In 2025, Chinese New Year celebrations are heralding the Year of the Wood Snake from January 29th through February 4th. The snake is also known as a “little dragon” - possessing supernatural powers and yet, still very much on the earth plane! Since ancient times they’ve been portrayed as mythical deities in cultures around the world. Powerful and dangerous, they are shape-shifters in real life. They represent duality at its most extreme - an embodiment of awe and the awful.
That duality is at the heart of their mystery; good and evil, life, death, and rebirth - the ultimate transformation. The source of venom and antivenom. Slithering across land and water and even standing upright before the temptation of Eve, they offer great wisdom. Wisdom that can heal or bring about the ultimate downfall.
In China Nuwa (a creator deity) and the legendary Madam White Snake could both transform effortlessly between being snakes and women. Xiaoqing, a green snake who becomes human after 500 years of disciplined training in Taoism, is highly regarded. Then there is Xiangyao, a venomous nine-headed snake monster that brings chaos and disorder, floods and destruction. As in most of these stories, rebirth and renewal follow.
The Hindu god Shiva has a cobra coiled around his neck. Sanskrit texts describe the nagas as semi-divine serpents, shape shifters who could take the form of a human, a snake, or a combination of the two.
The caduceus has two snakes ascending up a rod topped with wings. As early as 3,000 BC it was depicted in art from Sumeria, Egypt and Turkey. It was associated with gods then, and also later in Greek and Roman culture as Hermes, Mercury and Apollo. It was said that it could "wake the sleeping and send the awake to sleep; bring a gentle death to the dying and bring the dead back to life."
In Greece snakes were seen as divine messengers. Similar to the caduceus, a snake is entwined around the Staff of Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine. This symbol represents healing even today.
Ragnarok is a 13th century Norse myth about a sea serpent encircling the world, its tail in its mouth. It signaled the beginning of the end of the world. Endless winters, wars and natural disasters culminated in a final battle between gods and demons. The world was submerged underwater, then reborn. It arose cleansed and fertile, populated by two human survivors and a few remaining gods. Called “the doom of the gods” it’s an ancient story - recently resurrected in films, TV and video games!
The more positive reputation of the snake is found in its ability to regenerate itself. Literally shedding its skin and being born anew, it speaks to the possibility of eternal life in successive incarnations. I think of it as releasing karma as it evolves. The creative life force underneath is indestructible.
The Wood Snake has specific qualities. It’s creative but precise, with a calm, introspective demeanor. It calls us to focus and develop ourselves, and is a reminder that you can’t look outward for stability. It’s a year to embrace growth and change, with the adaptability of the snake to take whatever form serves the best for the times at hand.
Peace, love and healing -
Bear
Are you interested in focusing on your spiritual development this year? Check out my in-person class this spring!
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