The start of a new Lunar New Year often brings an energy shift, setting the tone for the months ahead. Through the lens of Chinese metaphysics, zodiac forecasts help interpret these changes and how they may influence different areas of our lives. Rooted in the rhythms of time and nature, these insights are best read not as fixed predictions, but as a framework for reflection, preparation, and conscious decision-making.
In the Year of the Fire Horse 2026, intensity takes centre stage. Known for its speed, passion, and volatility, the Fire Horse amplifies momentum, rewarding decisiveness while testing resilience. According to renowned metaphysics consultant Dato’ Joey Yap, this is a year that calls for clarity under pressure, measured action over impulse, and vigilance against burnout.
Before diving in, here’s a quick note on how to read these forecasts: when based solely on your year-of-birth animal sign, the outlook reflects your broader environment – your social circles, professional landscape, and external circumstances. For a more personalised analysis, the animal signs of your month, day, and hour of birth should also be considered. You can find out what they are here. Most importantly, approach these forecasts in the right spirit: for insight, curiosity, and perspective. After all, knowing the terrain helps, but how you play the game remains entirely in your hands.
Rat
Health: 35%
Wealth: 45%
Career: 40%
Relationships: 45%
The year presents a period of change that will test your limits, but practising restraint and maintaining perspective will help you see beyond limitations. Financial discipline is essential, so budget carefully to keep excess in check. In professional settings, progress may feel slower than usual, making patience and adaptability essential. Communicate clearly and maintain close relationships, as your emotional sensitivity may cause tension. Manage stress proactively to avoid fatigue-related mishaps. Be open to advice and stay present – support is closer than you think.
Ox
Health: 60%
Wealth: 75%
Career: 80%
Relationships: 70%
Although the ox is often seen as the slower, less glamorous cousin of the horse, that is not the case this year. Instead, Slow Leadership takes the spotlight, and the Ox leads by example. Think Slow Food – nourishing, sustainable, and built to last. Your natural endurance and structural strength shines, especially when systems are shaky or the ground shifts unexpectedly. Still, don’t wait too long to act – move before the tremors hit, like tariffs. Recognition and charm bring greater authority and rewards. However, not all praise is sincere, so discernment is key.
Tiger
Health: 60%
Wealth: 70%
Career: 75%
Relationships: 65%
To pounce or not to pounce is never the question for the Tiger – you’re wired for action. This year, however, the tension is dialled up. High-pressure environments, crowded commutes, and frayed nerves increase the risk of conflict, spilling easily into personal relationships. The message is clear: don’t become the headline you’d rather avoid. Staying composed helps minimise unnecessary complications. Instead, channel your energy into learning, which will prove to be an unexpected strength for you in 2026.
Rabbit
Health: 60%
Wealth: 75%
Career: 70%
Relationships: 80%
Known for productivity, the Rabbit truly comes into its own this year. With a Peach Blossom star in play, the cosmos is in your favour, amplifying your magnetism. This creates favourable conditions for reconnecting with contacts, expanding professional networks, and strengthening social ties. That said, opportunities may arrive in quick succession, making it important to manage time and energy carefully. Maintaining clear personal boundaries helps protect meaningful relationships from unnecessary distractions. Emotionally, the year brings benefits from acknowledging feelings without becoming overly absorbed in them.
Dragon
Health: 55%
Wealth: 65%
Career: 70%
Relationships: 60%
Enter the Dragon feels like the most fitting title for 2026. When Dragons arrive, they’re noticed. After a demanding period of inner renovation and heavy lifting, relief is finally in sight. Redemption beckons, but not without exposure. Increased visibility brings scrutiny, so practise discretion. Make space for quiet time away from the spotlight to restore your inner core. Speak with intention and a measured tone as status and recognition rise. Fire helps cleanse emotions, refining your strength and presence.
Snake
Health: 65%
Wealth: 80%
Career: 85%
Relationships: 70%
Prioritise health and energy first this year. Set aside busyness that lacks purpose – looking busy doesn’t count. Conservation and recovery are key, enabling you to execute a decisive breakthrough when the time is right – and fully enjoy its rewards. Reputation, legacy, and leadership are within reach, but burnout and emotional clutter will block the path. Shed excess baggage like old skin, stay agile and observant, and remain diligent. Choose your moment wisely, then strike.
Horse
Health: 60%
Wealth: 85%
Career: 90%
Relationships: 70%
Few signs rival the Horse for sheer momentum, but being everywhere at once isn’t always progress. The spotlight is firmly on you this year, and reckless speed won’t end well. This is not the time to gallop blindly over the edge. The hero’s journey ends in triumph, not collapse. Pause, slow down, and ask for help when needed. Don’t fault yourself for not knowing – learn from humility, not arrogance. Clear space, then lay the groundwork for a truly golden future.
Goat
Health: 55%
Wealth: 70%
Career: 65%
Relationships: 60%
Patience and adaptability matter more than speed. As you approach your ruling year in 2027, the tides are slowly turning in your favour. After navigating difficult terrain, recognition and prestige now come into view. Still, some detours remain. Keep your spirits up, collaborate where possible, and listen closely to your inner voice. A helpful hint: the Horse supports you this year, while others may drain your energy. Rest when needed – you’re nearly there.
Monkey
Health: 50%
Wealth: 60%
Career: 65%
Relationships: 55%
Fast, sharp, and easily overstimulated, the Monkey mind accelerates even further in 2026. As the Horse’s Intelligence Star, you grasp opportunities while others are still weighing the odds, giving you a natural first-mover advantage. Just be cautious not to become the test subject for unproven ideas. Emotional detachment is essential when making decisions. Balance speed with solitude, rest, and grounding to maintain stability.
Rooster
Health: 55%
Wealth: 70%
Career: 65%
Relationships: 80%
Known for being polished and articulate, the Rooster benefits from heightened visibility this year. Clear thinking and strong direction come naturally, while the pace of the year adds warmth and presence to your typically measured efficiency. Professional performance and personal presentation are both well supported. In closer relationships, however, collaboration is more effective than instruction, and expectations are best communicated rather than imposed. When appropriate, your confidence can have a positive influence on others – without requiring you to take on more than is necessary.
Dog
Health: 60%
Wealth: 75%
Career: 80%
Relationships: 65%
After a long journey, light finally breaks through for the Dog. Insight, sensitivity, and a refined elegance emerge, supported by timely allies who help create a stable environment for growth. This support is crucial as shifting circumstances stir anxiety and unfinished projects accumulate. Read the fine print, then read it again in the morning with a clear mind. Declutter ruthlessly, both digitally and mentally. A quieter approach works strongly in your favour.
Pig
Health: 40%
Wealth: 55%
Career: 50%
Relationships: 45%
Steady does it for the PIg. There’s no need to rush, as what you build now gains value over time. Focus on strengthening your credibility, skills, and tangible assets, while protecting them from opportunistic drain. The year sharpens your understanding of value, including your own. Guard against financial shocks by planning ahead. Replace impulse buys with thoughtful investments: timeless classics over fleeting trends.
For Dato’ Joey Yap’s full Thriver’s Guide 2026, click here.
Read more Chinese New Year stories here.