The Fire Horse

Tomorrow - 17th February - marks the Chinese New Year: The Year of the Fire Horse. This is always a spectacular festival, and these days are celebrated all over the world. The date is calculated according to the edict of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty over 2,000 years ago. The start of the year is fixed on the day of the first new moon after the sun enters the 11th sign of the solar zodiac, in other words the second new moon after the winter solstice. The celebrations end 16 days later with the Lantern Festival on the date of the next full moon – the so named Worm Moon – which this year is the 3rd of March.

This particular year seems portentous as the 17th of February coincides with an annular solar eclipse. This type of eclipse is so named as, from our point of view on earth, the moon sits in front of the sun blocking most of the sun's light. It is all a matter of perspective, but the sun looks like an annulus (Latin for a little ring) around the diameter of the moon. It is just like a “ring of fire” which this time apparently can best be seen in Antarctica and in South America.

Meanwhile the worm moon is so called as it signals the end of winter as the earth thaws and new life begins. This year however it is also a “blood moon” - a total lunar eclipse and one that will transform the moon to a deep red for nearly an hour.

Apart from these natural wonders, Chinese New Year is a time for family and food, sharing dishes that have been passed down for generations and, for making a fresh start, welcoming new opportunities, prosperity, and happiness. It is especially apt this year as 2025 was the Year of the Snake so the symbolism of sloughing off old skin and renewal is particularly apposite.

The 12 animals of the Chinese New Year calendar originate from an ancient Chinese poem which relates that 12 mythical animals descended from the heavens to help people celebrate the coming of spring and the new crop. The planet Jupiter has a similar 12-year cycle which marks time with the Chinese calendar.

There is also a corresponding system of elements. Ancient Chinese cosmology developed the idea of five basic elements. earth, fire, water, wood and metal. Their cycles explain changes in the cosmos and intersect with the cycle of the 12 zodiac signs. They are also used in Chinese medicine and feng shui.

In many ways they remind me of the theory of the four humours which was the basis of medicine in medieval times and beyond. The idea was that our bodies are made of four humours which affected your whole being, from your health and feelings to your looks and actions. Imbalance in them is what caused disease. Each humour was connected to different organs inside the body and to the four elements of earth, water, fire and air and everything was interconnected from the movements of the stars in the sky, the appearance of a planet to what you ate.

Coming back to the Chinese New Year, the characteristics of a horse are those of movement and energy, balanced steady pace and alertness. Working with my new horse, I know walking, stretching, consistency and routine will help channel both his and my energy and I will be fascinated to see if these characteristics are borne out by the events of this coming year.

Fire is associated with facing south, with the summer and naturally its key colour is red. It signifies energy and dynamism and apparently, the combination of the fire with the horse - Red Horse" or "Fire Horse - may bring faster paced change, although it may also bring volatility.

In the end though, however each of us may interpret the coming year, the key to good health, to being a good person, to success and kindliness is to keep your “humours” in balance. We probably all have a natural excess of one or other bad habits or characteristics which is what makes us all unique and behave differently. The advice of today’s doctors to eat moderately exercise more and stay calm, all of which will probably help me ride my horse better, - such suggestions  haven’t really changed for centuries!