Auspicious Dates and Places for the Earth Ox 2025/6. As the Year turns from Wood Snake to Fire Horse.
My new book I Talk to the Animals (click to sample or purchase) cover by the wonderful Ellie Spinelli (also on ebook) was featured in the brilliant Christie Busby’s F.A.T.E programme just before Christmas. I will also be talking “White Shores” with the legendary Theresa Cheung and Dr Amy Robbins just as we leave the Snake fully behind on February 4th.
the (12th) month of the Earth Ox 2025/6.
(17:50pm 5th January to 04:15am 4th February inclusive)
as the Year turns from Wood Snake to Fire Horse.
A 9 month is about rapid movement and visibility
An Ox Month is generally for quiet preparation.
Where not to be this month: North & East (& NE for a few weeks yet)
Where to be this month: South East, North West tai chi
Favoured Animals: Snake, Rooster, Ox and Rat
Especially challenged: Horse, Sheep
An Ox Month is usually a gentle awakening from the doze of the deep winter but this one as you may have noticed, promises to open with drama, excitement and revelation. Whether we are talking about Eastern Europe, Central America or your kitchen, this explosive month clearly heralds an explosive year. And partly because the lo shu number 9 Fire Star ruling month and the double Fire Pillar of the year are in effect the same, the blaze is already at the door.
Chinese Masters have for some while been referring nervously to prophecies going back a thousand years but need only point to the random massacres of the Cultural Revolution of 1966 to make their point: a Fire Horse Year is likely to be fraught. In the UK we may set against that the mixed blessings of the Norman Conquest in 1066 and the Great Fire of London (1666). Though the World Cup year of 1966 was arguably a disaster for everyone but ourselves; in most fields of human endeavour winners imply corresponding losers.
Are the Chinese Masters right? What do we do about it?
To answer these questions we need a little background. Bear with me.
About half Classical feng shui theory is known as Sam He or Three Harmony. Put over-simply, Sam He rules the way Zodiac Animals change Element when they meet. As it turns out certain Animals are prone to turn to Fire from time to time. This year they may be constantly on fire. These Animals – Tigers, Horses, Sheep, Snakes, Rabbits and Dogs – are broadly best advised to lean into the heat, haste, unwanted attention, celebrity, passion and frenzy of unquenched Fire. For some this will be the making of them.
Remember of course that our ba zis consist of four Animals which respond to different aspects of our lives. And not only is it as unlikely that all four will be compromised as it is that they will all be blessed but equally, Fire means wealth to some of us, relationship and much more to others. This depends upon the detail of your ba zi which you’d need to examine to know more.
What about the Animals not so well disposed to Fire?
Putting the Rat to one side, certain Chinese authorities see these other Animals (that is Rooster, Ox, Pig, Dragon and Monkey) as the main winners of the year. All of these have a propensity to turn to Water when they meet. Which will in principle tame that Fire. Less fun though maybe.
In short the Fire Horse Year 2026 is so fiery that many of us may have to choose whether to resist or go with it. This month launches us straight into that conundrum.
Some will fry and some will fly. Accepting that there is no escape from the Fire of attention and hurry, is probably the best way to start. And although for some it will all be too much, for those who embrace the Fire, this may be the most prosperous time of their lives. Technically these are likely to be those with strong Water. A Year of overwhelming Fire is inherently one of strong Water. Water will follow Fire following Water following Fire. Those ice bergs have to go somewhere.
As for the Rat: too complex to go into here.
Above is the Hexagram for January, the Earth Ox, Number 25, Heaven over Thunder, Wu Wang, (literally No Error) sometimes called The Blessing. Wu Wang literally means “No Error”. It speaks of the privilege and duties of the Eldest Son and the ethical constraints of leadership.
My monthly Yi Jing (that is Book of Changes) class (next one: Wednesday February 4th) examines the ramifications of the Hexagram for next Month i.e. February, the Tiger Month: this time Lei Hexagram 30, Fire over Fire: Clarity.
You can visit the highlights of this and every monthly session on my YouTube Channel. You may not have the stamina for all sixty four Hexagrams but you could also join us live via Zoom for a year via Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com.
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 will be on the website mid-January, ready for the Chinese New Year. More detail about this month in the Podcast.
Unusually for the time of year the Ox is already up and running. This month you tend to dictate agendas. Good idea to use this influence to start to shape the year. Work to a plan that you can follow through on. The 19th supports getting organised while the 21st may frustrate. The month’s choices will set in stone as the year passes.
Tiger will find 2026 especially hot, making days like the 8th pretty breakneck; when it’s too much, seek the Water of discussion, advice and emotional expression – the 14th may suit you. But make it count. There’s no getting away from the heat and attention for an Animal that that is inherently fiery. Revel in it, I should.
The Rabbit is expressed (that is drawn out) by the year Fire though not this month as much as others. Your creativity will peak in February (and again in October) so get used to that qi flowing through you. Practise now whatever you plan to perfect this year. The 13th will offer opportunity, the 29th tempting wormholes you’d best sidestep.
Dragons risk some sort of breakup in January. You probably know already the vulnerable areas of your life. Now is time to make choices; letting things slide is unlikely to bring what you want. The 11th sheds light but the very similar 4th February could mislead. This month is a dip in a triumphant year so take nothing for granted.
Snake: You are essentially Yin Fire which may oddly enough make for resistance to the unavoidable blast of the Horse’s Yang Fire. Let yourself be favoured. Bask. This month your comrade the Ox offers safe places. You’ll quite likely find them on the 11th and 15th Attempt nothing controversial on the 31st however tempting.
Horses may need the cool of Water from time to time. Sometimes (the 20th but also the 1st February) it may all be too much. But this is your time. Fill your boots. The Month Ox brings relief from the ongoing boost that you may experience as pressure, late in the evening and in particular on such days as the 14th.
Sheep and Ox are diametrically opposed. This year you fly if you will let yourself, this month you are earthbound. Use the time wisely, keep your own counsel as you will receive contradictory advice. It’s a month of treading Water in a risky but promising year when only embracing attention and celebration along with scrutiny will work for you. Risk are most safely taken on the 13th and 25th, not the 12th or 24th though.
Mixed month for the Monkey who prefers Water to Fire but you share a sliver of Metal with the Ox, making now a time for analysis and the technical. Pace yourself – you may feel inclined to lose yourself in overwork which could exhaust rather than stimulate you. The 19th is probably your most helpful day and the 3rd February your least.
Roosters: best accept that prominence is coming your way. An Ox month will soothe before the Fire challenges from February. Get your house in order because the year will pass in a blur. If this month is about lost love, the year will about new ones. And vice-versa. The 6th is very helpful as is the 19th. Don’t overdo it on the weekend of the 17th.
Dogs will luxuriate in the year Fire but meanwhile the Ox is problematic. It’s an uncomfortable month while you find your feet. Your conservative tendency serves you but you’ll need to accept rapid and constant movement as the year wears on. Risks taken now are unlikely to pay off. Days for decision-making include the 8th and 12th.
Pig and Ox are strangers who have learned to co-operate. The Wood within you is extraordinarily creative this year but that may not be comfortable. To relax, consider and plot around midnight will suit you all month. The 16th and 28th offer a boost.
The Rat is supported and guided by your intimate the Ox as you prepare to face the heat. Fire to you is choi (that is success and gain) but there is going to be an awful lot of it and you could wimp out. Fortunately it’s not here yet and your partner the Ox allows you to dream and rest this month. Talk, especially deep emotional communication will set you up for a year that could be make or break. Fire and Water in proportion are a very creative mix but your courage will be tested. There’s inspiration on the 15th, peace and quiet on the 27th.
8 4 6
7 9 2
3 5 1
Helpful
Tuesday 6th January, Metal Dragon 1/9, Wings, Balance (8) **** mostly helpful
Metal Dragon is a time of conflict. Wings advises staying put to avoid it while Balance suggests that justice is temporarily suspended. The time and confrontation thus saved may prove immensely valuable.
Activity: at Rooster due West for an edge.
Favours: all but especially Monkeys, Rats & Roosters.
Very special opportunity for: Wood(1944/2004) Fire(1957) Roosters.
Not so Helpful
Wednesday 21st January, Wood Sheep 7/6, Wall, Destruction (5) barriers up.
Sheep Day clashes Ox Month: blockages, delays, holdups, literal Walls, exclusion. Hindrance best accepted with grace on a day ruled by the 5 Wu Huang Yellow Star, the alternative may be all sorts of Destruction. Prepare.
Favours: no one much. Activity: at the Rabbit due East for inclusion.
Location by Location
Helpful
North West: Authority: Year Star: 3 Month Star: 1 Sui Po (Pig)
1 and 3 are brothers, Water and Wood. They work well together when the younger (Water 1) offers ideas which are received and made actual by the elder (Wood 3). So the spoken becomes the written word and the temporary becomes permanent. Worthwhile causes are served by cooperation here this month – and most of the year. Let the Water fuel the Wood.
For attention: Fire: upwards motion, bright light, arrangements of 9; triangles, pyramids. Not if there’s a 5 Wu Huang Star here in your space.
Put simply: a creative space.
Not so Helpful
North East, Beginnings & Endings: 5 Month Star:3 Fortune Virtue (Tiger) Year Wu huang
Out of bounds till totally free of the wu huang around the 18th. Keep young men out.
Mitigate: t’ang lung may help. But best left alone altogether.
Put simply: getting better but best steer clear for now.
Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info
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.
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Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info © 2026
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