Could you use some positivity right now? January 29 marks the start of the year of the Wood Snake! In China, snakes are venerated symbols of good luck, wisdom, sensitivity, and grace. The wood element brings even more power to this symbol, because wood signifies flexibility, resilience, and creativity: Think of a strong, stable tree, its roots coiling around rocky obstacles in order to anchor deep into nourishing soil, and its branches stretching up and out toward the life-giving sun. In 2025 we can model this adaptability and groundedness in our own lives, with Wood Snake leading the way.
I inherited a snake phobia from my Mom, who grew up in a mountainous area where rattlesnakes were prevalent. When I began my Qigong training, I learned to let go of that phobia as I discovered how these “little dragons” embody wonderful lessons, such as how to be alert, still and calm, yet ready to move like a flash if necessary. Here in the countryside, I discovered that snakes are welcome visitors to the garden because they dispense with pesky voles and moles. Bob, the resident garter snake who lives under a large stone by the front door of the cabin we rent in Vermont, is another wonderful teacher. He’s harmless, shy, knows how to stay out of the way, and serves as a welcome reminder of the wildness of nature all around us.
Today, I evoke the lessons of the snake whenever news updates feel distressing. I remember to stay grounded in the present moment. Snakes tune in to their environment with tremendous sensitivity, and know to move gracefully around obstacles and challenges. The resourceful wood snake finds flexibly creative ways to stay safe and nourished. Of course, perhaps the greatest metaphor of all, snakes shed their skins on a regular basis! We can do that, too, by letting go of protective layers (or attitudes?) that no longer fit, glide right out of them, and wiggle gracefully, perhaps even elegantly, into a wise, new direction.
