Bye, Wood Snake, welcome Fire Horse!

Today, February 16, is the last day of the Year of the Wood Snake. Tomorrow, we will enter the Yang Fire Horse! Does this have significance for us here in the West? Of course, it depends on what you choose to believe in. In any case, it's interesting, especially if you are into tea, because the largest tea nation in the world, where all six tea types are still being produced, is China.

The Snake in Chinese metaphysics is not “evil” or “scary.” The year 2025 has had as its theme: "strategic growth through intelligence, patience, and introspection".

So what has 2025 been about?

The year that we leave behind has been about the combination of the quality of yin, the animal snake, and the quality of wood. So what does that mean?

Yin is internal, deep introspection.

The snake is waiting, patiently, calculated, and is associated with shedding what is no longer needed.

And wood is growth-oriented, the season of spring is wood, when everything is growing and transforming intensely. These qualities make the yin wood snake different from the other snake years: The Wood Snake is more refined than other snake years.

• More diplomatic, with higher emotional wisdom, less aggression, and more focused on long-term development

So if you have felt transformation happening in your life, mostly under the surface, maybe you have been able to let go of habits and even relationships that are outdated. Maybe you have become more selective and more protective of where you put your energy? Perfect—then you have felt the workings of the yin snake year! And you have prepared yourself well for what is to come: the year of the yang fire horse!

The yang, fire horse, is one of the most dynamic combinations in the Chinese zodiac, and will not return for 60 years.

So, what can we expect in 2026, the year of the Yang Fire Horse?

Well, yang is outward-moving, active, and the energy of the horse is forward-moving, so 2026 will not be a quiet year. But be aware: the energy does not reward recklessness! So here are the recommendations to make the most of your 2026:

• Focus on one goal and go hard for it; do not scatter your energy (this one I really need to take to heart!)

• Take a deep breath before you respond to anything that heats you up

• Take care of yourself, eat, sleep, breathe, meditate, and exercise

So happy and successful New Year to all those who will celebrate it tomorrow, on February 17th, 2026! I sure will! And if you used 2025 to find your deepest truth and set your goals, 2026 is the year to execute them.

If you need to restock your tea, feel free to contact me. And remember that you will always find extraordinary teas here on Shana Zhang's website, WildTeaQi.

Happy Yang Fire Horse Year!