire is connected to the heart and cardiovascular system. Take care of how much exercise you’re doing and the kinds of foods you’re eating.”

And lastly, focus on balance. Fire needs the right conditions to stay burning — something to feed it, air to fuel it, and boundaries to contain it. Without that balance, it either burns out or burns everything down.

“Despite wanting to surpass limitations, be careful not to lose sight of having safeguards in place by getting all caught up in excitement,” says Jen I.

What I’m taking into 2026

After talking to both astrologers, what struck me most wasn’t the specific predictions for my sign or the dates to watch on the calendar. It was the through-line between both systems — this idea that 2026 is asking all of us to step into our power, but not recklessly. To move with passion, but not without thoughtfulness. To trust ourselves enough to take the leap, and be wise enough to know when to pull back.

“2026 is asking all of us to step into our power, but not recklessly. To move with passion, but not without thoughtfulness.”

So as we move into the Year of the Fire Horse, I’m not making resolutions. I’m sharpening my self-awareness. I’m checking my energy. I’m getting clear on what I want. And I’m trusting that if I show up with intention, the right opportunities will find me — and the Fire Horse energy will propel me forward.

I’ll leave you with a quote I loved from Mimi Kuo-Deemer’s thoughts on the Fire Horse:

“Explore how action can arise without urgency, and how spirit can settle into a peaceful inner resting place, even when outer pressures and stress increase. Remember: Fire in balance is calm, and a steady Horse knows when to stop, flick off a few flies, munch on grass, and carry on with grounded grace.”

Happy Lunar New Year. May the Fire Horse bring you exactly what you need — and the wisdom to know what to do with it.

Grace Abbott is a LA-based freelance Brand & Marketing Strategist and a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She has a degree in Graphic Design from Parsons School of Design and is the founder of How To Go Freelance — a brand dedicated to empowering creatives to monetize their skills and build personal brands. Beyond work, she’s always studying a new spiritual modality, painting her bedroom a new color, practicing Pilates, hosting friends, or going on a nature walk with her chihuahua, Donnie. Find her on Substack or Instagram.