Chinese Zodiac: The Horse

Those born under the sign of the Horse are known for their spirited nature and untamed energy. Just like the wild Australian brumbies, or mustangs of the plain, they have an unwavering need for freedom and independence.

Friendly and kind, the warm personality of a Horse makes them a joy to be around. They have a cheeky sense of humour, and are always there with words of encouragement. They’re talkative. They laugh a lot. They’re very, very social.

Horses thrive when their creative souls are allowed to roam, with no boundaries. They need stimulation, which means they can struggle with commitment or lose interest in repetition and the day-to-day. After all, this is the sign of freedom and liberty, so they’ll actively look for a change of scenery if they start to feel boxed in. 

A Horse has a deep yearning for exploration and adventure. Above all else, they cherish their personal liberty. The ability to make their own choices is super important to them. 

Without a doubt, the endurance of a Horse is unrivalled. They have an extraordinary work ethic and sense of devotion – they’ll keep going until the job is done, galloping towards the end game with determination. Once done, they’ll need a short rest, after which they’ll get back up and start again. Hard work isn’t an obstacle to a Horse, and they like to reap the benefits of it. They enjoy their comforts, and value what they earn.

A Horse can see the romance of a life well lived – they love to spend money on travel, new experiences, shouting loved ones to a fancy dinner, or beautiful items for the home or closet (think ‘investment piece’). And typically, a Horse has the budget for these things, because of their ambition and hard work.  This vivacious energy brings action, adventure, and the finer things. 

However, their determination can lead a Horse to lose sight of practicality. There’s a tendency to charge ahead without thinking of their impact or consequence. Their impulsive nature can be exciting and inspiring, but it can also mean hasty decision-making, overspending, or a trail of unfinished tasks. 

Horses have a unique intelligence – they’re quick-witted, fast learners and rarely have difficulty adapting to new situations (as we now know, they love a change-up!) As fiercely independent as they are, they can also be stubborn to a fault. Once they have set their mind on something? It will take the strength of the universe to change it. Their strong opinion – while admirable – can lead to conflict in relationships, or a lack of compromise. 

And, let’s be honest. They’re rarely tactful. Horses can be rude and, because of their forward energy, they’ll often be onto the next topic of conversation without even realising they’ve hurt someone’s feelings. Being on the receiving end of a Horse’s bluntness is not always an enjoyable ride. But being on the end of a Horse’s praise? There’s quite nothing like it – it’s wonderful!

The Horse’s truest essence is to show us the potential of the big, wide world, and how to bet better people by experiencing it head on. So saddle up!

Are you a Horse?

Years of the Horse: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

Tap into: enterprise, social settings, conversation, adventure, healthy risk, appreciation of hard work, passion, freedom, independence, encouragement of others

Watch out for: impulsiveness, stubbornness, rebellion, rudeness and not ‘reading the room’, changeability, gossiping or not keeping confidences, impatience, inconsistency, not finishing what you’ve started

Famous Horses: Annie Lennox, Jennifer Lawrence, Margot Robbie, Angela Merkel, Calvin Klein, Cindy Crawford, Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, Kevin Costner, Janis Joplin, John Travolta

Polly is a practicing witch who primarily works with Persephone, Brigid and the Cailleach. She's the High Priestess expert on seasonal Australian practice and archetypal symbolism, and is a teacher at Witch School.