Intuitive Reading from the I Ching or Book of Change – Midwinter Transition.
In this intuitive reading, Soul Resources offers guidance through the I Ching to support your midwinter transition into 2026.
Chinese Zodiac
There are 12 archetypal animal energies or zodiacal signs that govern each Chinese Lunar New Year. On January 29th, 2026 we will transition into the New Year of the Yang Fire Horse.
Finding Balance in Times of Transition ~
The Chinese usher in their New Year with over 15 days of carefully orchestrated celebrations. Our society doesn’t invest the same time or care in ceremony, however, I have found that it’s profoundly valuable to take a pause and acknowledge important rites of passage. Let’s take some time to respectfully acknowledge the transition of one archetypal energy to the other.
The Snake’s energy will be making her exit quietly and slither away just after Lunar New Year.
On the positive side, Snake is known to be: Energetic, Sociable, especially Graceful, Wise, Perceptive and Determined.
On the challenging side, she can easily slither into: Jealous, Unapproachable, especially Suspicious, Sly and Inconsistent.
Just like you would imagine, the Snake is returning to her underground Winter nest. Make sure you don’t leave any snake holes left open for you to trip and fall into. Although unemotional, she’ll expect that you can take care of yourself over the next 12 years. Before she exits, perhaps she has some final advice for this midwinter transition as she prepares her exit…
If the past year has exhausted you, Snake recommends that you also leave the past behind behind you, then Reclaim and Ground in Your Power as often as you need to.
The Year of the Snake was filled with holes, trickery and downright treachery. Certainly a year of extreme transformation. However, the Snake wasn’t all bad news. She assisted us in shedding massive layers of denial and ignorance and, at the same time, held the energy for greater wisdom and caution about how we’re taking care of ourselves and the Earth. Under her penetrating gaze we were given the opportunity to shed any lies that we may have been telling ourselves, both individually and collectively.
Snake is a great advocate for the truth, being cautious and dealing with things as they really are, which made last year a good year for letting go of rash behaviors and extreme ideas.
Getting to Know the Energy of the Horse ~
Year of the Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026…
The positive qualities of the Horse are: Warm-hearted. Upright. Positive. Patient. Steady. However, the challenging qualities that you can encounter are: Emotional. Extravagant. Opinionated. Inflexible.
Complimentary Zodiac Signs: Tiger and Dog.
The Horse’s Secret Friend is Ram/Sheep and she is easily spooked by Rat.
The upcoming Year of the Horse is bound to be an emotional wild ride. Prepare for a lot of emotional twists and turns.
In anticipation, Horse confirms that we’re going to need plenty of help Setting Clear Boundaries to keep our minds quiet.
Keep your feet firmly beneath you and remember what direction you need to head. Develop Clear Perception, Other wise, you’ll find yourself out in the wilderness without clear guidance.
You may be confronted with extreme situations that you need to drop quickly and distance yourself from. Find out what’s going on and shed those old skins with Stuck in the Past.
As soon as you can, turn your attention to how you can improve your sense of stability and safety in your personal space using Creating Internal Safety.
Guidance from Kuan Yin and the I Ching
Kuan Yin has been helping us to transition into a New Paradigm based on common ground for the common good since 2009 and has some direct words to share with us:
“When the foundation of a building is collapsing, it’s natural for the people caught up in it to go into emergency and cling to something they think will save them. However, those who grab onto a part of the old paradigm structure that’s already falling apart are putting themselves in danger and actually working against their own best interests.
You may not be aware of how you’re clinging to your own past. It may seem, in your mind, that because things used to work in a certain way, they still do. You may even insist that what you understood to be real then is true now. When strong mental connections are challenged, strong emotions rise up. You may even grip harder and search for others who share your point of view. This is a classic survival response and completely understandable.
You may feel safer initially, because the group gives energy to the old deteriorating structure and that helps you feel more secure. However, the underlying framework is still unstable.
This midwinter transition provides an important opportunity to build a new structure in the present that could actually support you and others going into the future. Once you let go of the fear and other things that keep pulling you into the past, you can open to something much more hopeful.”
The I Ching
The original intent of the I Ching was based on an Eastern philosophy of observation and marking changes in natural and human events. Through many centuries and contributions from shamans and master teachers, including Lau Tzu and Confucius, the Book of Change was developed into a full philosophy for applying beneficial human conduct to varying circumstances. The Art of Feng Shui is part of that philosophy.Stay Calm and Steady Through MODERATION
The I Ching energy has been traveling in multiple highway patterns for some time and it’s likely to continue that way.
Whenever that happens, instability is exaggerated. The best way for you to find your own balance is to find and follow the flow of Hexagram #15 MODERATION or “the Middle Road.” The original text offers explicit warnings and advice for keeping your balance during this Midwinter Transition.
“In social relationships, avoid extremes. People who are overly intelligent or overly ignorant tend to extremes in their behavior and attitudes…
Your inner development now requires a modest and sincere attitude. Do not indulge in extremes of any sort, and instead strive for MODERATION in all that you do… In this way you use the balancing tendency of the current forces to center yourself. This inner equilibrium aligns you with the tao, thus bringing you into harmony with forces that can work for you…”
CH’IEN, firmness in the upper trigram of cosmic ideals is full of its own strength while the mountainous KEN, stillness, is immovable in the lower trigram of human affairs. Each is an extreme, yet the existence of each moderates the other. Without changing lines, the hexagram MODERATION reflects a need for temperance in dealing with the object of your inquiry. Carefully measure your reactions by disengaging from opinionated attitudes. Only in this way can you begin to make progress.” ~ Hexagram #15 MODERATION, The I Ching Workbook, R.L. Wing, Random House, NYC, NY, 1979
Another prominent Energy Highway is described in Hexagram #23 DETERIORATION.
” There is an impressive display of DETERIORATION in nearly every aspect of the current affair. These lesser elements and those who represent them have gained complete control over the situation…
In political affairs and matters of power the time may be thought of as a rapid DETERIORATION or overthrow. There exists now an abundance of incompetent persons in positions of authority to help bring this about…
The text continues to warn against forging ahead at this time. Your best course is to wait out the difficult times and protect yourself by generously providing for those close to you.“
There exists a brief time where the flow of Hexagram #49 CHANGING is available.
If, at all possible, you see an avenue open for positive change, take advantage of the opportunity.
“The forces at work in the situation are in conflict, leaving the path open to change. Yet the work of bringing about such a change is as difficult as it is important. People fear change because of its unknowable effect upon the future; so when a real need for CHANGING makes itself felt, it is a serious matter indeed. Clarity, forethought, and great devotion are now required to achieve your purpose. If correctly handled, however, the results can lead to a progressive new era.”
To clarify, Kuan Yin teaches that each of the Hexagrams has a distinct flow that you can come into sync with and use to your benefit.
When you don’t see any benefit in following a particular highway, the flow for MODERATION is always available, it just takes effort and experience to stay in balance with it.
“Your inner development now requires a modest and sincere attitude. Do not indulge in extremes of any sort, and instead strive for MODERATION in all that you do… In this way you use the balancing tendency of the current forces to center yourself. This inner equilibrium aligns you with the tao, thus bringing you into harmony with forces that can work for you…” MODERATION, The I Ching Workbook, R.L. Wing, Random House, NYC, NY, 1979
Numerology and the Tarot
The Major Arcana Card for 2026 is #X The Wheel of Fortune (2+0+2+6 = 10 = 1)
The number 1 represents Unity and the universal force of creation. The “One” implies the Source that embodies the original seed of potential.
Wheel of Fortune Meanings: The laws of karma and reincarnation. Cycles and turning points. Good luck. Chance. A shift in fortune. Extravagance or overindulgence. Reversed: Yo-yo effect. Fluctuations. Anxiety. Unknown outcome. Bad timing. Missed opportunity. Bad luck. Bad karma.
The Wheel of Fortune indicates that “anything can happen.” Like throwing coins in the air for a lucky toss. It suggests that there are many mechanisms, both known and unknown that have an influence on the outcome of any inquiry. Perhaps timing, a balance of the elements, cosmic order or hidden knowledge… secrets, karma, the mysteries of cause and effect.
As we can see, the movements of the cosmic flow and the archetypes are about to escalate and our experiences are bound to increase as well. The question is, are we willing to take the helm and navigate with composure or just let things spin recklessly out of control?
Interesting questions to ask The Wheel of Fortune in a reading about the energy of 2026:
How can I deflect negative energies, communications, reversals and protect myself?
What is needed for me to nourish Balanced Prosperity?
How can I create and maintain emotional balance?
How can I keep myself centered in the midst of all this change?
When our actions are centered and illuminated by the Soul, rather than the status quo, important information about timing, reversals or polarity are available and will serve us going forward.
Assistance for Those Experiencing Extreme Stress ~
Soul Oriented Solutions offers assistance through Self-care Formulas and Mind Exercises that have been designed to help those who are exhausted, still in shock, overwhelmed or emotionally drained due to extreme weather events and socio-political change.
If you or someone you know is experiencing extreme stress and needs quick assistance for overwhelm and other symptoms of PTSD, this resource can help…
Access Overwhelm Help Here
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About the Author of Midwinter Transitions
If you feel that you need additional help, Rheanni Lightwater, BFA, CHT, CKP has 25+ years experience in the art and science of mind body healing. Contact her for a private session if you need more help.
Ms. Lightwater’s mission is to assist people in creating healthy balance and harmony in their lives through Reiki, Energy Medicine, Hypnotherapy, Feng Shui and Shamanic forms of space clearing.
Schedule with Rheanni via Zoom or in person when you visit Santa Fe, New Mexico. Call, text (505) 271-4612 or email: rheanni@soulresourcesllc.com
