The arrival of the Fire Horse year brings the sign of Rat into focus as the 歲破 Year Breaker. The Horse is the year boss and the Horse controls the Fire frame. When the Horse arrives, the Rat is clashed. From an elemental perspective it’s a clash of Water and Fire. Technically Water can control Fire but in a Horse year a Rat may get a little dried up and discouraged. The Horse’s Fire is actually the success or wealth element for the Rat and the Rat can take in more when it’s robust.
This is important to know because some Rats are positioned to conquer anyway, but all are positioned for rapid and dynamic changes. You might recall that US Vice President JD Vance was born in a Wood Rat year. With the Rat in the position of Great Consumer, I expect we could see him spending a substantial amount of money. Water is his wealth element and it’s clashed.
Great Consumer
When the year clashes you, you’re called the Great Consumer. In 2020, a 庚子 Metal Rat year, the 午 Horse was the Great Consumer. Every sign gets a turn to be here at the bottom of the wheel, now it’s yours.
To work with this kind of energy, spend, let it be you that decides how the money is spent. Spend it on things you want, things that are more difficult to “lose” such as education or experiences. Invest in your home environment by remodeling or move house. If your Rat is in your year pillar or day pillar, that’s a likely outcome anyway.
Rat lore says that you always find them where wealth is. I find this to be true most of the time.
Nobleman Under Pressure
Rats are Nobleman this year, based on the natal chart of the Year of the Fire Horse. When you’re a Nobleman, you’re meant to help others. Rats are natural strategists which makes it easy to work in a consulting capacity. The prefer to stay out of the spotlight; being the brain behind the brawn is kind of perfect for the Rat. They might write that into their job description.
Despite what you might prefer, in the year of the Fire Horse, Rats are not going to be able to avoid scrutiny, and the attention of authority. Due to the focus of the year energy, it might feel like obstacles are constantly being put in your way. I’m sorry to say the Horse is going to interrupt your usual flow, however, important lessons will come from this if you pay attention.
Saying Rats are a little stuck in place could be an understatement or an exaggeration. Any Rat may feel imprisoned by the energy of the Horse year, but most will not actually be imprisoned. If you feel as if you are, know that the time will come when you are free again. You can figure out how and when, or use this time for something completely different.
In a clash year you can gather the raw material of creativity and the learning that will carry you into your next iteration. Whatever is meant to go, let it happen. Whatever is meant to come, look for it. You might be able to shape the outcome if you take that perspective.
Feng Shui and Acts of Gods
On the compass, the position of the Rat is in the San Sha, along with the Pig and Ox. As the boss of the year, the Horse is targeting the north. One way this will manifest in the world is that we will see more melting of ice, and hopefully of ICE.
In a literal and metaphorical sense, some Rats will be living in a “disaster area” – look to the position of the Rat in your chart for more information. For example, if it’s in your day pillar, you can expect some challenges with relationship or in your home environment.
Our environments are a model of our lives. By using Feng Shui, you may be able to mitigate the negative effects of the year. Start out by checking two areas: South and North. How active are these areas? Do they have exterior doors? What is located in these areas of your home? How do you feel when you are in these areas? Is everything there functional or are there broken things?
At the very least, make sure these areas are clean and there are no big repair issues. In a Horse year, you may have some leakage or other water issues. Plumbing repairs may be needed.
Don’t Keep Clam. Carry on.
With such a dynamic year, Rats may find themselves feeling a bit overwhelmed, sad or even depressed. As is the case for all of the Animals of the Chinese Zodiac, communication is the main thing that can help you to keep yourself healthy and safe. Clamming up or withdrawing could leave you too isolated.
Should you find yourself a topic of gossip or disputes, or having minor accidents, slow down. Take the time to talk with people. Take the time to tell your side of the story even if you’re afraid that people won’t believe you. Let them find out how much you prize truth if that’s what you do. If you don’t want to fight, don’t start a fight. Don’t stir up trouble unless you want some.
Your words will feed the Fire of the Horse and you have a say in whether you’re getting scorched or warmed. If you feel like everyone is picking on you it won’t be easy to muster courtesy and presence but you can do it. When you do, you’ll find out that most of the oppression is an illusion. I say all this as if it’s simple…
Praise those who deserve it. Don’t worry so much about people praising you this year.
A Two Year Plan
For the Rat, I suggest working with a two year plan. Mind your own business. What kinds of changes are you looking for in the next two years? Where do you want to land in 2028?
Once the year of the Horse is over, you’ll be riding the wheel up, but the Sheep (up next) isn’t that fond of you. They are the best friend of the Horse. One way to think of the Horse year is to not do things that will have the Sheep blocking you again in 2027.
To facilitate your two year plan, let’s focus on what you have going for you in 2026. First off, in spite of your potential money issues, there is someone who will act as a mentor to you, bringing career and business opportunities. This energy will be present all year, however, it may not be especially vibrant until winter. If you want to get in touch with it earlier, seek it. Ask for it.
One of the most powerful blessings for the Rat this year is related to spiritual pursuits. To best enjoy it, focus on the positive. Don’t ignore the negative, but focus on what is happening that you prefer. Speak about what you would prefer. This year your words have a special power when it comes to bringing things into existence, both those you want and those you don’t want. Rats are directly connected to the energy of the Universe now. How will you engage with this energy while it lasts? Some Rats are about to do things people didn’t think were possible.
I hope one of those Rats is Lindsey Vonn, but why does she have to tempt fate like this?!
Lindsey Vonn
I saw that this year competitive skier Lindsey Vonn, who was born in a Wood Rat year, is returning to competition in the Winter olympics. I have to say, I’m scared for her. She’s a survivor, but she has already had many devastating injuries in her career. I’m afraid to watch her ski.
Ba Zi of Lindsey Vonn
b. October 18th 1984 03:26 am
Lindsey Vonn is in a 10 Year Luck period of 庚午 Metal Horse, which matches her Life House pillar. Most of her big achievements in the world of skiing happened between 2007-2017 when she was in the luck of 辛未 Metal Sheep. During that time she also had many serious injuries but she keeps coming back because she is a yin Wood day stem person. Despite that, it seems the Wood element is not lucky for her.
Lindsey retired in 2019, an 己亥 Earth Pig year. She decided to return to competitive skiing in November 2024 after having a partial knee replacement in April 2024. 2024 was a 甲辰 Wood Dragon year.
Her current 10 year luck ends in 2027. These next two years, Horse and Sheep, are Void for her. Having Fire as a Void element (Horse) can be a good thing , but when Earth is Void (Sheep) it’s not so great no matter what your day stem.
Lindsey Vonn is in a timing that looks better for staying in broadcasting, but it must be hard for her to be around athletes knowing she might still be able to beat them. I think she has this in common with Fire Horse Mike Tyson. Despite everything, she persists. She doesn’t seem able to enjoy her success. Perhaps that relates to all the injuries, right?
So far with her comeback, things have gone well. Right now, there are only short timings of Wood* to mess with her, but if she qualifies for the Olympics she will be competing in the Tiger month when the year of the Fire Horse begins.
It’s hard for Lindsey to avoid the guidance of her Metal Horse luck. I guess some people are just naturally inclined to wreck themselves in order to change.
I wish her the best of luck. May Lindsey be the Rat that does things people didn’t think were possible – in a good way!
*Update: Lindsey Vonn tore her ACL on a Friday January 30th, a 甲辰 Wood Dragon day. She has qualified for the Olympics and decided to compete anyway. Now it’s Tiger month. The 寅 Tiger is Wood.
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