Happy Lunar New Year Reader!

Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare and powerful combination that only comes around once every 60 years.

If you're not familiar, the Fire Horse year carries a specific energy: forward motion, passion, untamed creativity, and relentless drive. It's considered one of the most intense years in the Chinese zodiac. People born in Fire Horse years are known for being independent, ambitious, and unwilling to settle. A few notable fire horses are: Mike Tyson, Janet Jackson, John Cusack, Chef Gordon Ramsey, Patrick Dempsey, Cindy Crawford and Helena Bonham Carter.

The Fire Horse years are believed to disrupt the existing order, causing rapid change in society and structure.

Historical Events from the Fire Horse Year (1966)

Chinese Cultural Revolution, Era of Women's Liberation, Founding of the Black Panther Party, Invention of the ATM, First Soft Landing on the Moon and the Freedom of Information Act was signed.

What the Fire Horse Means for Us

With double fire, the energy of this year isn't subtle. 2026 is not about slow and steady. It's about movement, courage, and being unapologetic in your pursuit towards what you want.

But what do we ALL know about fire? It can fuel you, or it can burn you out.

The Fire Horse asks us to harness that intensity, to channel the passion and the drive without letting it consume us. To move forward with intention and resist urgency. To build with fire, while using strategy. Speak Up, Be Courageous and Take Calculated Risks.

How to Work with This Energy

As we step into this year, these are the best ways to call this energy into your personal and professional lives.

1. Use the momentum, don't let it use you.​
Forward motion is powerful. But moving fast without direction is going to be chaos incarnate. Know where you're going before you...gallop.

2. Fire needs fuel, but it also needs rest.​
You can't sustain intensity 24/7. Rest isn't weakness so reframe that thinking; rest is strategic. The Fire Horse year will demand a lot from you. Pace yourself.

3. Be untamed, but be intentional.​
The Fire Horse energy is wild and independent. But wildness without purpose is just noise. Channel that creativity into something tangible.

4. Don't be afraid to stand out.​
Fire Horse years are not for people who want to blend in. If you've been playing small, this is the year to stop. Build boldly. Show up fully. Take up space.

A Thought to Carry Forward

Since the horse is associated with success, speed, loyalty, endurance, and forward movement, many Chinese idioms exist and are used daily to support those themes.

Here is my favorite:

"The horse arrives and success comes immediately"

马到成功

May your fire burn steady, strong, and intentional this year.

Happy Lunar New Year.

TaRon 'Ronnie' Joyner
Founder, 1991 Design​