Happy New Year as we head into 2026, the year of the Fire Horse!
A fire horse year signifies a rare, powerful period of rapid change, passion, and bold action, combining the Horse’s natural energy (speed, freedom, ambition) with the Fire element’s intensity, leading to innovation, personal growth, but requiring balanced ambition to avoid burnout. It’s a time for taking risks and transformation, moving from the introspective previous year (Wood Snake) into dynamic, fast-paced opportunities for breakthroughs.
At Issoan,we are starting the year with a whirlwind of activities: New Year’s Poetry Gathering, a new 10 week Introduction to Chado class, Hatsugama, traveling to Seattle to celebrate East-West Chanoyu Hatsugama, Kashintei Kai at Portland Japanese Garden Hatsugama, a new Chado masterclass teacher traing class, and the Tankokai Hatsu Chakai.
I have many ambitious plans for the rest of the year. Stay tuned, it could be a wild ride!
Be kind, share tea, spread peace.