I Ching Reading 2026: Year of the Fire Horse

Here is Karme Choling’s I Ching reading from Shambhala Day for 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse. As part of our New Year’s celebration, we turned to the I Ching to help illuminate the energies and possibilities of the year ahead. The reading was offered by Jan Enthoven, who chose to cast the hexagram using the traditional yarrow stick method rather than coins. This is an older, more contemplative approach which takes a little more time and patience. Good virtues to have going into the new year.

Our question was:
How can this community flourish in harmony with its resources?

The results were:
Hexagram 58 changing to 34
Changing lines: 3 & 5

Flourishing in harmony with our resources will come through:

• Encouraging one another with honesty and goodwill
• Avoiding distraction and misaligned commitments
• Exercising discernment in partnerships
• Using growing influence responsibly
• Aligning strength with shared values and right timing

The Year of the Fire Horse carries energy and momentum. This reading suggests that if we root that energy in truth, cooperation, and ethical strength, the community can grow in a way that is both joyful and sustainable.

58 — TUI — ENCOURAGING (JOY) 兑

Above: Tui — Lake

Below: Tui — Lake

The time has come when you can achieve your aims through the encouragement of others. Encouragement is one of the great powers over men. It can inspire them to the heights of co-operation, even to the point of transcending the fear of death itself.

When ENCOURAGING others, you yourself must have in your heart a firm knowledge of the uncompromised truth. Then you may show kindness and gentleness in your relations. This pleasant mood brings allegiance, co-operation, and, ultimately, success. Be cautioned, however, not to allow the situation to degenerate into uncontrolled gaiety or false optimism. The firm truth should always be at the center.

Social functions will be highlighted now. In these situations, your encouragement and kindness will win the hearts of your friends, leading the way to significant social achievements. This is not the time to be critical and opinionated. Don’t be fooled by the immediate and striking effect that intimidation has over others. It wears off quickly and leaves behind only unpleasant associations. Instead, strive to create accord within your society by ENCOURAGING others in the pursuits of their individual goals.

If ever there were an audience for that charismatic and exceptional leader among men, it exists now. In business and political affairs, friendliness, kindness, and expansiveness toward others will create a spirit unparalleled in loyalty. Followers will take upon themselves all manner of hardship and sacrifice toward the attainment of worthwhile goals, and at the same time they will take extraordinary pleasure and pride in their work; thus the entire situation becomes beneficial for all concerned. It is necessary only that the leader have firmness and correctness within and an ENCOURAGING attitude toward others.

In personal relationships you have the opportunity to communicate more deeply than ever before. A strong understanding coupled with an attitude of goodwill can bring progress to your relationships. If you are involved in teaching those dear to you, an ENCOURAGING presentation of information will achieve a great deal.

Remember your goals, however, and do not become frivolous or lose yourself in the joy of the moment.

Generally, the time of ENCOURAGING is best spent in discussion with others.

Communications are greatly enhanced, and you now have the opportunity to enter into deep and open philosophical accord with your fellow man. You may openly examine your principles and gauge their effectiveness. Test your ideals. Explore the deepest strata of your feelings. Discuss this with others and learn what you can from them. Look for the thread of truth that extends through all things. In this way, dogma and habitual thinking fall away, and your character becomes multifaceted and refreshing.

The trigram, Tui, openness and pleasure, is repeated and shared in the realms of cosmic ideals and human affairs.

The unchanging hexagram bodes a continuing success, which is dependent upon your relations with others. Keep this in mind, particularly in regard to the object of your inquiry. Your goals can come to fruition in an atmosphere of gentleness and goodwill toward others. Difficulties will arise now if your endeavors are toward the self-sufficient.

Changing Lines

Line 3

Total abandonment to outside pleasures and diversions is only momentarily fulfilling. These indulgences in idle distractions will surely bring misfortune. True happiness will be found in the person full of his own nature.

Line 5

You are contemplating a relationship with an inferior element. Such a commitment is dangerous, for you will be drawn into peril. You must now be more selective in order to protect yourself.

34 — TA CHUANG — GREAT POWER 大壯

Above: Chen — Thunder

Below: Chien — Heaven

GREAT POWER, when it befalls a man, is a true test of his character. All of his actions have significant influence upon others. What he says is heard, what he thinks is felt. He has the wherewithal to bring enlightenment and progress to his world or to lead it into chaos and evil. He can greatly further his inner development, or completely exhaust himself. Therefore the man possessing GREAT POWER is mostly concerned with correctness.

Keep in mind that power is a means and not an end in itself. In applying the available forces to the situation at hand, be certain that your timing is exact and that your actions are correct — that is, in the best interest for all concerned.

The Chinese point out that actions that combine both correctness and GREAT POWER represent the true character and tendencies in heaven and on earth. The responsibility of correctness in times of GREAT POWER is unparalleled in importance, for actions that are inappropriate or incorrect will pull you and others into chaos.

There is little question that this hexagram is unusually auspicious in worldly matters. Although blessed with GREAT POWER, you would be wise to pause and be certain that your proposed objectives are honorable. Take a cue from the past. Do not do anything that is not part of established policy. Unorthodox actions can lead to downfall during powerful times. Be patient, too, and wait for the opportune moment before executing your plan.

Above all, the influence of GREAT POWER will be most evident in direct social situations. You will find yourself in the center of attention. Your influence is tremendous at this time; your presence does not go unnoticed. Use the power to improve relations and implement good works. When in doubt, adhere strictly to established customs and social order. In this way you will realize continued support, even after the time of GREAT POWER is past.

You will find that you have unusual influence and power in personal relationships. This is definitely a responsibility. Those you love trust you and look to you for leadership. Sensing their dependence, they may look to you for reassurance as well. Maintain now a strictly traditional role. Even innocent deviations from the traditional could end in emotional disaster.

Transcend difficulties in your inner development by remaining mindful of your shortcomings. Do not assume that your power indicates strength of character, or that it justifies all your attitudes and opinions.

This is just another test. Pay special attention to timing, propriety and goodness in order to fully employ the GREAT POWER available to you. In bringing enlightenment and progress to others, you strengthen your own sense of health and well-being.

Chien, heavenly strength, in the lower trigram firmly establishes the path of goodness. Great movement, Chen, above, carries this out.

When you receive this hexagram without change, you must devote yourself to establishing harmony between your Self and traditional ideals. Adhering to these ideals will center you, regardless of your opinions of conventional values. This is absolutely necessary in order to give your GREAT POWER the correct thrust — the thrust out of and beyond what may be a stifling situation.