Six Practices to Navigate this Season of Change
The Year of the Fire Horse galloped in on February 17, 2026. In Chinese astrology, this year carries the blazing energy of passion, strength, and change. It is both powerful and unpredictable, and you’re likely already sensing this intensity in the air. In the midst of all this change and upheaval it’s important to acknowledge the very real grief, uncertainty, and fear many are experiencing. We all must seek ways to navigate the uncertainty of these times.
As therapists, we see how stress and change can activate our bodies and nervous systems. Some people respond by becoming anxious and ramping up their energy; others protect themselves by shutting down. Wherever you may be in this process, we see you! These reactions are very human. When we move into overdrive or numbness, we can lose touch with our embodied presence and sense of connection to one another. It can be challenging to find healthy and effective ways to navigate the liminal spaces of change and return to our bodies, our hearts, and our sense of connection.
At our retreats and in our new oracle deck, which we’re excited to share more about soon, we guide people through a simple but powerful framework: Releasing, Restoring, and Reimagining. These three elements help us process stress and reconnect with joy, purpose, and meaningful action. Below are two practices from each element to support you in navigating this transition into the Fire Horse season and beyond.
RELEASE
Express Your Sacred Rage
Rage is a perfect response to injustice. Allow it to be fully felt in all its expressions—the grief, the sorrow, and the power within it. Find a safe space: in your car or an empty room, on a pillow, or out in the woods. Take a deep breath and let out a big yell. You might also put on a loud song and sing at the top of your lungs. If using your voice isn’t an option, try physical release like stomping, kicking, or safely throwing a heavy object. Let your body move the energy through.
Welcome Presence
It’s easy to lose grounding in the present moment. We might replay yesterday or plan for tomorrow. Reflection and planning have their place, but notice how your nervous system responds when you return to the here and now. Throughout the day, pause and ask yourself, Am I aware? Sense the inner presence of the Higher Self that is always there, quietly awaiting your return.
RESTORE
Fortify Loving Boundaries
We pour nothing from an empty cup. In order to make sure our cup doesn’t have leaks, we can practice healthy and loving boundaries. We appreciate the term “loving boundaries” because boundaries don’t have to be unkind, they can be filled with love for yourself AND others. Healthy boundaries help reinforce our ability to give to ourselves and those around us. Take a moment to sit in stillness and notice the outer contours of your body. Locate the top of your head, your hands, and your feet. Feel where the air meets your skin. Get clear about your physical and emotional needs. Then decide on one concrete step to care for them.
Engage the Wisdom of the Breath
Your breath can move emotion, soften grief, ease tension, and expand imagination. It is always available. Place a hand over your heart and bring your attention there. Recall a moment when you felt love, peace, or gratitude. What did you feel in your body, and where did you feel it? Inhale and exhale from that space, allowing your breath to nourish both you and the world around you. You could also try a breathwork session for a powerful release and conscious shifting experience.
REIMAGINE
Co-Create with the Divine
You are more powerful than you may realize! It is your birthright to create. Creativity may show up as visual arts, writing, building, putting together new ideas, or engaging in creative or courageous action. It can be gentle or fierce, brief or sustained. What would you like to bring into being during this year of the Fire Horse? What change feels alive within you? Commit to one courageous and creative act today. Nothing fights fascism like untamed imagination!
Ripple into Wider Circles
We cannot do this alone. We need one another now more than ever. When we connect, we create ripples of love and belonging that extend far beyond us, much like a single pebble dropped into a lake. Whether you show up for someone else or allow yourself to receive care, your presence matters. Who is one person you could reach out to today?
As you move through these practices, remember that small and steady acts can create profound shifts over time. Whether your month is flowing with ease or you are struggling to stay afloat, we are sending you love and encouragement. Even in unpredictability, there is wisdom available to you. We trust in your capacity not only to endure this year of the Fire Horse, but to use its powerful energy to help create the future you want to usher in.
In Gratitude,
Sarah, Raina, and Claire
What We’re Loving
Lindsay Mack’s podcast Tarot for the Wild Soul
Ky Dickens’ podcast Telepathy Tapes
Natasha Stewart’s breathwork
