Mount Kinabalu and the Fire Horse: A Grounded Start to the Lunar Year

13 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: As the Fire Horse Lunar Year unfolds, wellness advocate Cleopatra Lajawai believes the season offers more than celebration, it offers an invitation to pause.

“The Fire Horse is often associated with dynamic energy,” she said. “But this year, it reminds us that strength must be grounded. Intention must come before movement.”

According to Cleopatra who is the Chief executive officer (CEO) of AEI Wellness Sdn Bhd dan QiMag Wholistic Professionals PLT , this symbolism aligns naturally with one of Sabah’s most revered landscapes: Kinabalu Park, home to Mount Kinabalu.

“Kinabalu Park is not merely a scenic destination,” she explained. “It is a living wellness space where the body, mind, soul and environment come into alignment. It is not a place to Rush, it is a place to listen.”

The Mountain as Teacher

Mount Kinabalu has long been regarded with reverence, both culturally and ecologically. For Cleopatra , the mountain carries what she describes as a steadying presence.

“Many people notice that the moment they arrive, their breathing deepens and their thoughts become clearer,” she said. “The cooler highland air, the natural elevation and the quiet trails help regulate the nervous system. The body begins to settle.”

She notes that time spent walking along moss-covered paths or sitting quietly within the park often brings emotional steadiness.

“When we slow down, mental clutter softens. Our reactions become less reactive and more conscious. Clarity emerges,” she added.

Beyond the physical and emotional effects, Cleopatra believes the experience touches something deeper.

“The mountain reminds us of humility and belonging. It invites reflection rather than performance,” she said.

Energy, Frequencies and Inner Strength

Cleopatra also speaks of what she calls the “Auric/Frequencies pillar” an awareness of subtle energetic interaction between people and place.

“Mountain landscapes feel different,” she said. “The terrain is older, the air thinner, the presence firmer. Many visitors describe feeling rebalanced or strengthened after spending quiet time there.”

She emphasised that the experience is often subtle rather than dramatic.

“It is not about spectacle. It is about steadiness. When you walk gently, breathe consciously and allow yourself to align with the landscape, you may notice clearer thoughts, calmer emotions and a renewed sense of inner strength.”

A Symbolic Act of Gratitude

In 2024, a group of 40 participants travelled to Sabah for a structured wellness tourism experience that included a guided session near the park’s faux Rafflesia installation, led by internationally recognised Great Grandmaster Dr Jes T.Y. Lim.

“It was not simply ceremonial,” Cleopatra said. “It was an intentional act of gratitude and alignment. Such practices must always be conducted with sensitivity and in full respect of conservation principles.”

Wellness and Sustainability

Kinabalu Park’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site underscores its ecological importance. For Cleopatra , environmental stewardship is inseparable from personal wellbeing.

“We cannot separate human wellness from environmental wellness,” she said. “When we care for the land, we strengthen ourselves. When we strengthen ourselves, we become more responsible stewards of the land.”

She noted that responsible wellness tourism aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and wellbeing, life on land, responsible consumption and sustainable economic growth.

Beginning the Year Grounded

As Malaysians take advantage of the festive season and long holiday period, Cleopatra encourages a more intentional approach to travel.

“The Fire Horse symbolises forward movement,” she said. “Mount Kinabalu symbolises stability. When we combine the two, we move forward with strength that is anchored.”

Sabah, she added, offers more than picturesque landscapes.

“It offers places that quietly strengthen the body, steady the mind and reconnect the soul. When we begin the year grounded, everything else flows more naturally.”