BLOG 353: 5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR THE YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE (AND FINALLY LET GO)

There’s always something powerful about the days just before a Chinese New Year begins. I often feel it as a subtle shift in energy,  like standing at the edge of one chapter of life, knowing the page is about to turn.

Right now, we are in those final days of the Year of the Wood Snake, and if you’ve felt like the last year has been about letting go, shedding, or releasing, you’re certainly not alone.

In Chinese astrology, each year is guided by an animal and an element, and these bring a collective energy that many of us feel, whether we follow astrology closely or not.

The Snake is deeply associated with transformation. And when combined with the Wood element, it’s often about growth that comes through change, shedding old layers, releasing what no longer feels aligned, and sometimes being gently (or not so gently!) nudged out of our comfort zone.

For many people, 2025 and these first weeks of 2026 have felt exactly like that. A period of clearing, simplifying, and letting go of things that once felt familiar but no longer feel right.

And now, we begin to prepare for a very different energy.

The Fire Horse.

In Chinese astrology, the Horse represents freedom, movement, expansion, and forward momentum. It’s confident, expressive, and full of life. When you add the Fire element, that energy becomes even more powerful, bringing passion, courage, visibility, and the motivation to take action.

This is an energy that supports growth, abundance, and manifestation, but it flows best when we prepare ourselves to meet it consciously.

So here are five gentle, practical ways to navigate these final days of the Snake year and begin aligning yourself with the momentum of the Fire Horse.

1. Let yourself release what feels complete

One of the most beautiful lessons of the Snake year is that shedding doesn’t have to be dramatic. Often, it’s quiet.

It might be a habit that no longer feels supportive.

A commitment that drains your energy.

A belief about yourself that simply isn’t true anymore.

You don’t need to force anything. Just notice.

I often find that even small physical acts, clearing a drawer, finishing something you’ve been putting off, or tidying your workspace, can create a surprising sense of emotional space as well.

Releasing makes room for new energy to enter.

2. Slow down before you speed up

 The Fire Horse brings movement and momentum, but before we step into that, it’s important to ground ourselves.

Nature teaches us this so clearly. Winter isn’t wasted time. It’s preparation.

Taking a few quiet moments each day to breathe deeply, stretch, practise Face Yoga, or simply step outside and feel the fresh air on your skin helps your body and mind reset.

When we slow down intentionally, we move forward with much more clarity.

3. Get clear on what abundance means to you

Abundance looks different for everyone.

For some, it’s financial growth.

For others, it’s more freedom with time.

For many, it’s feeling healthier, calmer, or more aligned in daily life.

The Horse energy is very supportive of manifestation, but manifestation begins with clarity.

You might like to ask yourself:

What would I love more of this year?

How would I love my days to feel?

What would bring me a sense of lightness and momentum?

You don’t need a detailed plan. Just a clear feeling of direction is enough.

4. Take one small step forward

Momentum doesn’t come from huge leaps. It comes from small, consistent steps.

Send the message. Start the idea. Book the class. Begin the practice.

Fire energy responds beautifully to action, even gentle action.

And remember, confidence often comes after we begin, not before.

5. Support your energy, not just your goals

 One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is that how we feel matters just as much as what we do.

When your nervous system feels calm, when your body feels nourished, when your skin, breath, and muscles feel relaxed and supported, you naturally move through life with more clarity and ease.

Simple daily rituals like Face Yoga, mindful skincare, stretching, breathwork, or time outdoors, aren’t small things. They are the foundation of sustainable energy.

And when your energy is steady, manifestation becomes much more natural.

As we move into the Fire Horse year, remember that this isn’t about rushing or pushing yourself. It’s about allowing yourself to move forward with intention, confidence, and trust.

Release what is complete.

Create space for new energy.

And take one step at a time.

This is a year of momentum, but also a year of alignment.

And the two together are incredibly powerful.

A gentle way to support yourself through the seasons

One of the things I always come back to is the importance of living in rhythm with the seasons. Our energy, our skin, and even our emotions naturally shift throughout the year, and when we honour that, everything feels easier.

If you’d like some gentle guidance with this, my Face Yoga Retreat Bundle was designed exactly with this in mind.

It includes four seasonal Face Yoga workshops,one for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, which you can do in your own time, at your own pace. Each one is designed to help you prepare your mind, body, and skin for the season ahead, using simple, nurturing techniques that fit easily into daily life.

You can return to them whenever you need, allowing your self-care to flow naturally with the rhythm of the year.

Because sometimes the most powerful preparation isn’t about doing more, it’s about caring for yourself in a deeper, more intentional way.

And that is always a beautiful place to begin.