The Lunar New Year takes place on February 17, putting an end to the year of the Snake. In its place, the Fire Horse is galloping into view, calling us to approach life with passion and courage. We can all breathe a sigh of relief. Fun is just around the corner—and just in time for spring, too.
Wondering what this might mean for your love life? Well, more than you’d think. Those born in the year of the Horse are fiercely independent, but also devoted and authentic. They’re not easy to tame because they do their own thing—but once they commit, they’re loyal to the core. Trust and integrity matter deeply to them; they aren’t fake, and they don’t tolerate shady behaviour. These values come to the fore during the year of the Horse: Adventure and novelty could fuel relationships, so Netflix and chill won’t cut it as an aphrodisiac. It’s time to book that romantic trip abroad, or at least get creative about where you’ll order takeout from when you do feel like getting cozy at home.
What past Horse years can tell us
Astrology is all about cycles, so looking at the past can help us make sense of the present. Each Horse year belongs to one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. Wood brings a fresh start, Fire brings dynamism, Earth offers grounding, Metal brings focus, and Water is a period for emotional awareness.
The last Fire Horse year was back in 1966: the era of the women’s liberation movement, when the birth control pill was exploding in popularity and the Summer of Love was just around the corner. 1978’s Earth Horse found us in the experimental, swinging ’70s, with divorce on the rise. 1990’s Metal Horse saw third-wave feminism encouraging bodily autonomy and sex positivity. So, Horse years in general are all about independence, with women gaining it in great strides.
Looking to the more recent past, 2002’s Water Horse marked the very early years of online dating, and all the stigma that came with it. By 2014’s Wood Horse, Tinder was in full force with more people meeting online than ever before. In these Horse years of yore, “adventure” meant swiping right, but could there be anything more tired than surfing an algorithm for love today? It’s safe to say we’re over it—so romance and sexual freedom could come in other, more novel ways.
How the year of the Horse will change dating
Looking at today’s dating landscape, there’s widespread disappointment with how connections happen: it takes place primarily online, making it difficult to meet someone in person. After over a decade of swiping for love, the initial novelty has worn off. It’s no stretch to say that online dating has begun to make people feel commodified, like they’re just a face in a seemingly endless sea of options. The breadcrumbing, ghosting, and shady situationships that abound mean we’re feeling more isolated than ever.
The year of the Fire Horse could be the year we find the courage to connect out in the real world again, making us more empowered and bold enough to make a first move. Will adventure mean getting off our phones and going out into the world? Will we get out of situationship limbo and make real moves? The Fire Horse doesn’t do ambiguity well; it craves clarity and decisive action. The energy of this year might push people to communicate their intentions clearly.
How the year of the Horse will affect your own love life
People born in the year of the Horse, Tiger, or Dragon never need an excuse to be adventurous, expressive, or passionate, so this might be an exciting year for them to make a grand gesture in love. People born in the year of the Rat, Ox, or Rooster may find this an exciting year to try something new and step out of their comfort zone in relationships. They’re loved for being protective and loyal, and taking a romantic leap of faith could bring unexpected rewards.