Snake 2012

Who is a Snake?

Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001.
Month*: May
Hour: 09:00 am – 11.00am
* Caution: the start of the Chinese month can be as early as the 4th & as late as the 9th, depending on the year. I can let you know this too.

What is a Snake?
The Snake is yin fire and sits between the Horse and the Dragon, possibly the most powerful pair of animals in the Zodiac and certainly among the most difficult stools to fall between. So a typical weakness of the Snake is indecision. Next to that is lack of commitment and finally a propensity for sudden and uncharacteristic dishonesty. The Snake is the prisoner who breaks at the threat of torture; a reasonable decision if you know you’re going to give in anyway. Snakes being of Candle Flame fire, are easily discouraged and sometimes they should be. A Snake may stick long term with an inappropriate choice so as to put off making any choice at all.
The most written about Snake in 2010 was probably Kim Jong-Il, born in the year of Pearl Harbour and destined for life to be on the edge of offering unprovoked aggression. The funny thing about the goose-stepping and posturing of North Korea is that it owes its existence to the fact that China fears a united Korea and did not fear Kim. In the tao everything is its opposite.
So the choice for the Snake is between opposites: the extroversion of the Horse and the subtlety of the Dragon, instinct and logic, process and end product, long and short term, relationship and freedom, employment or entrepreneurship. In the face of this dilemma, a balanced Snake will often develop sufficient charm to get through without having to make the hard decisions. Typically in a relationship, the Snake of either gender is not the decision maker. The decisions she has not made may include the one to be committed to the relationship. The partner of the Snake (best choice probably Ox or Rooster though Monkey lady and Snake man works well) would be well-advised to drag at least this minimum communication from the Snake early on. Interestingly the water Snake or Snake on the (not in) the Grass of 1953 is one of the best makers and keepers of relationship of all 60 pillars.
One of the advantages of being between the autocratic Dragon and the unruly Horse is that the Snake has her ego in check. Many would consider her wise because what she has to say is well-considered and she never says too much. The Snake can be a brilliant collaborator, especially with the Ox and the Rooster who are in a sense similar to her neighbours: the Rooster is blatant and the Ox determined while the Snake anchors them to each other. There may be moments of doubt when the Snake’s loyalty wavers. At such times, the Snake asks searching questions which should have been settled long ago and then usually re-commits. The high minded Brutus was probably a Snake. Not Judas though. To know this grants the Snake both power and integrity. The Snake who knows this about themselves has earned undying trust.
The Snake can also work with the Dragon in what is called the House of Magic. Only the Snake can subordinate her ego to the extent that the Dragon demands while also keeping up. One ideal vocation for a Snake is high-level p.a. Usually (and wisely) the Snake opts for the role of No 2 rather than Big Chief.
Being substantially of yin fire, the Snake often has intellectual and visual gifts. She makes a good critic as her judgement is good and she is not out to destroy egos. She will generally have natural and effortless style.
The Snake has a love-hate relationship with the Monkey. Both have hands-on and logical ability and both attract the occasional tussle but where the Monkey welcomes the opportunity for mischief, the Snake treats dispute as a necessary and regrettable evil. When a Tiger appears either in the form of a Tiger-born person or a Tiger year like 2010, this misunderstanding can turn nasty. In a Rabbit year however its plain sailing.
The Snake is opposed to the Pig and as both of these are members of the informal group sometimes called the Four Terminals, they can impede each other’s movement. Snakes may develop mobility issues in a Pig year and vice versa.
The Snake prefers a short menu and yes/no questions. In a Rat year the Snake may be overwhelmed; there is just too much choice, The Snake’s dreams may come true only for her to run in the opposite direction. Often communication has to be wrenched from the Snake and in the water years of Rat and Pig there is little support for the tight-lipped. In a typical Ox year there is just enough water but not too much. This makes scope for just the restricted level of communication the Snake prefers.
Snakes have a complex relationship with fire. They are not usually sun-worshippers but often their skin needs just a little regular sun and without it they may fall prey to easily avoided ailments such as vitamin D deficiency.

The Snake: Outlook for 2012

The Snake is rapid in movement. One moment he is here. The next he is there. This is as true of his physical as his political, emotional and philosophical position. Just when you think you know where you stand with a Snake, the ground goes from under you. A Snake of the highest integrity may suddenly appear to turn flaky without warning. Ask any film producer who tried to cast Hollywood rascal Robert Downey Junior (1965 Wood Snake) during his recreational pharmaceuticals phase in the 90’s or Charlie Sheen (also a Wood Snake) more recently. The experienced feng shui practitioner knows that when a house faces the Snake (SE3) what you see is not what you get. He has his reasons.

But this is a blessed year for the Snake. In 2012 the contortions of your career to date straighten out and make sense. You are the Apprentice to the Dragon’s Sorcerer and this year although he is not that much use to himself his powerful benevolence shines on you (and the Rooster btw). However chaotic the recent past may have been, it all starts to make sense. In astrological terms the Snake is enjoying the Blessings of the Sun in 2012. You have a special ticket. Most things work out for you if you will let them.

The fact is that the Snake’s gift is truth but a body of evidence such as a harsh upbringing and a run of unfortunate experiences often persuade him to run from it. And remember btw that psychology generally raises more questions than answers. As long as you have villains, you remain stuck. 1941 Snake Bob Dylan still writing done-me-wrong songs into his 70’s is an example.

So, the Snake can change skin like Lady Gaga changes outfits but this is a special year. That the Snake needs to be clear who is Sorcerer and who Apprentice is illustrated by rumours of a Simon & Garfunkel reunion as each enters their 71st year, 40+ years after they last saw eye to eye. Both can take heart from the fact that this year Snakes can take some risks and know you have back up.

Most Snakes long ago concluded that confrontation doesn’t work. The weaker Snake has learned not to be 100% frank – which is a mistake – and you stronger ones have discovered how to prepare for the fallout from the honesty that is natural to you. If you have been grappling all year with Father figures or their ghosts, now you can make use of them. Charlie Sheen, take note. The Dragon provides you with covering fire. It may be that you will befriend a mentor figure (technically tin yute gwai yan) or that you will discover deeper resources within yourself but the ambience of the Dragon year is protective to you.

Conversely watch your relationship with the Monkey. You have a love/hate relationship with him. You wish you weren’t but you’re stuck with them. This year their star is rising as they also have a special relationship with the Dragon. Best advice is not to take yourself too seriously.

Note: if you are reading this because Snake is elsewhere than your Year, some advice:

In Month: don’t change jobs
In Day: don’t change spouse
In hour: don’t change your dreams ie do change your job if necessary.