The Story of the Snake – Part 1

Last year I started a story in 4 parts about the Year of the Dragon and it was so well received that I decided to continue this year with this storytelling our way through 2025. So, welcome to the first 3 months of this year of the Wood Snake.

The 4 seasons each have a rhythm and a mood. The Tiger of Spring is when we are just getting things started, planting seeds and nurturing all the new projects, ideas, and relationships for the year beginning. The Snake representing Summer, a time when we are enjoying the fruits of our labor, and when life is vibrant and active. The Monkey ushers in Autumn, a time when we harvest and compost all that we grew and cultivated in our year. Then comes the Pig who marks Winter, a time of rest, of recovery, and dreaming of what the next Spring may sprout. It is not surprising when a season slides forwards or backwards, for instance, it is not uncommon for there to be a little Winter in the midst of Spring, or for there to be a little Summer in the season of Autumn. These are those times when we are reminded that life is a continuum of change, and adaptation, and cycles.

One of the challenges of a Snake year is that it can often feel like we are being pushed into a season we are not ready for and that can lead to all kinds of conflict. The Snake will battle with each of the Zodiac Animals that challenges his season of Summer and especially with the Pig. So, the way 2025 begins is a complicated start to a transformative story.

The Snake uncoiled himself from the tall grass where he was lying and slid into 2025 only to be startled by the presence of a Tiger ready to pounce into the year with great vigor. The Snake was offended by the presence of the Tiger exerting such independence, boldness, and courage. The Snake coiled tightly at the Tiger’s feet in fear of such a beast of impulse and impatience. The Tiger in its pounce trips over the Snake who in that moment bites one of his legs and he falls in pain. Tiger was leaping into Spring, but the Snake is Summer and so that leap is poorly timed, it is rushed, it is forgetting important steps. Snake slithers off to safety and waits in the shadows to see what the Tiger will do. Yet, there is little he can do, for the Snake has penalized the Tiger and as the year begin in February, we find that it is surprising challenges that caution us to not leap blindly into this year with false optimism but rather keen awareness. Perhaps that would have saved the Tiger, who now is limping off to his lair.

Snake looks to see a curious Rabbit peeking her head out of the burrow and looking around at all the radiant flowers of spring. Snake slithers over to join Rabbit. He feels an immediate congeniality seeing as they both spend time underground. Rabbit invites Snake to her home for carrot tea and Snake happily agrees. After the rough start to the year, Snake feels at ease with Rabbit. They enjoy the afternoon in the glow of green grasses and wildflowers, having deep conversation that poses solutions, compromises, and ways to negotiate for needed change. Snake’s discernment and intuition are valuable tools for Rabbit and together they are great problem solvers and visionaries. Unlike the Tiger who represents Yang Wood that felt so offensive, the Yin Wood of the Rabbit is a more gentle support for Snake, and so these two make good friends.

Snake awakens with the blush of love in his heart as he remembers his time spent with charming Rabbit. But something large and fantastical calls Snake’s attention. He winds his way up a large tree near the mountains. There he discovers a creature with skin like his, and feet like a Rooster. Snake immediately feels a kinship to the magical Dragon of April. The energy is excitable, it seems like Dragon has found his muse, for the Snake in sharing his deep thoughts with Rabbit has found a grand dreamer and innovator in the Dragon. For now is the time of imagination, of innovation, of dreamwork, of expansion, and profound intuitive insights. Snake is shy and prefers to be tucked away, out of sight, so he can be clear headed for all his brilliant intuition and wisdom. Dragon is far more extroverted, ready for the party. So, it is that Snake feels overwhelmed by the Dragon’s grand personality, and it takes them some time to find their place together but once they do, it is a perfect pairing. Dragon flaunts his grand ideas and Snake intuits the next steps, the way forward. And since Dragon represents Yang Earth, he motivates Snake to take bold action.

Snake is also resting, he knows his month of May is coming and it will require a lot of energy to navigate that fiery terrain. Now that it is late spring, Snake gets very quiet and still, meditative and in repose. He will rise up to May like a mighty explosion. Stay tuned for Part 2.