Welcoming Spring and the Year of the Wood Snake
The Gregorian calendar marks the new year on January 1st, but many traditions honor seasonal cycles more closely aligned with the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. These cycles offer a deeper sense of harmony with nature, reminding us to reflect, reset, and reconnect with the flow of life.
Two celestial events are particularly significant in early 2025: the first new moon and the Earth's position along the ecliptic in its orbit around the sun.
The ecliptic is divided into 360 degrees, representing the Earth’s orbit, with specific degrees correlating to key seasonal markers. In the Northern Hemisphere:
The Winter Solstice occurs at 270 degrees (the sun’s southernmost point).
The Spring Equinox occurs at 0 degrees (when day and night are equal).
The midpoint, or “cross-quarter day,” at 315 degrees, marks the transition from winter to spring.
This 315-degree position aligns with Imbolc in the Celtic tradition and Lìchūn (立春), the "Start of Spring," in the Chinese solar calendar.
The Lunar New Year and Lìchūn
In 2025, the Lunar New Year starts with the new moon on January 29th. This marks the start of the Year of the Yin Wood Snake, a time characterized by introspection, transformation, and steady growth.
Locally, you can celebrate by attending the Lantern Viewing Festival at the Portland Chinese Garden. Don’t forget about the awesome Portland Winter Light Festival that happens February 7th to the 15th, as another way you might enjoy this time with friends and family.
Just a few days after the Lunar New Year, the Chinese solar calendar marks Lìchūn (立春) on February 3rd, 2025. Lìchūn signals the very beginning of spring’s energy, the arrival of Yang energy and the first stirrings of growth. In ancient China, this was the start of the agricultural year, when fields were prepared, seeds were blessed, and rituals were performed to ensure a fruitful harvest.
The Snake, Yin Fire, and the Spleen
In Chinese astrology, the Earthly Branch we call Snake (巳, sì) is associated with Yin Fire and governs the time of day from 9–11 AM, a period ruled by the Spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
The Spleen, part of the Earth element, performs a critical role in digestion and transformation, breaking down food to extract Qi (energy) and Blood. This function carries a distinctly "fiery" quality, emphasizing its transformative power. The Spleen also has a close relationship with the Heart (Yin Fire), reflected in their shared connection to the tongue, and they work together to ensure the smooth flow of nourishment and circulation throughout the body.
Beyond its physical functions, the Spleen governs the Intellect (Yì, 意), our ability to process and organize thoughts. Emotionally, it is associated with worry or overthinking (思, Sī), which can lead to stagnation when excessive. The Snake’s Yin Fire energy during this time of day reminds us of the importance of transformation and preparation, both physically and mentally.
The Snake also invites reflection on how we “digest” not only food but also information, emotions, and experiences. In a world of constant information overload, this is a season for spring cleaning and purification, not just of physical spaces but also of the mental and emotional inputs that shape our lives. By simplifying and clarifying what we consume, we prepare a metaphorical garden bed to nurture what will sustain us for the rest of the year.
The Heavenly Stem: Yin Wood (Yǐ, 乙)
The Yin Wood part of this year, represented by the Heavenly Stem Yǐ (乙), adds another layer of depth. Yin Wood embodies qualities of softness, adaptability, and quiet growth, much like a vine or small tree. Its energy emphasizes patience, diplomacy, and resilience, encouraging us to grow steadily even in challenging circumstances.
Yin Wood fosters kindness, compassion, and creativity, supporting thoughtfulness and emotional depth. When balanced, it allows us to adapt gracefully; when out of balance, it may lead to indecision or oversensitivity.
Together, the Yin Wood Snake invites a year of preparation, introspection, and quiet, transformative work. This is not yet the time for outward expansion, but rather a season for nurturing the beginnings of growth, both internally and externally.
Imbolc: The Celtic Celebration of Spring
Around the same time, the Druidic festival of Imbolc is celebrated on February 1st. Part of the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Imbolc marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Like Lìchūn, it celebrates the first signs of spring, longer days, the return of light, and the stirring of life beneath the earth. Imbolc is a time for purification and preparation, traditionally honoring the goddess Brigid, who represents fertility, creativity, and healing.
In pre-modern times, taking simple, light meals around Imbolc often reflected scarcity of winter stores, but it was also embraced as a spiritual practice to attune to the earth’s cycles. This lighter eating also reflected letting go of the old to make space for the new, both physically and emotionally.
Lìchūn and Imbolc remind us to attune to nature's rhythms, reflecting on the cycles of growth and renewal that begin to emerge during this transitional time.
Spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring corresponds to the Liver, which governs the smooth flow of energy (Qi) throughout the body. As spring begins, you might notice vivid dreams, neck tension, headaches, irritability, or difficulty prioritizing tasks, signs of Liver Qi stagnation.
The Wood element, associated with spring, embodies the virtues of growth and compassion. This season invites us to practice kindness toward ourselves and others. Journaling, gentle movement, and moments of rest can help reset our energy. Acts of kindness, whether volunteering, sending notes of appreciation, or listening mindfully, help us connect with the expansive energy of spring.
Aligning with the Energy of Spring
Spring encourages us to move, cleanse, and grow. Recently, I’ve noticed many people in my clinic struggling with this seasonal transition. The pulses often feel superficial, something more typical of summer, reflecting the challenge of balancing rest and activity during these early stirrings of spring.
To support this transition, I’ve been using acupuncture points to bring energy inward and help quiet the mind. Inspired by sound healing practices I observed in Nepal, I’ve also been incorporating C and D notes, which resonate with the body’s lower energy centers. These sounds can be found on Spotify under root and sacral chakra frequencies and offer a wonderful way to settle the mind and body.
Rest during this time doesn’t just mean sleeping. It also includes setting boundaries, like limiting social media use with tools like the Refocus app to 30–45 minutes per day, and engaging in gentle outdoor activities. Walks, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, stretching, and yoga are ideal, but it’s important to dress warmly, covering your head and neck and keeping your feet and legs warm, as sweating is contraindicated during spring in TCM.
Reflect and Plan with the free Year Compass
To deepen my connection to the season, I really love using The Year Compass, a free booklet designed to help you reflect on the past year and plan for the next. Set aside a couple of hours with a warm cup of tea (I love Two-Spirit Medicinals tea, available locally at Clary Sage Herbarium), and perhaps light a candle to honor the returning light.
You can download the YearCompass booklet here. Whether done alone or with friends, this process encourages mindfulness and intention as you prepare for the year ahead.
The Lunar New Year and the start of spring remind us to embrace cycles of growth and renewal. Whether reflecting with the Year Compass, purifying your home, moving your body, or practicing acts of kindness, these practices connect us to the rhythms of the earth and its unfolding transformation.