Auspicious Dates and Places for the month of the Wood Sheep 2026 in the Year of the Fire Horse

A 3 month                                      supports invention, mobility and growth.
A Sheep Month                             is essentially tribal
Where not to be this month:   West (& South all year)
Where to be this month:           East
Favoured Animals:                     Pig, Rabbit, Sheep, Horse
Especially challenged:               Ox, Rat.

FYI: I produce a much more detailed summary of each month, listing the likely fortunes for every day and all nine locations which is available by (paid) monthly subscription and will be appearing monthly later this year on my Substack page.

How many Horsemen? : this Wood Sheep Month.

We’re past the peak of the Fire but I doubt it’ll feel like that just yet. As previously suggested, this year we get Fire then Water then Fire then Water. I doubt the extreme heat will be done with us much before October. After that expect significant rain as well as high winds to follow. Right now: Fire.

The Hexagram number 48 Jing The Well reflects this, offering a heads up way beyond this month. I guess that in the UK we should be celebrating the construction of the first new reservoir this century, not far from here in Havant, near Portsmouth. In a country that is renowned for its rain, it’s remarkable that we should ever have water shortages but that’s a political rather than metaphysical issue. Jing counsels making sure such facilities are cared for, that the bucket in the Well is sound as well as the string that is attached to it. We might apply that lesson to facilities above and beyond Water.

This Wood Sheep Month may reflect 1955 when conflict was bubbling up in the Middle East, leading to the embarrassing gun boat diplomacy of the Suez crisis. Hmm. And fyi I’ve been predicting England for the World Cup this year for a very long time because of course we last won it in that Fire Horse Year of 1966. We’ll see.

The Chinese guys continue to be exercised with the possibilities of the Year, the hottest in a literal sense since the Fire Stem Year of 1976 or in other senses the previous Fire Horse in 1966, the year of the Cultural Revolution when a beleaguered Mao Tse Tung attempted to salvage his power by recommending the youth tear up their own culture and indeed many of their elders. Sixty years before that was the birth year of Pu Yi, the last emperor who spent his sad life as a political shuttlecock, alternately restored by the Chinese and Japanese and later being touted imaginatively by the afore-mentioned Mao as an example of effective political “re-education”. And sixty years earlier again, in 1846, every European power that could float a battleship was ravaging, burning and looting China, even the USA who barely had a navy. Forgive me if I repeat myself.

Not such a great prognosis. I have more to say on this but at this point all I’m drawing from the astrology is that Xi Jin Ping may be encountering serious insurgency soon. The lo shu suggests to the South and West. Which figures. Like football coming home. Again we’ll see.
Richard Ashworth © 2026

 

On Wednesday July 8^th we examine the ramifications of the Hexagram for this Wood Sheep Month: Jing  Hexagram 48, Water over Wind: The Well which concerns the maintenance of resources of all sorts, physical or abstract. Each changing line offers warnings, opportunities and alternatives of course. It might occur to you as to me, that access to resources like Water are to put it lightly, topical right now. Whether relating to Water or other resources, Jing reads like a wake-up call.

You can visit the highlights of this and every monthly session (Next one: Wednesday August 12^th)   on my YouTube Channel. You may not have the stamina for all sixty four Hexagrams but you can join us live via Zoom for a year.
Contact: Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com.

The kua at the heart of this month’s lo shu (above) is 3, yang Wood, usually equated with the First Son and the East, ambition and male energy, making the tai chi where to go to for the aspirational. The 5 which is itself generally considered hazardous, has landed in the West and is shaded yellow because the san sha or “Three Killings” is there too. Steer clear unless you know exactly what you’re doing.  Meanwhile the South remains out of bounds for the year: the North West (4) has improved as has the South West (9) while the East (1) is itself positively bursting with helpful qi.

This Wood Sheep Month – Winners and losers.

 

Remember you have at least four Animals to consider in your own Ba Zi chart (one each for Hour, Day and Month of birth as well as Year) and that it is as unlikely that they’re all suffering this Month as that all are making hay. Each Animal illuminates a particular aspect of life. To know this about yourself may be timely. My 2026 Annual Animal Fortunes have been on the website since January. More detail about each Animal’s immediate future in my monthly Podcast.

The typical Sheep enjoys their own company but prefers to belong to a group. Your best days may include the 12^th when aspiration is appropriate but not the 23^rd or, even more so, the 26^th which could prove awkward. Avoid exes, seek Pigs and Rabbits.
Monkey and Sheep are an uncomfortable pairing; you are on the face of it a barrel of fun but this fiery year is melting you. Respect the space of others and be sure that others are with you before you consider pranking. The 13^th is pretty safe but risks undertaken on the 5^th August may backfire.
The Rooster can experience loss in Sheep times, most likely this is relationship stuff that is no surprise. However there is distraction in the form of a blast from the past on the 17^th. Trust past experience, you know what you know. Careful on the 23^rd.
Some Dogs are getting restless. Is it the heat or deeper seated personal stuff? What you need is the Water of emotional connection. That’s probably available on the 16^th and 28^th. Appropriate respect is important but so is reliability. Don’t get flaky on or about
the 22^nd. Brothers are in focus.
Pigs love Sheep in stye, pen or horoscope. Your versatility comes in handy. Relax on the 15^th,17^th and 27^th but best stay alert on the 12^th.which may dash hopes if you are inappropriate.
The Rat is technically harmed by the Sheep. So issues of jealousy and lack of frankness may come up throughout July, especially on the 12^th. The 17^th offers the security of familiar faces and places when you can safely open up. Rewards may follow as late as the 29^th.
Ox: Direct clash. You don’t get on with Sheep so diplomacy, flexibility and adaptability will tend to get you out of scrapes. Your power peaks around the 13^th and 25^th. Which are the best days to face any challenges. Head down on the 20^th and on August 2^nd.
Tigers eat Sheep of course. Elementally this means your yang Wood nature can make you unapproachable at such times. The 12^th and the 24^th offer release from self-imposed solitude, so join the party on the 27^th. Fierceness – or whatever word you use – works against you at this time.
Rabbits are – appreciatively – a little cooler now and more cooperative. The 16^th and 28^th both present social and business opportunities. Remember to close the deal you open so effortlessly. Hard, as Cat Stevens sings, to get by just upon a smile.
Dragons are still somewhat out of sorts. So choose your moment. There’s magic on the 10^th and a chance to loose some chains on the 2^nd August. The 17^th may disappoint but the Full Moon on the 29^th shouldn’t as the Monkey month beckons.
The Yin Fire of the Snake boosts the heat and flurry and may feel left out but the 10^th supports precision planning and the 16^th execution of those plans. Head down on the 4^th August.
Horses (typically) want to relax for a while now. It’s been a very fast-moving year and it’s far from over. Be aware of opportunities for selection on the 15^th but be ready for disappointment against the run of play on the 14^thand 26^th. There is always help available for you in a Sheep month.

Podcast: Feng Shui, the Real Thing

In this month’s Podcast out the 2^nd week in July latest, the brilliant Zoe Vita James and I talk about our most recent feng shui projects, the likely implications for each Animal and what we may each do about it, plus the usual feng shui and ba zi banter, plus more about Education Trees, moldavite, timing and the legend that is Reggie, the dog.

Your Year Animal will relate to parents, family and origins as well as the physical, the obvious and the immediate, the family you grew up with, hereditary traits and patterns; deep history, deep heritage & your public face.
Your Month Animal relates to career or business as well as education, peers, siblings, exes and the work environment; shallower history, shallower heritage.
Your Day Animal represents you personally and your significant other. You may need a Chinese Calendar or professional advice to establish your Day Animal.
Your Hour Animal represents your deepest dreams, your children and the future. Which for many of us are pretty much the same thing.
Your Life House represents the voice that calls to you. It may be summoning you to your true calling but it may be no such thing. That’s a decision for you to make.

I rate Favoured days with Stars from * (helpful) to ***** (take that leap) and Cautionary days from * (watch your step) to ***** (wrap up in a blanket & don’t stir).

Helpful
Thursday 16^th July, Metal Rabbit  2/3, Well, Success ***** (9)  
Hexagram Number 39 Qien Great Difficulty, (Water over Mountain) presides over the next five days. In this furnace of a year, the Well (as the Month Hexagram indicates) is central. Expect some win in this regard. Could be a major one. Okay for placing Water.
Activity: at Rabbit due East for concurrence and confirmation.
Favours: all but especially Pig, Rabbit, Sheep, Dog.

Not so Much 
Sunday 26^th July, Metal Ox 1/3, House, Destruction (8) *** karmic bounce.
Hexagram 28 Da Guo (Great Stress) Mountain over Thunder.  Shortcomings home to roost. Aka the Ridgepole Da Guo can be an against-the-odds perfect storm of breakages and failures. Limit ambition and make your to-do list as flexible as possible. Tomorrow’s another day. Metal Ox clashes Month Wood Sheep.
Special Caution: Sheep, Horse, the brash and the hurried.
Activity: at Snake around 154º SE3/SSE  to extract truth

For guidance:
Fire: upwards motion, bright light, arrangements of 9; pointy, triangles, pyramids.
Earth: stillness, crystal, stone, quiet, arrangements of 2 or 8 flat, level shapes
Metal: circular motion, music, arrangements of 6 or 7, circular & globe shapes.
Water: random motion, chatter, emotion, arrangements of 1, the shapeless, still Water.
Wood: constant motion, plants, arrangements of 3 & 4, upright, columnar shapes.

Location by Location

Helpful   
North East, Beginnings & Endings: Year Star: 4 Month Star: 6 Dragon Virtue (Ox NE1)
Often rivals, Yang Metal 6 and Yin Wood 4 can clash but when they gel they gel, leading to magical cooperation. North East covers beginnings and endings; start early, finish late to get the most of things here this month.
Improve: burn candle for 3-4 hours at NE1 on the 13^th 16^th 28^th and 29^th.
Put simply: diligent application here continues to bring success.

Not much help
South, Bright Future: Year Star: 5 Month Star:7 Year Wu Huang Tai sui (Horse).
Not much use all year; too fiery in many senses. Neutralise as far as you can but mostly steer clear. And don’t face this way either
Mitigate: t’ang lung may help, also quiet and stillness but best avoided.
Put simply: avoid if you possibly can.

Ze Ri Xue – Date Selection for Dummies

 

I Talk to the Animals
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A definitive guide to the Four Pillars of Destiny.

Richard Ashworth is one of the most respected Western Feng Shui Masters.  A good taster of his approach may be found on Audible . You can also see him at work on tv’s Housebusters Most Thursdays and Fridays he is to be found teaching both feng shui and ba zi  one-to-one online (times by mutual arrangement) with students from Seattle to Belgium.
Richard has worked from Lebanon to Bermuda, in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and with stars such as Naomie Harris, Kelly Hoppen and Gillian Anderson. Unusually for a Western Master, he has addressed the Grand Masters at the International Feng Shui Conference in Singapore.

Every month we send (at a modest fee) retainer clients a more comprehensive monthly bulletin than this one, covering in detail right places to be (and when) as well as the most helpful days Animal by Animal and much more from the Chinese calendar.
Subscriptions (and further info): Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com

Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info © 2026
art by @elliespinelli ©