1. Excerpts from The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, by Theodora Lau.

A year for reflection, planning and searching answers... an auspicious year for commerce and industry. Solutions and compromises can be arrived at, but not without some mutual mistrust at first. Looking back into history, we find that the year of the Snake has never been tranquil. Perhaps this is because it is the strongest negative force in the cycle, and it follows the Dragon year, which is strongest positive one. These two signs are closely related and the calamities of the Snake years often resulted in excesses committed during the Dragon's reign.

The venerable wisdom of the Snake will be evident in many facets of our life, particularly in those requiring decisions. Although everything may look refreshingly quiet on the surface, the year of the Snake is always unpredictable. The Snake's cool and collected front hides the deep and mysterious ways of his nature. It should be noted that once the Snake uncoils to strike, he moves like lightening and nothing can stop him. Similarly, changes that occur during the Snake year can be as sudden...

Tread lightly and be more cautious this year. Gambling and speculation is strictly taboo. The consequences will be overwhelming. The Snake is not merciful.

Whatever else happens, the Snake will give us faith in our convictions and coerce us to act and to act forcefully during his reign. This is not a year for fence-sitters.

2. Excerpts from Tibetan Astrology, by Phillipe Cornu. [Buy this book]

Each of the elements embraces a number of meanings and correspondences: each has its inherent characteristics, etc...These allow the nature of each element to be defined, but it must not be forgotten that the elements never exist in isolation...

Iron is represented by a rapier or the point of the sword of Manjushri... It corresponds to evening, decline, the direction West, and autumn. It has all the characteristics of a blade: coldness, dryness, clarity, purity, firmness and sharpness. It is a symbol of integrity and justice and cuts through with resolution, but when rigid, it becomes destructive and impedes progress...Metal has two apects: although rigid and cutting as an ideal of justice, it is nonetheless a magnetic and joyful element, drawn by earthly delights...

The Snake is a deep thinker endowed with innate wisdom...a Snake knows how to change its skin and learns quickly from experience.

Also of Interest:

• More articles at the Feng Shui Directory.