2014 – The Year of the Horse

Renee Lehman

(1/2014) The Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year or Chinese Spring Festival), one of the traditional Chinese festivals, is the grandest and the most important festival for Chinese people. It originated during the Shang Dynasty (about 17th - 11th century BCE), and it is an important time for families to get together, similar to Christmas Day for westerners. It is also a time to hope for the return of spring, to welcome prosperity, wealth, and longevity, and a time to remove any negative qi (pronounced "chee") from the past. There is even a tradition prior to the New Year for every family to thoroughly clean the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes of making way for good incoming luck.

Chinese Calendar History

The Chinese calendar was originated by the Yellow Emperor Huang Ti, and has been in use for centuries. The Chinese calendar is called a lunar calendar, but is really a calendar based on the moon and the sun. The Gregorian calendar, which the world uses today (originated 430 years ago) is a solar calendar.

The Twelve Animals of the Chinese Calendar

The Chinese calendar is made of five, twelve-year cycles. Each of the twelve years of the Chinese calendar is appointed one of the following 12 animal’s names (in this order): rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon (the only mythological animal), snake, horse, sheep, monkey, fowl, dog, and pig. The animal that rules the year of your birth is said to exercise a major influence over your life, and that year in general. Much of the information used for this article is taken from The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora and Laura Lau, 2007.

The Horse

I am the Kaleidoscope of the mind.
I impart light, color and perpetual motion.
I think I see, I am moved by electric fluidity.
Constant only in my inconstancy,
I am unshackled by mundane holds,
Unchecked by sturdy, binding goals.
I run unimpeded through virgin paths
My spirit unconquered – My soul forever free.
      I Am The Horse (Lau & Lau, 2007)

Horse Personality

If you were born in one of the following years, your sign is the Horse (1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, and 2002). A person born in the year of the Horse is considered animated, cheerful, and popular, although his/her changeable nature may cause him/her to be hot-tempered, rash and headstrong at times (they may throw tantrums when situations don’t go their way). The Horse personality is often willing to give as well as expecting a lot of liberty. People as a rule confide in a Horse person because he/she is honest, and sincerely interested in other’s thoughts and feelings. Thus, they are able to help with both a wise words and an action.

The Horse personality is extremely independent, confident, and quick-witted. They are intelligent, and able grasp new subjects with ease. They thrive when they are the center of attention, but even more, they like to be recognized for their skills and talents. They’re also capable of multi-tasking however they don’t always finish what they start because they’re forever chasing the next opportunity.

Famous People born in the Year of the Horse

• Neil Armstrong, American Astronaut
• Clint Eastwood, American Actor and Director
• Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federations
• Halle Berry, American Actress
• Thomas Alva Edison, American Inventor
• Leonard Bernstein, American Composer
• Nelson Mandela, South African President
• Theodore Roosevelt, American President
• Anwar Sadat, Egyptian President
• Barbra Streisand, American Singer and Actress
• Condoleeza Rice, United States Secretary of State

General Predictions for the Year of the Horse

Last year, the Year of the Snake, was characterized by transformation on a body/mind/spirit, and the need for attention to detail (planting the seeds) for achieving the goals that you set in 2013. The Year of the Horse which begins on January 31, 2014 will be a year of great energy and power for those who can grab hold and hang on (like riding a stallion). You won't get left in the dust if you've planted a lot of seeds in the 2013 Snake year. The 2014 Horse will want room to run so have big dreams and goals worthy of a powerful steed and you'll ride your way to success.

The upcoming 2014 Year of the Horse is going to be an optimistic year. The kind-hearted nature of this year will provide us with supportive friends who will be attentive to our troubles (and ready to help us in difficulties), and individuals who will be quick to react in protection of those who cannot stand up for themselves. It will be a year that gives us the opportunity to cope with financial hardships in the belief that good fortune will soon be on the way.

Quotes to Live By in the Year of the Horse

• I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way. - Carl Sandburg
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• Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. - Thomas Jefferson
• It has always seemed strange to me... the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second. - John Steinbeck
• Independence is happiness. - Susan B. Anthony
• For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. - Nelson Mandela
• There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. - Nelson Mandela

Do any of these resonate with you? If so, write it down and place it somewhere you see it every day.

Be nimble, open-minded, and set big goals for success in the unbridled 2014 Year of Horse.

Renee Lehman is a licensed acupuncturist, physical therapist, and Reiki Master with over 20 years of health care experience. Her office is located at 249B York Street in Gettysburg, PA.  She can be reached at 717-752-5728.