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2026 is a Number 1 White Water Year

February 4th, 2026 through February 3rd, 2027 is a 1 Water year. One Water is the most yang energy state. It is associated with the north, midnight, winter, darkness, depth and silence; a time to see beyond the surface. It is the ki of solitude and loneliness and, therefore, supports a mood of quiet introspection – a time to find inner strength and then to rely on it. As such, it is directly associated with the spiritual, rather than the material world. But to think that Water does not influence the material world would be a mistake.

Look at it this way. All nine numbers are the same energy but each number exhibits that energy in different forms. Nine Fire, the most yin energy state (summer, brilliance) is flashy and charismatic. We look at Fire and we immediately see the energy because it is on the surface, in the process of being released. It is kinetic energy at its peak. On the other hand, Water is potential energy; great power resting below the surface.

This is not the stereotypical ki of the movie-star or the politician, or of the way they influence our world. Water is the ki of the monk, the mathematician, the prophet and philosopher. Those who seek the lowest common denominator, who gradually move mountains over time. Rooted in the deep.

Water governs Fire and thereby influences every event on the planet. Normally, 1 Water works in a hidden, spiritual way – receiving excess rigidity (Metal) and then testing all phenomena of their true durability. Water is liquid - floating. Just as religious principles, not material but felt in the heart, can define the course of a nation, so hidden Water breaks excess rigidity and allows the river of time to flow on. As such, it is indispensable in the cycle of 9 Star Ki.

Yet, 1 Water does not always move with the benevolence that one would expect of 'the ki of spirituality'. Indeed, we must exercise care when dealing with Water. Consider the Praying Mantis as it silently waits for its food. You may watch it for an hour and it will not move but, when the opportunity arises, potential energy explodes in a sudden kinetic burst. Atomic weapons operate on this potential-to-kinetic principle in a most horrifying way. 1945 (Hiroshima, Nagasaki) was a 1 Water year.

It is said that one must be careful not to make mistakes, when occupying the 1 Water position. It is easy to see why. It's important to go with the flow – to correctly utilize the wonderful gift that Water offers freely and in abundance. To awaken our spiritual center and to remember that we are all but atoms connected, together creating the same infinite sea. This is a time to return to our roots as human beings, to seek the common denominator of life. Love, Unity, At-one-ment.

So, there is a balancing dance we must perform. Going with the flow in unison yet not allowing ourselves to be swept away. As individuals, we must learn to speak from our centers, from our hearts – not so much what we think people want to hear, but to tactfully and warmly present what we hold to be dear and true. We must speak clearly and proceed with purpose.

This is not always easy but it generates trust and, in the long run, it leads to true unity because the union becomes an honest one.

The antithesis of clarity is, of course, secrecy. Being the ki of silence, depth and solitude, Water is associated with concealment and stealth. While 1 Water is excellent for reflection, deep thinking, and conceiving the seeds of the future, it is unfortunately also a time of troublesome conspiracy and sudden attacks. Indeed, many world leaders have been assassinated during 1 Water years.

This year, 5 Soil (karma, government, politics) will make balance by occupying the 'opposite' house, 9 Fire. While this will be very fascinating, we should also remember that it's easy to make mistakes. Fire promotes spontaneity and there will be superficial, off the cuff remarks that will, later, be regretted. Again, we should temper our words with clarity and this is especially true for politicians and leaders. Watch for military and political blunders.

Concerning money and finances, Water is said to disperse or dissipate material goods. However, on some occasions 'dissipation' is not directly experienced as a material loss because, in the extreme, it can be associated with 9 Fire's capacity to generate expansion. This is the same 'potential-to-kinetic' principle. Excess Water energy produces multiple details, distractions, numbers. From 1 (yang) comes many (yin). So, stock markets can rise as easily as they fall.

Still, the ki of Water is inherently yang, so expansion only occurs when it is pushed to the extreme (excess yang becomes yin) like when water & cold combine to produce ice, causing it to expand. As such, this form of dissipation is usually temporary. Ultimately, an event appears in the natural flow that generates a 'thaw'. Dissipation still exists, but it resumes a yang form that is more characteristic of water; flowing out in many directions, seeking the lowest common ground. So, when we look at monetary and all material systems over the long-term we see that, while there are peaks and troughs, finances must be managed* very well, because Water's ultimate mood tends to dissolve rather than accumulate.

* Some 1 Water individuals are exceptionally talented money managers. For example, Alan Greenspan's predecessor, Paul Volcker, was a 1 Water who served as chairman of the Federal Reserve from August 1979 through nearly all of the Reagan years. This was during a 6 Metal 9-Year cycle (Metal supports Water).

This atmosphere of material and economic dissipation can be very strong, bringing down large and well established organizations; even causing the collapse of entire nations.

Of peculiar interest, in 1 Water years there are many newsworthy topics that are sports-related. Many athletes are born in 1 Water years. Perhaps this is due to Water's association with potential energy and, so, the physical world. Whereas many charismatic celebrities are 9 Fires (fame, illumination, entertainment) Water-born people are more prone to gain acceptance through a quiet, yet consistent & focused effort. Through sports, this can be realized in a very material way; just as a persevering stream forms an impressive canyon.

Most obviously, look for 'Water-signs'. Natural and human-made events that directly involve water (or other liquids) or take place within or nearby large bodies of water.

World events will not be so straightforward. One Water will generate a small but perceptible decline in the capacity to accomplish tasks and achieve decisive solutions. The more complicated the problem or task, the greater the interruptions and diversions. When problem solving, there is a tendency to become caught up in minuscule details. Events intrude upon one another. While trying to make progress in one area, an unrelated issue becomes urgent and, so, attention is diverted. Material assets break down and require repair. These conditions are not necessarily negative. For example, we gain a much deeper understanding of a problem or a process when we are forced to study all of the details. But, the immediate outcome can be disheartening because, at times, little visible progress is made or there can even be setbacks.

Yet this is also the great value of Water. As material progress & success weakens, we are forced to rely, more and more, upon our inner strength; our intuition, our resolve and our faith. As the material “fades”, the spiritual awakens because it must. Or, better put, not because it has to, but because this is the process of 1 Water. Turning from the outside world to within. Relying less on society, machines and money, and more upon insight, faith and God. Upon our greater connection with the infinite universe. And that, my friend, is beautiful. Because, what we find there is not dark, indifferent silence, unless we make it so.

In the depths a treasure awaits, and it is our responsibility to find it.

In ancient times, it may have been different. Perhaps this cyclic “return to within” was better appreciated as a natural sequence in the dance of life. But, modern life is so bombarded with the “importance” of material success, wealth and prestige, that 1 Water can be difficult. Yet, it is this very fact that makes 2026 so vitally important to us. The world will receive a chance to return, to get back in touch, to “re-remember” the greatest miracle we have.

A floating, ambiguous conclusion – not so decisive on the surface but with momentous significance brooding in the depths – this is the final year in the 2 Soil 9-Year cycle. One Water is not usually seen as the point of departure – of new beginnings. But this year is different. The nine years that follow 2026 will be a 1 Water 9-Year cycle. So, this really is the beginning of the new and final decade of this 9 Fire 81-Year cycle.

You see, Water is the only ki that controls Fire. For the first time in over 71 years, 9 Fire will be challenged, quenched, weakened. Old norms will begin to waver before the rising tide.

Proceed with a little caution. All atoms connected. All atoms aware.

The Ki Flow

During the previous 1 Water 9-year cycle, the Model 302
was the typical form of personal communication.

From a greater perspective, we can review the passage of the years. Let's look at the past two decades from a communications perspective. A kind of "Ki History" of the 21st Century.

2005 – (June- 4 Tree month / 4 Tree year / 4 Tree 9-year cycle) the Internet and cellular communications had achieved adolescence. For the first time in history, the world could see every demonstration, every coup, every democratic movement on the planet, as they happened.

2008 – (1 Water) The global financial meltdown. Similar to the 911 attacks on America (2001- 8 Soil) the meltdown rattled the mood of global stability. Personal communications became vitally important.

In 2013 (5 Soil- karma, politics and control) Individual communication now boomed. But governments, special interests and media had learned to use the new technology. And their motto was not peace and harmony. It was divide and conquer. Henceforth, individuals became magnetized to what they wanted to hear instead of what they could see with their own eyes.

In 2015, a 3 Tree year within a 3 Tree nine-year cycle, the ki was the essence of the contrast between information and self delusion. It was a time of rapid progress, great upheaval and anger. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) covered its peak expanse of territory.

2016 was a 2 Soil year, associated alliances and agreements. But due to the more active ki of the larger cycles (Tree & Fire) and the many world leaders who were too distant to compromise, peaceful opportunities were largely missed.

2017 was the most recent 1 Water year. There were serious challenges, including technical problems. 20 million people were at risk of starvation – the worst humanitarian crisis since WWII. The USA dropped the world's largest non-nuclear weapon, the MOAB (mother of all bombs) in Afghanistan. 150 countries were affected by a ransomware cyberattack. North Korea launched its first successful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

In 9 Fire 2018 the communications gulf widened and despotism was on the rise. Xi Jinping became China's "President for Life" and met with Kim Jong Un. Then Trump met with Kim. Trump pushed for Russia to be welcomed back into the G8, began separating children from refugee and immigrant families and announced that the US would end the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

2019 – 2022 (8 Soil, Metal, 5 Soil). The pandemic. Personal communications became even more vital than during the meltdown. Musicians and performers resorted to social media. Trump signed an executive order weakening the Communications Decency Act. Twitter banned Trump. China tweeted conspiracy theories about the pandemic. Russia invaded Ukraine. Government misinformation. Global inflation. ChatGPT was released.

2023 – (4 Tree- technology, commerce). The continuing rise of generative AI (machine learning, natural language processing of text, music, and images).

2024 – (3 Tree- rising energy, inventiveness). Bashar al-Assad's regime falls. The European Union creates AI regulations.

2025 – (2 Soil- alliances and agreements). Largely, a second opportunity to find common agreements was lost, but there was a tentative ceasefire in Gaza. Trump limited states' ability to create AI regulations.

The main technical takeaways – people gained access to personal mass communication, governments and special interests hijacked the newfound freedom, then machines (AI) began their tenuous dominance over all interests. 2026 – 1 Water is the final year of the current 9-year cycle. The new 9-year cycle (2027-2035) will be 1 Water. In this case, 2026 will provide an excellent preview of the decade to come.

From the standpoint of global communications, this year is the forerunner of deep, stealthy change and its influence on humanity's future. 2026, and the nine years that follow, mark the final phase of the 81-year cycle that almost everyone has known for their entire life. One Water is associated with quiet subtlety. Carefully watch for seemingly insignificant events that point to future triumph and tragedy.

1 Water Research

September 30, 1954 – 1 Water Month / 1 Water Year / 1 Water 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle.
The USS Nautilus, 1st atomic-powered submarine is commissioned by the US Navy.

2017 (1 Water Year / 3 Tree 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

2008 (1 Water Year / 4 Tree 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1999 (1 Water Year / 5 Soil 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1990 (1 Water Year / 6 Metal 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1981 (1 Water Year / 7 Metal 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1972 (1 Water Year / 8 Soil 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1963 (1 Water Year / 9 Fire 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1954 Archetype (1 Water Year / 1 Water 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

1945 (1 Water Year / 2 Soil 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

1936 (1 Water Year / 3 Tree 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

1927 (1 Water Year / 4 Tree 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

---------- Additional Notes ----------

1918 (1 Water Year / 5 Soil 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

1909 (1 Water Year / 6 Metal 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

1900 (1 Water Year / 7 Metal 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

1891 (1 Water Year / 8 Soil 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)