2025 - Year of the Wood Snake

 The snake is a ancient form of life and has survived evolution over millions of years. It has done this by being adaptable, creative and resourceful (being able to shed its skin).

As we move into 2025, we step in with young adult energy, bursting with life and overflowing with ideas. The snake offers us more opportunities to expand our intellect and ‘shed our skin.’ By taking the time to achieve your goals, patience comes with ease. This year is ripe with energy, so we must integrate our qi and be open to love. Celebrations for the snake year begin on January 29th, and the snake officially emerges on February 3rd.

 The snake is tenacious, and this is a good year to seek out what you want and work diligently to attain it. A well-thought-out strategy for the year is recommended, as the snake has patience, which will serve you well in your accomplishments.

The snake possesses mystical qualities and wisdom that you can draw on. This is an excellent year to deepen your intuitive skills since the snake has excellent instincts, and this year is associated with relating to the heavenly way. Due to the snake’s fiery nature, there can be times of feeling a great hunger for more – find the balance and cultivate enjoyment to avoid getting caught up in wanting excitement. On the other end of the spectrum, the snake can be listless, so staying focused on your goal is essential. You can utilise snake intelligence to educate and encourage others - and yourself - successfully.

 Wood represents action. 2025 is great for this since there is so much inherent strength and desire with which to follow through. Wood generates fire, making this a robust year for achieving creative projects. However, the fire element can be explosive, i.e., fuelling the fire due to intense emotions; thus, be mindful of interactions with others. Wood is also associated with connecting to the heavenly energy, which is vital in 2025 for being fully conscious and spiritually awake. There can be many changes and shifts this year due to the powerful transformational energy of wood.

 Health: This is a good health year! Be mindful of overexcitement, overeating, or excessive drinking. The snake represents the small intestine organ; be aware not to overwhelm your digestive system. There might be an increase in cases of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) this year. Seek a balance in your diet and avoid overly damp foods such as raw veggies, dairy products, and greasy meals. In East Asian Medicine (EAM), the small intestine separates the clear from the turbid, and we must be aware of the type of food we ingest and the information/media/videos we take in. Snakes are known to reside in environments that have especially clean air and water. Therefore, emulate snakes' desire to be in pristine surroundings by travelling to places known for their clean energy.  Get air and water filters for the home and grow organic fruit and veggies.

 The snake is associated with the spleen acupuncture channel. In EAM, the spleen transforms and transports nutrition throughout the body. Damp foods and rumination can bog it down, so stay diligent with your diet and take precautions so you do not get derailed in 2025. 

 Foods: The foods linked to the snake are grains, sweet spices, root veggies, honey, chicken, and fruit. Since the snake symbolizes summertime, it is recommended not to overeat but to eat light meals. Snakes eat their food whole and only a few times a week or, for some snakes, once a year. You might be tempted to indulge,but seek moderation. The snake fosters creativity, so strive to be more inventive with your cooking this year.

Business: Creativity abounds in 2025, so being imaginative with your work is encouraged. Innovations will appear, and we will see a surge in AI technology.  Snake is associated with the professions of teaching, designing, and creating. Thus, those in these fields will experience great success. Medicine will experience leaps in technology and in how it is delivered. Snake also represents fire energy, which relates to travel. Therefore, we will see an increase in adventure and pleasure vacations. Fire can flare up, causing people to seek thrills and exciting enterprises. Be mindful of pacing yourself and carefully pursue any business opportunities.

Politics: The 2024 election in the United States significantly changed the power dynamic. With the Republican party now in control, many domestic and foreign policy changes will occur. A global anxiety consciousness grows, and division is more rampant than ever. The wise Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh said, “No mud, no lotus.” We can use the intensity of the current times to let our love and compassion blossom, evolve, and galvanize us as living beings. Utilise the awakening of awareness to realize our interconnectedness and our shared humanity.

Snakes can sometimes be quiet and reserved, perceived as aloof or conceited. It is crucial to express your emotions and needs. Conflicts can be avoided if political leaders strive to work together and express their needs, fears, and concerns. This year is fiery, and explosive consequences could ensue without a calm and warm negotiation approach. A warm approach might seem unrealistic, but there is always hope that leaders will endeavour to adopt this beautiful quality of snake.

Social: Snakes are ‘solar powered,’ or scientifically put, ectothermic. This means that they regulate their temperature based on outside influence. Some snakes have venom, but adults typically do not release it unless they are seriously threatened. They will deliver a ‘dry bite’ (one without venom) as a warning. Thus, this year, it is essential to approach others gently when broaching a difficult or divisive topic. 

Relationships/personal communication: 2025 asks you to cultivate warmth and modesty in your relationships. There could be some fight energy due to the wood nature of the year. Compassion transforms anger/irritation/aggression. The book Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff is highly recommended. You could experience a great awakening in your relationship, or if you are single, you could have a clear vision of how you would like your next relationship to be. The snake acts at the most auspicious moment with competence and fortitude, so this is a beautiful year to start a new relationship by listening to your inner wisdom and choosing a partner that resonates with your path and spirit. If you are in a relationship – this year could take it to the next level. 

Fashion: One of the snakes' traits is attractiveness. We will see more elegant and artistic fashions. Snakes are associated with the colour red, and wood is associated with the colour green. Therefore, fabrics and materials with these colours will dominate. For snakes to feel their power and draw on confidence, brown and yellow colours are recommended. Black will help you feel grounded. Flirty outfits and athletic attire will be in vogue. Given the numerous species of snakes (almost 4000), various styles will emerge.

Stock market: This is a risky year for speculation and high-risk investments. It would be wise to be more conservative with your money and consider putting your earnings into bonds or long-term investments.

Future: Universal Qi continues to expand, and the wood nature of the year challenges our ability to stay calm and not react. This increasing momentum can go in two directions: one in favour of seeking dominance and control over others, the other in honouring all beings and supporting the greater good. The choice is yours. The powerful energy from the last few years and this year will culminate in 2026, the year of the Yang Fire Horse, which can be either explosive or a boon to creativity.

Charms: Snake belongs to an auspicious triad of animals: snake, rooster, and ox. Therefore, the rooster and ox have extra luck this year. Those snakes turning 60 in 2025 will also enjoy extra good luck. However, for snakes not turning 60, experiencing Chinese good-bad luck will offset the year's challenges. Chinese good-bad luck is defined as moving to a new house or city, having a baby, traveling, beginning a new relationship, or getting married.

The monkey is the snake’s secret friend. For those animals who face challenges this year (indicated with an asterisk below), they benefit from a monkey charm. To navigate challenges, carry or wear a monkey charm. This charm can be an amulet, a small stone carving, or a miniature wood statue. Anyone can utilize a monkey charm to boost their luck.

Individual Animal Forecasts for 2025

Rat: Your good luck from 2024 extends into the year's first quarter. Utilize last year's new wisdom and heart expansion to accomplish your goals. As the year progresses, you might find yourself needing some more rest. Excitement abounds, and it will be crucial for you to anchor and ground yourself so you do not get swept away and lose your focus on what you desire to manifest.

Ox: Stability increases throughout the year, and good luck flourishes! Your spiritual pursuits manifest as gifts to your life, and you will find creativity blooming from your inner wisdom. Any digestive issues clear up, and your ability to process information improves.  This is a great year for deepening romantic relationships; love is coming your way if you are single!

Tiger*: This year asks you to embrace peaceful, mindful energy without getting swept up in the inherently aggressive and adrenaline-rich year. When dealing with others, be aware of remaining malleable and serene to bring harmonious communication and a shared interest in meeting goals. 2025 asks you to develop patience, which will accentuate good luck for your next year.

Rabbit: You will find yourself moving quickly and easily in 2025. Your ability to sense when to act and when to rest will serve you well in this powerful snake year. This year can potentially launch your career to the next level, which could bring criticism and jealousy from others. Refine your unassuming and warmhearted nature to succeed in your endeavours.

Dragon: Develop your creativity to feel grounded and focused in this exciting year. Old childhood issues could arise, but by tapping into the mystical, you will receive messages from the universal qi. By following your heart's desire and pursuing what you love, money and resources abound. Place red-coloured items in your meditation space to accentuate your health and spirituality.

Snake*: This is a good luck year for those turning 60. Otherwise, you might face challenges with ravenous desire or intense fatigue since 2025 is known in Chinese culture as a good-bad luck year for snakes (see above for explanation). It would be best if you took the time to achieve goals and enrich your kindness. If so, you will rouse your consciousness and easily get things done.

Horse: 2025 stokes your passion and vigour! Your finances continue to grow, and you will find a lot of assistance from your community. Rely on your tenacity as this year proves to be a success, with many growth and awakening opportunities. Taper your desire for excitement and seek enjoyment instead. Get ready for a wild ride into the upcoming horse year!

Goat: You can land that dream job by following your bliss and committing to goals that light up your heart. The active nature of the year presents many chances to complete your tasks. Remain unpretentious; you will thrive and move effortlessly through this powerful year. Take care to nurture your gratitude to set the stage for a good luck year in 2026! 
 
Monkey: Your good luck streak continues! You have arrived and get what you want as long as you cultivate modesty. Nimbly navigate this busy year with your intelligence, being mindful of not hurrying. Engage with your community and nurture your inner joy. Money comes easily this year, and consider wearing black when you have an important meeting or presentation.

Rooster: Good luck extends into 2025 for you! Let your humour dance in the minds of loved ones as you follow a well-defined itinerary for completing your goals. Flaunt your style with green and red outfits to bring wealth and a sense of grounding. Take time to practice breathing techniques to nourish your lungs. You can even practice this under a full moon and send love to your family.

Dog: Last year presented many challenges. You might feel like licking your wounds, but 2025 is a time to let go of the past and create a brilliant next chapter. The skills you acquired in the dragon year will continue to develop and serve you in navigating the many changes afoot. This year, excitement abounds. Stay mindful of getting caught up in the adrenaline frenzy. Good luck is coming in 2026!

Pig*: Reflection and relaxation are your themes in the snake year. You might encounter some challenges. Develop your virtue and visualize your engagement with heaven and earth. This year asks us to awaken our consciousness, which can bring up old hurts. Call on your courageous nature to stay present and gentle. Wear black to tune into your spirit and green to activate your power.

*Carry a monkey charm to help bring good luck for the year: Snake (unless turning 60), tiger, and pig will benefit from carrying/wearing a charm. Ox, monkey, and rooster do not need to carry a charm.

For those seeking advanced information: In addition to the three aspects of 2025—Yin Wood Snake—we can delve deeper and gain insights from the earthly branches. Each Chinese animal is associated with an earthly branch representing an organ, an acupuncture channel, and a weather pattern. The snake is associated with the small intestine organ, the spleen channel, and the jue yin (transformation) weather pattern.

Small Intestine organ: Fire blazes this year, which can stir anxiety and restlessness. Remember to take time for stillness to allow the heart to perceive its surroundings accurately. The small intestine separates the clear from the turbid. This applies to both food/fluids and the information that you ingest. Thus, avoid heat-flaring foods (spicy, sugary, greasy), drinks (coffee, alcohol), and information (news, social media, action/horror movies). The media has increasingly relied on fear and anxiety-provoking information, which has resulted in fuelling an epidemic of mental distress. Temper this with your internal wisdom and peace. Of course, there are ways to enjoy the fire of 2025: creativity, enjoyment, emotional warmth, etc., which sustain healthy fire in the body. By stoking the healthy fire within, we strengthen our light and shine brighter, illuminating the world. This fire helps to dispel dampness that hinders the spleen’s function.

Spleen channel: The spleen transforms and transports nutrition throughout the body. Heat provides the energy needed for efficient processing, so the food and fluids are properly digested, preventing unclear fluid from being produced. This unclear fluid is dampness and phlegm that stagnates in the body, creates sluggishness, and can trap old trauma in the body. The spleen not only processes food and fluid but also information. Watching, reading, and listening to positive and peaceful content ensures a serene inner environment. The wood nature of the year can compromise the peace and overact on the spleen’s ability to process properly. Try a meditation where you imagine your feet rooting deeply into the earth and your head touching the heavens while you freely feel the energy flow through your body. We are to awaken our consciousness this year, and the more tranquil our mind, spirit, and body, the better we can wake up. This year asks us to reach another level of transformation.

This information is provided from CT Holman’s website