Author: BruceBlue, Bing Ventures

Prologue: The Pendulum of Time, The Neighing of the Red Horse

We stand at a historical juncture. While the clamor of the world leaves us feeling lost about the future, ancient Eastern wisdom has already marked the next crucial point on the timeline: 2026, the Year of the Horse.

This is no ordinary year. In the sixty-year cycle, it is given a highly intimidating name: Red Horse. Together with the following Red Sheep Year of 2027, it forms a cycle that has repeatedly stirred up tremendous waves in the long river of history: the Red Horse and Red Sheep Calamity.

 2026, the Year of the Horse (Bingwu year)

This neighing red horse is the signal that the energy of the Nine Purple Fire Grand Cycle has been fully ignited, a catalyst for a qualitative shift in the global order. It foreshadows a structural reshuffling that begins at the top of power and sweeps across the globe. Old alliances, outdated rules, and false prosperity will all be burned, tested, and reshaped in its blazing flames.

For the past few years, before each Spring Festival, I have provided a comprehensive analysis and forecast of macroeconomics, economics, and the I Ching to all employees and senior management of a certain CEX. This year, I am specifically sharing the forecast directly with the public. The purpose of this content is not to sell fatalism or create anxiety. On the contrary, I aim to use the millennia-old cosmic cyclical laws of the I Ching, Qimen Dunjia, and the Five Elements as analytical tools, combined with the current macroeconomic and economic situation, to reveal to readers the profound changes that the world will face in 2026 in terms of geopolitics, economics and finance, technological waves, and even individual survival.

Because I firmly believe that the greatest risk is not the turmoil itself, but that when turmoil arrives, we still use old maps to search for new continents. Now, let us listen together to the neighing of the red horse from the future and see where the pendulum of time will swing.

1. The World Order in 2026: The Annual Hexagram "Heavenly Fire Fellowship": Judgment and Cooperation Under the Light

The macroeconomic tone for 2026 is defined by two core symbols, both pointing to an era full of contradictions and changes.

The hexagram for the year: Heaven and Fire (with the sun in the sky, signifying light and cooperation):

 The hexagram for 2026: Heaven and Fire in Harmony

Deep Interpretation of the Hexagram: "Fellowship in the wilderness, success. It is advantageous to cross the great river; it is advantageous for the superior man to be steadfast." The hexagram is Qian (Heaven) above Li (Fire), with the sun hanging high in the sky, its light shining in all directions. This symbolizes an open, inclusive, and selfless spirit of cooperation.
Trend 1: Extreme Exposure and Judgment. The "fire" of the Bingwu year is the fire of imperial prosperity, its light enough to penetrate all pretense. This means that 2026 will be a "year of scandal exposure." From corruption in politics and fraud in business to the private morality of celebrities and the secrets of ordinary people, everything will be placed under public scrutiny. This is a year of "reckoning," and any attempt to cover up will be futile.
Trend Two: The Decentralized "Cooperation" Revolution. The core of the Tongren hexagram is "collaboration with others." It foreshadows a challenge to the traditional, top-down pyramid power structure. In its place will be horizontal alliances based on shared ideals and values. Whether it's business collaborations, IP partnerships, or the rise of grassroots organizations, the heroism of going it alone will be unsustainable; only through unity of purpose and shared goals can one "cross the great river" (overcome difficulties).

The Earth Mother Sutra and the Disaster Warning of the "Red Horse and Red Sheep Calamity":

 The Earth Mother Sutra in 2026

The original text of the Earth Mother Classic states: "In the year of Bingwu, the high and low are bathed in the grace of the sun. There are many floods in spring and summer, and the grass and trees turn yellow in autumn and winter. There are few silkworms, and many livestock suffer from plagues. The Qinhuai River is full of turmoil, but the people are less likely to die."
The extreme climate of water and fire clashing: "Floods in spring and summer" stands in stark contrast to the Bingwu Fire Year, which is a manifestation of "things reaching their extreme will reverse." The extreme heat will evaporate water vapor, leading to extreme rainfall and floods, creating a situation of "water and fire clashing."
Economy and People's Livelihood: A shortage of silkworms indicates poor harvests or shortages of key raw materials, directly leading to sharp price fluctuations. Frequent outbreaks of disease among livestock warn of significant challenges facing the livestock industry, potentially impacting the global food supply chain.
The historical resonance of "Red Horse and Red Sheep": Historical data shows that every "Red Horse and Red Sheep" cycle (such as the Jingkang Incident of 1126-1127 and the Cultural Revolution of 1966-1967) is often a period of severe turmoil at the top of power. The "calamity" of 2026 is more likely to manifest in the collapse and restructuring of the superstructure, such as the state, the regime, and large enterprises, rather than in ordinary people.

2. A Bazi Interpretation of the 2026 Start of Spring: A World Overheated

Imagine the world in 2026 as a giant metal pressure cooker being continuously heated. The "factory settings" of this year (i.e., the eight characters of the year's beginning of spring) determine its energy tone: the fire is too intense, and the water is almost boiled dry.

 The Eight Characters of the Beginning of Spring in 2026

Annual Theme: From the Ideal of "Wisdom and Power" to the Reality of "Overburning"

The original design: The original design blueprint (Bazi pattern) for 2026 was very ideal. It should have been a year of perfect combination of "wisdom" (Hurting Officer) and "power" (Seal Star), symbolizing that technological breakthroughs could bring social progress and that people's intelligence and talents could be recognized and rewarded.
Out-of-control flames: However, this year's "fire" is simply too intense. The year itself is the raging fire of "Bingwu," and the "Yin wood" of the month and hour are like two giant blowers, constantly supplying oxygen to the bonfire. As a result, the ideal blueprint is burned away, and the whole world jumps directly from the warmth of spring to the scorching heat of midsummer, entering a state of "overburning."
What does this mean? It means that technology (fire), which should serve people, will get out of control and bring about an ethical crisis; rules (wood), which should bring order, will be used instead and become tools to fan the flames; and each of us (earth) will feel like soil standing by a furnace, our moisture dried up, becoming restless and fragile.

Core issue one: Internal strife, global internal friction and psychological conflict.

A vivid analogy: A key characteristic of 2026 is like a large company where the two most crucial departments (represented by the year pillar Bingwu) suddenly start fighting amongst themselves, bickering and refusing to yield to each other. This energy of internal strife will infect everyone.
In the world, we see that internal struggles within nations (such as partisan conflicts) become exceptionally intense, even more so than conflicts between countries. The entire social system stagnates and becomes inefficient due to internal friction.
In life, we may find that friction within teams and families increases inexplicably. Everyone becomes particularly sensitive, competitive, and prone to overthinking, and even small things can trigger fierce arguments. This is a kind of mental "heatiness," which can lead to widespread insomnia, anxiety, and cardiovascular problems.

Core Issue Two: Kings Facing Each Other – The North-South Conflict and the Ultimate Showdown Between New and Old Forces

A vivid metaphor: Imagine a Chu-Han border. On the south side of the chessboard is the "Fire General" (午), representing "emerging forces, the common people, and change"; on the north side is the "Water General" (子), representing "traditional authority, the old order, and the top echelon." 2026 is the year this "Fire General" will directly cross the river and engage in a decisive battle with the "Water General."
In the world: This means that "new powers challenging old hegemons" will become the main theme on the international stage. Whether in geopolitics, finance, or technological standards, emerging powers will launch the most intense attacks on traditional hegemons.
In society: This is also a struggle between the "bottom and the top." Public tolerance for wealth inequality and social injustice has reached rock bottom, leading to strikes, protests, and social movements worldwide.

Key tipping point:

June (the month of noon): When the Fire Star's power is at its strongest, the powder keg in the south is most easily ignited.
December (the month of Zi): Water will launch its year-end counterattack, and the old forces will make a final struggle to maintain their position. The financial market and geopolitics will experience another round of upheaval.

The annual test: In October, when the powder keg was ignited.

A vivid analogy: If 2026 is a giant powder keg, then the arrival of October (the month of Xu) is like someone striking a match and throwing it in. This month, all the accumulated conflicts and pressures will be detonated all at once.
What will happen? Financial storm: Global debt problems and financial bubbles are most likely to erupt this month, triggering a market collapse like a "chain reaction."
A new type of "fever disease": a "heat-related" epidemic associated with "internal heat, gastrointestinal issues, and metabolism," may emerge on a large scale. It is characterized by its rapid onset, making people feel as if their bodies are on fire from the inside out, posing a serious challenge to the existing medical system.

3. World Chapter: A Chess Game Amidst Flames, the Collapse and Reshaping of Global Order

In 2026, the year of Bingwu, the world is not a collection of isolated events, but a vast chessboard being scorched by flames. At the center of the chessboard lies the confrontation between two poles; the tremors of the chessboard stem from the systemic collapse of the global economic order. The movement of every piece affects the fate of the entire game.

Main theme: Fire overcomes Metal, the collapse of the global economic order and the beginning of the "Great Stagflation" era.

 The Rise and Fall: Global Economy and Asset Bubbles

All the geopolitical conflicts and political turmoil in 2026 stem from a common underlying logic: the collapse of the global economic order triggered by the "fire element overcoming metal." Here, "metal" represents not only finance and currency, but also symbolizes the globalization system dominated by the West and based on the dollar's credibility for the past few decades. When the raging fire of the Year of the Horse scorches it, a series of chain reactions unfolds:

The erosion of the US dollar's credibility and the US's "last hurrah": As the representative of "gold," the US will bear the brunt. Internally, its soaring debt is like a fuse about to be lit, potentially triggering an epic financial crisis at any moment. To avoid collapse, the US's only option is to launch unlimited quantitative easing, but this is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst, leading to global questioning of the dollar's credibility and triggering hyperinflation.
Global blackmail driven by profit: Faced with internal economic difficulties and immense pressure from the 2026 midterm elections, the then-US leader (Trump) will fully unleash his ruthless nature. He will transform internal conflicts into external attacks, using the pretext of "solving America's fiscal problems" to launch a frenzied "tariff blackmail" against the world. This will not only target China but will also ruthlessly target traditional allies such as Europe and Japan. This extreme behavior of "wielding a knife for profit" will completely tear apart the Western camp, plunging America into unprecedented isolation.
Global Stagflation and People's Suffering: The US's massive quantitative easing has exported inflation worldwide, while its tariff war has severely disrupted global supply chains, leading to production stagnation. The two beasts of soaring prices and economic recession will appear simultaneously, creating a predicament of stagflation. From supermarkets in New York to farmlands in Africa, ordinary people around the world will feel the sting of soaring living costs and declining real incomes. This is a modern-day manifestation of the prophecy in the *Earth Mother Classic* that "silkworms will be scarce, and livestock will suffer from plagues."

 The annual Qimen Dunjia divination for 2026 and the corresponding Nine Palaces Flying Stars for the world.

The game: a standoff between two extremes, a shifting balance of offense and defense as the east rises and the west falls.

Amidst this global economic turmoil, the rivalry between the two major players, China and the United States, has entered its most crucial phase. The Qimen Dunjia divination clearly reveals the offensive and defensive posture of this "A Song of Ice and Fire":

The "Eastern University" (China) in the South: Seizing the opportune moment, seeking a breakthrough amidst growing pains.

While the Western world descends into chaos due to the conflict between fire and metal, China, occupying the position of "fire" (representing the element of metal), unexpectedly gains a golden opportunity. This provides it with the possibility of achieving a "leapfrog development" in economy and technology. Faced with technological blockade, China may be forced to develop genuine independent innovation, achieving a breakthrough akin to a dragon turning its head back. Internationally, with the weakening of the US dollar's credibility, the internationalization of the RMB and cooperation with the "Global South" will usher in tremendous opportunities.

However, China's rise is not without its challenges. Internally, it also faces immense pressure from the "Five Yellows" and "Tai Sui" (a Feng Shui concept): extreme natural disasters, social unrest, and even challenges to the health and power of top leaders. China's 2026 will be a dance in shackles, requiring it to seize external strategic opportunities while simultaneously managing internal "time bombs," seeking balance and rebirth amidst the flames.

The "Beautiful Country" of the North: Lacking Favorable Timing, Forced into Passive Defense at Dusk

Trapped in a precarious position, the United States has completely lost its advantageous position. All it can do is no longer launch proactive attacks, but desperately defend its crumbling hegemony. Internally, economic recession and hyperinflation will ignite social conflicts, and a likely defeat in the 2026 midterm elections will paralyze it politically. Externally, its outrageous tariff policies will alienate many. The United States in 2026 will be a desperate struggle for its empire; the more it struggles, the faster its old order will collapse.

Aftermath: Regional conflicts, chain reactions in a disordered world

When the two great chess players, China and the United States, fiercely confront each other in the center of the chessboard, the energy ripples generated by each collision will ignite a continuous battle along the edges of the chessboard.

Europe's "Chronic Illness": As the closest ally of the United States, Europe will be one of the hardest hit areas in this round of "fire over gold." Economic recession, energy crisis, and the refugee problem will, like a chronic illness, continuously drain its vitality. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it will be caught in a war of attrition, ultimately being dragged down completely.
Japan's "rearmament": The US's strategic retrenchment provides Japan with an excellent excuse to break free from the constraints of its "pacifist constitution." Domestic nationalist sentiment, coupled with anxiety about the surrounding security environment, will push for the rise of hardliners represented by Sanae Takaichi. A rearmed Japan, filled with a sense of crisis, will become the most unstable factor in East Asia, and its movements deserve high vigilance from the world.
The Middle East as a "battleground" and the rest of the region in a "tangled mess": In the Middle East, Africa, South America, and other traditionally "peripheral" areas, the collapse of the old order will lead to a power vacuum. Various regional conflicts, proxy wars, and terrorism will take advantage of this vulnerability, plunging these regions into deeper chaos and humanitarian disasters.

The world in 2026 is an interconnected whole. Economic collapse is the cause, geopolitical conflict is the effect; great power rivalry is the main theme, and regional turmoil is the aftermath. In this global reshuffling dominated by "fire," no country can remain unscathed. The old balance has been broken, and a new balance has yet to be established. We are in a "chaotic era" full of dangers, yet also brimming with infinite possibilities.

4. US Tech Stocks (AI) Forecast: The Last Rally and the Bursting Bubble

Peak of Prosperity: As the most dazzling jewel in the "Li Huo" (Fire) cycle, the AI industry will reach its peak of popularity in the first half of 2026. Market sentiment will be extremely optimistic, and the stock prices of related companies (especially Nvidia) will be pushed to incredible heights.
The essence of "Li (☲) being "empty inside": However, the inherent nature of the Li hexagram—"solid outside, empty inside"—determines that this prosperity is a castle built on sand. The vast majority of AI companies are still in the cash-burning stage, lacking a sustainable profit model.
A signal of a bursting bubble: If OpenAI and SpaceX IPO in 2026, it will be seen as a clear signal that market liquidity has run out and the game of musical chairs is over. At that time, the Federal Reserve's tightening policies to combat inflation or the outbreak of geopolitical conflict could be the final nail in the coffin to burst the bubble. A massive crash in tech stocks is expected in the second half of 2026, potentially as devastating as the dot-com bubble of 2000.

Further Reading: Is an AI Bubble Crisis Looming? How Can Tech Giants Replay the 2008 Financial Crisis?

5. BTC Price Trend Prediction: Fire Returns to the Abyss, Golden Carp Leaps from the Abyss

This year, the Year of the Horse (丙午年), will be a year of extreme challenges and dramatic reversals for the cryptocurrency market, represented by Bitcoin. Its overall trend will not be a simple bull-bear cycle, but rather a "song of ice and fire" composed of the resonance of macro liquidity, geopolitical crises, and the market's inherent cycles. Its core path can be summarized as: the first half of the year, a "firestorm returning to the abyss," and the second half, a "golden carp leaping from the abyss."

 Bitcoin's Eight Characters

First half of the year (approximately February to July): The moment of devastation, liquidity depletion and panic selling.

Entering the Year of the Fire Horse (丙午年), the global energy field is dominated by "Fire." In the Five Elements theory, strong Fire overcomes Metal, which not only represents the traditional financial system but also symbolizes emerging digital assets like cryptocurrencies, which rely on technology and consensus for "credit." Simultaneously, the annual Earthly Branch "午" (Wu) Fire clashes fiercely with "子" (Zi) Water, representing liquidity. This means that in the first half of 2026, the market will face two major, potentially fatal blows:

Macro liquidity drying up: In response to the "Great Stagflation," global central banks (especially the Federal Reserve) will be forced to tighten monetary policy, or may be preoccupied with their own debt crises. With the market's "water source" cut off, risky assets will suffer a devastating blow, and Bitcoin will hardly be spared.
Collapse in confidence and panic selling: Geopolitical black swan events (such as localized wars), political turmoil in the United States (midterm elections), and the bursting of the tech stock bubble will combine to completely destroy investor confidence. Any technical rebound in the first half of the year could become a continuation of the downtrend.

Key time window and price bottoming out:

Early warning for the new year (February-April) : After a brief surge, the market will quickly enter a downward trend, with liquidity being slowly withdrawn, accumulating momentum for a subsequent sharp decline.
The Darkest Hour (May-June): This is the period of greatest intensity and fiercest conflict of the year. The concentrated outbreak of macroeconomic crises will trigger panic selling at any cost. According to multi-cycle models, the price of Bitcoin is highly likely to experience a deep correction during this phase, searching for the final bottom of this bear market. This is the "darkest hour" that tests the faith of all investors.

Second half of the year (approximately August to January of the following year): Like a golden carp leaping from the abyss, a miraculous escape and a reshaping of value.

Once the market's panic and leverage are completely cleared out, a turning point will quietly arrive amidst despair. After the Beginning of Autumn (August 7th), the Five Elements energy shifts from Fire to Metal, and the market's underlying logic begins to undergo a qualitative change.

Policy Shift and Liquidity Return: Faced with the enormous risk of an economic hard landing, the monetary policies of major global economies may undergo a 180-degree "dovish" shift in the second half of the year, restarting market rescue operations. The parched market will finally receive a much-needed "source of liquidity."
Narrative Reassessment and Consensus Building: After weathering the fiat currency crisis and the turmoil of traditional finance, the narrative of Bitcoin as a store of value, "digital gold," will be re-examined and recognized. A new consensus will begin to form from the ruins.

Key Time Window and Trend Reversal:

Turning Point Window (August-September): This is the market's "ICU" phase. With the emergence of a policy bottom, prices will stop falling and begin to build a solid base. Smart money will quietly "sow seeds" during this phase. This is a crucial window for transitioning from initial observation on the left to confirmation of entry on the right.
The main upward wave begins (October - January of the following year): With the return of liquidity and the restoration of market confidence, Bitcoin will emerge from the right side of a "deep V" reversal, initiating a magnificent main upward wave. Especially at the end of the year (December - January of the following year) , with the support of the "golden and water" energy, the rise will become extremely rapid, aiming not only to recover the losses of the first half of the year, but also potentially to challenge new historical highs.

Investing in Bitcoin in 2026 will be a dual test of human nature and market cycles. The core strategy should be "defense in the first half of the year, offense in the second half."

In the first half of the year, stay away from the fire zone and preserve your strength: the core task is "survival." Don't try to predict the bottom, don't use leverage, and view any rebound as an opportunity to reduce your positions. During the extreme market conditions of May and June, maintaining a completely empty or extremely low position is the best strategy to avoid systemic risk.
In the second half of the year, patiently await signals and act decisively: the core task is to "seize opportunities." Closely monitor macroeconomic policy shifts and market stabilization signals in August and September, and build positions in batches. Once a trend is established, hold firmly, endure mid-course fluctuations, and fully capture the main upward wave at the end of the year.

 Bitcoin price trend prediction

6. 2026 Nine Palaces Flying Star Feng Shui Layout: Attracting Good Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune, Changing Luck and Enhancing Wealth

The positions of the Nine Flying Stars in the Year of Bingwu have undergone new changes. This shift in the annual energy field is like a redistribution of energy within our home and office environments—our "personal microcosms." If we can align ourselves with this energy and make correct arrangements in key areas, we can effectively "avoid misfortune and attract good fortune," thus improving our luck in the new year.

Key takeaway: Before setting up the layout, be sure to use your mobile phone compass or compass to accurately determine the directions by standing at the center of the house or office .

The following is a detailed interpretation and layout strategy for each direction of the Nine Palaces Flying Stars in 2026:

 Detailed Explanation of the Nine Palaces Flying Stars in 2026

Mitigating Inauspicious Locations: Internal Security is the Key to External Repelling

Auspicious Location Enhancement: Rise with the Wind, Double Your Good Fortune

Key Points and Secrets to Good Fortune in Feng Shui Arrangement for the Year of Bingwu

In conclusion: Forged in fire, reborn from ashes.

As the neighing of the red horse echoes across the skies of 2026, the world we know is being reconstructed at an unprecedented pace. In this global reshuffling dominated by "fire," the old order is collapsing, while new rules have yet to be established. For each of us caught in this torrent of history, this is both a severe test of survival and a transformative opportunity for evolution.

The ultimate purpose of prediction is not to leave us helpless in the face of fate, but to provide us with a map and compass to navigate the storms. Faced with the turmoil and uncertainty of 2026, the following survival guide is my action plan for every "fellow traveler":

Financial Strategy: Shifting from "Wealth Appreciation" to "Wealth Preservation" is the primary understanding we must establish. The core task for 2026 is no longer "making a lot of money," but "not losing money." Immediately review your asset allocation, liquidate high-risk, high-leverage speculative assets, and withdraw your funds. Maintain a cash flow sufficient to cover at least 6-12 months of household expenses; this is your financial foundation to cope with any unforeseen circumstances. On top of this, allocate a small portion of your funds to principal-protected financial products or stable assets related to daily necessities. Remember, in the midst of a raging fire, preserving your principal is the greatest victory.
Career Strategy : Evolving from "Multi-skilled Professionals" to "T-shaped Survivors" In turbulent times, those easily replaceable "cogs in the machine" are always the first to be eliminated. Start building your "T-shaped" survival structure immediately: deeply cultivate your core expertise (the vertical line), making it your ballast for survival in any environment; simultaneously, actively broaden your skill boundaries (the horizontal line), learning one or two cross-disciplinary skills that can be integrated with your main profession or independently monetized. This structure will give you unparalleled resilience, allowing you to find your value anchor no matter how the winds change.
Health Strategy: Cool Down Your Body and Hydrate Your Mind. The "fire toxin" of the Year of the Horse (2016) will not only attack our bodies but also scorch our minds. Please proactively build a "body-mind fire-fighting system" for yourself. Physically, reduce late nights, smoking, drinking, spicy foods, and all behaviors that fuel "fire," and increase activities related to "water," such as swimming, soaking in hot springs, and walking by a lake. Mentally, block out anxiety-inducing and confrontational information; cultivate a peaceful "spiritual sanctuary" for yourself through meditation, quiet sitting, and reading classic texts. In a noisy world, inner peace is your strongest immunity.
Interpersonal Strategies: Returning to the Essence of "Fellowship"—Sincerity and Altruism. The 2026 hexagram "Heavenly Fire Fellowship" has already pointed us to the ultimate code for navigating cycles: cooperation. However, this cooperation is not based on superficial exchanges of benefits, but rather on the noble friendship rooted in shared values. Stay away from ineffective social interactions that constantly drain your energy, and approach those who are upright, optimistic, and full of wisdom. In this era, sincerity and altruism are not merely virtues, but the highest form of survival wisdom. You light a ray of light for the world, and the world will ultimately reward you with a dazzling sea of stars.

The wisdom of the I Ching tells us that everything has its cycles, and adversity gives way to prosperity. The deepest darkness often breeds the most dazzling light. In 2026, this neighing "red horse" shattered the false prosperity of the old world and paved a new path for us to reach true value.

When the storm comes, some choose to build walls, others choose to build windmills. May you be the one who builds the windmill. May we all be tempered in the fires of this era, forging a more resilient core, washing away superficiality, returning to our true selves, and ultimately, from the ashes, building a truly bright future that belongs to us all.

Written at the beginning of the year of Bingwu (1966) @BruceBlue .

 To change your luck, start by changing your mindset. When your mind is calm, your energy flows smoothly, and when your energy flows smoothly, your luck will be good.

P.S.: I've written many predictions, and the one I'm most satisfied with is below. Feel free to read it if you're interested.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls for May and June were revised down by a combined 258,000

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