As we enter the new year of 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse (Bính Ngọ), understanding one's destiny, horoscope, and especially the ruling star, is a long-standing spiritual and cultural practice for Vietnamese people. Knowing in advance which star will influence you in the coming year helps us to prepare mentally and plan accordingly to welcome good fortune and avoid misfortune. This article will serve as the most detailed guide to help you personally calculate your 2026 ruling star and interpret the meaning of each star for specific ages.

What is a ruling star and why is it important?

According to Eastern Feng Shui and astrology, each person is influenced by one of the nine stars of the Cửu Diệu system each year. The Nine Luminaries system (or Cửu Diệu) consists of 9 stars with different cycles, repeating every 9 years. Each star carries its own energy and meaning, which can be good (auspicious star), bad (inauspicious star), or neutral (neutral star). They directly affect various aspects of life such as health, career, wealth, relationships, and social interactions throughout the year.

Looking up one's ruling star is not about blindly believing in fate, but rather a reference method that helps us:

• Proactively plan: If you have a good star, you can confidently push forward with projects, business plans, and investments.
• Be cautious and preventative: If you encounter a bad star, you will know to be more careful with your words, financial decisions, and pay more attention to your health and family.
• Maintain psychological stability: Understanding your fortune helps you to face difficulties calmly and not become overconfident when lucky, thus leading a more balanced life.

What does the Nine Luminaries system consist of?

In the system of 9 stars, they are divided into 3 main groups with varying levels of influence:

• Good Stars (Auspicious):
  • Sao Thái Dương (The Sun Star): Considered the most auspicious star, it governs prosperity, career advancement, and abundant wealth. Best for men.
  • Sao Thái Âm (The Moon Star): Governs fame, fortune, happy events, and wealth, especially good for women. Those under this star often have a joyful life and smooth sailing in all matters.
  • Sao Mộc Đức (The Jupiter Star): Governs luck in marriage and career, receiving help from benefactors, and turning misfortune into good fortune.
• Bad Stars (Inauspicious):
  • Sao La Hầu (The Rahu Star): Considered a star of gossip and disputes, it governs conflicts, legal troubles, and illnesses related to the eyes and ears. More unfavorable for men than women.
  • Sao Kế Đô (The Ketu Star): An inauspicious star governing accidents, illness, financial loss, and family turmoil. Especially unfavorable for women.
  • Sao Thái Bạch (The Venus Star): Considered the strongest inauspicious star, it governs the loss of money, sabotage by petty people, and a high risk of legal entanglement. There is a saying: "Thái Bạch sweeps the house clean."
• Neutral Stars:
  • Sao Thổ Tú (The Saturn Star): Carries both good and bad meanings, governing obstacles and conflicts in family and work, but overcoming them leads to good results.
  • Sao Vân Hớn (The Mars Star): Governs paperwork, lawsuits, and poor health. Business and work are average.
  • Sao Thủy Diệu (The Mercury Star): Both an auspicious and cautionary star. It governs wealth and happy events but also requires caution around water and gossip.

How to accurately calculate your 2026 ruling star?

To calculate your ruling star, you need to determine your Lunar Age. The formula is very simple:

Lunar Age = Current Year (2026) - Birth Year + 1

Once you have your Lunar Age, you can look up the table below to determine your ruling star for 2026. Note that the tables for males and females are completely different.

Which ages will have good ruling stars in 2026?

The Year of the Fire Horse 2026 will be a promising year for those illuminated by auspicious stars. Let's see if you are on this lucky list!

1. Sao Thái Dương (The Premier Auspicious Star)
Sao Thái Dương brings outstanding growth in career, wealth, and excellent health. People under this star will find their business thriving, get promotions, and encounter much luck.

• Males encounter Sao Thái Dương at Lunar Ages: 11, 20, 29, 38, 47, 56, 65, 74, 83, 92.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2016, 2007, 1998, 1989, 1980, 1971, 1962, 1953, 1944, 1935.
• Females encounter Sao Thái Dương at Lunar Ages: 13, 22, 31, 40, 49, 58, 67, 76, 85, 94.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2014, 2005, 1996, 1987, 1978, 1969, 1960, 1951, 1942, 1933.

2. Sao Thái Âm (Complete Fortune and Prosperity)
Sao Thái Âm is especially good for women, governing fame, fortune, a joyful life, and good news about children and family. Men under this star also experience financial luck and help from benefactors.

• Males encounter Sao Thái Âm at Lunar Ages: 13, 22, 31, 40, 49, 58, 67, 76, 85, 94.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2014, 2005, 1996, 1987, 1978, 1969, 1960, 1951, 1942, 1933.
• Females encounter Sao Thái Âm at Lunar Ages: 11, 20, 29, 38, 47, 56, 65, 74, 83, 92.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2016, 2007, 1998, 1989, 1980, 1971, 1962, 1953, 1944, 1935.

3. Sao Mộc Đức (Peace and Luck)
Sao Mộc Đức is an auspicious star that brings peace and luck in work and love. People under this star often have happy events, receive help from others, and have a smooth career path.

• Males encounter Sao Mộc Đức at Lunar Ages: 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90, 99.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2009, 2000, 1991, 1982, 1973, 1964, 1955, 1946, 1937, 1928.
• Females encounter Sao Mộc Đức at Lunar Ages: 12, 21, 30, 39, 48, 57, 66, 75, 84, 93.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2015, 2006, 1997, 1988, 1979, 1970, 1961, 1952, 1943, 1934.

Which ages need to be cautious due to bad ruling stars in 2026?

Besides the good fortune, some ages will face challenges from inauspicious stars. Knowing this in advance will help you prepare mentally and take effective preventive measures.

1. Sao La Hầu (The Star of Gossip)
Sao La Hầu governs gossip, arguments, and lawsuits. People under this star need to be mindful of their speech and avoid conflicts. Health also requires attention, especially issues related to blood, eyes, and ears.

• Males encounter Sao La Hầu at Lunar Ages: 10, 19, 28, 37, 46, 55, 64, 73, 82, 91.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2017, 2008, 1999, 1990, 1981, 1972, 1963, 1954, 1945, 1936.
• Females encounter Sao La Hầu at Lunar Ages: 15, 24, 33, 42, 51, 60, 69, 78, 87, 96.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2012, 2003, 1994, 1985, 1976, 1967, 1958, 1949, 1940, 1931.

2. Sao Kế Đô (Inauspicious Star for Females)
Sao Kế Đô is a bad star, especially unfavorable for women, bringing sadness, mourning, financial loss, and gossip. Men under this star, while not as heavily affected, should still be wary of accidents and illness.

• Males encounter Sao Kế Đô at Lunar Ages: 16, 25, 34, 43, 52, 61, 70, 79, 88, 97.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2011, 2002, 1993, 1984, 1975, 1966, 1957, 1948, 1939, 1930.
• Females encounter Sao Kế Đô at Lunar Ages: 10, 19, 28, 37, 46, 55, 64, 73, 82, 91.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2017, 2008, 1999, 1990, 1981, 1972, 1963, 1954, 1945, 1936.

3. Sao Thái Bạch (The Premier Inauspicious Star)
This is the worst star in the Nine Luminaries system, governing the loss of money, sabotage by ill-wishers, poor health, and potential legal troubles.

• Males encounter Sao Thái Bạch at Lunar Ages: 15, 24, 33, 42, 51, 60, 69, 78, 87, 96.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2012, 2003, 1994, 1985, 1976, 1967, 1958, 1949, 1940, 1931.
• Females encounter Sao Thái Bạch at Lunar Ages: 14, 23, 32, 41, 50, 59, 68, 77, 86, 95.
  • Corresponding birth years: 2013, 2004, 1995, 1986, 1977, 1968, 1959, 1950, 1941, 1932.

How to perform a ritual to neutralize a bad star's influence?

When unfortunately encountering a bad ruling star, many people perform a star-offering ceremony to pray for the mitigation of misfortune. This is a spiritual ritual to show reverence and a desire for peace. Basically, you can refer to the following steps:

• Choose an auspicious day: The star-offering ceremony is usually conducted on the day the star descends each month. Each star has a different day.
• Prepare offerings: Offerings are usually vegetarian, including incense, flowers, fruits, sweet cakes, and votive money. The color of the memorial tablet, candles, and other items will depend on the specific star.
• Perform the ritual: The head of the household should dress neatly and pray sincerely according to the specific prayer for that star.

More important than the formal ritual is the sincerity of the person performing it. Besides the ceremony, the best way to neutralize bad luck is to cultivate one's character, do good deeds, help those in need, and be filial to one's parents. At the same time, always be cautious in all matters, think carefully before making decisions, take care of your health, and stay away from unnecessary arguments. "Virtue triumphs over fate." When you live a kind and positive life, any misfortune can be neutralized.

We hope this detailed article has helped you understand how to calculate your 2026 ruling star and the meaning of each one. Wishing you and your family a peaceful, prosperous, and fulfilling Year of the Fire Horse!