The Fire Horse year of 2026 is fast, catalytic, and highly visible — and knowing how to work with it makes all the difference.

In this special full-year episode, Zoë Vita-James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth guide you through the energetic landscape of 2026, sharing how to align with the year practically, personally, and within your home or workplace.

You’ll hear:

• The overall “weather” of the Fire Horse year
• Clear guidance on what to do where in your space — including where to activate and where to be more cautious
• Practical advice for supporting wellbeing, prosperity, and ease
• Personal forecasts for each of the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals

All shared through the lens of authentic classical Feng Shui and Ba Zi astrology, drawn from over three decades of combined experience working with these systems in real homes and real lives.

Going deeper

As Zoë shares in this episode, the real power of forecasting lies in understanding your Ba Zi chart — starting with the patterns and relationships between all four pillars.

From 4th February, Zoë is offering a bespoke written 2026 forecast, created from your own Four Pillars, highlighting what is most pertinent for you around wellbeing, prosperity, and relationships.

This — and how to align your space — can also be explored further in Zoë’s 90-minute 1:1 Feng Shui Clinic on Zoom.

To enquire, email Zoë.

If you’d like to learn more about studying Ba Zi and Classical Feng Shui, contact Richard.

Richard also has a new book out, ‘I Talk to the Animals’, available from all good book shops.

If you have a question you’d like us to answer (confidentially) in a future episode, do get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.

Contact details:

• Zoë — zoe@zoevitajames.com | Instagram @zoevitajames

• Richard — richardashworth@imperialfengshui.info | imperialfengshui.info

Enjoy — and welcome to the Fire Horse year.

Find Your Animals:

1. Rat: 1948, 60, 72, 84, 96; in December*; on certain days**, 11pm-1am***
2. Ox: 1949, 61, 73, 85, 97; in January; on certain days; 1-3am
3. Tiger: 1950, 62, 74, 86, 98; in February; on certain days; 3-5am
4. Rabbit: 1951, 63, 75, 87, 99; in March; on certain days; 5-7am
5. Dragon: 1952, 64, 76, 88, 2000; in April; on certain days; 7-9am
6. Snake: 1941, 53, 65, 77, 89; in May; on certain days; 9-11am
7. Horse: 1942, 54, 66, 78, 90; in June; on certain days; 11am-1pm
8. Sheep: 1943, 55, 67, 79, 91; in July; on certain days; 1-3pm
9. Monkey: 1944, 56, 68, 80, 92; in August; on certain days; 3-5pm
10. Rooster: 1945, 57, 69, 81, 93; in September; on certain days; 5-7pm
11. Dog: 1946, 58, 70, 82, 94; in October; on certain days; 7-9pm
12. Pig: 1947, 59, 71, 83, 95; in November; on certain days; 9-11pm

* Solar Months start a few days later than Gregorian months.

** For your Day animal you’ll need a Chinese calendar or to know your Ba Zi.

*** Adjust the hour if born during daylight savings.

Note: there are nuanced meanings depending on whether the animal is in your Year, Month, Day or Hour, as explained in this episode.

___________

© 2026 Feng Shui: The Real Thing. All Rights Reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rat months (December) tend to be talkative times of the year. With the 1-energy at the heart of your space this month, together with the mud-in-the-mouth Earth Rat's monthly energy and the backdrop of a challenging Snake year to date, this calls for a month of letting your hair down, relaxed chats and chilling.

Join Richard and Zoe as they talk you through their ways to harness the shifting energies of the month – where to be in your space, what to do where and when, and precise advice personalised to each zodiac Animal sign to easefully ride this month and come out smiling.

To make the most of this podcast you’ll want to know which Animals are in your personal Ba Zi astrology chart - use the guide below or email Zoë with your date of birth to find out.

And if you have a question that you’d like us to (confidentially) answer in a future episode, message us:

• Zoë at zoe@zoevitajames.com or DM on Zoë's Instagram @zoevitajames.
• Richard at richardashworth@imperialfengshui.info or Richard's website imperialfengshui.info to also sign up for Richard’s monthly newsletter and information on his Substack channel.

Enjoy!

___________

Find Your Animals:

1. Rat: 1948, 60, 72, 84, 96; in December*; on certain days**, 11pm-1am***
2. Ox: 1949, 61, 73, 85, 97; in January; on certain days; 1-3am
3. Tiger: 1950, 62, 74, 86, 98; in February; on certain days; 3-5am
4. Rabbit: 1951, 63, 75, 87, 99; in March; on certain days; 5-7am
5. Dragon: 1952, 64, 76, 88, 2000; in April; on certain days; 7-9am
6. Snake: 1941, 53, 65, 77, 89; in May; on certain days; 9-11am
7. Horse: 1942, 54, 66, 78, 90; in June; on certain days; 11am-1pm
8. Sheep: 1943, 55, 67, 79, 91; in July; on certain days; 1-3pm
9. Monkey: 1944, 56, 68, 80, 92; in August; on certain days; 3-5pm
10. Rooster: 1945, 57, 69, 81, 93; in September; on certain days; 5-7pm
11. Dog: 1946, 58, 70, 82, 94; in October; on certain days; 7-9pm
12. Pig: 1947, 59, 71, 83, 95; in November; on certain days; 9-11pm.

* Solar Months start a few days later than Gregorian months.

** For your Day animal you’ll need a chinese calendar or ask Zoë.

*** Adjust the hour if born during daylight savings.

Note: there are nuanced meanings depending on whether the animal is in your Year, Month, Day or Hour, as explained in this episode.

___________

© 2025 Feng Shui: The Real Thing. All Rights Reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we dive into the shifting qi of the month—what it means for each Animal sign and, most importantly, how you can harness it to your advantage. Together, we explore the power of perfect timing, the opportunities grown through Zoe’s ongoing home transformation, and insights on your world and your space as seen through the lens of Feng Shui.

To help you follow the guidance given in this podcast you’ll want to know which Animals are in your personal Ba Zi astrology chart - use the guide below or email Zoë with your birth details to find out.

And if you have a question that you’d like us to (confidentially) answer in a future episode, do contact us:

• Zoë at zoe@zoevitajames.com or DM on Zoë's Instagram @zoevitajames.
• Richard at richardashworth@imperialfengshui.info or Richard's website imperialfengshui.info to also sign up for Richard’s monthly newsletter and information on his Substack channel.

Enjoy!

___________

Find Your Animals:

1. Pig: 1947, 59, 71, 83, 95; in November*; on certain days**; 9-11pm***
2. Rat: 1948, 60, 72, 84, 96; in December; on certain days, 11pm-1am
3. Ox: 1949, 61, 73, 85, 97; in January; on certain days; 1-3am
4. Tiger: 1950, 62, 74, 86, 98; in February; on certain days; 3-5am
5. Rabbit: 1951, 63, 75, 87, 99; in March; on certain days; 5-7am
6. Dragon: 1952, 64, 76, 88, 2000; in April; on certain days; 7-9am
7. Snake: 1941, 53, 65, 77, 89; in May; on certain days; 9-11am
8. Horse: 1942, 54, 66, 78, 90; in June; on certain days; 11am-1pm
9. Sheep: 1943, 55, 67, 79, 91; in July; on certain days; 1-3pm
10. Monkey: 1944, 56, 68, 80, 92; in August; on certain days; 3-5pm
11. Rooster: 1945, 57, 69, 81, 93; in September; on certain days; 5-7pm
12. Dog: 1946, 58, 70, 82, 94; in October; on certain days; 7-9pm.

* Solar Months start a few days later than Gregorian months.

** For your Day animal you’ll need a chinese calendar or ask Zoë.

*** Adjust the Hour if born during daylight savings.

Note: there are nuanced meanings depending on whether the animal is in your Year, Month, Day or Hour, as explained in this episode.

___________

© 2025 Feng Shui: The Real Thing. All Rights Reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.