Happy Lunar New Year start of the 2026 Fire Horse!

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Happy Fire Horse Bǐng Wǔ 丙午 year!
• Practice update – celebrating 20 years!

Hello,

On behalf of the entire Red Tree Wellness team, Happy Bing Wu 丙午 Fire Horse 🌞🏇 year! San nin faai lok! Gung Hei Faat Choi! (Cantonese). Xīnnián kuàilè! Gōng xǐ fā cái! (Mandarin) Happy New Year! Happiness and Prosperity to you!

Today is the Lunar start date, the most commonly celebrated date. The Chinese follow a combined lunisolar calendar that marks sun and moon trends and transitions. The Solar start date of the Fire Horse was on February 4th. This is the calendars’ tracking of the Start of Spring – the increased sunlight and warming trend begins which means new life, new Qi energy and blessings. Traditionally on the first day of the year, we don’t clean (including showering!), so that we don’t wash away the good Qi/lucky energy that has entered today with the New Moon. Prior to today, we would have done a thorough clearing of our home and work, in order to make room for the good luck (Qi) of the new year. This is just a good practice overall to do. A cleansed and orderly home, translates to an orderly mind because our subconscious and unconscious brain, our deeper channels and vessels, no longer has to sort through the visual clutter. This allows good healthy Qi to flow in your home, and in your mind!

It’s also that time of year we see and eat special foods. Each of them have meaning. As I always talk about every year, it is also that time of year we see special foods that all have meaning. I mention every year that one of my favourites growing up was Tong Yuen (Cantonese) / Tang Yuan (Mandarin). It is a rice ball in a brown sugar and ginger soup. The symbolism of a round ball signifies the wholeness of a family, health, peace and harmony. The sweets are to sweeten the blessings of the year. The Red Envelopes are a method of delivering the blessings. Red brings luck and life and is traditionally worn at this time of year. These favourites are back at the clinic for a week as we enjoy bestowing you with blessings and luck!

This new year is one that will be filled with rapid transformational change! This looks to be a year of explosive creativity, movement, inspiration, transformation and breakthroughs! There is no looking back. A new world order is launching. Are you ready to ride this journey?! We will continue to see more entrepreneurship and digital technology launch this year and as a whole for the world – at a rapid pace! The first two quarters of the year rocket launches change with an interaction transforming to additional Fire and some conflict, involving literal battles or of words – emotions, swords and knives. Fire burns through anything that stands in its way. Be prepared, and learn to pivot, go with the flow, and elevate your learning to accommodate. It is there for your own rising and transformation as well! The beauty of Fire is that it is in the end, motivated by love, happiness, warmth and compassion – harness this!

Despite possible egos and tempers flaring this double Fire Horse year, be part of the continued, passionate and collective expansive change by amplifying the positivity and movement of the Wu 午 Horse’s drive to expand, interconnect, create and transform into a new world! I wish you ease in discovering your next best self and bringing it forward!

If you’re curious to dive deeper and a bit more technical into what the Fire Hose has in store, you can read one my articles posted at these esteemed companies in our Chinese medicine world: Eastern Currents & Tan Academy of Balance Inc.

This month of February marks 20 years of my Acupuncture licence and continuous practice (no more than a 1 month break)! The month of June marks 20 years as Red Tree Wellness! I have reflected on this quite a bit over the last month, and how much I feel lucky to be able to do this. Helping and guiding people is only one small part of this purpose that I both fell into and was led to. The bigger picture is helping spread the beauty of the Classical Chinese medicine and Classical Acupuncture that I practice, Classical metaphysics, and continuing to keep this effective style alive. As I enter my 13th year of teaching, and 10 years of teaching Balance System Acupuncture (Classical Acupuncture known for efficient and effective results) since my Master passed way, I realize more and more, that teaching is work of the soul and teaching the future is one of the biggest works of benevolence I could do. Those that have been teachers, know that the payoff is not monetary, it is how you are a part of the inspirational ripple effect. I am grateful for this way to help fellow practitioners be more effective in their practice, and help patients feel better sooner!

I have accepted that one of my purposes now as I enter my “elder” years of practice, is to keep on teaching, to pass on my experience and to keep Chinese medicine and this effective Acupuncture style alive. I do have several teaching engagements around the world this coming year. I’m thrilled to be continuing to pass on this sacred and efficacious Classical Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture system passed down through my Master, Grandmaster Dr. Richard Tan, OMD, and inspired by my Agong Tan & Nagong Cheng. The team of Dr. Kathleen Dang and Suzanne Williams are here to support you while I am gone. They have been trained and certified in Balance System Acupuncture by me, and I have full confidence in them. I will continue to offer 2 days a week when I am here – yes still keeping the practice going! It keeps my finger on the pulse. I learn so much from you, my patients, and I help you set the conditions of your health to restore thrive.😉

Wishing you many blessings, with smooth flow in health and life! 

Yours in good health and happiness,

Dr. Sonia F. Tan, DAOM (degree-USA), RAc, RTCMP

Founder & Director of Red Tree Wellness Inc.