2025 Yin-Wood Snake (乙巳)

January 29, 2025 opens the year of the Yin-Wood Snake.  What does this mean?  Shh… See the description below of the Heavenly Stem, Earthly Branch, and corresponding hexagram for the year, and listen to my 2025 Yin-Wood Snake New Year Talk (PENDING – stay tuned).  Be sure to first listen to this talk: Introduction to Lunar New Year Talks: Classical Chinese Almanac-Astrology. For more background on this system, see my introductory post on Chinese almanac-astrology and view these YouTube videos describing the Heavenly Stems, the Earthly Branches, and the Sexagenary Cycle.

Yin-Wood (yǐ, 乙) is the flexibility of wood, like bamboo blowing in the breeze or a blade of grass growing softly upward but yielding to whatever it encounters – growing gently and twisting like a snake.  Visioning forward, yet highly sensitive, responsive, and adaptive.  Snake (sì, 巳) is the most mystical of animals, preferring to lie low and slither in the shadows.  Solitary, reclusive, perhaps a bit self-absorbed.  Cold and venomous, with highly concentrated qi, Snake can be ruthless and combative – although it generally prefers to avoid conflict.  Disillusioned with the world, Snake likes to remain unnoticed, as its interests lie more in the unseen.  The native Dynamic of Snake is Yin-Fire; Wood nurtures Fire, so this is like Snake with its parent – it is well-supported and at ease.  Wood Snake is forward-looking yet sneaky, like a twisting vine unnoticeably extending into new territory – seemingly peaceful but in fact aggressive.  Passively aggressive – peaceful, easygoing, patient, and yielding – yet constantly thinking strategically, always subtly sneaking toward advantage.

Wood Snake corresponds to Hexagram #7, Earth/Water: “Stealth-Mastery”.  Fluid and adaptable within, open possibilities without.  The character (師) can mean anything from teacher to military troops; the image suggests masterfully bending a bow.  A tradesperson diligently studying & practicing all aspects of a trade, readying themselves to perform with excellence.  An army concealing itself in advantageous position, poised to attack.  A coiled snake ready to strike.  Although there is danger and hidden aggression within this hexagram, it actually describes a time of peace.  This qi-quality is reflected in the last line of Dao De Jing Chapter 36: “Countries not displaying their weapons” – Wood Snake thus lies low and slithers softly into a position of advantage.  It does not hiss unnecessarily – it does not draw attention to itself.  This hexagram is not about laying down our weapons, but hiding them.  Keeping them at-the-ready in times of peace.  The stealth-master is always observing the possibilities and adjusting position, subtly closing-in on its target.  Because there is no conflict here, there is great freedom of movement – Earth above softens the exterior (sheds old skin/ideas/patterns), Water within means fertile ground for new growth.  The key for Wood Snake is staying vigilant in times of peace, never falling into complacency – use this time to train and prepare, to assess the terrain and position ourselves for what is yet to come.  Just as roots slither through the soil, let us covertly extend and grow our foundations – envision our goals, and slither softly, indirectly toward them.

A look at the most recent Yin-Wood Snake Year, courtesy of Recollection Road: Flashback to 1965 – A Timeline of Life in America.

For monthly updates on the Heavenly Stem & Earthly Branch of each moon, subscribe to our Dark Moon Newsletter.

Author: Wuming Chuan

http://oldoakdao.org/blog/about-me/