The Year of the Snake

Even a powerful dragon cannot quell a snake.

Chinese proverb

Today we're leaving the challenging energies of the Wood Dragon behind to embrace the more soothing energies of the Wood Snake — which happens to be my Chinese zodiac sign!

While the snake may symbolise evil and treachery in some traditions (the serpent represents the devil and temptation in the Christian Bible), in Chinese culture it symbolises wisdom, deep intuition, insight, adaptability and agility.

The Year of the Snake is often a year when relative calm and collective wisdom are observed. People begin to vaguely realise the pointlessness of the tumult of humanity, and feel more inclined towards philosophy and meditation.

Since snakes are closely in tune with the earth, and usually make their home there, the Chinese believe them to be particularly sensitive to the onset of earthquakes. A a consequence, the Snake year is said to be one in which earthquakes are more than usually severe - witness the disastrous events in China and Armenia which preceded the San Francisco earthquake in the Snake year of 1989.

Such catastrophes are likely to be matched by political upheavals. Coups, conspiracies and the ballot box are the means by which governments are overthrown, for it is a time of itnernal revolution rather than war. Similarly, in business, the dangers are not from takeover bids by outside companies, but through intrigue and insider dealing.

Yet the Snake year is also a period when the needs of the environment are highlighted. There is greater awareness of the value of the earth's resources, and 'green' issues come to the fore.

Generally speaking, it is not such a favourable time to embark on any new venture or risky projects. The year is best taken up with initial planning, research and feasibility studies; caution is the key to survival.

Sources

• Asiaflash
• The Mammoth Book of Fortune Telling, Celestine

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