As the Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse draws near, I want to share my personal rituals to help you begin 2026 on an auspicious note. The purpose of this guide is to offer a range of practices you can use to invite the new Chi, release the old energy, and lay the groundwork for a better life in 2026—the Yang Fire Horse year. The solar star of the Horse year falls on the 4th February 2026, while the lunar calendar marks the new year on the 17th of February. For best results, try to complete most of these preparations before the 4th of February. If you’d like a deeper explanation of these two dates and the difference between the solar and lunar calendars, take a look at my article: When does the year of the Fire Horse Year 2026 start ? The lunar and solar calendars.
Part 1: Clean your home
Start by giving your home the most thorough cleaning you can manage. Think of it as a version of spring cleaning with a specific energetic purpose. Don’t only wipe down furniture—wash the floors, clean the windows, polish the mirrors, and refresh your bedding. If your schedule is demanding, hiring someone to help is perfectly fine, though try to personally take part in at least some of the cleaning. When you clean, pair the work with visualisation: as you wipe dust from a window, imagine the grime as symbolic of what you no longer want—unhealthy relationships, limiting beliefs, scarcity, or habits you wish to outgrow. This connection between physical cleaning and energetic intention strengthens the bond between your space and the life you plan to create. This practice aligns with Feng Shui principles as well. Enhance the cleansing effect by adding a few drops of essential oil to your cleaning solutions. Using natural products—baking soda, white vinegar and plant-based oils for wood—helps remove the old Chi without filling your home with chemicals.
Part 2: Cleanse your space
After physically cleaning, move on to energetically purifying your environment. The goal is to refresh the air, expel stagnant energy, and invite fresh Chi into your home. There is a traditional Taoist method connected to Feng Shui that I learned from my Sifu, Master GK Ham, and his YinYang journal.
You will need three Chinese herbs: Huo Xiang (藿香, also known as patchouli or agastache) and Gan Cao (甘草, licorice root), combined with sandalwood powder. If sandalwood powder isn’t available, a few drops of sandalwood essential oil will work.
Burn the mixture in a heatproof container on charcoal. Carry it into every room so the smoke can permeate the space—just be sure to turn off smoke detectors beforehand. Because the scent can be intense, use only a small amount. As you move through your home, visualise your unwanted energies dissolving and your intentions for the coming year taking form. You may also choose to also burn a list of what you want to attract. Burning release it and takes your demand to the spiritual realm.
Afterward, go for a walk for an hour or more. When you return, switch on all lights and fans, then open every window and crack your front door. Focus on the old Chi flowing out and the vibrant, supportive new Chi entering your home. After at least 15 minutes, close everything and switch off the lights. Your energetic cleansing is complete.
If the original herbs are unavailable, Palo Santo, church incense or sage—sacred plants from other traditions—can be used for space clearing.
Part 3: Release the old
Before the new year begins, try to clear out everything you no longer need. Marie Kondo’s decluttering method is especially helpful here. With clothing, hold each piece and notice how it makes you feel. Does it uplift you or weigh you down? Does it spark joy or trigger unpleasant memories? Create two piles: one for items to keep and another for items to let go of. You can apply this method to anything, not just clothing. Donating what you no longer want to charity generates positive karma—so decluttering becomes beneficial both for you and others.
Part 4: Do a cyber-detox
Remember the dozens—or hundreds—of bookmarked articles you saved in 2025? Or the emails you flagged as “important” but never answered? Now is the time to tackle them. Set aside half a day, or several evenings if needed, to read through your bookmarks and respond to your outstanding messages. Once you’ve cleared as much as possible, take a full day to unplug from screens and digital activity. Aim to complete this digital cleansing before February 4. You’ll rediscover that life beyond your devices is still very much worth enjoying.
Part 5: Tie up loose ends
Try to wrap up unfinished matters, repay any debts, and request payments owed to you before February 4. The idea is to enter the new year unburdened, carrying only what supports you. Letting financial issues or misaligned people linger into the new cycle may disrupt your momentum. Also avoid major expenses between the lunar and solar new year dates, as they may symbolically set an unwanted tone for the year ahead.
Part 6: Clear your mind
Set aside at least an hour to reflect on what the 2024 Dragon year taught you. What did you gain? What did you lose? Did you grow, or do you feel stuck? What do you no longer want in your life? Write down the things you want to release, then burn the list while imagining the heaviness leaving your life.
Next, write a second list—your desires and intentions. Create a realistic plan and identify where you want to be in 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and then in 3 years. Place your goals somewhere visible: your fridge, bathroom mirror, or a discreet personal spot. For practical goals—such as getting a new job—start outlining what you need: perhaps a new skill or language. Use the next few weeks to explore where and how you can learn it. Your intention is the spark of the fire; your actions are the wood that keeps it burning.
Part 7: Purify your body
Refresh your Chi with a bath of fresh flowers
While you likely bathe daily, this is a special ritual bath for the Chinese New Year, blending Taoist methods, shamanic elements, and holistic wellness. Prepare a bath with:
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coarse unrefined sea salt
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baking soda
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Epsom salts
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one or two drops of your favourite essential oil
- fresh fhowers
I usually add half a glass of sea salt, one cup of baking soda, and one cup of Epsom salts. This combination replenishes your energy, restores minerals such as magnesium, and helps counteract the effects of radiation exposure. Keep the water warm but not overly hot.
Then add fresh flowers—ideally organic and fair-trade to avoid pesticides. Cut the flowers and place them in the bath. This step invites blessings into your life and refreshes your personal Chi. Again, thanks to Sifu GK Ham and his journal for inspiring these practices.
Now it’s time to cleanse your energy.
Part 8: Purify your aura
While soaking in the bath, incorporate a shamanic visualisation. Imagine a purifying rain falling over you and transforming into the bathwater, washing away last year’s negative energies—unwanted relationships, insecurities, regrets, frustrations.
Next, repeat the process with a focus on your physical health: let the water dissolve toxins, illnesses, and ailments.
In the third phase, cleanse your abundance mindset by releasing limiting beliefs and mental blocks that prevent prosperity from entering your life.
Finally, wash away fears and restrictive thoughts. Revisit each area: your life, health, abundance, and mind. Stay in this meditation for as long as you wish. By the time you step out of the bath, your Chi, body, and spirit will feel renewed—an ideal beginning to the new year.
Part 9: Refresh your appearance
When you get a haircut, imagine each trimmed strand carrying away things you no longer want. At the same time, think of your hair regrowth as a symbol of your wealth expanding. Traditionally, you should avoid cutting your hair for a full month afterward so as not to “cut your luck,” meaning no haircuts until the Rabbit month of March.
If your hair is very short or you are bald, don’t worry—the same intention can be applied while trimming your beard or moustache, or even when shaving. Do this before the 4th of February, as cutting your hair on that date symbolises losing wealth.
Part 10: Invite the new energy
This is the part many people will enjoy—especially the shoppers among us. Purchase new clothes and new shoes to wear on February 4. They represent the arrival of fresh Chi and your willingness to embrace change. Wearing something new also signals confidence in your ability to remain abundant in the new year. Traditionally, you should incorporate at least one red item. If you prefer to keep things minimal, buy a new pair of red socks or even red underwear.
Part 11: Manifest a better year
There is a full moon on the 3rd of February and a new moon is on February 18. Use these potent days—and the two weeks between them—to manifest your goals. This period marks the first rising phase of Chi for the Horse year and carries vitality and momentum. Each day, take one concrete action that moves you closer to your goals: enrol in a course, go to the gym, research something you want to improve, or make practical adjustments to enhance your life. These 15 days are ideal for harnessing growth. Try to avoid drama during this time and focus on joy.
Part 12: Schedule your Feng Shui & Bazi consultation
The first month of the Chinese New Year is a perfect moment to finally book the Feng Shui consultation you’ve been considering and give yourself the energetic support you deserve. And as it happens, I know the perfect practitioner—me! Reach out so we can plan your 2026 transformation. In challenging times, when more people spend extended hours at home, using Feng Shui to create a supportive, protective, and empowering environment has become essential. I also suggest booking your Bazi consultation early so you can understand your timing and navigate the year smoothly. Contact me to schedule your Feng Shui and Bazi sessions.
Part 13: Strengthen your luck
For several years, I’ve offered a special monthly membership combining the Qi Men Dun Jia oracle with Feng Shui practices. Members receive five monthly Feng Shui activations, using a simple fan and a basin of water at precise times and in specific areas of the home. These activations enhance opportunities, luck, and wellbeing across all areas of life. Their effects accumulate month after month, year after year, raising your Chi and amplifying your good fortune. Don’t wait for luck to appear—create it consistently. You can read about the method and join the Feng Shui membership through the provided link, where you will also find an example activation.