Year of the Snake
Serpent shadows the dethroned Dragon, the instigator of a 20-year fire cycle. One year in and one year off a peak fire point, Snakes’ tenure builds on Dragon’s scaffolding. Albeit recoiling from yang excesses, the house of mysteries seeks securities. Snake’s measure of success hinges on its appetite to restore equilibrium.
Decoding the elemental alchemy of yin wood and yin fire snake’s former partnerships sheds light on future trends. The pillar union last ponied up 60 years ago, in the mid-60s. The tenor of the times cast light on liberation from the shackles of social norms, as warfare waged and the Rolling Stones penned Can’t Get No Satisfaction (Watts, a triple snake). The former 1905 legacy delivered revolutions, famines, Freud’s theories on sexuality and Einstein’s miracle E=mc2. Dial back a 180-year cycle and the Irish Famine took hold. While six cycles ago (360 years) the Great Plague unwittingly aided Newton’s annus mirabilis and Hooke discovered cells. Sequences loop, themes remerge from brumation as the mystical archetype reads the room.
Little Dragons, the zodiacal moniker for Serpents, are wisdom keepers. Evidently, Snake sparks inquisitive masterminds delivering watershed scientific breakthroughs. The wood snake archetype also shows a penchant for altering the mind, including the unconscious: underscored by firsts for anaesthesia and psychedelic drug testing (LSD illegal in ’65). Wood correlates to acid. Changing the mindset changes reality. The web was born in 1989 (a digital record keeper).
At the bedrock of society is rights, and Snake is a sign of equating. Chalking up sequential wins, the tally count includes the Great Writ, rights for children, minority voting, the abolition of slavery, landmark housing bills, the UN’s ICERD, and access to “The Pill” — demonstrating Serpents attempts to balance the ledger. Also note, Australia’s Voice Referendum fell on a wood snake day pillar. Expect an uptick on disparity chatter as Snake’s course corrects toward Counterculture 2.0.
Undeniable signatures of war and protests show up on yin wood and yin fire’s watch. Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War and Aldermaston marches depict a backdrop. But no matter the Stem union, Serpent’s choke point is conflict — 2011 is a prime example. Historically, incumbents who declared war had natal snakes playing into the cycle — noting Sunak, Xi Jinping, Macron, Zelenskyy and Trump, follow similar suit.
Themes that began in a Dragon year spill over into Little Dragon’s territory. Snake picks up the espionage mantel adding covert secrets and lies to the mix. Yin wood brings sight and breaks up earthy structures; mystical tongues of fire merge with hidden metal to pry open and unleash speech. Pig natives Snowden and Assange encountered Snake’s constrictor moves (Espionage act 1917). Be it freemasons, spy rings or cracking ciphers (code name Magic 1941), each are follies of Snake. Unbeknown to most, the US’s lost nuke (never recovered) occurred on a snake day in 1965; admissions later revealed in a snake year! Holy smoke moments headline as the battle to reveal or conceal plays out — the master of disguise seeks truths.
Snake’s lunar tenure starts on 29 January, triggering a leap year, and a Double Spring spells betrothals. Snake’s glyph is embryonic. But Snakes undo martial knots. Adam and Eve’s serpent encounter triggered temptation (yin fire speaks to smouldering passion), best summed up by the Kennedy/ Monroe love triangle (a fire shape), three supreme chart examples with tigers activating affairs. Double Snakes suggest an air of affluence, while Tigers are the nemesis of Snakes. However, the Magnum Opus goes to the Casanova archetype, whose reputation spawned the namesake.
Fun fact, snakes have pairs of sex organs – double-dealing inherent. Buckle up, charismatic Serpents sprinkle wanderlust.
Industry benefits from a cosmic golden bonus with resources, skills and connections showing up, in turn bolstering bank balances, if Snake curbs a propensity to overspend. Fiscally, Metal industries continue to benefit, with Water (maritime, travel, communications) industries performing well. Tension and challenges for Earth industries, such as real estate (1965 UK introduced CGT). Although Fire buoys markets, the 1929 stock exchange crash exposes Snakes as lousy gamblers. Serpents sowed the seeds of a cashless society. Yin fire is also electricity, blackouts resurrect the nuclear energy chestnut.
Natural disasters nod to volcanos; lava is emblematic of Snake’s hidden elements – Hot (yang fire), Molten (yang metal), Rock (yang earth). Collieries also encounter Snake snafus.
In matters of meteorology and climate, wood fuels fire, equating to smouldering smoke, the byproduct of fire and a precursor to flames. Overall, the needle points to parched conditions as precipitation peters out. Harvests initially look lush but natural disasters inhibit harvesting; an insect plague or weather event brings low yields but grains show good gains. Snakes sow wild oats!
The poison courier’s handiwork can be seen in the UK’s herbicide warfare of 1953, and Agent Orange used by the US in 1965 over SE Asia, both unleashed devastating legacies. Debates on biodiversity, pest control (insects, fire ants), pesticides and ecological disasters reach a flash point. Themes first seen in 2023 (Rabbit was Yin Wood) are reactivated by Ireland/Japan’s famines, coupled with US Land Lease program, reigniting War vs Weather as contributors to the food crisis legacy. By year-end arid drought looms and South, SE/ NW Australia feels the burn. Cost of living bites, but pork plummets. Arguably our most valuable safety deposit box, the Doomsday Seed bank, may crack open its vault for withdrawals. And, if Australia’s Earth Black Box is ever operational, it monitors. Standby mode initiated.
Personal boons & banes (see asterisked * years)
From macro lens to self-focus. A beneficial boon slides in for folks born in years ending in 2 or 3, with a cosmic mentor smoothing the kinks all year long. Heavenly windfalls are possible for folks with Yin Earth stems (years ending in 9) in their chart. Monkey is the annual talisman to mitigating risky outcomes; carry the amulet to quell negative qi.
RAT
(1948, 1960, 1972*, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)
The year brings merits and demerits. Use the boon of an unsullied reputation to find common ground — or fall victim to the constrictor. Travel features, be it for work or pleasure hangs in the balance, maybe even immigration. Rats roam spiritual roads: beware of darker paths, calamities and unexpected surprises unleashed. 1960 male rodents, your wit may see you wed. Couples take note, love rats breed infidelity, especially if midnight born. Eyes on the prize and you’ll benefit positively, when caution is applied. Keep spending in check. Should sickness strike, recuperation is speedy. N1 352.5°–7.5°
OX
(1949*, 1961, 1973*, 1985, 1997, 2009*, 2021)
Snake and Ox are compatible kin; shore up the power alliance in September when Rooster joins the party. An extended Goat-leapmonth brings pressure tests. Ox are injury prone, so channel caution near sharp objects — 1961 Oxes mind your limbs. Less fragile this year, but illness idles, triggering anxiety attacks that leave red eyes. Spiritual or philosophical pondering aid recovery. Rekindle a long forgotten artistic pursuit. Snake brings a smattering of wealth opportunities, perhaps mega material expansion in August or September. Err on the side of caution if major acquisitions leave you overly exposed; coffers suffer afterward. NE1 22.5°–37.5°
TIGER
(1950, 1962*, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022*)
Easy Tiger! Snake brings a state of jinx and flux as the scales feel weighted against you. March and April lessen combative disharmony. Words have an aggressive edge. Hit mute and curb temper tantrums or you’ll set tongues wagging: quarrels and morals may spill into platonic or physical relationships. September brings friction. Worrywarts open drapes or emotional uneasiness reveals a dark side. Thrill-seeking Tigers exercise caution or you’ll visit Emergency. Seek blessings via a fortune and beneficiary star and you’ll suppress severity of punitive scenarios — channel Serpent’s magical alchemy. 1950 Tigers expect partner problems. NE3 52.5°–67.5°
RABBIT
(939*, 1951, 1963*, 1975, 1987, 1999*, 2011)
Rabbits will ruminate. A busy bunny year sees you stretched and cash flow fluctuate. On one hand you’ll thrive under a wealth opportunity via generous comrades, the other hand requires effort to hold onto your gains. Be it budget tussles with partners or fiscal fiascos, you’ll likely feel fleeced, so avoid lending lolly. Subdue scarring situations by bolstering mental, physical and financial security. Take health checks seriously, your wellness barometer points to pesky illnesses. Check in on aged and ailing family, the ferryman may need paying. 1939 and 1999 Rabbits land on their feet. Revive your spirits with Moon rituals. E2 82.5°–97.5°
DRAGON
(940, 1952*, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012*)
Your landmark year ends, re-entry may hurt. Thankfully, your “mini me” respects your need to shine. Getting the jump on the year seems sluggish and peppered with delays. Change brings uneasiness and some instability as your investments are prone to chequered outcomes. Last year’s thrills leave you zapped of vitality. Sabotaged health needs priority or deal with spells of sickness. Forlorn and wallowing in self-pity only invites aloneness, check in on vulnerable family members, they need you — lean in. Channel Snake’s wisdom, scholarly Dragons will benefit with luck in examinations or promotions. Sweethearts may wed and storks may arrive. SE1 112.5°–127.5°
SNAKE
(1941, 1953*, 1965, 1977, 1989*, 2001, 2013*)
You’ve outgrown your skin and it’s time for a factory reset. Hold tight, be patient and bear the course. Blessed with a cosmic Sherpa, issues rescind if you remain cool. Business takes a back seat, hence a year of modest gains. Your escape artist routine wears thin. Prone to philandering, resist temptations or you’ll be sin binned. It’s time to address insecurities, otherwise stifling, sinking moods prevail. Blessed with beauty, refrain from vanity tweaks, it carries risk. Single serpents climb ladders to inner sanctums, keep eyes peeled for minted spouses. Back stabbing foes lurk. SE3 142.5°–157.5°
GOAT
(1943*, 1955, 1967, 1979*, 1991, 2003*, 2015)
Last year’s stress tests gradually recede as you share a double dose of favour with Serpentines. In the main, your power is restored, but setbacks need reframing as spiritual lessons. Learn to lead not follow; you’ll advance in the popularity stakes, unlocking deadbolts. Career hiccups may land you in legal limbo or a victim of scapegoating, leaving you feeling abandoned, confined or hidden away. Emotionally charged events may see you mourn and scorn as you right injustices. Secure a regular income stream, wealth wobbles potentially strain daily budgets and bank deposits. Goats you’re accident-prone. SW1 202.5°–217.5°
MONKEY
(1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992*, 2004, 2016)
Your elite membership expires; relationships with Little Dragons yo-yo. There’s a meeting of minds that brings influential connections, but Snake exhausts its lucky charm. You’ll grapple with feelings of the deck stacked against you as legal entanglements drag out and stress tests arise on multiple fronts. Recognise your female support crew waiting in the wings. Deals germinate and opportunities open up when you least expect it, such as a surprise promotion or a new position. Hard work rewards. Steer clear of risky deeds, be it adventures, business or health roulette. Medical overhauls for all the tribe. Zip it and be a steady eddy, it’s the best Snake medicine. SW3 232.5°–247.5°
ROOSTER
(1945, 1957, 1969*, 1981, 1993*, 2005, 2017)
You’ve passed the pub test and you’re still a favourite, just don’t get too cocky. The court of petty public opinion continues to judge you. Better quell your fight or flight response as headless chickens cause calamities. Fines, summons and taxes bite, lighter wallets are perhaps a result of litigation blowouts. Debts dent income streams, but it’s in your remit to course correct. Rewards await when ambitious Roosters channel inner authority and leadership — harmony happens when you befriend an Ox. Stick close to home, voyages are trying. Seductive suitors are here for a good time not a long time. W2 262.5°–277.5°
DOG
(1946, 1958, 1970, 1982*, 1994, 2006, 2018)
Last year’s hostilities wane. Smooth sailing ahead if you adapt, mitigating adversities. No stranger to hard work, this load is weighty but your game face sees you dodge Snakes and climb career ladders. Business networks open up. The new horizon takes you out of your comfort zone as a change in terrain or territory brings positive possibilities and prestige. Relief relating to assets arrives, but keep frivolous spending in check or risk ominous clouds rolling in. You share a polarity of hidden elements (yin to yang) that make you feel magnetic; you’ll lure loyal mates. Coupled canines may wed. NW1 292.5°–307.5°
PIG
(1947, 1959*, 1971, 1983*, 1995, 2007, 2019*)
If coin is your metric for success, know fortuitous opportunities pop up. Choices beckon from afar, risk takers who travel the extra mile benefit (avoid SE). Career changes are probable. You may bank big bucks, when weaned off extravagances, otherwise only fools gold remains. Emotionally, hogs feel hexed — the target of piecemeal stress tests. You’ll dampen metaphorical fires and deal with the smothering aftermath, beware of reignition. Family welfare and wellness checks are neglected at your peril. Meditation is medicine. A year to channel caution, heed advice and seek help. Blessings may be disguised; less risky roads reduce hazards, but belt up. 1971 and 1959 Pigs fan yin years, lay low and avoid Snake’s bite. NW3 322.5°–337.5°
FENG SHUI 2025
Fuxi and Nüwa, primordial beings with serpent bodies, take on added timely significance. The father of Emperors Fuxi discovered the Ho-t’u arrangement of trigrams, a key tenet of feng shui and the underlying nature of all things. While Nuwa, the supreme mother, shows up as the annual moderator, when depicted as conjoined serpents they form a double helix, representing the secrets of life, cells, DNA, and years later its double helix shape, all of which occurred on Snake’s watch.
Feng shui’s application is multilayered and multifaceted. From countries to the micro arrangement of accessories, even people via personal trigrams are all influenced by the feng shui solar new year’s shifting of qi on 3 February 2025. Annual Flying Stars (AFS), Lo Shu and Period 9 layers merge, setting the tone and themes ahead. Personalised layers are coloured by construction or country founding dates.
Last year began a long-range elemental transition emphasising fiery South. The AFS focus shifts opening a sensitive axis between SE3 (Snake) and NW3 (Pig) alignment. Other feng shui factors expose the entire SE sector, hit by silent assassins triggering calamity. Be it geographical prefixes or postcodes, all are caught in the cross hairs — globally and historically, South East Asia is a case in point. Another is the south east state of Virginia, home to The Pentagon, which began constructed 60 years to the day when hit by 9/11 attacks.
Snake and Pig are zodiacal travelling stars. Travel, no matter the modus operandi, can turn treacherous. Franklin’s Lost Expedition via the Arctic Northwest passage is one example. Channel caution during the transit. Beyond commuter hazards, the mobility star also implies big shifts or changes in career, a sea change, immigration or odysseys. February, May, September, and especially December, trigger chain reactions.
The “what about me factor?” is often most potent when front doors, entrances and key rooms are triggered via charged alignments or sector configurations. Occupants of period dwellings built between 1884 and 1903 may feel annual topics resonate. Snake/Pig built structures potentially mask secrets and are oft camouflaged by canopies obscuring views. The AFS #2 centre cell corresponds to SW and Matriarchs (Nuwa); nourishing and prolific are her positive attributes, division arguably the negative.
As a cosmic barometer of wellness #2 cycles through an adverse phase, the gauge points to mandatory health checks. Nobody is immune, so heed the warning. Symbolic Caduceus and Asclepius’ Rod (the WHO logo), as interchangeable health icons galvanise the need to get a jump on health. The US Medicare launch, Coronavirus discovery in 1965, and Ebola historically corroborate the need to focus on health. Mandated health risks also appeared on cigarette packs. Monkey sits in SW3 — he’s in on the ruse. Pick your poison, avoid an annus horribilis; your health (2) is your wealth (SE Snake).
The heart is associated with yin fire, inflammation another manifestation. Overall, female trigrams dominate. The Kun #2 trigram splits, nodding to broken hearts, decoupling, divorces or windowing. Snakes’ infidelities are another catalyst. Gynaecological issues surface (Rubella pinged in 1941/1965). Ming Gua #2 folks relate.
One of Fuxi’s Ho-t’u discoveries (1-6) is invisibly featured in NW, Snake’s nemesis Pig resides here. The digit’s combo relates to males and blends themes of aggression, military, legal and separations (sometimes death) — globally, a warring signature. Adding water via the Ho-t’u alludes to emotions and wealth, offering an alternative personalised manifestation of charged financial disputes over souring separations or inheritances.
Vulnerable Flying Star locations in 2025 include centre effecting everyone, plus, NE spotlights Tigers. Snake and Tiger have a penalising, fiery and fractious relationship. The digits also imply emotional turmoil and health related topics, young men who occupy this sector feel this most. Avoid sensitive sectors to quell influence, the agent of change #5 is touchy and a tad manic.
Stirring from brumation, the embers of an archetypal legacy are reignited. As we wriggle and writhe our way through a life-size game of snakes and ladders, tests of karma and kama await — an original tenet of the board game. Following Dragon’s act and warming up for Horse is never easy. But the prophetic sage utilises hidden metal to forge a bridge toward equilibrium, the element that spurs action, alters mindsets and extracts unvarnished truths. Snake awakens seeds from dormancy. Ready to reveal, reconcile, rekindle, recalibrate and repeat. The keeper of keys unlocks a gift — a sixth sense is woken.
