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2025: What Can We Expect From the Year of the Wood Snake? Predictions and Health Tips

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A close up of a snake, symbolic of luck in Traditional Chinese Folklore
The snake, a symbolic bearer of luck in Traditional Chinese lore, despite its notorious reputation elsewhere..

One of my favourite January activities is a deep dive into the coming year's Chinese Zodiac. It is fascinating to learn of the influence each animal and their associated elements may have on the year ahead.


Chinese New Year - Lantern Festival

The Lunar New Year of 2025 falls on Wednesday, the 29th of January, with celebrations for the Chinese New Year running from New Years Eve through to the Lantern Festival on Feb 12th. A celebration that lasts for 16 days!


For many, the Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. This is due to the fact that along with welcoming the New Year the celebration marks the end of the coldest weather and the welcoming of the coming Spring. The Spring festival is a time of sending prayers and thanks to the Gods, seeking prosperity and a strong harvest season.


The History of Chinese New Year


The Chinese New Year, an annual event that fascinates people worldwide, has been celebrated for over 3500 years.


The Chinese New Year Calendar follows a zodiac of 12 animals, each with distinct features. Each animal is considered to be influential on both the characters and personality traits of people born under their sign and also general energy of all living within their year of the zodiac in its own unique way.


The order of the Chinese Zodiac is as follows:

Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.


How did the order of the zodiac come to pass?


There are many different tellings of this tale, and I have shared this particular story before on a previous Chinese New Year blog, but for new readers, here is a basic overview…


It begins with the Jade Emperor deciding that he needed 12 animals to act as his sentry’s. In order to select the most appropriate for the job he chose to run a race. The intention was to rank each animal by strength based on its arrival at the finish line.


The first two animals to cross the line were the Rat and the Ox. It was thought that their diligence and wit that helped them secure the coveted first and second place. As a result, these are of course traits associated with these signs.


It was speed and competitiveness that found the Tiger and the Rabbit in the third and fourth place across the line.


The Dragon secured fifth place by sheer good looks. And then the Snake, the animal associated with the 2025 Chinese New Year used this placement of the Dragon to his advantage by pretending that he was the Dragons son!


Modest polite and kind by nature both the Horse and Goat chose not to compete. The Jade Emperor appreciated these characteristics and awarded them seventh and eighth place.


The final four animals of the zodiac are the Monkey followed by the Rooster, Dog and Pig.


Want more? A quick google search will take you many in-depth offerings, all of which are very entertaining reads.


Five Element Theory


Wu Xing, or Five Element Theory forms not only the basis of the Chinese Zodiac but is also the foundation of Chinese Medicine Theory, Fung Shui, Martial Arts and a multitude of other Eastern Traditions.

In 2025 the Yin Wood element encapsulating the supple nature of ivy and young bamboo harnessing its ability to be both flexible and strong.
In 2025 the Yin Wood element encapsulating the supple nature of ivy and young bamboo harnessing its ability to be both flexible and strong.

Five Element Theory explores the relationship between things and details the necessity for balance to be achieved in order to experience harmony and health. The elements interact with each other in much the same way as Yin and Yang with the ultimate result to be balance of all things.


The Five Elements are:

·       Metal

·       Wood

·       Water

·       Fire

·       Earth


In relating these elements to the Chinese calendar there is a counting system called The 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly branches. The Heavenly Stems are made up of the Yin or Yang categories of the Five Elements and the 12 Earthly Branches refer to the 12 animals of the Zodiac.


In 2025 we will move on January 29th from the Yang Wood Dragon into a new cycle, the Yin Wood Snake.


What will the year of the Wood Snake bring?


The Snake is considered a symbol of wisdom. Of quiet contemplation and reflection. While Snakes are often connected with negative connotations such as wickedness, danger and mistrust in Traditional Chinese folklore they are a symbol of luck. They are thought to be both mysterious and charming creatures, capable of great transformation and extreme intelligence.


The coming year of the Snake holds promise, the Snakes wise ways combining powerfully with the element of Yin Wood which is supple, strong and motivated to grow. The Wood Snake in 2025 could very well harness an energy of releasing the past, steady evolution and forward movement.


Best Focuses for 2025:


In 2025 less is more. Create space where introspection can take place and growth can occur.
In 2025 less is more. Create space where introspection can take place and growth can occur.

The Year of the Wood Snake = Shedding


Think of it as a big clean out. 2025 is a great time to harness the energy of de-cluttering your life. Be it your wardrobe or your day-to-day commitments. Less is more.


Make some space in your world and then tap into your intuition and ambition to see where growth could occur and what change might feel good and where it may lead you.

 

Strengths of the Wood Snake:

·       Problem Solving

·       Adaptability

·       Communication

·       Creativity

Challenges of the Wood Snake

·       Excessive caution

·       Trust Issues

·       Perfectionism



The Wood Snake and Your Health


In Traditional Chinese Medicine the element of Wood rules the Liver and Gallbladder. To best support these organs and their function we want to ensure our Wood element is well balanced, strong yet flexible.


An excess in the Wood element may be expressed in the emotions of:

·       Frustration

·       Anger

·       Stress

·       Inconsiderate behaviour and pig headedness


A deficiency in your Wood element makes for:

·       Lack of vision

·       Indecisiveness

·       Poor growth

·       Despondency

·       Restlessness

·       Anxiety and self-worth issues


The Liver and Gallbladder work together to move blood and bile around the body, governing the smooth flow of Qi and maintaining optimal running of our physical and emotional energy. They are also associated with:

·       Stress

·       Musculoskeletal pain

·       Health of the fascia and tendons

·       Slow injury recovery

·       Womens Health / Period Health

·       Eye Health


Supporting your Liver and Gallbladder Health in 2025 will in turn support your Wood element to be in balance. The Liver and Gallbladder appreciate calm gentle exercise, journaling, introspective activities, quality sleep, green foods and sour flavours.


And don't forget acupuncture! Everything is better with acupuncture.



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