Welcome to the New Year of the Serpent!
Embrace the Cosmic Flow with the Great Serpent: Join me for Self-Inquiry and Ritual
The year ahead does not begin as we imagine it. In all its Westernized forms, the calendar that holds sway over the rhythm of our lives presents only a fraction of what the world has known about time. As we move toward the Chinese New Year, those who follow the ancient cycles of the celestial and earthly bodies are drawn into something more intimate and expansive. For those who walk this path, the year of the Snake—now approaching—is not just a time for resolution but a doorway into more profound understanding, cosmic attunement, and spiritual transcendence.
The Serpent and the Celestial and Earthly Bodies
We enter a new cycle rooted in the heavens and the earth. The Chinese calendar, with its nuanced lunar and solar calendar systems, is governed by cycles of ancient wisdom. Each cycle of the Chinese zodiac reflects the forces within the cosmos. When we enter the Year of the Snake, we are invited into a time that does not merely reflect our desires or ambitions but reaches far beyond them. The serpent, a symbol of transformation, cyclical death and rebirth, is aligned with profound wisdom hidden beneath the surface.
If we look to the heavens, to the patterns in the stars, there is an invitation to step beyond the boundaries of time as we know it into an experience of deep, eternal truth. The Snake, in its archetype, asks us to honour that which slithers beneath the earth, unseen and unacknowledged by the untrained eye. The heavenly bodies—aligned and turning with perfect precision—reflect back to us the unseen and sometimes the terrifying. The Snake's influence calls us to honour what is hidden: our shadows, the forgotten, and the unspoken parts of ourselves that seek to emerge through grace through surrender.
It is a year that asks us to acknowledge the unseen celestial forces—the gravity of the stars, the dance of the planets, and the unseen constellations of influence that form our paths. The Snake reminds us that there is wisdom to be gained from what we cannot see and that in every slither, every twist, there is something ancient, something necessary.
The Philosophy Behind the Chinese Calendar
The beauty of the Chinese calendar, beyond its influence over the cycles of daily life, is in its radical embrace of life’s impermanence. Each year is not simply a time to reflect on what is yet to come but is an invitation to surrender to the natural rhythms of the universe. Each zodiac year, with its elemental nature—wood, fire, earth, metal, water—reflects a vast, unbroken chain of cause and effect that stretches through the cosmos and into the heart of every living being. These cycles remind us that time is not linear; it spirals, it weaves. It speaks in spirals of infinity, and we are caught in that flow like fish in the great river of time.
The Chinese calendar calls for an alignment of the inner self with these cosmic energies. It asks that we move in rhythm with the seasons, the celestial motions, and the eternal dance between day and night. For those who observe this calendar, the invitation is a constant call to remember that life itself is an act of divinity, of synchronicity. Every moment counts. Every season is a teacher.
But we live in a world where we have lost our connection to this deep, grounded, cosmic order. Time has become mechanized and divorced from nature. We mark the calendar with tasks, deadlines, distractions, and unrelenting pursuits of goals that often leave us feeling hollow and disconnected from the deeper purpose of our lives.
But within the wisdom of the Chinese New Year lies the opportunity to remember that our bodies are attuned to the bodies of the earth and the cosmos. Our bones, our blood, and our breath move in alignment with the breath of the world if we choose to listen and only decide to quiet the noise long enough to be in tune with the celestial song.
The Hidden Knowledge: Wisdom in the Snake
In its symbolism, the Snake is a keeper of hidden knowledge, much like the Taoist sages who speak of the eternal truths that lie beneath the surface. Understanding the Snake means realizing that life is full of paradox and contradiction. It is both the beginning and the end. The Snake invites us to shed our old skins and our limited beliefs and transform into something more complete and unified. There is nothing linear in this; it is the unfolding of time through a spiral.
When we embrace the Snake's energy, we are asked to dive deeper into the mysteries of the self—those parts of us that lie dormant and untouched, those truths that remain hidden within. The year ahead offers a more profound capacity for self-connection through the wisdom of silence, stillness, and retreat. The Snake will not rush. It knows the wisdom of waiting and listening. And so, too, should we.
This year, your spiritual practices can align with the cyclical nature of the Snake. Align yourself with the natural world, where transformation is constant, and things are in a continual state of flux and growth. But unlike the frantic, mechanical world outside, the wisdom of the Snake calls us to pause. It calls us to trust that transformation will unfold naturally and in perfect timing. The wisdom of the Snake is one of deep intuition and trust in the unseen.
Self-Inquiry for the Year of the Snake: A Guide to Alignment
As we step into this year, I invite you to take stock of the energies that are at play in your life and ask the following:
What parts of myself am I ready to shed and release?
The Snake sheds its skin each year, offering us the opportunity to shed what no longer serves us. This is the year to release outdated beliefs, attachments, and old identities that weigh us down and keep us small.Where do I need to move with greater stillness?
The Snake moves deliberately and with great intention. It reminds us to slow down, reflect, and be present with each step. In your life, where can we bring more patience, mindfulness, and intention to our movements?What do I need to face in the shadows of my being?
The Snake asks us to look at the unseen, to face the parts of ourselves that we may have ignored or avoided. What parts of your inner darkness are you avoiding, and how can you bring light to them?How can I align more fully with the cycles of the earth and the stars?
The Chinese New Year calls us to tune in to the rhythms of nature. Where can you find a deeper connection to the earth, the seasons, and the cosmic patterns surrounding you? How can you align your life with the great forces of nature?Where in my life can I embrace a more mystical, esoteric perspective?
The Snake represents hidden knowledge. This year, we are invited to explore life's spiritual and mystical dimensions more deeply. What mysteries call to you, and how can you open your heart to receive them?
The Opportunity for Transcendence
The Year of the Snake offers an unparalleled opportunity for transcendence. It is not a year of linear progress but a year of cyclical, spiralling growth. It invites us to return to what is true—our connection to the earth, our connection to the cosmos, and our connection to ourselves. In the end, we are part of an eternal flow, a river of time and spirit. The Snake teaches us that we must learn to flow with it, move as it moves, and transform as it transforms.
So, in this Year of the Snake, ask yourself: what can you shed to become more of who you indeed are? What wisdom lies hidden beneath the surface, waiting for you to find it? And what steps can you take to align yourself with the celestial and earthly rhythms that sustain us all?
In the wisdom of the Snake, we understand that life is a beautiful, eternal dance of transformation, one that invites us to shed our skins, grow, and become our most authentic selves.
A Ritual for Honouring the Year of the Serpent: Shedding the Old, Embracing the New
In this sacred time of the Year of the Serpent, the energies are ripe for profound transformation, spiritual renewal, and deep self-discovery. The serpent, as a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and cycles of death and rebirth, invites us to participate in a ritual that connects us to the cosmic forces and the earth beneath our feet. This ritual is not just about the passage of time but a way to shed the past, honour the lessons it has imparted, and prepare ourselves for the new phase of life waiting to unfold.
The following is a traditional ritual designed to honour the Year of the Serpent, one that allows you to integrate the transformative nature of the serpent into your life. It blends Taoist practices with the celestial and earthy energies of the serpent, offering an opportunity for deep connection and spiritual alignment.
1. Preparing Your Sacred Space: Earth and Sky Aligned
Before embarking on your ritual, create a space that honours both the heavens and the earth. Acknowledge the balance between these two realms as they mirror the union of cosmic forces and earthly grounding within you.
Find a quiet space: A place where you can be undisturbed, whether indoors or outdoors, is ideal.
Gather elements: Collect items that represent both celestial and earthly forces. A small bowl of water (earth), incense or candles (fire), crystals or stones (earth), and a symbol of the heavens, such as a star, moon, or celestial imagery, can all be placed around your space.
Sound and movement: If you can, play soft, ambient music or sounds of nature that evoke a connection to the cosmos and earth. If this resonates, you may wish to dance or move your body to align yourself with the energetic flow of the ritual.
2. Honoring the Snake: A Symbol of Transformation
The serpent’s energy is one of transformation and shedding the old to make room for the new. Begin by acknowledging the serpent as a sacred being, inviting its energies to guide you.
Visualize the serpent: Close your eyes and visualize the serpent in all its power and grace. See it shedding its skin and emerging as a new, vibrant being. Feel this act of shedding resonate within you—what parts of yourself are ready to be released?
Invocation: Stand tall and breathe deeply. Invite the serpent into your life with these words: “I honour the sacred serpent. I honour its wisdom. I invite its energy to guide me as I shed the old and step into the new. May its transformation be mine. As it sheds its skin, so too do I shed what no longer serves me. I embrace the renewal it offers.”
3. Reflection and Release: Honoring the Past
The serpent teaches us that we must honour the past while releasing what we no longer need. To shed the old, we must first acknowledge it and give thanks for the lessons it has brought us.
Write a letter: Take a piece of paper and write down the things you wish to release from the past year. This could be negative beliefs, unhealed wounds, past disappointments, or old patterns. Be honest and thorough—allow the words to flow without judgment.
Burn or bury: Once your letter is complete, you can either burn it as an offering to the fire (symbolizing transformation and release) or bury it in the earth (symbolizing grounding and the return of the energy to the cycle of life). As you do this, visualize the energy of the serpent helping to clear away the old.
4. Invitation of the New: Embracing Transformation
With the shedding of the old, we must create space for the new. This part of the ritual is about receiving the serpent’s transformative energy and setting your intentions for the year ahead.
Set your intentions: Take a moment to reflect on what you wish to manifest in the year ahead. What qualities or transformations do you desire to cultivate? These could be inner qualities like patience, wisdom, or clarity or external changes like health, relationships, or career. Write them down on a new piece of paper.
Cleansing breath: Hold the paper with your intentions in your hands and close your eyes. Take three deep breaths, inhaling deeply through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, releasing any lingering tension. As you do, imagine each breath cleansing and strengthening your intentions.
Seal with action: Plant your intention in the ground by burying the paper beneath a plant or tree, symbolizing the rooting of your new goals. Alternatively, place your intentions beneath a stone or crystal to keep them grounded.
5. Connecting with the Cosmic Flow: Celestial Meditation
The Year of the Serpent also calls us to attune ourselves to the celestial bodies and the greater cosmic flow. This meditation will help you align with the energies of the universe.
Meditate under the stars: If possible, go outside at night and gaze at the stars, moon, or even the planets. If you’re indoors, simply visualize the night sky. Imagine that the energies of the stars, the planets, and the constellations are flowing into you, connecting you to the greater universe.
Affirmations: As you meditate, softly repeat these intentions to yourself:
“I am aligned with the cosmic forces that guide me.”
“I am part of the eternal cycle of transformation.”
“I welcome the wisdom of the heavens to guide me on my path.”
6. Closing the Ritual: Gratitude and Trust
End your ritual by giving thanks. Thank the serpent, the earth, and the cosmos for their guidance. Trust that the transformation has already begun.
Gratitude offering: Light a candle or incense, and sit in silence for a few moments, offering your thanks to the celestial and earthly forces that have supported you. Feel their presence and know that you are not alone on this journey.
Trust the flow: Trust that the energy of the Year of the Serpent will guide you through this transformational process, bringing new wisdom and opportunities. Know that the shedding of the old is just the beginning of your personal rebirth.
This ritual honours not only the serpent but also your personal transformation as you align with the cycles of the earth and cosmos. May you be guided by the wisdom of the serpent and the celestial bodies as you embrace the change and renewal that this year brings. May you shed what no longer serves, allowing space for growth, wisdom, and the embodiment of your truest self.
