Snake 2013
Who is a Snake?
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001.
Month*: May
Hour: 09:00 am – 11.00am
Day: ask us
* 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 2012 was probably Xi Jinping, born in 1953, the previous year of the Snake in the Grass and elected at a time when the internal tensions in China – between efficiency and self-expression, between industrial wealth and rural poverty and between cohesion and corruption – have never been so stark.
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.
Snake 2013:
Stars include: Jie Sha Lucky, Fu Chen Emotional, Fu Shi.
Some say the incumbent Animal always opposes the tai sui or year energy. For myself, I’d restrict that to the Animals that suffer the so-called self-clash: Horse, Dragon, Rooster, Pig. Of those four, at least three are in strong positions this year and are closely associated with the Snake but you are yourself in the clear.
So 2013 is many-sided for you: by April you may have become distracted by some project peripheral to your interest but made attractive by someone charismatic. In the summer you may be exhausted by the dazzle of the Horse. This is about relationship more than anything else. Spoiled for choice perhaps but spoiled for sure. In the autumn you may find yourself in a managerial or conspiratorial role, deciding the fates of others. In November your movement may be restricted. Choose carefully. Be guided by what you know to be the truth.
Truth is the Snake’s guiding light. Positively the Snake is the seeker after truth, negatively you can be an unashamed bullshitter. Don’t believe your own bullshit this year. You are well-endowed with gifts – long memory, a clear mind, tremendous enthusiasm, among others – and to deny that is to defeat yourself but sometimes your judgement is off. This year seek a second opinion; a Dragon will generally be straight with you.
Also you suffer from the delusion that there are rules; not a bad idea. Mostly you’re right but from time to time you’re not. This year exercise your ability to think laterally. What’s been overlooked? What’s random? What might in the nicest possible way put the cat among the pigeons? Do it, perhaps.
You can be run by your gift of logical thinking. You may equate it with belonging which is so important to you. That’s what this truth thing is all about. You are likely to believe whatever it takes to belong; whether that is to a club, an institution or a religion. A group bonded by beliefs btw is most accurately called a political party. This year, as the many invitations present themselves, ask whether each has a shelf life? How much do I truly owe this group? What might it be keeping me from? Hexagram 27.
You have the force with you . So branch out, try new ways of doing things. There will be many opportunities but you will need to exercise discretion. For this and other reasons, November may be a confusing time. Don’t anticipate the breaks. Also the so-called Fire Penalty which brings interference whenever Snake, Monkey and Tiger coincide, is a real distraction in February, May and August. At these times (and isolated days ruled by these Animals) there may be literal difficulty with limbs or vehicles for Snakes with these tendencies. Investment may be hazardous then. But stoppages are simply a refusal to learn the lessons that come with sticking your neck out. Important reminder: Snakes don’t have necks.
Above all, in the shifting sands of the year, be true to yourself. Feel what you feel. Remember what you want.
Health: comes and goes. Watch out for that Fire Penalty in February and August. Ensure you are hydrated with the correct fluids.
Money: consistent but not regular or in even chunks. If you’ve been in the same employment for years, this is not the time to change. If you haven’t, it is.
Relationship: what you see is not what you get.
Feng Shui: relationship for you is located at the Horse (S2): a bowl of water changed daily and fresh flowers. Don’t stint.
Readers’ Digest Version: good year for well-planned travel.
Richard Ashworth©2012