By Mary Layton
Happy New Year of the Wood Snake!
What will the New Year have in store for us? The Year of the Snake will start on January 29th 2025 and end February 16, 2026. Chinese New Year is a very important family tradition which brings everyone together to share special foods. Celebrations may go on for 2 weeks. The Snake comes after the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac. While the energy of the dragon is flashy and energetic, the snake is mysterious and shrewd. The snake brings sophistication and elegance. The element associated with this year’s snake is wood which supports growth and transformation. “An excellent time to start new projects, explore new opportunities or make significant changes in your life”.
As with everything in life there’s the flip side; the snake has positive as well as negative aspects. On the positive side the snake represents wisdom, knowledge, intuition and creativity. Some cultures associate the snake with good luck and longevity. The fact that snakes shed their skin and renew themselves is often taken as a symbol for the idea of letting go of old habits and fixed ideas. To transform ourselves takes deep reflection, planning and searching for answers. On the negative side the snakes are feared for their venomous bite. In some folk stories snakes are shown to cause harm and seduce humans. So better to tread lightly, be more cautious this year!
Overall, it is supposed to be a year in which “we may feel pulled in several directions.” Patience and adaptability are the best approach. The exercise that I teach and practice is based on a legend about a Taoist monk who was watching the fight between a snake and a bird. Every time the bird tried to attack the snake the snake would redirect the attack and make its strike. The monk was so inspired that he created the great art of T’ai Chi Ch’uan!
For more info go to : taichi4modesto.com or call (209)572-4518
