Thoughts on 2026, the year of the Yang Fire Horse and more......

There’s no denying that 2026 is off to a disruptive, disturbing, and impactful start. The year of the Yang Fire Horse begins on February 4^th, with celebrations on February 17^th, the Chinese Lunar New Year. This year, there’s also a total solar eclipse on the same date. Just three days later, the much-anticipated Neptune-Saturn conjunction occurs at zero degrees Aries on February 20^th. There’s a lot going on in the first couple of months of 2026, and as a Yang year, the Qi has arrived early. I don’t know about you, but I felt the Fire Horse energy show up a week or two ago.

Let’s take a closer look at the Qi present for the year:

The Period Qi, also known as the Five Movement Qi (Wu Yun), is Abundant Water. The Celestial Stem is Yang Fire (Bing), the Earthly Branch is Yin Fire (Wu/Horse), and the climatic influence is Shaoyin (Imperial Fire) for the first half of the year and Yangming (Cool Dryness) for the second half of the year.

The Period Qi of Abundant Water

The Period Qi of any given year is connected to a Celestial Stem, with the Qi of both influencing a person’s constitutional, inherited, physical, and psychological traits, along with climatic factors, and the Qi cycles connected to governmental and social change or stability, and greater events like wars and natural disasters.

These years can be colder than usual; however, we are transitioning from an Inadequate Metal year (2025), which was influenced by the Shaoyang (Fire) climactic Qi during the second half of the year. This created a drier, warmer fall and early winter. This, combined with the influence of Shaoyin (Fire) climactic Qi during the first half of 2026, suggests that the cold will appear erratically throughout the year, with a stronger presence in the latter part of 2026, coinciding with the cooler influence of Yangming Qi.

At any given time, if a qi influence becomes too strong, its controlling element will ‘take revenge,’ which in 2026 is Earth. When the Earth qi is active, we may see more landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

People born during Abundant Water years are typically deep thinkers, flexible, strong-willed, steady, calm, introspective, and philosophical when in harmony. When out of harmony, they may become fearful, timid, insecure, or, in some cases, too aloof and ambitious.

In 2026, those born in Abundant Water years might experience periods of smooth and harmonious flow. However, this year could pose challenges for their Fire element, as the Abundant Water may dampen their creativity, passion, and drive.

People born during Inadequate Fire years may feel overwhelmed and smothered by the Abundant Water Qi, even when the Yang Fire Celestial Stem is present. Conversely, people born in an Abundant Fire year may find that the Abundant Water influence tempers the influence of the Yang Fire Celestial Stem.

The Celestial Stem – Yang Fire and the Earthly Branch – Yin Fire

This year is going to be, and already is, incredibly stimulating, unsettling, and dramatic. The need for calm, grounding energy is paramount, even during the Abundant Water Period Qi.

Stimulation can manifest as anxiety, irritability, a quick temper, emotional outbursts, reactive behavior, and general overstimulation. All of this can lead to burnout and a feeling of being frazzled and drained.

People with Fire in their astrological chart – whether Chinese or European – will be particularly sensitive to the Fire energy this year, especially for anyone with Mars in a Fire sign (European chart).

The Shaoyin (Imperial Fire) controls Heaven, and Yangming (Cool Dryness) is at the Fountain (Earth)

What does this actually mean?

The Qi of heaven comes down, the Qi of earth rises up, and living beings are the point of transformation when both conjoin. In the Wu years (2026), Shaoyin controls Heaven, and Yangming is at the Fountain (Earth). Therefore, heat will descend from above, and Metal will rise from below, meeting at the point of transformation, which is all living entities – people, animals, vegetation. In people, we may see more illnesses related to the Lungs. When it's especially hot, the heat qi is everywhere, making any conditions that develop during this time worse.

Additionally, Metal punishes Wood; people may experience nausea or vomiting, alternating chills and fever, pain in the flanks, and develop Liver and gallbladder issues. ‘Sternness and killing (the qi of Metal) prevail,’ which impacts vegetation, which may look withered or even struggle to survive. The Wood element needs protection, especially during the second half of the year.

In a nutshell, this year will be warmer in the first half and cooler in the second, with intermittent periods of cold and damp. This will not only manifest in nature and health but in the greater world around us. The Fire energy will build throughout the first six or seven months, so we can expect unsettling events and rising tensions during this time. And we have the influence of the Neptune-Saturn conjunction at zero degrees Aries and its connection to war; there’s going to be a lot for us to contend with this year.

 

What does this mean for our body's organ systems and elements?

The theme for the year is primarily balancing Fire and Water, and in some cases, Metal, Wood, and Earth will also require attention to varying degrees. How the year manifests within our personal world, and health is connected to the Period and Stem qi present during a person’s birth year and to their current health patterns.

Fire    

Calm and cool the Heart to address anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and during times of overreacting emotionally.

Support the Small Intestine function of discernment. It could become increasingly difficult for some to assimilate and process events happening in their world, or globally 

Earth

It is possible that the Earth element will be supported by all the Fire qi of the year, but in some cases, the Fire qi could encroach and disrupt the Spleen's transformation and transportation functions, leading to digestive upset.

Metal 

Nourish and disperse the Lung, and ensure the Large Intestine is open and functioning well. This will prevent the Metal element from overacting on Wood 

Water

With the Abundant Water Period Qi, the Water element will receive support. In some cases, there could be a buildup of Water Qi, which could manifest as Urinary Bladder issues.

As mentioned above, the Fire element may need support in some people, as excessive Water Qi can dampen their spirit.

Wood

If there are signs that the Wood element (Liver and Gallbladder) is being taxed from excessive Metal, support the Liver and Gallbladder, while also cooling them if necessary.

What can we do? 

Many people have written about this already, and the information is easily accessible online, so I’ll keep this short😊 

Do our best to stay calm!

Engage in any activity that centers and grounds you –

Acupuncture and herbal medicine

Exercise – any kind, whichever works for you

Hang out with like-minded friends

Meditation, Qi Gong, Tai Ji, Yoga

Study – immerse yourself in something new, to help keep you focused, grounded, and on your personal path.

Tap into the belief that we will get through the changes that are happening and on the horizon

Be aware of the events around you, but do your best to protect your energy and not let things outside your control drain you. This makes me think of the Buddhist phrase ‘involved but not attached.’

If you would like to learn more about the year and how it may affect you based on the elemental influence of your birth year, along with the position of Mars, and the Neptune-Saturn conjunction in your natal European astrological chart, feel free to contact me, and we can set up a time to chat. Email: drcannon@theahmrc.com

Also, the 2026 Annual Qi Calendar Datebook is now available! Click here for the PDF download, or click here to buy a paperback copy!

*Content references: chapters 66-71, and 74 from the Huangdi nei jing Su Wen