Snakes are another of those animals that eastern and western cultures see differently. Here in the West, we shirk at the sight of the small garter snake in our gardens, fearing the beast. Of course part of this distaste and distrust of the snake in the western cultures is rooted in the judo-Christian representation of the serpent in the Garden of Eden
and its association with the Devil (or negative energy). In the East the Snake holds the Sixth position in the Cycle of years, an important position in that it is the final year in the first half of the cycle. The Year of the Snake along with the Year of the Horse that follows the Snake creates the anchor in the center of the Cycle. This honored position shows the eastern belief that the Snake is a shrewd creature, a hoarder of wealth. The snake is a cold-blooded animal and warms from sluggishness to lightning fast with the heat of the sun.
When we walk through our garden in the afternoons as we approach each section of rock we hear the slither or hiss as the snakes (North American Racer) slither under the nearby foliage. Snakes are very private animals, not often choosing the world of man, although they do live among us. Many times you don’t know the snake is there until he has moved, using stillness as a camouflage, much like Rabbit. However, with Snake there well could be a rattler in among the flowers so you must listen for the warning. Snake people are subtle and are able to put people at ease with their insight and discretion. However, compassion can become possessiveness and wisdom vanity if a person born in the Snake year doesn’t keep appropriate balance for themselves.
In the workplace Snake people do well when their eye for detail and enjoying precision-like accuracy are utilized. Normally changing careers at least two, and often more times during their lives, Snake people are artistic by nature. Because of their personal depth they make good philosophers, surgeons, astrologers, spiritual leaders, technologists, analysts, potters or jewelers. It should be noted that their organizational skills may as well be capitalized on
because they are going to come into play anyway. Let the Snake person follow their instincts as they naturally seem to attract money or profitable business pursuits to them.
More a quiet type, Snake people don’t care for the bustling crowd. Although they prefer the color red, small doses of that bright color may be better for the Snake friend you have in mind. Shopping for the Snake in your life can be fun because there’s lots of variety to choose from! Bath oils, binoculars, fancy cards for playing solitaire, worry beads, a stamp collection or a religious icon would all touch the Snake person’s heart. If you want to have them swooning with the impact of your gift, for best effect, topaz, jasper and bloodstone are
associated with the Year of the Snake. A great fall vacation for a Snake personality is to drive to New England and enjoy the foliage changing color while visiting some of the historical churches in the area.
