There are just a handful of days remaining in this dragon year before we transition into the Wood Snake. January 29th marks the first day of the lunar new year, and while the Qi of the cosmos changes with the seasons, it isn’t beholden to dates, so you may already be feeling its subtle energetic shifts. I know I am. Understanding how the energy of each year impacts you presents an opportunity to align with it in order to set yourself up for health, happiness, and good fortune in the period to come. So, let’s dive in to what to expect for the year ahead.
2025 will be the year of the Yin Wood Snake. Contrast this to the Yang Wood Dragon year from which we are emerging. Irrespective of Yin or Yang, wood energy is about growth and flexibility. There is however a marked difference in the nature of Yin wood and Yang wood. I went over this in greater detail in last year’s post about wood types. Where Yang wood is harder and less yielding like the trunk of a giant sequoia, Yin wood is soft and flexible, as well as highly adaptable, like the new shoots of growth emerging from the ground in the spring.
The snake, an oft-maligned creature in Western mythology, is viewed in Chinese culture as a symbol of patience, wisdom, introspection, and transformation. The snake remains even and calm in times of challenge, and has the flexibility to adapt to change of all kinds. Coupled with Wood energy, these traits are further enhanced and set the stage for these to be the predominant themes in the time to come.
As with all Yin years, slow and steady lends itself to career and financial growth. Yin energy encourages us to prepare and lay groundwork for further transformation to come. It is not the year for high-risk investments or sudden changes in jobs or relationships. Those who take the time to be quiet, reflect, and plan carefully will benefit the most from the energy of the Wood Snake. On the world stage, it would seem that this will be a year for countries reflect on policies that no longer serve them and how to move forward. Indeed, one can only hope a period of worldwide reflection could usher forth an era of positive change, I guess we’ll have to make like a snake in the grass and wait and see.
The snake is an inherently spiritual animal, associated with seeking deeper truths, looking within, and shedding the old to transform into the new. Perhaps it was more than a coincidence that my inbox filled up with so many invitations to New Year’s retreats after the 1st, all focused on harnessing the energy of gentle change. Then again, maybe I’m just an acupuncturist with a two decades-old Qigong practice and I’ve made my way onto a number of wellness mailing lists. Still though, it did seem like a departure from the usual glut of fitness emails I normally see.
Align yourself to the wood energy of the year by spending time in nature or bringing plant life into your space (just like the outgoing Wood Dragon year). Take time to sort through your belongings and let go of what you don’t need anymore, as what we hold onto represents stagnation. Art, journaling, and meditation help clear your mind and increase creativity. Movement, which is the nature of wood energy, especially slower intentional movement like walking, yoga, Qigong, and Taiji, help you integrate the wood dynamic in a thoughtful and transformative way.
It goes without saying that there’s never a bad time to start your Qigong practice, snake years in particular are especially good times to begin this journey as the snake is both introspective and routine-driven. The nature of snake energy can support you if you tend to have a hard time making a habit stick. Qigong For Stress and Anxiety starts next month with in person and live-streaming options so like a snake, you can be flexible and join wherever you are. The energy of each year is only as good as what you make of it, so make a masterpiece out of yours.
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