01/01/2026
Sojourn Therapeutic Riding Center enthusiastically welcomes The Year of the Fire Horse!!!
π πππ₯ππ¨π¦π ππ¨ ππ‘π βππππ« π¨π ππ‘π ππ¨π«π¬πβ
With all this excitement surrounding Year of the Horse, I found myself diving into the Chinese zodiac, also known as the lunar calendar - everything from how it started to what it represents. Here is what I found!
The first thing I want to note is that while the Gregorian calendar marks the new year on January 1, the Lunar New Year, associated with the Chinese zodiac, follows the second new moon after the winter solstice. So this year, the Year of the Fire Horse doesnβt officially begin until February 17, 2026.
The 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac closely follows the orbit of Jupiter, which takes just under twelve years to complete a full revolution around the sun. Ancient Chinese astronomers tracked this βYear Starβ to mark long stretches of time, creating a calendar system that was predictable, observable, and practical. Associating each year with an animal made this system accessible across social classes and literacy levels - bringing astronomy, agriculture, and storytelling into everyday life.
The animals of the zodiac were chosen because of their roles in human society. Later tradition describes a race called by the Jade Emperor that determined which animals were included and their order. The animal are used in the Chinese zodiac in this order with the following traits associated with them:
π πππ - Survival and adaptability. Thrived alongside human settlements, symbolizing intelligence and the ability to navigate scarcity and change.
π ππ± - Labor and reliability. Powered agriculture, representing endurance, consistency, and collective stability.
π
ππ’π ππ« - Power and protection. A symbol of courage, authority, and defense.
π πππππ’π - Caution and sensitivity. Represented awareness, timing, and restraint.
π ππ«ππ π¨π§ - Authority and natural forces. In Chinese tradition, symbolized balance, rain, and imperial power.
π ππ§ππ€π - Strategy and wisdom. Associated with patience, observation, and deliberate action.
π ππ¨π«π¬π - Momentum, independence, and the freedom to pursue purposeful work. Enabled trade, warfare, communication, and expansion.
π ππ¨ππ (ππ‘πππ©) - Harmony and cooperation. Linked to social balance and shared responsibility.
π ππ¨π§π€ππ² - Innovation and problem-solving. Represented adaptability in complex systems.
π ππ¨π¨π¬πππ« - Order and vigilance. A marker of routine, responsibility, and timekeeping.
π ππ¨π - Loyalty and protection. Reflected trust, companionship, and social bonds.
π ππ’π - Sustenance and completion. Symbolized nourishment, abundance, and the close of a cycle.
In addition to the cycle of animals, there is also a corresponding system of elements: metal, water, wood, fire, and earth.. In the Chinese zodiac, each element lasts for two consecutive years and can be identified by the final digit of the year.
πͺ¨ πππππ₯: years ending in 0 and 1
Represents structure, discipline, and refinement. Metal years tend to emphasize focus, resilience, boundaries, and determination.
π§ πππππ«: years ending in 2 and 3
Reflects rest, introspection, and adaptability. Water years emphasize intuition, emotional depth, wisdom, and strategic movement rather than force.
πͺΎ ππ¨π¨π: years ending in 4 and 5
Marks growth and beginnings. Wood years are linked to creativity, expansion, flexibility, and forward momentum - often times of new ideas and development.
π₯ π
π’π«π: years ending in 6 and 7
Symbolizes peak energy and transformation. Fire years are associated with passion, visibility, bold action, and rapid change.
π πππ«ππ‘: years ending in 8 and 9
Acts as a stabilizing phase between elements, associated with grounding, balance, and transition. In the zodiac, Earth years emphasize practicality, reliability, and steady progress.
This cycle of elements intersects with the 12 zodiac signs, creating specific elementβanimal combinations in a 60-year cycle.
Traditionally, the Year of the Horse is associated with action, direction, and forward motion. Combined with fire, this year really emphasizes initiative and transformation. This theme makes it a perfect moment to ask yourself: where do you want momentum in your life? That might mean pursuing a professional goal, returning to work that feels meaningful, or finally moving toward something you are passionate about. Whatever that looks like for you, I hope 2026 brings purposeful movement and progress worth carrying forward!
However, beyond shaping the themes of the year ahead, each animalβelement combination is also believed to reflect the traits of those born that year.
Now Iβm curious - whatβs your animalβelement combination, and do you think it truly reflects your personality? Share below!π
Cheers,
Dr. DeBoer
