Ray Au outlines what we can expect from 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake
According to Chinese astrology, each year cor responds to one of 12 zodiac animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig), in a cycle that repeats ever y 12 years. To complicate things a lit tle, each year also cor responds to one of five elements (Fire, Ear th, Metal, Water and Wood), in a cycle that repeats ever y five years. 2025 is the Year of the Snake (the last one was in 2013). More specifically, it is the Year of the Wood Snake (the last one was in 1965). So, what does that mean for you?
Snakes may not be everyone’s cup of tea but there is ever y reason to go into a Snake Year with positivity. For the Chinese, the Snake symbolises wisdom and evolution: he is not associated with evil or treachery as he is in many other cultures. What’s key is that the Snake is able to shed his skin and rejuvenate: we can therefore expect 2025 to be all about personal growth and renewal.
While the pace of change may be a lot slower than it was in 2024’s flashy and dynamic Year of the Dragon, don’t underestimate the transformative power of serpentine energy. The Snake is known for his grounded, deliberate approach to life. Stealthy and wise, the Snake wants you to move with purpose and precision, relinquishing what no longer serves you, so you can evolve. As you weave through the year, you have the oppor tunity to methodically align with your true path. The key lies in trusting the process.
THE SNAKE’S STEALTHY INFLUENCE
In predicting what 2025 will bring, we need to take a good look at the Snake’s characteristics many of which are revealed by his impressive showing at the Great Race. Folklore tells us that the race was held by the Jade Emperor to decide the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac and, surprisingly, the Snake placed sixth right after the super-powered Dragon (the predicted winner) and seconds before the stronger, faster Horse.
As it turns out, the Snake is ambitious and he saw the race across the celestial river as an oppor tunity to shine. Clever and cunning, the Snake submerged himself and swam quickly across the river, taking advantage of the currents. Without being seen, he smoothly overtook the Pig, Dog, Rooster, Monkey and Ram and, near the riverbank, he jumped out at the Horse, which star tled and fell behind. Thus, to everyone’s surprise, the Snake became the sixth animal to cross the finish line. Within this origin story lies the true message of a Snake Year – summon your inner strategist, stay calm and strike when the time is right.
So we know the Snake is wise, a natural tactician; we also know him to be ambitious and determined. Given plent y of time to ref lect and plot the wisest course, the Snake is not afraid to act independently in pursuit of his dreams. Consequently, we can expect a goal-orientated 2025, in which we can move forward with resolve and objectivity. Above all, the Snake encourages creative solution: when you get to the proverbial shore by relying on your own ingenuity, as he did in the Great Race, you earn not just respect, but your own place in the circle.
As any ophiophilist will confirm, the Snake is mesmerising, and not a lit tle mysterious – by turns colour ful and flamboyant, camouflaged and reclusive. He doesn’t actually hypnotise his prey but he can charm almost anyone he meets into submission. Therefore, 2025 is predicted to be a good year to make friends and influence people: to impress others with your wit and charisma, and insinuate yourself with ‘the powers that be’ to get that rise or promotion.
Now a word of caution: the Snake has a tendency to be secretive, manipulative, distrust ful and jealous. He holds grudges and is slow to forgive. He can also be stubborn, prideful and arrogant, refusing to admit his mistakes or listen to the opinions of others. Be cautious who you trust in a Snake Year. The worr y is that the cold, calculating Snake is only concerned with his own welfare. He’s also dangerous: when he’s angry, or his pride has been hur t, or if you try to get close to him without his permission, you might get bit.
THE WOOD ELEMENT
The Year of the Wood Snake is special because it combines the transformative power of the Snake with the expansiveness and f lexibilit y of the Wood element. Whether you are looking to star t new projects or make significant life changes, 2025 promises to deliver slow, steady oppor tunities for growth. A Wood Snake Year rewards those who are flexible and forward thinking, now’s the time to shed old habits and fixed ideas and embrace opportunity.
The Wood element also represents compassion and loyalty, something that br ings out the Snake’s oh-so-secret sensitive side. The Snake is a cautious, introver ted observer; he tends to be suspicious and insecure, yet his scales conceal a big hear t and a surpr isingly passionate nature. 2025 is therefore a year to be generous with our af fections, and dare to be vulnerable.
Kind, empathetic and above all wise, the Wood Snake is the most creative and visionar y of the snakes. So 2025 invites us to explore new ideas and expand our hor izons. Consider that the counterculture movement was at its peak in the US dur ing 1965, the last Year of the Wood Snake, with suppor ter s rejecting conventional mores and advocating peace, love and social justice. Sixty year s later, we can hope to find similar themes echoing back to us, of fer ing oppor tunities for transformation and rebir th on a global scale.
LUCK AND COMPATIBILITY
How we will fare in the Year of the Snake also depends on the year we were born – on how well our ‘bir th animal’ gets on with the Snake. The Chinese zodiac animals most compatible with the Snake are the Ox, Monkey and Rooster, which is fantastic news for all Oxen, Monkeys and Roosters heading into 2025. The Ox’s diligence and tenacity, the Monkey’s quick wit and the Rooster ’s logical yet passionate nature all vibe well with the wily Snake. These are the advisors he wants by his side.
Likewise, Rats, Rabbits, Rams and Dogs should do well in 2025, since they also have a lot to offer the Snake. The Rat ’s caution and ability to compromise appeals, as does the Rabbit ’s plucky vulnerability, the Ram’s idealism and the Dog’s adaptability. However, if you were bor n in the Year of the Tiger, Dragon, Horse or Pig, you should brace yourself for a treacherous 2025, with some power struggles and financial challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, those bor n in a Snake Year are not in as power ful a position as you might think. According to Chinese astrology, we offend the Tai Sui gods in a year that is governed by our bir th animal, meaning we can expect many challenges and unexpected changes. In 2025, Snakes are advised to tread with caution, and invest in some triedand- tested feng shui remedies. Be sure to carry a lucky Ox trinket… and wear red underwear. Gong Hei Fat Choy!