2026: New beginnings, but hold on tight!

Happy New Year, my friends!

It’s been a while since I wrote a New Year’s post, but last night at 4 a.m., I woke up in the middle of composing one, so here it is with a little help from ChatGPT…

Today, we say goodbye to a challenging 9-year cycle, which began in 2017 (sounds right), and hello to a very dynamic, exceptional energy. 2026 is highly significant both numerologically and astrologically, per the Chinese calendar, especially as it represents a fire horse year, which occurs only every 60 years. 1966 was the last time, and a little research reveals what a pivotal year it was for the US, at least, in so many respects.

NUMEROLOGICAL

2026 reduces to a Universal Year 1 year in numerology: 2 + 0 + 2 + 6 = 10 → 1

A Universal Year 1 represents the start of a brand-new 9-year cycle. It’s about beginnings, independence, initiative, and identity. It’s about starting something new, defining who you are becoming, and taking the first step, even if the path ahead is a little fuzzy. Where 2025 was about completions, 2026 is more about planting seeds for the next 9-year cycle.

A Fresh Start

Every 9 years, numerology resets: 1 represents birth; 9 represents completion. 2026 is like a clean slate , and a chance to:

• Try a new direction
• Shift your mindset
• Step into a new role or identity

Even small choices now can shape the next several years, so being mindful in your steps will be especially important.

Independence & Self-Discovery

A 1 year pushes people to:

• Rely more on themselves
• Make personal decisions instead of following others
• Discover what they want — not just what’s expected

This can feel exciting and uncomfortable, especially if you’re used to–or crave–stability.

Leadership & Courage

Symbolically, 1 is the leader number:

• Taking initiative
• Speaking up
• Acting without waiting for permission

You don’t have to be loud — leadership can be quiet confidence, leading or mentoring by example.

Action Over Perfection

1 years favor:

• Starting before you feel “ready”
• Learning by doing
• Momentum instead of overthinking

Mistakes aren’t failures here — they’re part of creation and learning. I often counsel clients to “feel their way forward,” to pay attention to their inner guidance system, centered in the Solar Plexus chakra, where our gut feelings can get pretty “loud”! We are often led along what feels like circuitous paths when we engage in this way, but only because that’s where the soul learning is, the challenge, the opportunity, or even the people we need to find who are destined to share our journey here on Earth, however brief.

In 2026, tuning into our inner guidance system is especially important. How does one do this, you ask? It’s simple: dim the lights, close your eyes, breathe deeply and steadily. As you quiet the mind, tune in to the belly. Now, meditate on a specific issue, one at a time. Where there’s upliftment, joy, and excitement as you envision a particular path — explore it further in real terms. Where you feel a contraction, heaviness or a sense of anxiety, you are energetically alerted to a path best avoided, or if you’re already on it, consider how you might move off or through it, a transformation of the current status is often required.

CHINESE ASTROLOGY: THE FIRE HORSE

The Year of the Fire Horse (Chinese: Bing Wu, 丙午年) is the Chinese zodiac year that will run from February 17, 2026 through February 5, 2027. It’s a rare and potent combination of the Horse (one of the 12 zodiac animals) with the Yang Fire element, and it occurs only once every 60 years — the last time was 1966. Yixiangqiankun+1

“The Horse is the seventh sign of the Chinese zodiac and one of the most dynamic Chinese zodiac signs. It opens the second half of the twelve-year zodiac cycle. In this position, the Horse has a special spiritual meaning within Chinese astrology and Feng Shui. It represents the transition from inner energies to openness and expansion. The Horse is a sign of movement and freedom, embodying the energy of the Chinese horoscope 2026, the year of the fire Horse 2026. Its strength is unstoppable and the energy is focused on direct action, not on closing into oneself. The Horse reminds us during the Chinese New Year 2026 that motion is life itself.” Dig deeper here.

Core Symbolism of the Fire Horse

• Horse Traits: Energy, independence, movement, freedom, ambition.
• Fire Element: Passion, dynamism, illumination, courage, and intensity.

Together, the Fire + Horse creates what some traditions call “double fire” energy — a powerful force that symbolizes rapid action, bold change, and high momentum.

Dynamic Change & Movement

The Fire Horse year is associated with fast-paced transformation, whether in personal life, relationships, careers, or cultural trends. There’s an emphasis on breaking free from limitations and pursuing what feels authentic and alive.

Bold Action & Risk-Taking

Fire Horse energy encourages decisive action, leadership, and risk-taking. This can bring opportunities for growth, innovation, and personal reinvention — especially in areas like entrepreneurship, creativity, and new ventures. Astroenter

The Downside: Impulsivity & Burnout

With this bold, fiery energy comes potential downsides: impulsiveness, burnout, overextension, and emotional intensity. Careful planning, patience, and self-care are often recommended to temper the fiery momentum. Angelorum

Relationship & Emotional Shifts

Astrological forecasts suggest that relationships may undergo rapid progress or upheaval in 2026. Emotional clarity tends to surface more forcefully, pushing people toward truthful communication and deeper honesty — which can either strengthen bonds or reveal incompatibilities quickly. The Times of India

Career, Finance & Personal Development

• Career: The year favors leadership, innovation, visibility, and project launches — especially for those ready to act boldly. Astroenter
• Finance: There can be opportunities for new income streams or investments, but fiery energy also makes rash financial choices more likely without careful planning. Astroenter
• Personal Growth: Many people may feel compelled to step outside their comfort zones, take risks, and pursue growth that aligns with their true aspirations. Horoscope & Divination

Balancing Fire Horse Energy

Traditional advice from feng shui and Chinese astrology often emphasizes balance:

• Ground fiery energy with calming influences (like water or earth elements).
• Pause before acting on strong impulses to avoid burnout or unnecessary conflict.
• Plan and structure big changes rather than acting purely on emotion.

Bottom Line? Buckle Up for a Big Year!

Add Fire Horse energy to Universal 1 Year energy, and it’s clear that we’ll all feel strong winds at our backs in 2026, propelling us toward action and manifestation at a rate much faster than we may be used to. Happily, this is also a clarifying energy that invites positive change and/or redirection, so chart the course that feels right for you, buckle up, and flow with the powerful energetic forces available to you. 2026 rewards courage, authenticity, and intentional movement forward, while challenging us to draw on hard-earned wisdom to work in our highest good and that of those around us.

Happy New Year!

With love and light,
Renee

PS I’ve just posted the information and application for the next Whispers “Introduction to Evidential Mediumship” Retreat here in Minnesota, May 27 – 31, 2026. There are just 12 spots for this transformational retreat, so if this is your time to begin your mediumship journey, start here!