Auspicious Dates and Places for the month of the Metal Snake 2025. 5th May to 5th June in the Year of the Wood Snake

 

An 8 month                                  is about increase and retention.
A Snake Month                            can confuse, by error or intention.
Where not to be this month:      East, South East, South West
Where to be this month:             tai chi, North West, West
Favoured Animals:                       Snake, Rooster, Ox, Monkey
Especially challenged:                 Pig, Tiger.
The Hexagram:                           14 Da You Great Possession, Fire over Heaven.

 

Last month we tacked a chapter from my book after next Love Made Visible, onto this bulletin. From this month further chapters will come to you separately. Watch your inbox. I hope you find them entertaining. We don’t yet have a publisher and self-publishing is such a pain, so do feel free to share these pieces in that light. This month’s chapter imaginatively entitled Off to see the Wizard concerns a real-life wizard I worked with in the 2010’s.

We do however have a publisher (O Books) for my next book I Talk to the Animals cover (detail above) by the wonderful Ellie Spinelli, due out October 2025, a comprehensive guide to the drafting, interpretation and practice of Ba Zi. You can pester your book shop for it now (preferably a real live book shop and absolutely please not Amazon). It’s not beach fiction but I modestly suggest that anyone who is serious about ba zi needs a copy.

Meanwhile I am teaching and practising Ba Zi and Classical Feng Shui one-to-one via Zoom all the time.

While his colleague Keith Moon whiled away the time during the long tours that broke the Who in the USA, by wrecking hotel rooms and on one occasion allegedly driving a Rolls Royce into a swimming pool, Pete Townshend, born in the Metal Snake Month* of May 1945, was more sneaky. His method of dispelling boredom and upsetting catering staff was leaving porridge in the bathroom basin where it set like cement. Anyone who has left their overnight oats too long knows this one. There’s blockage and then there’s blockage.
Which is one major theme of this Snake Month in a Snake Year. The Yin Fire brings a time of deception and revelation; heat before illumination perhaps. But the month also boasts an 8 kua (see the lo shu below) meaning retention and blockage are also themes. This can mean that we manage to hold onto and indeed augment what is valuable to us but there may equally be much in our path to clear out of the way.
So watch for more subtle mischief than may have been apparent up to now. On the macro level this may show up in what are often called cultural “wedge issues” such as the victimisation of minuscule and vulnerable minorities. By exactly the same token, you may find yourself personally dealing with subtle disparity and unfairness. As above so below. Don’t be surprised if your desk or parking space are moved. Best not to be the one doing the moving, as you know of course, generosity and grace are the best responses when we’re under fire even when they’re the hardest to squeeze out.
The month is you might say, doubly snaky – triple on the 12^th and 24th. Snakes are notorious for shedding their skin, a shedding that can take the form of self-reinvention as often as an expression of an open mind. The Snake is typically bright and the holder of a long memory but truth is the Snake’s totem. For some seeking truth is a life’s mission; for other Snakes truth is for bending and deploying. Tony Blair, Xi Jin Ping are among the Snakes in today’s spotlight. For some Snakes – like Bernie Sanders – the truth is an irresistible beacon although it may attract respect rather than power.
Such a Metal Snake month echoes years of unexpected attacks like the Metal Snakes of 2001 and 1941 (and indeed 1281 – but that’s for another day). This may not show up as actual assaults – and it may – but it is likely that high places of concealment and unpredictable changes of tack will feature. As always this may be local, domestic, global, political or commercial. In relationship, stay up to date especially if it’s embarrassing.
9/11 notwithstanding, the USA seems quite able to dismantle itself. The assailants are in plain sight but resistance may be forming more quietly, focused most likely in the North West. I have been on record for some time as expecting secessions from the Union by 2030. I see no reason to revise that. What is becoming clear however is that the kernel of organised resistance is, perhaps surprisingly in the Pacific North West.
As I have written elsewhere, we are in the 2^nd year of a Wood Dragon decade just like the one that opened in 1964, with the same promise and many of the same threats. Many of the Chinese Masters have put out warnings about the double Fire years coming with the Horse and Goat of 2026 and 2027. Such years have previously seen disasters and the fall of dynasties. I have been examining European history for such indications and they’re not hard to find as I shall outline in writing some time quite soon. Meanwhile for those of us who are paying attention now is the time to be aware of the darkness but to stay focused on the light.
And keep a smile on your lips, a song in your heart and a spring in your onion.
Richard Ashworth ©2025
*Month Pillar hence all in a day’s work

 

 Snakes are all about truth…
The Snake in the Snake Month Irresistibly directed towards truth, you’re probably seeking instruction right now. If you’re not you should be. Doors are closing. Last month indicated the direction, this month calls for action – 10^th and 22nd – especially. Don’t be daunted.
Horses may find this month a little quiet. It’s a year of revelation and we’re just entering the Fire season, the time of the spotlight. Caution’s not such a bad idea but you really can’t dodge attention. Big opportunity to clean up your act on the 13^th.
Sheep Quite possibly still a tad lost. Stay positive, open and benevolent, aware of such resentment as may be human and inevitable but not acting upon it. Some loss – of which you’re possibly already aware – likely this Snake Month. The 10^th may bring opportunities from unexpected quarters.
For Monkeys Snake months like Snake years are a fun time but stay focused, you’re not home free yet. 7^th and 19^th especially constructive. Use your charm to get closer to your objectives. Remember them?
Roosters Doubly empowered, doubly tempted. Check your facts (and other people’s) before action and keep your eye on the ball. It’s your month but it calls for vigilance. Recognise the Tao; no beating your head against the wall, especially on the 11^th and 19^th. Take note of which way doors open.
Dogs generally hold back from sudden moves. The 9 Star in the North West this month puts you in the spotlight along with the Pig. Be ready for inspection. The 11^th and 23^rd are testing and the 4^th June especially so. Make up for setbacks on the 10^th and 22^nd. June brings a clear path and guidance.
Pig: directly opposed by the Snake all year and the Snake month puts you in a much more public place than you’d like. At least that’s what you may tell yourself. Mine your notoriety for change and progress. Be aware of subtle help and subtle helpers. The 5^th and 22^nd May and 3^rd June offer safe haven.
Rat Wrong-footed just now while it’s quite warm and relatively bright, seek Dragons and Monkeys for guidance. And listen. Help arrives more as hint than instruction. Things are clearest on the 7^th and 19^th, murkiest on the 8^th and 20^th. Question your usual advisers. Discuss, consider and act.
Ox In a bit of a hole until the Snake kicks in fully on the 7^th. Your influence has waned for now. This is not a permanent condition but wean yourself from needing it too much. Wisdom and truth attract magnetically.
The Tiger is probably on a more even keel. But it’s not an exciting time. Gather your forces and plan for the Horse month when you are indomitable. Some support on the 7^th and 22^nd. Clear the decks on the 25^th for the turbo boost that follows.
Rabbits enjoy Snake times as a rule. This is a convivial time as long-laid plans come together. Best get out of the way and let the Tao work through you and for you. This is a causal universe of course but the cogs are big and a long way away and don’t need your help right now. And especially not your worries.
Dragon in the Snake Month You are a leader no matter what you claim. This month brings to you those who want to be led. Ensure they do this responsibly. Giving away your power tends to bring it back. The spotlight is following you. Learn to love it. Certain apparent rejections are the markers of your ascent.

 In this month’s Podcast which should be out about the same time as this bulletin, I discuss with the brilliant Zoe Vita James the changing qi of the Month, its likely implications for each Animal and what we may each do about it.
In this month’s Bonus Podcast, in pursuit of perfect Feng Shui we take a close look at interiors, what’s helpful, what’s not and what you might do about it. How readily does your front door open?
From now the bonus podcasts will concentrate upon hints, tips and principles of Classical Feng Shui. You’ll find both at https://open.spotify.com/show/2BvGN1qGP5HdF56HCl9y64

The Lo Shu or Magic Square for the Metal Snake Month 2025

S
7      3       5
 6      8       1
 2      4       9

The kua at the heart of this month’s lo shu (above) is the Yang Earth 8, associated mostly with retention and increase – now more gradual than during the 8^th Fate which ended in 2024. An 8 Lo Shu brings attention to the North West and West whose Yin Metal often stands for glitter and shiny things. Attention may be daunting but it will amplify the gracious and the benevolent just as it has the cynic. This whole year is one of revelation, the limelight shining into nooks and crannies. Beware the proxy fight and the unspoken intention.

As ever my monthly Yi Jing (that is Book of Changes) class (next one: Wednesday May 7^th) examines the ramifications of the Hexagram of the Month: this time Da You, Hexagram 14, Fire over Heaven: Great Possession: for some the Yinnest of the Yin, because it is about treasuring, valuing and attending to the Yin. It is about wealth, its value and uses and its distribution. What’s fair and what isn’t? Are we on this rebel planet (©Chuck Spezzano) for ourselves or literally everyone and everything else?

Highlights of these sessions appear on my YouTube Channel later in each month. You may not have the stamina for all sixty four Hexagrams but you can join us live via Zoom for a year via Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com

The Month of the Metal Snake Helpful Days:
Use these forecasts to plan and prepare appropriately.

 

 Helpful
Wednesday 7^th May, Fire Rat, Basket, Danger (7) **** controlled creativity.
Bursting with energy and ideas but also of critical attention. If the sheer creativity is too much add Water (locate North, cool down, wear blue); if your inner (or outer) critic is too much move into the Sun.
Activity: at the Pig (NW3/WNW around 325º) for welcome objectivity.       
Favours: all but especially Monkey, Rat, Dragon, Snake and the ingenious. 

Not so much
Monday 12^th May Metal Snake, Danger, Establish (3) ***** perverse
Powerful Full Moon at 20:07pm presided over by Snakes: Snake Day, Snake Month: tricksy. Not the day to over-assert rights or powers. Be aware of marches being stolen. Possibly explosive. Underhand behaviour. Think Metal Snake years 2001/1941.
Favours: the patient.
Caution: Pig, Tiger, brazen Monkeys.
Activity: West for panoramic awareness and preparation.

Helpful
Monday 19^th May, Earth Rat, Net, Danger (1) ***** worth a flutter.
Hexagram 58 Dui, The Joyous.
Helpful day especially for spilling beans. Communication may be demanding but probably worth it. Supports most constructive activity.
Favours: Monkey, Rat, Ox, Dragon, the communicative and the open.
Activity: at Rat due North for eloquence.

Not so much
Wednesday 21^st May, Metal Tiger, Orion, Receive (3) **** fair play
No quarter. Lunar Mansion Orion often brings a macho tone to a day and Receive amounts to a clear instruction which appears to be to refrain from judgement; blatant faults so often conceal less obvious virtues.
Activity: at Dog NW1/WNW around 295º for depth.

What to do where, when & why in the  8  month of the Metal Snake.

Note:
Every house is different but certain forces affect us all wherever we are. What follows identifies which areas are better this month & which worse pretty much everywhere. That applies to all enclosed spaces. What to do about it depends very much on the individual house where the energies will be individual and may qualify or contradict my suggestions. But…. wherever a wu huang 5 Star is located place a t’ang lung. And wherever there is a 7, caution. Ask if in doubt.
Helpful
North West: Authority: Year Star: 3 Month Star: 9 Sui Po (Pig)
3 and 9 is a powerful and dynamic combination. Forget what you may think you know about Fire (9) and Wood (3). Under today’s circumstances expect logjams to move. That could be very helpful. The bright light of the 9 will tend to attract ideas, the 3 adds the fuel of pure creativity. For a writer of non-fiction, this is your perch for now.
Water may invite discussion. The right balance (Trial and error may be the best method) may be magical but be aware of the underlying Stars dictated by orientation and date of construction.

Not so much
North East, Beginnings & Endings: 5 Month Star: 2 Fortune Virtue (Tiger) Year Wu huang
The 5 has no stake, it’s anarchic and careless. The 2 brings femininity and connection which is more helpful than it was in the 8th Fate which ended recently, but brings what is sometimes called the “Earth Stress” that under the circumstances probably makes this an unusually sluggish area. Continue to avoid.
A t’ang lung may mitigate but it’s almost always better to leave things alone than to trust cures.
Richard Ashworth ©2025

Richard Ashworth is one of the most respected Western Feng Shui Masters.  A good taster of his approach may be found on Audible . You can also see him at work on tv’s Housebusters Most Thursdays and Fridays he is to be found teaching both feng shui and ba zi  one-to-one online (times by mutual arrangement) with students from Seattle to Belgium.
Richard has worked from Lebanon to Bermuda, in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and with stars such as Naomie Harris, Kelly Hoppen and Gillian Anderson. Unusually for a Western Master, he has addressed the Grand Masters at the International Feng Shui Conference in Singapore.

Every month we send (at a modest fee) retainer clients a more comprehensive monthly bulletin than this one, covering in detail right places to be (and when) as well as the most helpful days Animal by Animal and much more from the Chinese calendar.
Subscriptions (and further info): Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com

Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info © 2025
art by @elliespinelli ©