Author: Stephanie Stewart

The Sheep in 2025 ~ Wood Snake Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

The Caretaker

What the Sheep has going for them in 2025 is much like any other year – the Sheep creates a hospitable beauty out of whatever is available. Having a party but you can’t afford any flowers? Just get creative. The Sheep will go and gather wild flowers from the neighborhood and before you know it you’ve got a bouquet on the table. The Sheep seems to always have a talent for making less look and feel like more because of their ideas about hospitality and beauty. Sheep are often counselors in their work and caring is a big part of what they do.

The main element of the Sheep is yin Earth, fertile and capable of producing 10,000 things. The Sheep month comes at the end of summer, a time of ripening that comes before autumn’s harvest. This is when Earth becomes strong enough to give birth. In the year of the Wood Snake, the Sheep’s already creative nature is about to be enhanced.

Sheep, you might have realized by now that I am conjuring these images because I want you to remember what you are good at. The special talents that you have are what will carry you through 2025.

For Sheep involved with the arts in any way, lean into that this year. If you’re not involved with the arts, get involved! By arts I mean those of all kinds: writing, gardening, sewing, cooking, knitting, crochet, painting, sculpting…the list goes on. Spend time around art or visit museums and craft fairs at the very least. Arts and crafts time isn’t only for children or those who are raising them. Creativity might be your cure for 2025. Incorporate art into your work wherever you can.

To make 2025 more satisfying, you could also lean into this metaphor and apply it to your work which is making people feel warm and welcomed with the so called “little things”. Little things are what life is made of; expressions of affection and joy. The Sheep is meant to call others to join the parade of life, not lead a death march. Realistic optimism is welcome! It’s time to move on from grimness. This advice may be specific to 1955 Wood Sheep Kris Jenner, Kelsey Grammer and Bill Gates.

Being alone is never a happy place for a Sheep, and I mention this because in 2025 you might feel that way. Is it that your work (family?) gets in the way of other relationships that you enjoy more? Remember that you are not alone, you do have a choice about these things, and you can’t be everything for anyone all the time. You are allowed to have needs too. The way to work with this unsettling energy of the Wood Snake year is to be a part of a support network. You may need the support, or you may be called to support others depending on your Ba Zi. Either way, there’s strength in numbers. Don’t neglect your kinships. Not all of them depend on blood.

I know some Sheep who took my 2024 recommendation to work with Snake energy last year and I have to say, they had some good results, especially with job hunting. If you started cultivating your relationship in 2024 with a person you want to be your new boss in 2025, I think you might reap rewards from that. People who began working with AI last year may also find that helpful for finding employment in 2025. I’m not a huge fan of AI – I’m just calling it like I see it.

The Wood Snake year is going to be challenging for the Sheep. The same yin Wood that is on the top of the year pillar has the potential to crack the Sheep open so to speak. When it comes to your own power and agency, you may need to guard against self harm, conscious or unconscious. Before you get too worried, remember that all of these outcomes are potential, which means they are susceptible to being changed by your choices. What did you learn or not learn in 2015? If this is a similar opportunity for you to learn how and when to say no, take it. That will make it easier for all the next times. These patterns keep repeating you know. I know you know how to say no.

The process that Sheep are beginning in 2025 has a completion in 2027. You may not understand 2025 that way until you’re looking back from the perspective of 2028. Since I’m talking to you Sheep, I want to emphasize that I’m not saying this is the beginning of a hell ride. I’m saying this year is the start of many major changes in your life.

It might help to remember that we all have a destiny and what happens is what was meant to be all along. Connect and reconnect to people and places that are important to you. Do the small things. Remind people that you love them. In short, do what you always do – intentionally. If this sounds negative to you, I hope you know that of course life is always a mix of what we want and what we don’t want. It’s our preferences that shape our perspective, therefore if you can let go of them or be more flexible, you will find an easier path. This is how we can work with timing.

For Sheep who are feeling distracted, forgetful or foggy in 2025, you’re in good company. Let’s remove the stigma from that and get practical. Many of us now have different abilities than we had prior to 2020, but we can also take measures ahead of time to help ourselves find misplaced or lost items. You might put an airtag in your wallet or purse, or note where you parked before you leave your car. Establish a place where you keep important items and try to always return them there. Label things. Set reminders for yourself. No solution is one hundred percent effective but try to find one that works most of the time for you if brain fog is a problem.

For those who were born in a Sheep year, it may be one of your elders who needs help with memory and guarding valuables. Make a point to check in with older generations of family and help to support their well being. Visit them when they need help, but also when there is no emergency so that you can simply enjoy each other. Be careful of your health and theirs – avoid opportunistic infections and take precautions.

Check your environment and theirs for trip hazards or things that might fall from a high place. If there are heavy things hanging over the bed, or the head of the bed you might want to change that. Sleeping with your headboard on a wall under a window is another Feng Shui no no. In the case of someone who is spending lots of time in bed due to illness, they may benefit from putting the bed in a different position. Sometimes you might even consider relocating them to a different bedroom temporarily. If you’d like to know more about that, get in touch. I can help.

To make the year go more smoothly, respond rather than react when you can. Your responses (or lack of reaction?) in 2025 can calm difficult situations. In case of conflict, let the energy be spent, rather than trying to block it or counter it. Let the truth settle things. This will put you in a stronger position and you will be able to bring matters to a more satisfying conclusion. This is one of the best assets you have this year so use it unsparingly!

It’s likely the Sheep will be called to travel this year, and it might feel unavoidable. If you don’t want to travel, there are ways to dissipate that energy. In this year especially, I want Sheep to remember that so much of our luck can be changed by our focus.

As for money and investments, the Sheep will do well to avoid financial risks this year. Again, this may apply to other people in your family as well as you. You probably already know who might need your loving supervision with organizing, paperwork and other mundane yet important things. Helping them will make a big difference in their perception of any possible outcome. It will for you too. Remember that time will change everything. I mean, you’re riding the wheel up. This Year of the Wood Snake is part of the ride.

The Horse in 2025 ~ Wood Snake Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Hephaestus for the Rest of Us

Put your head up Horse. You may get lost at times, but you don’t stay that way do you? A Horse is good at running away, which is probably how they become good at finding their way home when they want to. If you have disappeared, maybe it’s time for you to come back. Back to what is the question!

I’m going to be blunt: envying the dead isn’t going to get you anywhere, but grieving will. That kind of jealousy may beckon again now, but it’s not yours, it belongs to the year. In 2025 you finally have the strength to transform Metal again.

What would you like to make out of your grief? An anchor? A shield? An axe? A sword? A dagger? Or would you like more beauty? Maybe you just want to be able to breathe clean air deeply again. In nature a horse’s sense of smell is crucial for guidance, survival, and emotional wellness. I think this is true for Horses too. Focus on breathing.

What’s new in the wind? Celebrations are still important. Joy is too. A Horse is Fire and the Horse’s work is to perform a joyous rescue. A Horse’s job is to create Earth, meaning a safe place for you to be. The way the Horse goes about this is often by starting over from the ashes as their way to make it back to peak. Yes, the process can be dramatic.

For example, sometimes the sign of Horse can indicate an athlete. Not always – you have to be able to recognize it. One pattern you may see for professional athletes is that when it’s retirement time they reinvent themselves as entrepreneurs, salespeople and/or recommit to partner and family. For better or worse, they start over with things in a big way. Some professional athletes may not make it through this transition, falling into addiction or living a life troubled by injuries. If you need help with your next iteration, get in touch.

The way of starting over that Horses practice is pretty extreme. Starting at over at zero is hard work, not to mention it is not sustainable in the long term. Young Horses will have seemingly endless capacity to start over. It’s only when they get older they may realize that it’s not a strategy you want to use for every instance. Luckily the Horse is capable of learning and redefining success. Finding ways to get things done and still avoid the limits of your endurance is usually a better plan than burning out and starting over. If you use fights as a way of ending things, this year you have a chance to change that.

Horses like to shine wherever they roam. They like to stand out and often that energy is fun for others to experience. Being embarrassed is a natural part of the Horse’s life because they attempt the jumps where others balk. A Horse that is in hiding or doesn’t want to be seen might be unwell, or they might simply be at a low point.

I know a Horse who, due to physical illness, has been making jokes about being dead since 2020. Horses are very much embodied. Maybe this is why they like to play with unconsciousness. They think it’s their only respite. While Rabbits are health conscious and often do the work when it comes to maintaining health, a Horse’s motives around health are mostly about not dying. You know the expression, it’s not a threat, it’s a promise?

If the current climate of burnout is any indication, we have generations of Horses now who have to decide whether or not they are going to make a comeback, one more time. Horses who come to mind immediately include 1942 Water Horses Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell, 1954 Wood Horses Angela Merkel, Sonia Sotomayor and Carly Fiorina as well as 1966 Fire Horse Kirsten Gillibrand.

In the last five years, Horses have experienced a series of jolts in the form of reality checks and disappointments and death, as have we all. Now is the time for Horses to relearn how to put Fire to work. The same Fire of the Horse that can lead to burnout is the Fire that creates Earth, which includes food and safety. A Horses natural energy creates stability through Earth. It moves fast but it is inconstant. It’s at its best in short bursts.

In contrast to the last five years, Horses have no major opposition in 2025. You’re not clashed, you’re not in the San Sha, you’re not particularly on anyone’s radar. Good news! This gives you an advantage and on the dial plate this year the Horse is in the position of Great Advantage. You’re sitting next to power – that’s what gives you the advantage. Consider making friends with power in a way that will fuel your endeavors.

People probably are not expecting what you’re about to come up with in 2025 because maybe you’ve been unusually quiet or they know you’ve been struggling. You will probably surprise yourself too if you commit to fueling your independence. Being a Horse, sometimes opposition and resource are interchangeable. When you don’t have either, you might be wondering where everyone has gone but now is the time for friendship – the thing Horses are not as good at. Time to learn. There is no underlying let down for the Horse in 2025. Push your luck further by making good choices. This is the way.

In 2025 Horses can stand out in the academic environment more easily. This same energy could be applied to any learning situation. If you’re looking to change jobs or offer new products or services, do your homework. It will pay off. It’s likely you’ll be more persuasive than you’ve been in some time so craft your pitch and be clear.

For the Horse, this year of the Snake is made for falling in love again. Start with your current partner if you have one – see how it goes. Get back to sharing your feelings regularly like you used to. Horses have a special charisma this year that will get you more attention but may distract others from what you want them to notice. Be aware that you may be perceived as flirtatious or as someone looking for relationship drama. Are you? Take care with laughing off serious situations that you may have instigated. That’s not cool.

The Horse is granted the blessing of the 太陽 Sun this year, so shine a light on any problems or disease you find and it’s likely you can make great progress. Play with Fire. Bring things to attention. Enact solutions. Move on to the next project! As a Horse, having the Sun might mean being your true self: wild and gentle at the same time. Learn how to be generous as you like to do, without the self-sacrifice. Change the rules to fit each rescue. If you are lonely, seek true connection instead of passing distractions.

A special power for Horses in the Wood Snake year is the ability to create something seemingly out of smoke. Since you do have resources in 2025, this means you might create something quite special. Decide by February what you want to do with that gift and stick to it. Only indecision can get in your way. For Horses who are also cooks or participate in the culinary world, you might find your star rising; leveling up your skills at the least. If Fire isn’t a favorable element for you, this may not apply.

Your luck is still changing Horse, all in all for the better. Your good luck is good enough to outweigh any challenges in 2025 as long as it’s backed by solid choices. Perhaps don’t expect too much financial gain. There are other more sustainable joys for you this year.

The Snake in 2025 ~ Wood Snake Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Cognitive Dissident

Maybe it’s time to acknowledge that you know things you would prefer not to know and act accordingly.

What’s it like for a Snake in a Snake year? As every good teacher will say to you sooner or later in answer to a question like that: it depends. What they usually mean is have you done your homework? Have you formulated an answer about that for yourself? These are questions I would pose to the Snake this year because ignoring or mishandling your own brilliance is the exact thing that could trip you up in 2025. You have the answer to your own question, should you choose to finally notice that.

The safest thing I can say about what the Snake year will be like for Snake is the Snake is at the top of the wheel, in the position of the Tai Sui or Year Boss. There are benefits to this that come with complications, naturally. For interpreting annual energies of 2025, I associate the Snake with Artificial Intelligence which suggests that it would benefit people with a Snake pillar to take care with how they use their flexibility. The Snake’s shape shifting prowess is their strongest asset and is usually the Snake’s preferred way to take or handle risk.

In a Snake year, the Snake doesn’t suffer from the self-clash as the Pig, Horse, Dragon and Rooster do in their respective years, so no problem there. As the ruler of the year, the Snake does take on special responsibilities and powers. Whether the experience is good or bad is something judged by you, based on your preferences. Other than that, I know most Snakes (and other big bosses) will be asking themselves why being the boss feels so unstable when they thought it would be the opposite. There are at least ten thousand answers to that question, but in terms of Chinese Astrology it’s you Snake! You’re the reason. Just ask 1965 Wood Snake Bashar Al Asssad.

Revolutions begin with the Snake. The Snake is at the beginning of a fresh long-term elemental pattern, a nine-year cycle within/alongside of other cycles if you will. Take notice of new opportunities and paths that will open in 2025. If there’s a Snake in your natal chart, it is trying to start something. You have Four Pillars, therefore even if you were not born in a Snake year, it’s possible that you have a Snake in your Ba Zi. What this means will vary depending on your day master and the makeup of your natal chart. If you want more specifics, book a Ba Zi with me.

Being the Tai Sui, Snakes are meant to have extra gravitas and visibility this year. If you find out that the year is offering much more than you feel ready to handle, you do have a choice. Take on the amount of fame you want. Instead of trying to avoid the truths you don’t want to believe, face them. This is the secret of 2025. You may learn how malleable trouble can be and how much you can influence it. You’ve got one year to work with this energy and if you apply yourself, you’ll be able to do it more easily in the future.

Visibility and perceptions are important to the Snake which means when they become too popular or well known, they may experience a dissonance with their natural affinity for the truth. Fame causes some Snakes to hide away, while other Snakes push themselves further into the spotlight. Either way, the Snake is susceptible to buying into their own brilliant take on everything except their own business.

Snakes are some of the best story tellers and dream weavers. A recent example of this trait involved Nancy Mace. One of the most successful writers of our time, J.K. Rowling was born in 1965, a Wood Snake year. While the Snake deserves their fans, it’s just as important for the Snake to experience being critiqued. A Snake on a pedestal is in a dangerous situation because Snakes are obsessed with truth, and they like to play with the truth too. That will get you knocked off. On the other hand, some of a Snake’s best work comes from what they can do with the truth once they have acknowledged their own. That’s what keeps you off the pedestal.

If you’re looking for the Snake, you’ll find them in the library in the 100-299 section. Snakes know things and they can teach you a thing or two. A Snake will wake things all the way up. When Tiger or Monkey is nearby, the Snake is drawn to gurus, but they are also the antidote to blind (over-enlightened?) obedience. If we think about this in context of the Cycle of 60 Pillars, it suggests that 2025 is a year to begin eradicating a cult like energy. It’s important for all of us to remember that not everything can or should be transcended by way of ideas – most of the time action is required. This might be a mission statement for the Snake.

One way that the Snake takes risks, more so in a Snake or Pig year than in others, is by going against orthodoxy and orthodox systems. Some Snakes will game the system, others will get attention for openly calling out authority. Conflicts of 2025 are likely in a context that feels like (or involves) religion. We will see people accused of being driven by emotion accusing their accusers of lying. Meanwhile, some people are lying and some are immobilized by their emotions. Engaging in this type of energetic exchange makes movement impossible. Why do these disagreements with people you don’t even know feel so personal? Are you feeling someone else’s feelings?

When you’re a Snake, you’re always trying to figure things out and much of the time this might mean feeling or trying to process someone else’s feelings. That will turn you onto the path of a philosopher or alchemist for sure. Snakes benefit from learning to selectively tune in with their empathy instead of blocking everything or letting themselves be without safeguards and overwhelmed. Practice sorting out which feelings are yours Snake. Let all the feelings pass through you and disperse to wherever they are meant to go. You don’t have to know everything.

Sometimes the Snake is associated with anxiety because even with their reams of evidence, they are waiting to find out that the things that hurt the most aren’t true. That’s a trap for anyone, but more so for the Snake with their ideas about relativity and absolutes. A Snake’s withdrawal or avoidance of truth is often an attempt to protect themselves, but sometimes the denial is done to protect someone else’s truth. Each time they do this, the body is harmed. The body remembers. Learning to acknowledge or accept your truth in a holistic way will help you stay healthy. People generally don’t like to hear the truth but you eating yours will wreck you. I promise you it’s better to know than try not to. You will have less anxiety if you let yourself know.

Once you know what you know, don’t stop there. Maybe you need to say your truth out loud or share it outside of your head. Experiment with that. As Snakes grow older many learn to comply with what they feel is a silent demand for obfuscation. Information is the Snake’s currency and at times this means not sharing it. This allows the Snake some plausible deniability, and maybe a feeling of safety, regarding those who aren’t their intimates. Maybe the truths that blind the Snake are the ones closest to home. A Snake mistake would be not acknowledging that.

I’m sure it won’t be a surprise to hear that 2025 will be a year of ups and downs for Snakes. The Snake rules the year so this will be true for all of us, but more magnified for the Snake. I guess the good/bad news is if you don’t like what is happening, you shouldn’t have to wait long for it to change. Buckle up and find your footing, as there will be adversity and challenge. Some triangles may plague you, but others can provide a magical stability if you find the right timing. Look for an “unknown” third party to be an important player in events and themes of the year. Stick with people you have known for awhile if you want more stability.

In this Wood Snake year, the Snake is a Nobleman. People may see you this way – as if it’s obvious. You may be asked to give expert advice. People might think you are a boss wherever you go. You may find yourself being asked to do work in places where you don’t work. You might think you are unqualified, but you are capable. Maybe you will want to help, otherwise don’t commit. Pay attention to your body if you’re not sure.

There’s travel in store for the Snake in 2025 and it may bring benefits. You might travel to assist others. Travel might be family related or otherwise depending on your Ba Zi. You might want to do that in May, along with your associates Ox and Rooster.

Expect those lasting relationships, past relationships, or the ones that feel/felt most connected to be prominent in 2025. If you want a do over with someone important to you, make the effort to re-establish bonds while letting go of illusions and attachments. Commit to people as they are, not in hope that they can be some other experience for you. Respect the messages of your body regarding whether certain commitments are safe for your health. There will be some difficult decisions to make. People may not understand but that’s okay. Let it be.

Maybe the most special gift the Snake receives in 2025 is the ability to resolve conflicts in any area of their life: finances, health or relationships. What might get in your way is fear, or a reluctance to experience and express your own emotions without privacy. Ultimately, it seems your good luck can overcome energies that are against you. But don’t take my word for it. Get out there and make it true.

Special Note for Snakes: Read the forecast for Tiger and Monkey too.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Fire Ox Month

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Fire Ox 丁丑 Month
January 5th 10:33-February 3rd 22:10

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Fire Ox. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth year, month, day and time.

If you don’t know your Four Pillars, just ask! Each of the four animals of your BaZi correlates with an aspect of your life. Start with that interpretation.

If you’d like to know more about how your natal chart works, or what to expect in 2025, you can book a reading here.

Year Pillar
Has to do with your physical body and what you do with it, ancestors, family traits. In terms of luck the year pillar is said to take the first “hit” of any event, good or bad.

Month Pillar
Relates to career, work environment, training, age mates and peers, siblings, exes and your modus operandi

Day Pillar
Yourself and true partner; your immediate environment and home life.

Hour Pillar
Your innermost self, your children, future, hopes and dreams.

The Fortunes

丑 Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
For better or worse, the veil between past, future and you is thin now. A new pattern is set. Memories may be both welcome and unwelcome.
Hint: Let divine guidance shape (not govern) your decisions.

寅 Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
Pour out the ounces of prevention. Whatever might trip you up in 2025, get it out of the way now. Examine your lair. Declutter. Replace smoke alarm batteries and fire extinguishers.
Hint: Doctor visits are not a bad idea either. Maintenance and mitigation.

卯 Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
The Rabbit sometimes feels that their warm words are written off because given who they are – isn’t that what they have to say? Actually, no it’s not.
Hint: Say it anyway Rabbit. This month it matters more than usual.

辰 Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
More secrets come out of the vault but you’re a Dragon and you probably already knew about them. It’s strange the way you don’t trust yourself to handle disappointment.
Hint: What if you didn’t do anything wrong?

巳 Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
It’s a perfect month to gather yourself and get your feet firmly planted on the ground. The Year of the Wood Snake is just about to jump off. Complete plans, reconnect alliances, light up networks.
Hint: Sunglasses are for glamour and concealment.

午 Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
Show yourself early this year Horse. Let go of the idea that you’re compromised – even if you were. Maybe you can’t wait to prove yourself again. Maybe that is terrifying.
Hint: What happens now that you can’t be weak?

未 Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
Important changes are happening for the Sheep, many of which have to do with forming new alliances that come out of upheavals. You might make a list of all the changes you are open to.
Hint: Are you open to friends who have different values than you too? Find the common ground.

申 Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
It’s time to get serious Monkey. You tend to start off every year with big changes and 2025 will likely be the same. How much risk are you up for? Decide what you want from the year now.
Hint: How you get it is by being flexible.

酉 Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Roosters hit personal goals in the Ox month. Come forth with something you’ve been thinking about sharing for some time. Work in or lead a group?
Hint: You may think you don’t like that. Maybe you haven’t found the right team.

戌 Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
In the quiet, count up the blessings you received in times of opposition. The Year of the Wood Dragon provided many opportunities to observe how lucky you have been and will be.
Hint: Learning is more precious than endurance.

亥 Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
In the liminal space between years is where the Pig can set up support systems, springboards, and just in case, alternate/escape routes. Your plan A will not be enough.
Hint: Back up plans are simply iterations of ways to get where you want to go.

子 Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
Rats may find they are not their usual selves this month; some will change their nature temporarily. Transformations that ask for staying in place are not the Rat’s preference.
Hint: If physical movement is not workable for you, watch the rain or the sea.

Wood Snake 乙巳 2025 Feng Shui Basics

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

It’s time to start planning for for the year of the Wood Snake and moving things around to receive (or not receive) the new energies that are coming in 2025. How will this energetic shift affect you and your home? The information in this post will help you to set up and it is accurate, however, it’s somewhat generic because it doesn’t address the specifics of your situation. If you want to go beyond the basics, the application of Feng Shui must be tailored to you and your home.

As the energy changes, some of the areas of your house that you have been avoiding or keeping quiet in 2024 will be more favorable now. In 2025 the energy of the south is safer, while the energy of the east is a bit compromised. When is it time to clean and rearrange furniture and things? There are multiple markers for the start of any year – it’s not as if a switch is flipped and we’re in new territory.

The first marker that I observe is the winter solstice. The second marker (sometimes third) is the Lunar New Year. This year, the third marker is the Solar New Year at beginning of spring in early February. All this to say – January is often the best time to do a deep clean of the entire house without any negative effects. If you’ve already missed that window, you can still make changes. It will help if you use good timing. Let me know if you need help with that.

This next part is a bit complicated so skip down to the end for 2025 Feng Shui guidelines if that’s how you scroll.

太歲 Tai Sui, 歲破 Sui Po and 三煞 San Sha

The Year of the Wood Snake opens on February 3rd at 22:10. The Tai Sui or Year Boss is in the SE where the 巳 Snake is located because the Snake is the boss. Jupiter is in the NW and the Tai Sui sits opposite, mirroring.

Finally moving out of a Wood phase, we are entering a big season of Fire, meaning we have three years of Fire energy from 2025-2027. The Snake, Horse and Sheep branches (also years, months, days) relate to Fire and the season of summer. In a cycle of 12 years, we are beginning summer.

If you’re not already familiar with the concept of the Tai Sui you can think of it as the ruling energy of the year. In some years people born under the same Animal branch as the year are considered to be offending the Tai Sui. The Snake is not one of these signs.

Directly opposite the Snake in the SE, is the Pig in the NW. That means in 2025 the Pig is called the Sui Po or “year breaker”. The Pig is considered to be in opposition to the Snake. Their relationship is a clash, meaning they bring changes to each other.

Energetically the Snake sends force towards, pressures or stimulates the Pig. The clash between Pig and Snake is a clash of Water and Fire. To put it in the broadest terms, this clash might involve emotions, accusations, lies, truths, transportation and loss of mobility.

If you’re feeling worried about the clash because there’s a Snake or Pig in your BaZi, book a BaZi reading with me and I will help you find practical and applicable solutions. I can help you to navigate safely, mitigate and sometimes take advantage of a clash.

The San Sha or Three killings in 2025 covers the entire area between Tiger (NE3) and Dragon (SE1). The Rabbit, centering at 90 degrees in the east, is in a difficult position on the compass but we can’t ignore that Tiger might be even more in need of help. The energy of the San Sha this year is Metal element (west) vs Wood element (east).

Lest you get lost in the technical stuff, it’s important to remember that Feng Shui is all about relationships. You can take that perspective and work with Feng Shui every day. Stick to first principles: Wu Xing and yin/yang. If you want to know how the energy moves around, it’s elemental and elementary.

The annual calculations are expressions of the relationships of elements. They point out the Tai Sui, Sui Po, and San Sha: the relationships that may need more of your attention in any given year. You can think of them as representations of roles we may be called to play.

Flying Stars

Flying Stars is a system used to identify energy pockets within a building, city, country…The base energy for each area is indicated by the traditional Lo Shu where Star 5 is in the center. This arrangement is also called the Magic Square, partly because the numbers add to 15 in any direction.

Lo Shu or Magic Square

There are different layers to consider when working with Flying Stars. In addition to these base stars which are static, each house has it’s own collection of Flying Stars, which some would say is similar to a natal chart. The best results come when you’ve understood and dealt with these static and underlying energies first. There are dynamics in their interactions but they do not change.

Once you’ve done that, you can play with the dynamic stars, the ones that move and change. Those would be the stars of the time Period (currently we are in the 9 Fate), the annual stars, monthly Flying Stars and daily Flying Stars which you may be familiar with if you read my daily forecasts.

Each star corresponds to a trigram from the Later Heaven Bagua and so each one also has an elemental nature. Some stars naturally pair up. Some stars play well together and some don’t. Some are helpful and some not so much. I won’t try to explain it more here.

In 2025, we have the 2 Star in the center, setting the tone of the year. The map below will tell you the locations of the annual Flying Stars within your home for the Wood Snake year. They will interact with the monthly Flying Stars in a guest/host relationship. This interaction of the annual and monthly stars is used for Feng Shui, forecasting and other forms of divination.

Annual Flying Stars for Wood Snake 2025

As a general practice, we want to avoid the annual Wu Huang or 5 yellow.

Guidelines for 2025

  • Don’t face SE, meaning the Snake who is centered at 150 degrees. You can spend time in the SE location of your house but don’t face that direction.
    Remember that the Dragon is in the SE too, centering at 120 degrees. It’s a fine line! If your head points SE when you are in bed, you’ll want to consider changing that. Having your back to the SE is fine. Be precise to avoid having your back to the E.
  • Avoid Rabbit (E2) and the areas directly adjacent. The scope of the San Sha covers Tiger-Dragon. Don’t have your back to the San Sha (east).
  • The energy of the Wu Huang or 5 Yellow is in the NE this year indicating volatility and upheavals. Now that we are in Period 9, in 2025 Star 5 is paired with Flying Star 3 which is the star of arguments and lawsuits. Avoid construction or other noisy activations in the NE.
  • Star 2 in the center is still a little tricky, meaning it could bring goodies or illness; probably minor illness but I don’t recommend you do activations there without some knowledge and/or guidance. Make sure you know the underlying Flying Stars of your home before you try this.
  • If your house faces SE or NW I recommend you have a Feng Shui survey of your home and mitigate any potential issues, especially if a door is located in the SE, E or NE.

Consult a professional if you want to activate or make major changes to either NE, E, or SE locations.

These locations and directions can be fine tuned further by applying Ba Zhai (8 House or 8 Mansions). In Period 9 I think East Group people may have an advantage over West group when it comes to helpful orientations.

When to Act

Moving things around the house, changing rooms, and placing Feng Shui cures and enhancements is best done between 冬至 Dong Zhi or winter solstice, and 立春 Li Chun which is usually around February 4th or 5th. The exact dates vary slightly depending on the year. The winter solstice occurs December 21st 2024 at 17:20. The Solar New Year or Li Chun begins February 3rd 2025 at 22:10.

You can maximize the results of your changes and adjustments by using date selection. If you want help with that, I invite you to subscribe to my monthly newsletter or, contact me to find a date that’s specific to you and your house. If you’d like to learn how to track these timings yourself, I recommend a copy of my Wood Snake 2025 Almanac.

If you’re familiar with applying Feng Shui you can use the information in this article to set up your house. You’ll also need to know your Ming Gua to make the most of the energy of 2025. Just compare your good directions with the “rules”. And of course I’m available if you want to enhance or mitigate rather than simply avoid.

Wood Snake 乙巳 2025 – Your Good Directions

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Ming Gua, East and West Life Groups

The Ming Gua is a number that is calculated using gender and birthday in order to employ the Feng Shui method called 8 House, 8 Mansions or Ba Zhai. Each number corresponds to a trigram and an element in the Later Heaven Bagua. The Ming Gua is also known as the Natal Trigram, Destiny Number or Life Star number.

Do you know your Ming Gua? Send me your birthday and gender and I can tell you. Once you know your number you will be able to use your best directions for setting up your home and/or choosing a home that fits you.

The Guas fall into two categories in this system: East Life Group and West Life Group. If you already know your number, you can use the chart below to figure out which group you belong to.

East Life Group Numbers West Life Group Numbers
1 2
3 6
4 7
9 8

Your Ming Gua indicates the Life Group and the good directions for you. Each person has four, and they support in different ways, but all are considered beneficial. Use them to set up your desk, bed, computer, tv and other furnishings. If you’re remodeling your kitchen or moving house, you can use Ba Zhai to set up your stove as well. This requires a higher level of expertise.

Good Directions for East Group Good Directions for West Group
E W
N NW
S SW
SE NE

N.B. When you are lying in bed you are facing the direction your head is pointing. Think of your body as the compass needle.

What I haven’t addressed here is that there are also four house orientations that are appropriate for each Life Group. Do you know if your house supports your Ming Gua? Email me if you’re curious about your house.

And one more thing – you’re going to need to know if any of your four good directions are not so good in 2025. You may want to rule some out temporarily. This will apply to both East and West Group people. I’ll be explaining that in my next post.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Fire Rat Month

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Fire Rat 丙子 Month
December 6th 23:17-January 5th 10:33

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Fire Rat. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth year, month, day and time.

If you don’t know your Four Pillars, just ask! Each of the four animals of your BaZi correlates with an aspect of your life. Start with that interpretation.

If you’d like to know more about how your natal chart works, or what to expect in 2025, you can book a reading here.

Year Pillar
Has to do with your physical body and what you do with it, ancestors, family traits. In terms of luck the year pillar is said to take the first “hit” of any event, good or bad.

Month Pillar
Relates to career, work environment, training, age mates and peers, siblings, exes and your modus operandi

Day Pillar
Yourself and true partner; your immediate environment and home life.

Hour Pillar
Your innermost self, your children, future, hopes and dreams.

The Fortunes

子 Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
Understandably, Rats have their minds on their money and their money on their minds. Open your perspective. Actions this month underlie the patterns you’re setting for the Year of the Wood Snake.
Hint: I know you want 2025 to be about more than money.

丑 Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
Funny time of year for such productivity from the Ox. Ideas come from the sky and the rewards are there for you on earth. Nothing in your way at the moment.
Hint: You’d think a new elemental phase is imminent!

寅 Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
This month Tigers accept resources: offers, proposals, backing and endorsements. There’s a demand for your long term work – and it will be demanding but you’re a Tiger.
Hint: If you’re signing up or signing on, get a Rat to go over the paperwork too.

卯 Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
It’s time for the annual questioning of the ancestors’ intentions towards you. Or maybe that feels less important now? Let hope spring anew.
Hint: Seek definition and expression to get a head start on the year. Hiding isn’t it.

辰 Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
Back in the flow now, Dragons realize it’s been over a year of tremors and aftershocks. The biggest changes have happened, let the rest ripple out and settle.
Hint: Direct your attention outward.

巳 Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
For the Snake, acknowledging the truth is a way of taking care of yourself. Transform darkness into new ideas now.
Hint: You might think it’s the truth that makes things worse, but maybe it’s you avoiding it.

午 Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
When you don’t want others to know your feelings, but you’re not good at hiding them, do you really not want them to know? In a Rat month, people might perceive the Horse as looking for a fight.
Hint: Are you? Talk it out instead.

未 Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
Destruction is nearby but not yours. Sheep may be called in as proxy in a conflict where they are not directly present or involved. Commit to family alliances.
Hint: This might not feel safe.

申 Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
Monkeys get what they want in the Rat month. Naturally, there is some stress that accompanies these new developments. If it gets in your head, let it come out of your hands. Be productive.
Hint: Yang Metal likes to choose the hard things right?

酉 Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Roosters: tap into the zeitgeist. Come out of the past and get acquainted with current events. Learn a new word that the kids use. Let people shock you, astonish you and make you laugh.
Hint: Take it all in. Pay attention. Talk about it.

戌 Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
Follow your optimism. Wrap up the old. With all the cracks the year created in your life, is there one you might slip through to another dimension? Is it time for something new?
Hint: Can you be your own boss now?

亥 Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
Deep diving into emotions yet needing to focus on financial matters … how might these things be related to your patterns? The things we don’t enjoy are part of life too.
Hint: When we reject one feeling, eventually the rejection extends to all the feelings.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Wood Pig Month

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Wood Pig 乙亥 Month
November 7th 07:49-December 6th 23:17

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Wood Pig. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth year, month, day and time.

If you don’t know your Four Pillars, just ask! Each of the four animals of your BaZi correlates with an aspect of your life. Start with that interpretation.

If you’d like to know more about how your natal chart works, or what to expect in 2025, you can book a reading here.

Year Pillar
Has to do with your physical body and what you do with it, ancestors, family traits. In terms of luck the year pillar is said to take the first “hit” of any event, good or bad.

Month Pillar
Relates to career, work environment, training, age mates and peers, siblings, exes and your modus operandi

Day Pillar
Yourself and true partner; your immediate environment and home life.

Hour Pillar
Your innermost self, your children, future, hopes and dreams.

The Fortunes

亥 Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
Take a chance on being embarrassed by disclosure. Find out that you could be loved and that it might not look the way you thought it should/would. Then what?!
Hint: Control isn’t the only option.

子 Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
So much Water! It could be hard to sort out the friends from the competitors. Alliances that are nearby may compromise long standing relationships simply because they make you feel free.
Hint: Take care with decisions about who stays and who goes.

丑 Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
Further breaking free of Earth might mean things feel a little out of control. Returning to the flow can be that way. Come back to life.
Hint: Let it happen. You can make more introvert choices in December if you want to.

寅 Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
Will you be the mentor or the mentee? The best relationships provide a chance to take turns I think. Would you like that?
Hint: Being a Tiger might mean all you have to do is say this is what you want.

卯 Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
What does it mean to be cared for over a long period of time without being asked to give up your agency? These things can be negotiated.
Hint: Would you think that is too good to be true?

辰 Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
The tectonic plates have shifted, much of the pressure is off. Phew! Schedule rest in your planning, but it’s not quitting time yet.
Hint: Watch as you build toward success. Finish projects and assignments.

巳 Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
Sometimes you think the Fire is out, only to find that there’s still an ember that can relight everything quickly. Remember that this month.
Hint: Stock up on kindling. What are the resources that keep you warm? Who are the people?

午 Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
Just keep running for now, at a pace that isn’t too fast. When you live in the future you don’t want to waste any time worrying about it.
Hint: If you feel disappointed, consider you might be over-attached to the highs.

未 Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
A chance to feel safe and accepted. Be taken care of like family. Find out you don’t have to settle.
Hint: The connections are real.

申 Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
Excessive Water warning: Take care with pool parties, hot tub adventures and bubble baths.
Hint: It’s not a bad month to take advice, especially if the advice makes you want to reject it. Think about it.

酉 Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
With this timing you may see people who usually ask you for advice or assistance going to someone else instead. This could be a blessing. Wait for smaller projects.
Hint: You’re not losing anything.

戌 Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
If the year was a party this would be the time when you go and get some fresh air. Congratulations for making it through the worst of the Dragon’s clash. Make a list of what you’ve learned.
Hint: Going back to the party? Wait for the next month.

Wood Dragon Year, Wood Dog Month : Hexagrams 38 and 39

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

I woke up on September 30th with the clearly formed thought that Hexagram 39 is describing exactly what just happened in Appalachia. Water over Mountain. I first came to know Jian as it was described to me by a teacher. They said it reminded them of the movie Fitzcarraldo, in which the title character, played by Klaus Kinski, is on a mission to move a steamboat over the Andes. The movie was made in 1982, a Water Dog year! Spoiler alert: things don’t turn out as planned, but his true intention is realized. #howfateworks

I write a monthly guide for subscribers in which I include a divination by way of the Yi Jing. I write the guide for people who want to incorporate Chinese Astrology and Date Selection into their lives, but also for people who want to learn more about Chinese Metaphysics. I always stick to first principles and that’s what I teach too. For best results, that’s the way.

This month the Yi Jing divination is based on a pair of Hexagrams – they are considered to be a pair by Yi Jing scholars. The annual Hexagram for the Wood Dragon year is number 38, Kui. The Hexagram for the Wood Dog month is number 39, Jian. This month of the Wood Dog is the culmination of the strangeness of the year. They are a pair, so we might consider how 38 might evolve into 39. Strangeness turns into difficulty. Take note that every line changes. Are you ready for that? Water clashes Fire, Earth clashes Water. Eclipsed again!

Hexagram 38

The hexagram Kui consists of the Fire trigram on the top and the Lake trigram on the bottom. Both trigrams are yin, meaning they represent middle daughter and the youngest daughter.

If you saw fire on top of water in real life, you would know something unusual is going on. If you saw it in a dream, that would make more sense. Strange things appear in dreams all the time. The text of Hexagram 38 describes a dream like experience, where symbols and images are hard to relate to a rational perspective. That has been my experience of this Wood Dragon year. I have seen things I never dreamed of, much less thought I would see.

In divination I like to leave logic behind for the first stage of interpretation and just go with what comes to mind. That process is what Hexagram 38 reminds me of. The ideograph consists of 目 mu on the left and 癸 gui on the right: a staring or squinting eye next to a ghost or grass mat for offering sacrifice. I’ll leave it to you to embellish these ideas with 2024 in mind.

Following the advice of Hexagram 38, I have been sticking to small matters in 2024. That is where I have found some good fortune. The larger matters have only just now become susceptible to influence. Maybe you’re experiencing something similar?

Hexagram 39

The hexagram Jian consists of the Water trigram over the Mountain trigram as I’ve already mentioned. In Hexagram 39 the trigrams are yang, meaning they represent the middle son and the youngest son. If we’re talking about 38 and 39 as a pair, we can see that focus has shifted from yin to yang – from what we couldn’t see to what is now obvious?

Since the literal interpretation of Water over Mountain has offered itself, I will stick with the forecast regarding the compass directions/locations that are mentioned in the Gua Ci: Advantage to the west and south, no advantage to the east and north. You might take this literally if you’re making a decision.

Hexagram 39 speaks of externally imposed difficulties but ultimately forecasts good fortune. This may not be the time to advance, read the room. Unity is a better option than advancement. Let the events come and respond accordingly. Whenever you see the line “Advantageous to see the Great Man” it’s a suggestion that you seek out someone with expertise, or perhaps a diviner. That’s the final text of line 6.

My reading of Jian this time is in the context of hurricane Helene and Appalachia. How does it resonate for you? Is the advice about personal matters or external ones? With the Yi Jing it’s usually both for me.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Wood Dog Month

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Wood Dog 甲戌 Month
October 8th 04:31-November 7th 07:49

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Wood Dog. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth year, month, day and time.

If you don’t know them just ask! Each of the four animals of your BaZi correlates with an aspect of your life.

Year Pillar
Has to do with your physical body and what you do with it, ancestors, family traits. In terms of luck the year pillar is said to take the first “hit” of any event, good or bad.

Month Pillar
Relates to career, work environment, training, age mates and peers, siblings, exes and your modus operandi

Day Pillar
Yourself and true partner; your immediate environment and home life.

Hour Pillar
Your innermost self, your children, future, hopes and dreams.

The Fortunes

戌 Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
How far might you go in a quest to even things out? Acts of revenge could be tempting, however, revenge is not what you need.
Hint: Establish new boundaries or limits on what you will do to win; fortify or move existing ones.

亥 Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
Assume there is someone present this month who gets you, because with the Dog present, there is. Enjoy a mysterious and goofy bond.
Hint: The only people who understand the relationship are the ones in it.

子 Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
It’s your favorite flavor of opposition. No attachments, no competitors, moving forward, finding success and fellow travelers.
Hint: Let the words pour out.

丑 Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
The Dragon’s attention is finally lifted from the Ox and the Ox remembers their own power and resourcefulness.
Hint: Make some changes in the hierarchy.

寅 Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
Settle in where you want to be now. It seems obvious doesn’t it?
Hint: Consider how you might do less driving/commuting in 2025.

卯 Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
The Rabbit often empowers the Dog as a henchman. This month it might be time to switch roles. No need to overdo when persistence works just as well.
Hint: Brief skirmishes only.

辰 Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
The Earth is moving now. If it feels unsteady under your feet, remember that everyone else is feeling it too. Are you too powerful or overpowered?
Hint: You may have to get out of your lane to solve argument or dispute.

巳 Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
That uncertainty you feel is related to what you think is coming next month, not what is coming this month. Are you over-anticipating again?
Hint: Sweep anxiety aside and do what you are going to do. It’s safe.

午 Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
The Dog always brings a certain kind of good luck and support for a Horse. This month will be no different.
Hint: Just don’t screw it up on a Horse day.

未 Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
Intuition or inspiration will show you where/when you might be bullied or drawn into groups of bullies (Cults?). For best results, nip that energy in the bud.
Hint: Others have been in your shoes. If you say something it’s more likely they will too.

申 Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
If you’re feeling some unusual pressure or stress, it may be helpful to know that it’s probably going to improve your situation by making goals more accessible.
Hint: You’re luckier than you think.

酉 Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Rest up now because winter is coming, and 2025 is going to be another year of you bossing people around.
Hint: Try not to be too obvious.