With the first New Moon of 2025, the Lunar New Year began:

A Special 9 (= 2+0+2+5) Taoist and Feminine Snake Year! 

Numerology, eastern and western astrology alignment gives more potency for this year.

The 9 is the number of infinity in the Taoist tradition. 9 holds the powerful spiritual energy of completion, leading to wisdom and a new cycle. This cycle collects experiences, bringing in growth and new beginnings.

A transitional year in western astrology because of more than usual planetary changes. 

The Dragon sheds wings, claws, horns, and beards to slither into the Snake.

The themes of transformation, alchemy, growth and health will keep going, but in a new way. From the outward Yang Dragon to the inward Yin Snake, the planner. Both spiritual and powerful, but with the deep Snake:

It is time to slow down, to focus on self-healing and self-development. Thus aligning with your deepest desires.

The 12 animals of Chinese astrology take turns in Yang and Yin years. This alternation keeps the harmony and integration of experiences.

“The sixth earthly branch occurs as yang chi peaks and then becomes yin. Plants have completed their growth. This turning point brings the outward growth inward, transforming vigour and power into wisdom. The characteristics are reflected in those born in the year of the Serpent.” Susan Levitt

Another Wood Element, but from the high trees of the previous year to the flowers and plants in the ground…

Snake embraces the feminine qualities of flexibility and adaptability. These ensure evolution and survival.

The snake’s life depends on the shedding of her skin. She leaves behind a snake-shaped shell after a gradual process of change and then may go swimming to clear it. No wonder snakes are the symbol of renewal and rebirth across the world. The life-death-rebirth cycle is present in nature and our bodies:

Through the skin system (the ongoing renewal of dead cells) and the women’s menstrual cycle.

The Snake is a Yin Fire animal, akin to a control fire, like a candle. The Fire Element connects with the heart tied with love. Self-love is essential for our shedding process. This process of letting go of what no longer serves us in all senses: from physical to emotional, mental to sexual. The Wood Element virtues of self-acceptance and forgiveness (for ourselves and others, creating space for new…) are also crucial.

The snake releasing process extended to clutter clearing of our spaces and devices (phones, computers, etc.). Resonating with the Taoist Feng Shui of harmonising our surroundings. This harmony supports our balance and fulfilment.

Wood Snakes are more easy-going, very inventive, and creative.

“Wood Snake seeks emotional stability as well as financial security. 

The Wood element in conjunction with his fixed fire element makes attracting instead of pursuing.

Although everything may look refreshingly quiet on the surface, the year of the Snake is always unpredictable.

Tread lightly and be more cautious this year.”

Adapted from Theodora Lau.

Being cautious and reflective like the Snake is useful. But make sure it doesn’t turn into overthinking and overwhelming. Slither with the grace and fluidity of the serpent’s body. In the Yin year, like any other, things need to flow, as the Yin imbalance is stagnation.

The snake’s body connects deeply to the Earth. It embodies a primal sensuality and sacred sexuality.

A snake symbolises the Kundalini. It represents the rise of our sexual energy from the base of the spine to the crown.

Snakes move and swim by lateral undulation.

This takes me to the DNA, represented by two serpentine double helixes. Beyond the scientific aspect, the cosmic DNA inside us with our light codes and soul purpose.

The healing symbol consists of two snakes entwined around a sword. This imagery brings in the Yin and Yang aspects of alchemy, the healing towards wholeness. This ancient “caduceus symbol” still stands today as the symbol of medicine.

The Snake raises cosmic awareness while connecting with the source of life. She is an enchantress and magician. She reminds us that psychic gifts are part of the Divine Feminine mysteries. 

The Snake is a unifying force embodying infinite messages to those who are open to receiving them!

The Snake can hypnotise and be hypnotised…

The secretive and perceptive Snake is often misunderstood. Because of this, in the West, she can be feared and even demonised. This shows in the patriarchal views on the feminine and the repression of women’s power.

In Chinese astrology, the Snake represents wisdom and great beauty.

The Wood, Green and yes, a Jade Snake! A Jade Priestess’s Year!

The Jade Egg is an incredible healing and feminine empowering tool. Igniting your inner wisdom, your sacred sexuality and sensuality. Rewiring womb healing, which heals past, present and future. It enhances creativity and fertility (not only to give birth to babies but also dreams). 

A Holistic Practice, the Jade Egg is one of the various inner alchemy tools:
To support the path of self-healing and self-mastery, and the feminine rising.

The Snake Goddesses, deities, and other traditions:

We have Snake Goddesses and Gods from ancient civilisations across the globe. Here are some, you can see what they all have in common.

* Nü Wa, Goddess of nature and fertility, in Taoist mythology, has the body of a snake and the head of a woman. She is also called the Female Emperor, Nü Huang. You can also see her with the Taoist creator deity Fu Xi (aka Fu Hsi). They share a similar body shape, and their tales intertwine. Another version:

* Taoist half-snake, half-human deities Fu Xi and his sister and wife Nü Wa created humanity. Fu Xi was the first mystical emperor of China who began the Chinese dynastic period. It’s a legend that the Chinese Emperor’s father was a half-snake; I always wonder why not the mother?… Perhaps depends on who is telling the story…

* The Minoan Snake Goddess, 3000 BC in Crete (Greece). She holds two snakes in each hand while showing her breasts. Associated with sexuality, fertility, and the welfare of the household.

* Coora, the Great Serpent Irish and Scottish Goddess. Symbolising in the Celtic culture life and fertility, wisdom and immortality. Erased from history and then called by Christians a “devil mother”. 

The Nagas are the snakes in Thailand and India, part of their mythology, using the same word.

In Thailand, besides fertility, the Nagas connect with sovereignty, bringing power and strength. You can see impressive carved Nagas on each side of many temples’ entrances. They are also the mediators of Earth and Heaven.

In India, my first encounter with Nagas was in Bagsunag; there is a note about it in the “P.S.”

But a couple of years later, I came across the Kalbeliya, the snake charmer tribe, known as Sapera. I lived with them to learn the fiery and sensual Gypsy Kalbelia Dance on the edges of the Thar desert in Rajasthan. For them, the snake is God, and they make their snake flute, the “poongi,” which the ‘cobra’ moves. The men play the poongi and the women emulate the ‘cobra’ movements. This can be a mesmerising dance in black-adorned dresses which represent the ‘cobra’. They started dancing in public since catching ‘cobras’ for snake charming became illegal. I’ve been witnessing their emancipation; women are the matriarchs and the main breadwinners. 

The Kalbeliya Gypsy dance is the origin of flamenco. This followed the gypsies who migrated from Rajasthan about a thousand years ago.

In Native American tradition, the Snake carries the medicine of transmutation. By Jamie Sams in the Medicine Cards:

“Through accepting all aspects of your life you can bring about the transmutation of the fire medicine. This fire energy, when functioning on the material plane, creates passion, desire, procreation, and physical vitality. On the emotional plane, it becomes ambition, creation, resolution, and dreams. On the mental plane it becomes intellect, power, charisma, and leadership. When the Snake energy reaches the spiritual plane, it becomes wisdom, understanding, wholeness and connection to the Great Spirit.”

How do you connect with the Snake (aka Serpent)?

Whether physically, through shamanic journeying (or meditation), dreams, movement, and art. They can come to you in different forms; be open to receiving what the Snake tells you…

Wishing you a Happy Rebirthing Year! 

***Flow with your Inner Wisdom; Let the Mystery Unravel***

© Anamarta

Snake Zen painting by Kris Deva North

Green snake among flowers of lotus by Mary Watercolor

P.S. – You can find more storytelling about my life events in both the earthly and spiritual planes. From when I was born to my worldwide travels and snake encounters, in the:

Snake Talk (around 53 min. with a short visualisation at the end), which complements this article. You receive it as a gift when signing up for any of the training below.