The Tamesis
February 17th is the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake is over. Instead, horses of fire gallop across the horizon, calling us to approach life with passion and courage. We can all breathe a sigh of relief. The fun is about to begin, and it’s also just in time for spring.
Wondering what this means for your love life? Well, more than you think. People born in the Year of the Horse are very independent, but also loyal and sincere. They are not easy to tame because they do their own thing, but once they commit, they stay true to their core. Trust and integrity are of paramount importance to them; they do not tolerate hypocrisy and do not tolerate inappropriate behavior. These values come to the fore in the Year of the Horse: adventure and novelty fuel relationships, so Netflix and the cold won’t diminish its power as an aphrodisiac. It’s time to book a romantic trip abroad, or at least get creative with where you order takeout from when you really want to feel cozy at home.
What the past Year of the Horse can tell us
Astrology is all about cycles, so looking to the past can help us understand the present. Each Year of the Horse belongs to one of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Wood brings new beginnings, Fire brings vitality, Earth provides grounding, Metal brings focus, and Water brings emotional awareness.
The last Year of the Fire Horse dates back to 1966: the era of the women’s liberation movement, the popularization of birth control pills, and the coming of the Summer of Love. 1978’s Earth Horse finds us in the experimental, swinging ’70s, with divorce rates on the rise. 1990’s Metal Horse saw third wave feminism encouraging body autonomy and sex positivity. So, generally speaking, the Year of the Horse is all about independence, and women are making great strides in this area.
Looking back at the recent past, 2002’s Water Horse marked the early days of online dating, and all the stigma that came with it. By Wood Horse 2014, Tinder was in full effect and more people were meeting online than ever before. In years past, “taking risks” meant swiping right, but is there anything more tiring today than surfing the love algorithm? It’s safe to say we’ve gotten over it—so romance and sexual freedom can come in other, more original ways.
How the Year of the Horse Will Change Dating
Looking at today’s dating landscape, there’s a common frustration with the way connections are made: It mostly happens online, making it difficult to meet someone in person. After more than ten years of brushing love, the initial freshness has faded. It’s no exaggeration to say that online dating has begun to make people feel commoditized, like they’re just another face in a seemingly endless sea of options. Breadcrumbs, ghosts and shadowy situations abound, meaning we feel more isolated than ever.
The Year of the Fire Horse may be the year we find the courage to connect with the real world again, making us more capable and courageous to take the first step. Does adventure mean putting down your phone and going out into the world? Will we get out of this and take real action? The Fire Horse doesn’t do well with ambiguity; it craves clarity and decisive action. The energy this year may prompt people to express their intentions clearly.
How the Year of the Horse will affect your love life
People born in the year of the Horse, Tiger or Dragon have never needed an excuse to be adventurous, expressive or passionate, so this could be an exciting year for them to make great gestures in love. Those born in the Year of the Rat, Ox or Rooster may find this an exciting year to try new things and step out of your comfort zone in relationships. They are loved for their protectiveness and loyalty, and romantic leaps of faith can lead to unexpected rewards.
