I think we heard it roaring in early this morning, bringing lightning, thunder, and hail along for the ride!
How is 2026 going for you? It felt like this year most of us took some extra time to recover and catch up from the end of year holidays, or were just slower to emerge from deep winter’s quieter rhythm. And now it feels like life is picking up momentum.
Do you already wish you had a do-over for your New Year’s fresh start? If so, you’re in luck. Not only is every moment a chance for a new beginning — today, February 17, is the start of the Lunar New Year. Because it starts with the second new moon after the Winter Solstice, it begins on a different date every year between January 21 and February 20.
And the Lunar New Year kicks off the 15 day celebration of the new year called Spring Festival. You can think of Spring Festival as Christmas, New Year’s, and Spring Cleaning all rolled into one. It’s a time for gathering with family and friends, sharing meals and gifts, reflecting on the year that has passed, and preparing for the one ahead. While the celebrations start on February 17 this year, the energetic shift into the new year began on February 4, the start of spring according to the Chinese solar calendar.
Rather than focusing on resolutions, the Lunar New Year encourages reflection and awareness. Chinese astrology is filled with symbolism that helps illuminate our deeper nature — our instincts, strengths, and habitual patterns. It provides insight into how we move through life, relate to others, and grow from within.
The Year of the Fire Horse
The Chinese zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each one represented by an animal, which interacts with the cycle of the 5 Elements. 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse.
The Horse symbolizes vitality, freedom, momentum, endurance, and bold spirit. Horses are charismatic and independent, happiest when moving toward something meaningful. They bring strength, resilience, and a love of open horizons. This year carries Yang Fire energy — bright, expressive, visible, and intense. Yang energy is outward, active, and expansive. When combined with the Horse, it creates a year that may feel fast-moving, passionate, and highly dynamic.
This is sometimes described as a year of sovereign fire — leadership energy. It rewards courage, clarity, and authentic self-expression. It invites you to stand in your truth and move decisively toward what matters. And yet… When Fire and Yang both peak, intensity can rise quickly. Inspiration may come in flashes. Emotions may feel amplified. Momentum can build before we’ve fully reflected.
The strength of this year lies in bold, heart-led action. The weakness lies in rushing without grounding.
Commit to Creating the Experience You Want to Have
Those who celebrate Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival do not traditionally make New Year resolutions, however they do celebrate the transition from winter to spring. Nature renews itself in cycles. And so can we. It is a good time to reflect and plant the “new idea seeds” that will sprout in spring. You can start by asking yourself: How do I make time and space to bring out my best sense of reflection? What is the new direction and experience I want to have?
It may be helpful to take a lesson from the Horse. The Fire Horse carries bold, instinctive momentum — but when unbalanced, that same energy can become reactive or impulsive. Begin by allowing a small pause before decisions. Horses are powerful not because they sprint endlessly, but because they understand rhythm and pacing. They conserve energy, stay attuned to their surroundings, and move forward with steady, heart-led purpose. The invitation this year is not to slow your dreams — but to root them deeply and move with intention.
Ask yourself:
How can I move forward with both courage and steadiness?
Can I act from alignment rather than urgency?
Where do I need both freedom and structure to support sustainable momentum?
What helps me stay grounded while pursuing what excites me?
What action can I take that reflects sovereign, heart-led leadership — serving not just my ambitions, but the greater good as well?
Get Some Support
If your intentions in 2026 include improving your health and well-being so you can accomplish your goals while enjoying the journey more, get in touch to schedule an appointment for acupuncture and herbal medicine. We’re here for you to support pain relief, stress reduction, immune boosting, or finally tackling that health issue that’s holding you back. The key is remembering that your wellbeing is not something you chase. It is something you return to. You can book online or reach out by phone or email.
May this Lunar New Year bring you inspired movement, courageous clarity, and a heart that glows rather than burns.
We’re Growing Our Clinic Support Team (Reception & Room Turnover)
Who do you know that would like to help us serve our patients with our kind of warmth and humor?
We’re looking for coverage for Reception & Room Turnover March 4th and 5th while Darien has some time off. We’ll do some training the week prior.
We’re also looking for someone who wants to work part-time, about 5 hours on Thursdays, with the desire to pick up more shifts as we grow and be on call while we’re growing into those shifts. Covering those days in March would let you see how fun and busy we are.
Have them email us at Thrive@thrive-acupuncture.com and we’ll get back to them with more info.
Fun Facts About Megan
Did you know Megan loves treating all things sinus, ears, nose, and throat?
She worked at a renowned otolaryngology clinic in San Francisco. She helped start up their integrative wellness center where she was the acupuncturist. Anytime the allopathic physicians hit a roadblock with one of their patients, they would send them to her.
She treated patients of all ages for sinus issues, allergies, ear imbalances, headaches, vertigo, throat problems, sleep apnea, and so much more.
New App For Online Scheduling
Want to make scheduling your appointments online even easier? Download the Jane for Clients App (Jane is the name of our online booking system).
Download for Apple
Download for Android
With the app, you can manage appointments for all clinics that use Jane in one place, with one login.
If you have questions ask Darien or Alisa, or check out the Jane App client guide.
Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Happy New Year)!
Christina and Team Thrive
P.S. Please share this with anyone you think could benefit from any of this info.
