From an energetic, Feng Shui, and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, this is the real beginning of the Fire Horse year. Yes, everybody on the Internet is talking about the beginning of the Fire Horse Year on February 17th. And it’s partially true.

But energetically, it is February 4th, also known as the Feng Shui (Solar) New Year, when the Fire Horse truly enters the field.

Although the Lunar New Year is celebrated on February 17, 2026, the new energy arrives with the Sun, on February 4th and finishes settling on with the New Moon, on February 17th.

Energy does not work with an on/off switch, and astrology, East and West, recognizes this. In Western astrology, we feel eclipses, transits, and retrogrades before and after their exact dates. Chinese astrology follows the same wisdom.

The Fire Horse enters with Li Chun (February 4th) and is fully embodied and celebrated with the New Moon on February 17th.

Why does that matter?

Because between February 4 and February 17, 2026, we’re in a threshold period.

We have two weeks to gradually release the old Snake energy and begin attuning to the Fire Horse frequency.

It’s a “mise en bouche” before the main course.

This window is a precious opportunity to allow ourselves some space and time to start feeling and working with the intense, powerful energy of the Fire Horse, without rushing it.

Some of you may already feel the shift. After the slowdown, constriction, and shedding of Snake medicine, you might feel tempted to accelerate, go full speed. But these two weeks are not for acceleration, they are for orientation.

Between February 4th and February 17th:

• feel where momentum wants to go,

• notice impulses without acting on (all of) them

• test ideas

• track what excites you and what drains you

• define non-negotiables (rest, space, support)

Avoid:

• impulsive launches

• over-commitment

• hiring from urgency

• radical pivots

• burning bridges

If something feels urgent, ask yourself: Will this still be true in 10 days?

February 4th to 17th is the moment when you meet the Fire Horse, place the saddle, and decide how you will ride. This is a gift. A period of grace. Before the world starts running.