Occurring once every 60 years, the combination of snake and wood creates a special synergy in which the snake’s introspective and transformative energy is paired with the wood’s expansive and balanced nature.

The Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese zodiac begins on January 29, 2025 and ends on February 16, 2026. The snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac and is associated with wisdom, strategy, intuition, and elegance. The wood element added to the snake’s traits in 2025 is said to emphasize creativity, flexibility, growth, adaptability, and long-term planning. 

Some say that 2025 is a great year for personal growth and improvement. The harmonious energy of the Wood Snake is said to be ideal for strengthening bonds with loved ones, and for fostering stronger personal relationships. Others say that 2025 is a year of fame and fortune, and that people born in the year of the snake are rational, calm, thoughtful, and loyal.

How is the Chinese New Year determined?

The Chinese zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, each year associated with a different animal: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. These animals represent unique archetypes and energies and are influenced by a cycle of five fundamental elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The combination of an animal and an element defines the predominant characteristics of any specific year.

The snake occupies the sixth place in the order of animals in the Chinese calendar and is known as a complex and multifaceted sign. It represents wisdom, patience, and mystery and is associated with cunning, introspection, and an ability to triumph over adversity. The snake is also connected to transformation, as it sheds its skin to renew itself, a powerful symbol of personal and spiritual evolution.

On the other hand, wood is associated with growth, creativity, stability, and a connection with nature. As reported in Architectural Digest, this combination of snake and wood creates a special synergy in which the snake’s introspective and transformative energy is paired with the wood’s expansive and balanced nature.

Tips to prepare for the Chinese New Year

• Focus on introspection: As 2025 begins, it is an ideal time to work on self-awareness and self-knowledge. Reflect on your personal goals and assess the areas of your life where change is needed so that you can fully benefit from the snake’s energy.
• Adopt sustainable habits: Wood’s connection to growth and nature invites you to adopt a more conscious and environmentally friendly lifestyle. This includes reducing the use of plastic, planting trees, and participating in community initiatives.
• Develop your creativity: This year will be ideal for learning new skills, exploring artistic hobbies, and developing innovative projects.
• Connect with nature: Spending time in nature, whether walking in a forest or your garden, will help you balance your energy and feel refreshed.

Ruled by the wood snake, 2025 will be a year of introspection, renewal, and growth. This period will offer opportunities to deepen relationships, advance professional goals, and strengthen our connection with nature. Making the most of this energy will require patience, creativity, and a conscious attitude toward change and personal evolution.

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What’s Next, Rice Chex?

My recent blood lab results revealed that I’m trending towards diabetes. My November 2023 Hemoglobin A1c was 5.6 with an Estimated Average Glucose (eAG) of 114, but November 2024 was 5.8 with eAG 120.

YEESH.

So my Physician Assistant, Lin, gave me a choice. I take corrective action now to reduce / reverse / roll back my numbers with exercise, and nutrition. OR I can sign myself up for diabetic medicine for the rest of my natural days on Spaceship Earth.

Considering I want to spend as many days with Principal Jen as possible the pragmatic choice is clear: corrective action with exercise and a nutritional plan to compliment.

Gym Class Hero

Thankfully I have a Black Card Membership to Planet Fitness. And yes, I was hitting the gym. Not as much as the “minimum 45 minutes a session, 5x a week“, but I was relevant! I am motivated to dial it up more. Under the flag of “doctor’s orders”.

I do love the benefits of the Black Card Membership: Access to all Planet Fitness locations, and spa area that is equipped with massage chairs and/or hydrobeds and tanning beds (stand up, lay down)

Nourish[ment]

Regarding the nutrition piece, I dug into my own research knowing it’ll be a large piece of this lifestyle change to revert my blood sugar levels.

Nutritionists and dietitians are both healthcare professionals who help people improve their eating habits. However, dietitians have more formal training and certification, and are best qualified to help with weight loss and weight gain.

“Nutritionist” was added to RD for the purpose of encompassing a broader concept of wellness, plus the prevention and treatment of conditions. This distinction highlights that all registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians.

Since I know a nurse that has decades of experience, I called up my friend, Audrey. I knew she could help me navigate these unchartered waters. She rephrased the medical jargon to layman terms so I could better understand it.

She suggested the app, and company, called Nourish (AETNA covers it) I contacted them for a dietitian. I scheduled an appointment for December 26th, with Amy Fair. After our initial consultation, I nicknamed her the Amy “Farrah Fowler of Food” from The Big Bang Theory fame. She remarked she was flattered.

We agreed a couple of tasks before our next consult: add 15 ounces of water to my daily consumption, and track all food items daily in Cronometer.

Currently, I have dragged myself into the gym 4-5 times per week OR engaged in an activity that is 45-minutes in length of moderate activity with food tracking since January 3, 2025. In fact, it’s time for me to hit the nearest PF with some Gym Class Hero action!