Written by Francine Houston
The end of autumn and the beginning of winter is upon us. This is the time of year, as the trees go dormant, the days get shorter, and the nights are longer, and in the Northern hemisphere, the snow begins to blanket the ground. For many of us, this is a time for reflection: looking at where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and where we would like to go. It is the time of the year that people look toward what they would like to do. Who they would like to become and the resolutions that they are about to make going into 2026.
Every year people do the same thing: Reflect, resolve, and within 2 weeks, or 2 months, most of us revert to our old habits. Time to stop doing that cycle. We are at the end of a nine year cycle. In the Chinese calendar, 2025 has been a “Snake” year. This is a year highlighted by transformation, shedding …all the things that highlight the lifecycle of the snake. Since 2020, and the world pandemic, we have increasingly been refining, releasing, redefining and changing how we see the world, and ourselves in it.
As we approach 2026, and on February 17, specifically, we transition from the year of the Snake, to the year of the Fire Horse. In addition, we are, as of January 1, entering a “1” year: New beginning, and the beginning of a new 9 year cycle. What does that mean? How do we interpret these? Horse is about forward movement. Fire Horse is about quick and forward movement, passion and reigniting.
What would you like to create as we go into this 1 year; as we move into this Fire Horse year? Consider: What have you shed? What have you released? What do you want to begin to create? What foundation would you like to create for the next cycle? Where would you like to go? Where would you like to be by the end of the upcoming cycle?
I invite you to consider, as we end 2025, that the work that you have done, been doing, and the Shadows that you have been releasing are the steps that you have chosen to take to create a new life for yourself. Congratulations on your new life. The life that you are choosing as you move forward. I am so happy for you.
About Francine:
Francine is a fiber artist, intuitive channel, animal communicator, clairvoyant/medium and Soul Quilt Guide. She believes that everyone has innate Gifts and Talents that sometimes get obscured or suppressed as we journey through our lives. Our experiences and interactions either expand or contract the development of these unique Geniuses. It is Francine’s great honour to help to rediscover and reclaim their unique Voice and Genius. If this produces resonance in you, Francine invites you to book a complimentary 30 minute discovery session at soulquiltcreation@gmail.com or 519-591-0837