The 2025 Annual Qi: A Yi Si Year, the year of the Wood Snake

The Five Period Qi is Inadequate Metal

The Six (Climactic) Qi is Jueyin (Wind)

The Heavenly Stem is Yi – Wood (2nd Stem) 

The Earthly Branch is Si – Fire (6th Branch)

In years ruled by inadequate Metal, Metal doesn’t control Wood, and the Fire element exerts a significant influence on Metal, which can create unseasonably warm and windy conditions. Whenever an element becomes excessive, the controlling element will ‘take revenge,’ which means in 2025, the Water Qi will respond adversely. This retaliatory effect can result in a Winter that is excessively cold, highlighting the complex balance between these natural elements.

Yi is the second stem of the Ten Heavenly Stems, symbolizing early growth and indicating a progression from the first stem, Jia. Jia represents the seed that rises from the Winter period, germinating before it manifests in Yi. Yi embodies Yin-Wood, signifying supple, upward growth as seen in young plants sprouting—full of life and ready to mature. It marks a time of youthful energy.

The year of the Snake, Si, is the sixth Branch of the Twelve Earthly Branches and signifies the final phase of Yang development before the onset of Yin growth. It corresponds to the time period of 9:00 am to 11:00 am, as well as the month of May transitioning into June. This period embodies the energy of early Summer, when Yang energies reach their peak and begin to yield to the rise of Yin, which occurs in the year’s second half. It represents the midpoint of the Twelve Earthly Branches cycle, a time of fruition and blossoming.

2025: Growth and Manifestation

The combination of the Yi and Si energies suggests that 2025 will be a year of great growth and manifestation. The Qi of early growth fuels the expression of Yang—Wood and Fire.

Jupiter and Mars are the planets associated with Wood and Fire. Having these powerhouse planets at play at any given time is worth a pause to examine what that really means.

Jupiter, representing the Wood aspect, amplifies everything, infusing generosity, growth, abundance, and optimism into all areas of life. However, there is a downside; these energies can lead to an “over-the-top” experience. Excessive exuberance can become problematic—more of everything isn’t always better. Linked to the Wood element and the Liver in the body, 2025 will be a year when it’s particularly beneficial to pay close attention to the state of the Liver and its related emotions, such as anger and frustration. The energy also lends itself well to much creativity, expansion, and growth within everything we set out to achieve.

Mars, representing the Fire aspect, suggests that 2025 will be a year of great action. The warrior Mars doesn’t remain still or calm; rather, it is the planet of action. For creative processes and for getting projects off the ground or completed, it is exactly what we need. Mars brings passion and a "get-it-done" attitude, but it can also be brash, careless, and sometimes reckless. As the planet most associated with war and conflict, its presence in the 2025 landscape indicates that there may be times when we need to ‘cool our jets,’ take a moment, and avoid unnecessary conflicts with others.

Jupiter, the planet of expansion and exuberant, over-the-top energy, combined with Mars, the God of war, is mildly unsettling. The positive view of what can occur when these energies come together would be that great things can be accomplished. Existing structures/entities can be expanded, new ideas and concepts can show themselves, growth comes easily. The flip side, of course, is that the expansive warrior vibe can lead to great conflicts, destruction, and burnout. Sometimes there can be just too much of a good thing.

A Look Back to 1965 – 60 Years Ago

Looking back to 1965, we can see it was a year full of big events – both positive and negative – which is consistent with the combination of energies from Jupiter and Mars. 

Here are some key events that occurred during 1965:

• Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States, and signed the Voting Rights Act into law later that year

• Both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones launched world tours

• The first American spacewalk took place

• Medicare and Medicaid were founded by way of the Social Security Act

• Days of our Lives debuts on TV

• Fashion got bold with hot, bright, flamboyant colors

• Malcom X was assassinated

• Construction began on the Sydney Opera House

• The St. Louis Arch was completed

• "Bloody Sunday” race riots occurred in Selma, Alabama, spurred by marches led by Martin Luther King Jr.

• The Sound of Music premiered in New York City

• The US sent Marines to the Vietnam war for the first time as the war entered its 10th year

• Canada adopted the maple leaf flag

• On Palm Sunday, excessive tornado activity broke out in the Midwest – 47 tornadoes killed 271 people

• NBC’s the Today Show began to broadcast in color

• NASA’s Mariner 4 passes close to Mars

• The Green Bay Packers were the NFL champs

• The Los Angeles Dodgers were the MLB champs

• Winston Churchill passed at age 90

• At the 37th Academy Awards, My Fair Lady won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director

The Huangdi nei jing, a foundational text in traditional Chinese medicine, indicates that each year is influenced by specific climatic factors determined by the combination of Stems and Branches in the Chinese calendar. In years dominated by the second Stem, Yi, along with the sixth Branch, Si, the year’s climatic effect manifests as Jueyin (Wind) during the first half, promoting growth and movement, while the second half transitions to Shaoyang (Fire), which signifies warmth, transformation, and energy. Understanding these influences can guide us in staying balanced and healthy throughout any given year.

Each year, the characteristics of the seasons can vary significantly. For instance, in certain years, Spring or Summer may experience unusual weather patterns such as colder or wetter conditions, or, conversely, might be excessively hot. Similarly, Winters can also present extreme variations, with some locations experiencing exceptionally frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall. Understanding these seasonal fluctuations is essential for preparing for potential impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, and daily living.

An explanation for this seasonal phenomenon is found in the Huangdi nei jing chapter 74, in which we learn that for each year, there is a Guest Qi for each of the regular seasons. The presence and order of the Guest Qi is determined by the year’s Earthly Branch.

In 2025, the Guest Qi cycle is as follows:

Host                                         Guest

Jueyin (Spring, Wind)                Yangming (Dryness)

Shaoyin (early Summer) Heat     Taiyang (Cold)

Shaoyang (Summer, Fire)           Jueyin (Wind)

Taiyin (late Summer, Damp)        Shaoyin (Heat)

Yangming (Autumn, Dryness)     Taiyin (Damp)

Taiyang (Winter, Cold)               Shaoyang (Fire)