05/01/2026
Ji Zi 己丑 (Earth Ox) aka “The Ox in the Pen”
The year of the Fire Horse is upon us, and with it the usual catalogue of gloomy astrological predictions. The general consensus leans towards emotional chaos, confrontation and conflict, disintegration of meaning and coherence, volatility and short fuses. Life is, according to Macbeth anyway, “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
Oddly for an astrologer, I have decided not to join this chorus, not because I don’t believe this is where we are going collectively but because I’d rather stay open to the possibility of positive change. This is not idealism, or toxic positivity, simply a recognition that we all have the freedom and agency to contribute to a thriving future, and dwelling on the inevitable collapse of society doesn’t help. The energy, ingenuity and imagination needed are after all Fire Horse qualities as well.
The slow and steady Ox is in many ways the antidote, or antagonist, to the Horse (whilst they don’t clash in the zodiac, they are politically opposed). Historically, the ox with its gift for straight lines, replaced the waywood horse as the plow animal.
The second terrestrial branch of Chou represents the dark early morning of day and year (1-3am, January). It is also a segment of the compass essentially covering North North East, where the dipper currently points at midnight, towards a notional sun far below the horizon.
The ancient symbol for Chou is a closed fist. What do you feel if you close your fist?
Perhaps something like determination? Strength? Obstinacy? Consolidation?
Ancient meanings included closing, staking, binding. While depicting a time of deep rest, there is a sense of industry in closing loops, repairs and preparing the ground for the coming growth.
Oxen are the conscientious doers of the Chinese zodiac, a mix of Earth and Metal. Common descriptions they might appreciate - tenacious, hard working, dignified, calm, sincere, dependable, punctual. They would probably also be quite stoical about the negative ones - stubborn, sullen, dull, repressed, laconic, bureaucratic. Think the Butler in Remains of the Day, or a bleak January day.
Whilst stable and conventional (sometimes slavishly so) they are also dreamers. Quite literally given the time. Not the fantasy / wishful-thinking type but a solid and informed connection to the other world. This is the time for divination, planning, deep research.
The particular Ox of this month is the Earth Ox. Since Earth is the native element of the Ox, this amplifies its character - perhaps negatively as too much earth can cause stuckness. That might look like lots of effort without reward, even misfortune, but characteristically Oxen won’t complain, and will just plod on. I think you know the type. And it is just that, Oxen can be quite mercurial if they want to be, and as we may have to be this month.
*You will have an Ox in your chart if you were born
In 2009, 1997, 1985, 1971, 1961, 1949.
Between 1-3am (watch out for DST)
January ostensibly (more or less between the dates above),
Certain days (do please ask me).
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