Welcome Fire Horse!

 

丙午 Bing Wu Fire Horse

2026 Chinese Astrology Outlook

by Laurel Irons, R.Ac

Exciting times ahead for 2026, year of 丙午 Bing Wu / Yang Fire Horse!

The astrological start of the year is the Solar New Year, which starts with 立春 Li Chun, “Stand Spring” - the first day of Spring according to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. This falls on February 4th, at 4:02 AM UTC+8. This is the precise time the solar cycle, and hence the year, begins anew, and is recognized by Chinese metaphysicians when calculating astrology and feng shui readings. The more commonly celebrated date is the Lunar New Year which falls this year on February 17.

Before embarking upon the excitement of 丙午 Bing Wu / Fire Horse, I must preface with the reminder that any astrological outlook must be read in accordance with your own Ba Zi birth chart. Many people know, at the very least, the animal (called the Di Zhi, or Earthly Branch) for their year of birth. Maybe they also know the element (called the Tian Gan, or Heavenly Stem) for the year. However, the year is just one of four pillars, and the least influential pillar, of a Ba Zi (“Eight Character”) birth chart.

The four pillars include the Year, Month, Day, and Time of birth. Each pillar is made up of a Heavenly Stem and an Earthly Branch. This combination of Eight Characters gives you your full chart. The most important of these characters is the Ri Yuan, or “Day Master”. My Shifu (teacher/mentor/master), Dr. Sonia F Tan coined this the “Constitutional Self”. This is the Heavenly Stem of the day you were born, and is calculated using your full birth data.

Once you know your Day Master, you can determine what elements are most helpful for you, and how the various elements of your chart will interact with the elements of the year, or other cycles of time. This is the essence of a Chinese astrology reading.

It is impossible to predict how a year will affect all people. We can make generalizations, but what is helpful for one person can be a challenge for another. In knowing your personal birth chart, we can then predict how a year might affect you individually, what might be the more or less favourable times of the year for you, and what kinds of actions to take to create the most harmony and ease for yourself over the course of the year. If you do not know your own Ba Zi chart, I highly recommend seeking a qualified Ba Zi / Chinese Astrology consultant to calculate it for you. (Please note that online calculators are not reliable and can be wrong, resulting in advice that might harm rather than help.)

And now, on with the show..!

丙午 Bing Wu / Fire Horse is a double Fire year. We have Yang Fire in the Heavenly Stem. The Earthly Branch is 午 Wu / Horse - a Yin Fire animal, with a small amount of Yin Earth. The pillar of the year is Fire on top and Fire below - what astrologers consider a “rooted” Fire. This rooted quality, along with the year’s own birth chart calculation (I will come back to this point) makes this a strong year in need of outlet.

Ba Zi charts are calculated as relatively strong or weak - Chinese Medicine practitioners and students can think of this as excess or deficiency - and this relative strength indicates whether the main energy of the year is supported or drained, if it needs more input or output. In this case, this is a strong Fire that will seek output. The overall energy of Fire is joyful, social, and live-giving. Fire is also about generosity, and this rooted Fire with its touch of Earth is particularly generous. Fire may also be restless, impatient or temperamental. Or dull and gloomy when experiencing a lack of expression. With all this energy, Fire can be prone to burnout. Fire can be showy, but this year is not a showy Fire. It does not need to call attention to itself. Rather it is a creator, it wants to make and do. Yet Fire can be easily distracted, and doesn’t always finish what it started.

These are some of the broader energetics coming in hot this year, and we can expect to see these kinds of overall themes in major world events. If you know your Day Master and your helpful elements, then you will know whether all this Fire is good for you, or if it will require some cooling. You will also be able to determine if the energy of output is beneficial for you, or if you will need to enlist support and resources.

Realms the Fire element presides over include energy and technology, entertainment and the performing arts, education and public relations, inspiration and change. Look for these sectors to shine in 2026. This year can offer the world great joy and connection amongst people. We will likely see rapid advancement in energy and technology, and a greater focus on entertainment. We will experience more connectivity than ever before. We can expect to experience change and expansion in ways that haven’t been fully illuminated yet. Fire is also a sensor, picking up on people’s and the whole world's energy. If the vibes feel off, we can consider the joyful and generous nature of Fire. Because the flipside of Fire’s joy is its temper. Fire has the potential to burn, scorch and melt. We should be mindful of the potential for fires around us and in the world, both figurative and literal. And with this being a strong, rooted Fire, feelings of pressure or overwhelm may easily arise.

To remedy too much Fire we can learn from Earth and Metal - two elements that represent the outlet for Fire; two elements that tend not to get worked up, rather to take things in a more thoughtful or calculated way. When the intensity of Fire becomes too much, it can help to take a step back, breathe, and consider a more rational, mindful approach.

Looking more closely at the individual elements of the year as a pillar: Yang Fire (丙 Bing) is the Sun - hot, illuminating and inspiring. A bringer of joy and keeper of routine, systems, and etiquette. Think of the rising and setting of the sun every day. The warmth and energy it brings to all life. 丙 Bing is the life giver. As a Fire sign, 丙 Bing has a temper that can flare quickly, like a solar flare. Luckily, those flares can dissipate quickly too.

The Yin Fire (丁 Ding) of Horse (午 Wu) is a more gentle flame. This Fire is attractive and exciting, it takes pride in leadership and illuminating the way. But get out of the way when tempers flare! 丁 Ding may be slower to anger, the flame takes longer to take hold, but that temper is hot and can burn down whatever is in its way.

The minor hidden Ji / Yin Earth in 午 Wu / Horse provides some outlet for this strong Fire. Yin Earth represents creativity, output and the act of nurturing for Fire, and is in itself a grounding, stable and nurturing energy. It provides an otherwise very fast and fiery pillar with a touch of softness and slowness.

午 Wu / Horse is a magnetic sign - as one of the Cardinal Animals, also called Tao Hua / Peach Flower or “popularity” animals, it can easily attract others. People might feel even more motivated for connection, things might feel very busy. When Peach Blossom animals appear, it is a good reminder to keep strong boundaries and be cautious about who we allow into our life. Many people may come in and out of our lives, not all are good for us. It’s ok to be choosy. 午 Wu / Horse is also a freedom loving animal who needs room to run and expand.

Because 午 Wu / Horse contains 丁Ding / Yin Fire, the opposite polarity of 丙 Bing / Yang Fire, it brings the Rob Wealth spirit - a thief in the form of a jealous friend or relative. There are similarities and support between the two, but there is a potential for loss. This year it is important to keep an eye on assets, accounts, debts and automatic payments. Look out for and take care of any holes, leaks or unfinished business.

When we calculate the year, we look at the birth of the year - the exact day and time the year begins, as mentioned at the beginning of this outlook. The birth day and time bestows upon 丙午 Bing Wu year some specific qualities, such as the overall strength of the year, as mentioned above, and more that will be discussed below. We can also look at each of the four pillars as representative of the four quarters of the year.

First Quarter - February to April
Year Pillar: 丙午 Bing Wu / Yang Fire Horse

The year kicks off with an intensity that may even be felt before the technical start of the year. The rooted Fire of 丙午 Bing Wu is strongest in the first quarter. Both Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch are drawn to interact with the Month pillar beside it - these flames are reaching ahead into the year. The year pillar reflects ancestry and the generations that have gone before. Because Fire respects etiquette and courtesy, and that minor Earth brings loyalty and dependability, we might find ourselves collectively reflecting on past traditions and how to bring integrity as we expand outwards into the future.


Second Quarter - May to July
Month Pillar: 庚寅 Geng Yin / Yang Metal Tiger

This is a harsh clash. We have Yang Metal in the Heavenly Stem, and Yang Wood, with a little bit of Yang Fire and Yang Earth, in the Earthly Branch. 庚 Geng’s axe leaves a mark on 甲 Jia / Yang Wood’s tree. Both elements are motivated by justice, in their own way. Legal and/or militaristic issues may prevail. Look out for power struggles, harsh and cutting words, and bold actions. 庚Geng / Yang Metal brings logic, order and efficiency, and the only truly cold energy in this year’s chart. 寅 Yin / Tiger brings haste and impatience, but also benevolence, kindness, and a bigger picture view. It also drains some of 庚 Geng’s energy as they clash. To add further instability to this second quarter, both Metal and Wood are weakened by the Fire of the year, neither element are in their full strength, and this quarter is still quite hot.

Third Quarter - August to October
Day Pillar: 己酉 Ji You / Yin Earth Phoenix (aka Rooster)

Phew! Things finally cool down a bit, and we experience a slower, more mindful flow. 酉 You / Phoenix provides a quiet, creative output for 己 Ji / Yin Earth. And you may recall that both of these elements provide a much needed outlet for Fire. There are no

Fourth Quarter - November to January
Time pillar: 丙寅 Bing Yin / Yang Fire Tiger

Here we see a return of both 丙 Bing and 寅 Yin - the Sun, along with its resource of Wood. This fire may burn less hot, but it is stoked. You may recall 寅 Yin / Tiger contains Yang Wood, along with a tiny bit of Yang Fire and Yang Earth. The minor hidden Earth once again offers a bit of stability and outlet for this otherwise strong and supported Fire. The combination of Wood plus Fire can mean things are moving very quickly now. These are two fast and impatient signs. 甲 Jia / Yang Wood offers a broader picture view but it can suffer from tunnel vision. This is a time of quick, decisive action, just take heed not to run too hastily.his pillar represents the areas of children, siblings, friends, and our public face.

Now that I’ve summarized some of the overarching themes and finer details of the year, it is time to discuss a few notable interactions with other elements. If you know your Ba Zi, this section will be where we discuss some of those relationships.

Broadly...

• If you are a weak / deficient Wood, Water, or Metal Day Master, Fire can weaken your Constitutional Self - protect your constitution by utilizing your Self and Resource elements.


• If you are a strong / excess Wood, Water, or Metal Day Master, Fire can be helpful to reduce excess and create more ease and flow.

• If you are a weak / deficient Fire or Earth Day Master, this hearty Fire will add strength or support and is beneficial.

• If you are a strong / excess Fire or Earth Day Master, all this strong Fire can feel overwhelming. Utilizing Metal or Water as an outlet or to weaken Fire can usually help.

• 丙 Bing / Yang Fire interacts with 辛 Xin / Yin Metal, and wants to transform to Water. If you have 辛 Xin in the Heavenly Stem of your Day or Month, this will be felt.

• 丙 Bing also has a 克 Ke “overacting” relationship with 庚 Geng / Yang Metal, and 𤣩Ren / Yang Water. If you have either of these in the Heavenly Stem of your Day or Month, this will be felt.

• 午 Wu / Horse wants to create more Fire with the following Earthy Branches: 已 Si / Snake, 末 Wei / Goat, 寅 Yin / Tiger, and 戍 Xu / Dog. How much Fire and how helpful it may or may not be is determined by the rest of your chart. In a general sense, the more of these Earthly Branches you have, the hotter things will be. Especially if you have Fire in the Heavenly Stems.

• 午 Wu / Horse clashes with 子 Zi / Rat. This is a strong clash where Water wants to extinguish Fire.

• Two Horses together can create a self-sabotage, of an impulsive nature. If you have 午 Wu / Horse in your chart, go easy on yourself. If things aren’t working out, ask yourself how you might be standing in your own way. And be forgiving - it’s not entirely you, it’s also the energy of the year.

• 午Wu / Horse interacts with 亥 Hai / Boar (or Pig) and they both want to become Wood. If you have Wood in your Tian Gan this will be a full transformation.

• 午 Wu / Horse has a minor nudge with 日 Chou / Ox. This might barely be felt, depending on where it affects your chart.

All of these interactions find their relevance and intensity based on what part of your chart they affect. For more insight into this, please consult with your astrologer!