Year of the Fire Horse: INCENSE for the "Sovereign Fire" first half of 2026

Bing-Wu 丙午香

Yang Fire Horse Year · Sitian Incense

The Fire Horse year (丙午) amplifies visibility, movement, and nervous activation. In Wu Yun Liu Qi Chinese climatic medicine, this reflects the year’s governing influence from above (司天 sitian)—a Sovereign Fire pressure acting on the Heart, Lung, and Shen.

This incense is crafted to work directly with that governing climate. It does not suppress Fire, and it does not stimulate it further. It is designed to regulate Fire through breath and time, so the year’s intensity completes its cycle rather than exhausting the system.

The next fire horse incense will be after 6 months and will address the Zaiquan aspect of the year.

Governing Climate (司天)

Bing (丙) is Yang Fire—Sun Fire—illumination, expression, and outward vitality.

Wu (午), the Horse, carries Fire within Earth, demanding motion while bearing weight.

Together, they describe a year where Fire rises easily, activity accelerates, and the system is tested on whether warmth can be contained, ventilated, and returned, rather than scattered or depleted.

In clinical terms, health in a Fire year depends on whether Fire can complete its movement.

Ingredients 

Sandalwood, Himalayan cedar, Sacra Hojari frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, Hawaiian cinnamon & cardamom, with Rose & Saffron extract. 

Warm, breathable smoke. Chest opens; pressure softens.

Resinous warmth with gentle sweetness. Fire feels present but not overstimulating.

Sandalwood depth dominates. Heat descends, the body settles, and the nervous system completes the arc of activity.

CUE — What might show up.. simple examples (see your acupuncturist haha)

During the Bing-Wu year, Sovereign Fire (君火) governs from above. The Heart and Shen are easily activated, and activity tends to move outward quickly.

Common cues include:

• Heightened mental activity, urgency, and stimulation

• Difficulty settling after work, creativity, or social engagement

• Increased emotional reactivity or impatience

• Feeling “on” without feeling well-rested

• Clear inspiration followed by sudden depletion

In the body, this may appear as:

• Pressure in the chest or upper burner

• Shallow or hurried breathing

• Restless or light sleep

• Dryness of the mouth, throat, or skin

• Palpitations or nervous fatigue without clear illness

These signs are not pathology yet.

They are signals that the system is basically being stimulated faster than it can integrate.

CAUSE — Why this happens in this Bing-Wu year

Bing-Wu is Yang Fire over Yang Fire.

Fire rises easily and expresses outwardly.

From a climatic perspective:

• Jun Huo Sitian activates consciousness, visibility, and engagement

• Fire moves faster than Earth can contain

• Without early return, Fire remains in the upper field

From a Chinese-medicine perspective:

• Heart Fire is stimulated

• Shen becomes mobile and outward-oriented

• If Earth and Water do not stabilize the movement, Fire fails to complete its cycle

The core issue is not “too much Fire.”

It is Fire without containment.

When Fire does not return:

• Shen scatters

• Fluids are consumed

• Metal (Lung) dries

• Water (Kidney) weakens

• Exhaustion follows activation

CURE — what this incense is for

This incense is neither sedating nor suppressive.

It works by governing Fire not extinguishing it.

At the level of Qi

• Supports orderly circulation of Heart Fire

• Vents excess heat so it does not trap in the chest or head

• Keeps movement connected to breath

At the level of Blood and Shen

• Clarifies the Heart and stabilizes the Shen

• Allows inspiration without agitation

• Prevents emotional over-extension

At the level of Earth and Water

• Provides containment so Fire does not scatter

• Encourages Fire to descend and return

• Protects vitality before depletion occurs

In classical terms: again, this is the core sequence.

• Fire is allowed to rise, express, vent, and return

• The cycle completes without collapse

• Activation becomes vitality rather than burnout

When you might want to use it

• At the opening of the Bing-Wu year :)

• During periods of increased activity, visibility, or demand

• When inspiration is present but integration lags

• To reset the internal climate after stimulation