Auspicious Dates and Places for the month of the Wood Horse 2026, in the Year of the Fire Horse
the (5th) month of the Wood Horse 2026.
(23:11pm 5th June to 10:34am 7th July inclusive)
in the Year of the Fire Horse.
A 4 month supports invention & curiosity.
A Horse Month moves rapidly
Where not to be this month: North East, North West (& South all year)
Where to be this month: South East, East, West
Favoured Animals: Tiger, Dog, Sheep
Especially challenged: Horse, Rat, Ox.
A note: I have published this month’s editorial piece over on Substack rather than putting it into this bulletin. In time, these bulletins will be moved there too. You don’t have to do anything as, technology willing, this list will be transferred there automatically when the time comes. There will, however, be the option to pay for some content. A longer message on how that works is in the pipeline. Watch this space!
Monthly Yi Jing (that is Book of Changes) class
The next class: (Wednesday June 10th) examines the ramifications of the Hexagram for this Wood Horse Month: Qian Hexagram 1, Heaven over Heaven: The Creative. Qian itself is sheer creative power that is dependent upon Kun the Receptive for expression. Neither has meaning or effect without the other. Each changing line offers warnings or opportunity that arise from such potential. 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 can join us live via Zoom for a year via Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com.
S
3 8 1
2 4 6
7 9 5
The kua at the heart of this month’s lo shu (above) is 4, yin Wood, usually equated with the subtle and invisible Wind, implying a time of invention and curiosity. The 9 in the North is shaded yellow because the san sha or “Three Killings” has landed there. Careful. This year the South is pretty much permanently out of bounds: best not settle in the North West (5) this month or North East (7) either but occupy the East, South East, South West and West.
In this month’s Podcast out right now, 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, More about why Donald Trump might be remodelling the East Wing of the White House and the raw power of the fu mu gua procedure.
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.
Horses (typically) avoid extreme heat. The 5th welcomes you but keep your head down on the 7th. The double Horse/Rat clash could be transformational if you’re prepared to open up, step up and speed up if necessary. Resistance, as they say, is futile.
Typical Sheep are at home with Fire, even this much. Best day may be the 30th; the 7th & 17th more tricky. If you keep up the pace it’s a time of expansion and sociability.
Monkey & Horse can baffle each other. Horse brings romance to Monkeys of all genders and inclinations but Fire may feel like exploitation to some. Keep your antennae out. The 11th brings opportunity, the 12th pitfalls – be cautious as to what you give away.
Horse times make the Rooster sweat. You’ll be accelerating despite yourself. Avoid unnecessary competition. If you must compete be sure to take home advantage and only play games at which you are expert. The 11th is a day you should win; the 10th isn’t.
The typical Dog is at home with the heat. Tiger Days like the very helpful 9th are as fiery as things get and whatever Fire represents for you (check the Day Stem in your ba zi) will monopolise things. Don’t be tempted by unattainable ambition on the 23rd.
The Yin Water of the Pig is vulnerable to peak Fire as trouble spots NW demonstrate. Dangerous moments – dependent upon what Fire means to you – loom on the 6th and 12th. Take shelter in every sense.
The Yang Water of the Rat pits you directly against both the Horse Year and the Horse Month. Avoid aggression and criticism. Even gentle appraisal may enflame. The 11th is a place of security as is July 5th. Keep your head down during this time of extremes, especially the 7th and 19th. Now is more about getting by than winning.
Ox: proxy disputes. Attend carefully to what is beneath even the least subtle statements. Unintended upset may follow you around, peaking on the 5th and on July 2nd. Schtum.
Tigers are even hotter in all sorts of senses for now. The 9th and the 20th offer major breaks when it’s worth taking a risk. Also July 5th. Attention will find you wherever you are but East is probably smartest. Don’t take deflation too seriously.
Rabbits may feel overworked. Yin Wood is used up quickly by Yang Fire. If you ensure you have plenty of Water in its various forms – cool, hydration, shelter and shade – you may find this creative. East is the place to retreat. Caution on the 16th and 28th; you can relax on the 5th and 29th.
Dragons may feel listless but very conscious ones will recognize that such sloth is dispelled by putting out energy and hydrating. Still, you’re human and the 17th may be trying. Your power returns by the time the Sheep Month kicks in.
The Snake could feel flustered; the Yang Fire could bring over-exertion. Save the most important tasks till the 6th July. Expect an American connection.
Helpful Day
Tuesday 9th June, Wood Tiger 7/9, Room, Success (9) ***** full steam ahead.
Best day this month to place carefully positioned Water. Equally a safe day for assertion and self-promotion and time for a putsch. Look East warily.
Activity: 
at the tai chi (geometric centre) for increased visibility.
Favours: all especially Tiger, Horse, Dog, Pig
Wood Tiger pic: ©2024 @EllieSpinelli
Not so much
Friday 12th June, Fire Snake 2/8, Mound, Closed (3) ***** static.
Little progress likely. Mound attracts a crowd; Closed may deter them. Fire Snake offers deferred opportunity to the flexible and the gimlet-eyed.
Caution: everyone especially Pig & Tiger.
Activity: at Monkey around 240º SW3/WSW for unexpected solutions.
No favourites
Not so much
Sunday 28th June, Water Rooster 2/7, House, Balance (9) ***** loose tongues.
What is said today may have more to do with salves to pride than with truth. Looking beneath the surface is wise. Don’t expect merit to lead to victory today.
Activity: South East for reinforcements & company.
Caution: Rabbit, Dog.
No favourites
Helpful Day
Monday 29th June, Wood Dog 7/2, Heart, Stable (8) ***** very helpful to most
Full Moon at 20:42pm: time to get protective tourmalines and shungite out.
Peak well-being for many; peak Fire for most. Emotions run high but there’s every chance of catharsis. Keep physical movement to the minimum. Huge advantage to the pure heart represented sincerely and to those constructively engaged.
Favours: all especially Tiger, Horse, Dog, Rabbit.
Activity: at the Rabbit due East.
Locations in the 4 month of the Wood Horse.
Note:
Every house is different but certain forces affect us all wherever we are. What follows identifies which areas are better served by those forces (or qi) this month & which worse. That applies to all enclosed spaces. What to do about it depends very much on the individual house where the energies will be individual and may qualify or contradict my suggestions. But…. wherever a wu huang 5 Star is located place a t’ang lung. And wherever there is a 7, exercise caution. Ask if in doubt.
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.
Helpful Location
Tai chi, Home, the centre: Year Star: 1 Month Star: 4
4 brings curiosity, invention and fun. 1 Water may make for over-confidence but confidence is only a question of balancing daring and realism isn’t it? All that Fire draws creativity from the yin Wood. So locating here to find work and fresh ideas makes sense.
Put simply: locating centrally offers opportunity to the industrious.
Mixed
North West: Authority: Year Star: 2 Month Star: 5 Tin Yute Gwai Yan (NW3) Month wu huang.
A Tin Yute Gwai Yan Nobleman Helper is here all year but the visiting 5 means things aren’t so great this month. Tap into the sheer power of the wu huang by facing North briefly from time to time. Briefly. Put simply: face occasionally, don’t locate.
Hazardous
South, Bright Future: Year Star: 5 Month Star: 8 Year Wu Huang Tai sui (Horse).
Hotter than ever and more insistent. Stay out as far as possible. All year, too hot; too fiery in many senses. Neutralise as far as you can but mostly steer clear. And don’t face this way either. Put simply: Unwelcome attention if you stay here long.. Note: Directions are from the tai chi (ie heart of the property)
Four Point Activation for 2026:
The simultaneous 4-Point Activation of Dragon Virtue, Sun, Moon and Fortune Virtue at Ox (around 30˚ NE1), Sheep (around 205˚ SW1), Rooster (around 267˚ W2) and Rabbit (around 92˚ E2) respectively, is said to clear any major blockage.
Next suitable Date: 13:00-15:00pm local time 9th June.
Also: 13:00-15:00pm local time 21st June.
The locations:
Locations are measured from the tai chi.
1. The Ox (NE1) (4) around 30º NE
Special Star: Dragon Virtue, burnishes & rescues reputation.
Add Fire: A candle for 3-4 hours.
2. The Sheep (SW1) (7) around 205º SW
Special Star: Sun, mends, restores, blesses.
Add Water: A glass vase at least 12” tall, max surface area.
3. The Rooster (W2) (3) around 270º W
Special Star: Moon, helps things add up, organises.
Add Fire: A candle for 3-4 hours.
4. The Rabbit (E2) (8) either around 92ºE or 110ºE
Special Star: Fortune Virtue, abundance star.
Add Water: A glass vase at least 12” tall, max surface area.
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
art by @elliespinelli ©