Here She Comes: 2025, The Year of the Snake

In Chinese astrology, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. It brings Universal affirmation of a shift that’s been building momentum for some time—the re-emergence of the divine feminine.

The snake, or serpent, was associated with the divine feminine long before Eve, the disaster in the Garden of Eden, and the fall that went with it. The serpent's association with the divine feminine has been both celebrated and vilified throughout history.

In ancient cultures, from Aboriginal Australian to indigenous peoples of the Americas, you’ll find connections between the snake and the Divine Feminine. It reverberates repeatedly across the globe, rooted in myths and stories, religious texts, and archetypal imagery.

A quick Google search brought up nearly 40 goddesses directly associated with the snake, among them the familiar Egyptian Isis, reported to be able to appear as a cobra, and the Greek Athena with an image of the snake on her shield. There was the Celtic Brigid, said to have emerged from her mound in snake form on February 2, the first day of Celtic Spring. Also on the list were the demonized Medusa with her head full of snakes, and a goddess I have come to know through my time in Mexico on the Isle of Women, Ixchel, the Mayan moon goddess.

In Hindu tradition, kundalini energy, described as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, is associated with feminine energy. When awakened, the energy rises through the chakras, bringing spiritual enlightenment and a union of the masculine and feminine energies within.

The snake has long symbolized themes of transformation, creation, fertility, and wisdom—qualities deeply connected to feminine energy.

It is a catalyst for awakening.

Welcome to 2025.

Yet, the snake, or serpent, rather like Eve, as the Mother of the World, is a potent and multifaceted symbol, embodying both nurturing and transformative powers.

Research shows that In patriarchal societies, the symbolism of the snake has taken on more negative connotations. Most of us have felt the repercussion of Eve’s designation as an evil temptress. Essentially, what I took away from the biblical story of the Garden of Eden, is that Eve was the problem, forever messing up things for mankind.

This negative slant reflects broader cultural attempts to suppress feminine power and agency, transforming the snake into a symbol of sin and destruction, rather than one of creativity and sacred knowledge.

That’s been our story for centuries as the patriarchy has controlled the advancement of humanity.

At a Women’s Epiphany event I hosted for a few years, we gathered to celebrate the gifts of the Divine Feminine and to celebrate sisterhood. In a world that offers women no equal rights amendment, lip service to equal pay, impossible day care costs, and a dangerous sexuality, we sang “On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing. A new world is possible. She is on her way.”

We have been watching the slow shift in consciousness for some time. It’s been gaining momentum.

This year, 2025, the Universe seems to be saying, “She’s” right here, and She’s not going back.

I’ve seen significant changes over my lifetime. Women, if they are able to access adequate financial resources, have been able to have their own credit cards since about the time I graduated from high school. They can own property and make decisions about their lives—though maybe not so much about their bodies. It wasn’t until after nine births and two miscarriages that my mom was able to access birth control.

Men are taking more active roles in the home. I see my nephews as more engaged dads, cooking meals and changing diapers—things men of my father’s generation didn’t do. They are no longer expected to be the sole financial provider or the “man with all the answers.” In fact, “mansplaining” has been identified as a socially unacceptable thing. It has become more acceptable for men to show emotion, to be compassionate and flexible, and to move beyond logic to access their own deep sources of knowledge.

This shift in consciousness is occurring for all of us. It’s not just a girlie thing. Both men and women and have been wounded and off balance. We’ve been trained to live in a world where masculine energy has dominated, and feminine energy has been discounted and repressed.

This year, we’re getting a prompt from the Universe. It is not only about time, it is necessary for survival, to create a world in balance—one that equally honors both masculine and feminine energy. Complementary and opposing currents, they are the two creative forces of the Universe. Together they can create a beautiful garden. Out of balance, their creation is distorted—and currently is short-circuiting and combusting.

There is much work to be done. Cultural conditioning runs deep through generations, holding us in subconscious and self-perpetuating patterns that devalue and inhibit the expression of feminine, yin, qualities:  compassion, connection, acceptance, beauty, creativity, sensuality, etc. We all need to bring our deepest inquiries and self-reflection to identify and cull out our stagnant patterns.

The story of humanity for 2025 is this: We are molting. We are shedding a skin that we’ve outgrown and that no longer fits.

The Chinese Year of the Snake carries significant implications for humanity, rooted in the qualities of wisdom, intuition, transformation, and mystery. With this energy at the forefront, humanity is offered a time to reflect, adapt, and engage deeply with both personal and collective transformation.

Here are a few of the ways you may see this energy working:

• You likely will be given abundant opportunities to identify and let go of old patterns, beliefs, or systems that no longer serve. That calls on you to be willing to change and to embrace it with courage. You are encouraged to face transitions with integrity and grace, trusting that the process of shedding will make room for soul-enhancing growth and evolution.

• The snake’s symbolic affinity with wisdom suggests that the Year of the Snake is a time for introspection and deeper understanding. You might gain a new perspective as you review and reconsider your past. It is an opportunity to gain greater awareness of sources of knowledge that go beyond logic, so it’s a good time for any intuitive development practice or study. In Chinese tradition, the snake is known for its perceptive and analytical nature, encouraging careful observation and strategic planning. Globally, this could be a year to address complex challenges through wisdom, creativity, and innovation rather than reactivity or doing things as they’ve always been done.

• The Year of the Snake may highlight themes of balance, nurturing energy, and spiritual awakening. This could manifest as a deeper appreciation of the interconnectedness of all life. It may also invite individuals and societies to reevaluate their relationship with nature, recognizing where we are causing harm, and instead fostering harmony and greater respect for the Earth.

• The snake’s dual nature—both life-giving and potentially dangerous—reminds humanity of the importance of balance. During the Year of the Snake, there may be challenges that test humanity’s ability to navigate between creation and destruction, or even to distinguish which is which. These challenges serve as opportunities to resolve conflict, gain clarity, and align more fully with higher truths.

• In the Year of the Snake, Spirit is moving. Individuals and communities may feel drawn to explore deeper spiritual truths and implement practices that foster personal and collective enlightenment. Meditation, mindfulness, and other practices of inner growth and wholeness may gain prominence, and could lead to a period of profound self-discovery and collective awakening.

• The Year of the Snake is a reminder that with wisdom and intuition comes responsibility. Just as the snake is revered for its ability to navigate complex terrain, humanity is called to act with integrity and foresight, addressing global issues like climate change, inequality, and conflict. This energy supports thoughtful, deliberate actions that pave the way for sustainable progress—not just for one, but for the many.

It is interesting to note that in Chinese astrology 2024 was the Year of the Dragon. The fire’s been lit, and the old is aflame. Transformation is underway.

This year of 2025 offers humanity a profound opportunity for introspection, transformation, and growth. By embracing the snake’s qualities—wisdom, intuition, adaptability, and balance—we can navigate the challenges we face with grace, emerging stronger, more united, and more deeply connected to the cycles of nature and spirit.