The Fire Horse

Literally, figuratively, hold on to your horses. It’s going to be a hot year.

The Year of the Rapidash Fire Horse begins on February 17th, 2026 for Lunar New Year this year (the same day is also a solar eclipse new moon).

The last time it was a Fire Horse year was 60 years ago, in 1966, and during that year was the beginning of the Cultural Revolution in China. Additionally, the Vietnam War escalated and the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War increased tensions across the globe. It was a time when corrupted authority and long standing institutions are challenged by the youth and community movements of the time.

In Chinese astrology, Fire Horse is one of the most extreme combinations. Horse energy is speed, movement, rebellion, and independence. Fire adds intensity, heat, and confrontation to the pot. Historically, Fire Horse years aren’t about gradual change; they’re about sharp breaking of the old, social unrest, and structures no longer serving the people collapsing.

This is the year where you must take care of yourself and your community. Strong communities, mutual care and aid, will be what stabilizes the people during these tumultuous times.

May the Fire Horse cleanse, purify, and rush us towards the justice we seek.

———–

My Fire Horse is painted with black and gold sumi ink and orangey red Chinese watercolors on Korean Hanji paper, measuring approximately 11 x 14 ½ inches. It is mounted with acid free Nori paste on a 90lb watercolor paper measuring 11 ⅝ x 15 inches, and stamped with my name on the bottom left along with a mood stamp that roughly translates to “brush sings, ink dances” The art will look be protected when matted and framed under a glass.