Marla Cooper

Galloping in on a Fire Horse

I don’t know a lot about astrology or the zodiac or even what my rising sign is. (It’s based on the exact time you were born, and no one remembers mine. “I think it was in the morning,” my dad once told me, helpfully.) I grew up reading those horoscopes that were in the back of magazines and newspapers that were wildly general, like “People are drawn to your nature,” or “Today is a good day to make that decision you’ve been thinking about,” so it’s easy to see why I’m dubious.

But there’s been a lot of chatter lately about the current astrological situation, and I have to say, I am here for it.

Apparently, Saturn and Neptune are meeting today at 0° Aries, and friends, I have no idea what that means! Some people say that it’s “an unprecedented alignment that signals something is resetting, and not just metaphorically.” Out with the old ways, in with the new.

And then on Tuesday, we welcomed in the year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, and the new moon was in Aquarius, and there was a solar eclipse — all on the same day, which made lots of people on Threads say there was a portal opening. 

Okay, so I don’t know if a portal opened, but the Fire Horse stuff seems exciting for anyone taking on a new endeavor — like, oh, say, relaunching their mystery series or self-publishing a novella that was so much fun to write that it feels like it could be a new series. 

Me with an actual, non-fiery horse.

Some of the themes I’ve seen mentioned are forward momentum, bold transformation, independence, breaking free from constraints, intense energy and passion, enthusiasm, and potential. Maybe I’m projecting, but it feels like it could be a big year for creative accomplishments! (And yes, there are some that are a little more daunting, like “volatility,” but let’s focus on the positives…) 

I particularly liked this horoscope for people like me who were born in the Year of the Goat: “Success through CREATIVITY. Your art, your vision, your unique perspective — THAT’s what the world needs. Stop doubting it. Your moment: May-August.”

So in this year when I’m reconnecting with the mystery community, publishing books, planning new series, trying to figure out how I can write ALL THE IDEAS at the same time, going to two amazing mystery conferences, and suddenly feeling like I, myself, am on fire, I’m definitely embracing some of that Fire Horse energy. 

Giddy up.

Readers, do you believe in horoscopes? Yay or … neigh? (Sorry I could’t resist.) What would you like the Year of the Fire Horse to usher in for you?

Marla Cooper is the author of the Kelsey McKenna Destination Wedding Mysteries and WELCOME TO COZY TOWN, an absurdly cozy novella. Learn more at www.marlacooper.com.

29 thoughts on “Galloping in on a Fire Horse”

  2. I have a sister who is educated enough about it to help make sense of the trends for me. Most of the day to day stuff is not for me, but the bigger picture I do believe is true, so yes to the creativity of this year and things changing. Some of those are just not happening fast enough for me! Best of luck with all those creative new endeavors and hopefully one of those conferences is Malice!

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    1. Yes to Malice!! Will you be there? And I agree about the day-to-day stuff versus bigger picture trends… I saw a job posting once for a freelance writer to write online daily horoscopes and they basically said no knowledge of astrology required! 😂

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  3. Ha! For a very brief time, I had to write horoscopes for my high school newspaper (and I am not versed in astrology). So I’m generally not one to believe in horoscopes, but I’m here for the Fire Horse year. I’d love to have huge Passion + Creativity.

    Happy Lunar New Year!

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    1. Jen, wait! Where did my reply to you go?! I replied to this *hours* ago!! Damn… my thought was: This could be a whole new series! An amateur horoscope writer whose made-up horoscopes start coming true and then there’s a murder! Happy Lunar New Year and here’s to passion and creativity!

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  4. I read them all the time when I was single, lol. I’m very much on the fence about believing or not. But I am a textbook Capricorn, so there’s that.

    I hope Fire Horse brings a wonderful new development in my career and most importantly – fab health and a great job for my kid.

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    1. One thing that makes me believe in astrology is how I feel about different signs. Not that I believe that the specific archetypes are true but that I feel the same way about people born around the same time. For example, I happen to love Capricorns! 😄 May the fire horse bring you what you asked for!

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  5. Well, I do know my birth time: 4:21 pm, b/c it’s on my birth cert. Funny thing, that’s the time of day when I slump and must be revived with chocolate or coffee. I grew up on Jeanne Dixon headlines. She terrified me. As a baby editor, I worked for the editor who handled the Sydney Omarr books. She gave me a couple to edit and told me to make stuff up if anything was missing. I look forward to fiery creativity on a fire horse (though horses and I are wary of each other). I hope the Fire Horse is nicer than the Fire Monkey (2016), because I never want to see HIM again.

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    1. There’s a lot to unpack in this comment! First off, I was wondering if the picture of the horse eating my face scared you?! a friend of mine who was afraid of horses saw that picture and was low-key traumatized by it! LOL

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      1. See how that nice horsey is smiling at you? Horses do that shuddering grunt thing at me, shake all their hardware, and toss their heads.

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  6. I’m a neigh.

    But your new story? That sounds fantastic! And like something I’ve had as an idea for a long time. Not exactly, but probably close enough that it will scratch the itch for me. Sounds like tons of fun.

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    1. Awww, thanks! I had so much fun writing it! It started out as a what I thought would be a short project but then I enjoyed it so much it took me several months because I kept wanting to write more and more scenes! I’m seriously thinking about pitching it as a full length novel!

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  7. Neigh here, too. Except when it comes to Virgos, as I fit that sign to a T (or rather, a V): list-maker, neat, organized, and sometimes rather bossy about the above. Robin says it’s because the parents of Virgos set aside the time to make whoopie at the winter holiday season when they’re not at work, so their babies–who are born 9 months later in August and September–inherit that organized gene.

    So SO excited about your upcoming Big Year of the Fire Horse, Marla–hurray!

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    2. I agree! There are definitely some trends within people born around the same time. I especially noticed it when I used to go on Facebook and I would see three people who had the same birthday and I would think, “huh, I feel the same way about all three of these people!”

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  9. Fun post, Marla. Thank you so much. The Year of the Fire Horse is predicted to usher in rapid transformation, which is very appealing to me, especially today. I would like the Year of the Fire Horse to rapidly transform me into an organized person.

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