As the Year of the Snake in 2025 is approaching, Taiwanese psychology Ph.D. Cai Zhoulong was recently invited to the United States to deliver a speech titled “No Surprises in the Year of the Snake in 2025 – Embracing Spring Opportunities to Avoid Misfortunes”, where he shared ancient wisdom on how to seize opportunities, avoid misfortunes, and make the upcoming year safer and smoother.
Cai Zhoulong, with a Ph.D. in psychology from Fu Jen Catholic University, has expertise in religious rituals, traditional customs, and spiritual counseling, and is the author of “The Things Gods Taught Us”. He believes that traditional fortune-telling is the accumulation of experiences from ancient times, involving observations of astronomy, geography, and the integration of knowledge, which can still provide valuable insights today based on lessons from the past.
In 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake, there will be two occurrences of “Li Chun”, indicating a double spring year. The elements of this year are Yin Wood and Yang Fire, promising a bountiful harvest that may alleviate scarcity issues, but prices of various raw materials are set to rise, leading to inevitable inflation and a slight stagnation in industries and technologies.
According to the “Mother Earth Scripture”, the poem reads: “In the Year of the Wood Snake, crops thrive high and low. Spring and summer bring wandering, autumn and winter yield abundant grain. Beans and wheat grow in harmony, mulberry and Chinese parasol trees flourish. Insects travel in baskets, the silk-worm mother cries over empty leaves. Silk and cotton are valued high on the market.” The divination states, “With the snake head at the beginning of the year, ample grains will be in surplus. Early crops should not be delayed, neither should the silkworms. Wheat and barley thrive in summer, and the three winters yield fat harvests.”
Cai Zhoulong explains that the phrase “Spring and summer bring wandering” suggests that the first half of 2025 will be filled with uncertainties and environmental fluctuations, compelling everyone to seek new paths. After Donald Trump assumes office as the President of the United States in January next year, he might swiftly introduce a series of new policies, leading to a period of turbulence globally, yet also providing opportunities for fresh growth.
The divination advises not to delay early harvest and silkworms, emphasizing the need for timely planning and execution. One should be proactive but mindful of the ever-changing environmental conditions, avoiding rushing into decisions. Cai Zhoulong believes that with diligent efforts in the first half of the year, the latter part will bring a bountiful harvest, as mentioned in the poem “Autumn and winter yield abundant grain” and divination “The three winters yield fat harvests”.
The latter part of the “Mother Earth Scripture” poem mentions “the silk-worm mother cries over empty leaves” and “silk and cotton are valued high”, indicating that manufacturing and industrial sectors may face challenges due to rising raw material costs, inflation, and a tough business environment.
Cai Zhoulong points out that individuals born in 2025 belong to the Wood Snake zodiac, as wood represents the green color of spring, making it the Year of the Green Snake as well. According to the theory of mutual generation and restraint in the Five Elements, “The green snake does not go west”, signifying that the western countries will rise in power in 2025 while the eastern countries may confront challenges of being suppressed by the West.
Further analyzing based on the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, those born under the Snake sign will clash with the Tai Sui, with Pigs as the conflicting zodiac sign; Dogs and Monkeys will have auspicious stars shining upon them; whereas Ox, Sheep, and Rooster individuals may face mixed fortunes with possibilities of disputes and disasters. Cai Zhoulong also warns that the beginning of the year will not favor the East, hence one should act promptly to have an advantage.
As per the saying “Tai Sui sits at the top, with no joy comes fear of calamity”, those clashing with the Tai Sui may experience unrest, obstacles in their endeavors, fluctuations in life, and potential health issues, financial instability, and relationship challenges, advising them to preserve their foundations, avoid investments, and act cautiously as mishaps may arise when in conflict with the Tai Sui.
Cai Zhoulong believes that when understood correctly and not manipulated, the traditional beliefs in zodiac signs, feng shui, and fortune-telling are not superstitious but offer valuable guidance. He suggests that individuals born in the Year of the Rat, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, and Dog in 2025 can light “Bright Lights” for protection and safety, symbolizing the dispelling of dark worries and illuminating a bright future. Overall assessment indicates that the luckiest zodiac sign in 2025 will be the Dog, as the Purple Star ensures auspicious outcomes in all matters and the ability to turn bad luck into good fortune.