Today marks the start of the Lunar New Year.
In a similar way to western astrology, the lunar calendar is based around 12 zodiac signs.
But each year in the lunar calendar is assigned a zodiac animal – rather than a constellation (or star sign) which is related to your birth month.
2025 is the Year of the Snake.
The list and order of animals is based on the myth of a great race, featuring 12 animals.
The snake finished 6th ahead of the horse.
Some accounts suggest the snake startled the horse to finish ahead, but others say the snake wrapped itself around one of the horse’s hooves just before the finish line.
Interestingly (perhaps), my husband is a snake and I’m a horse.
I’m not quite sure what that says about us.
But he is 19 months older than me, so I guess that means he snuck ahead!
Each of the animals has its own characteristics or traits, again similar to star signs.
The snake’s traits are wise, softly-spoken, determined and fiery.
I’d give my husband 3/4.
I don’t think of him as particularly fiery.
But then he was born on St David’s Day which celebrates the patron saint of Wales, and the flag of Wales features… a red dragon.
Funnily enough, a dragon is also one of the zodiac animals – and it finished just ahead of the snake!
I love how when you start researching something you can go down all sorts of paths.
It’s like wandering around your mind sometimes.
The odd things that pop up.
‘Why am I thinking about that now?’
Many people say to me they can’t meditate because they can’t clear or still their minds.
The beauty is – you don’t have to…
Take notice of what random thoughts creep in.
Acknowledge them, and let them go.
If that sounds too simple, try this…
Notice what you are thinking, mentally nod to it and in your mind say the word ‘later’.
You can come back to it after your quiet time.
Now I’m off to explore what traits a horse has…
If interested you can find out about your zodiac animal here.
Happy Lunar New Year.
Ann 🙏