Asp not what your country can do for you . . . for the elegant and understated snakes of the world, it is a year for creating your good luck rather than waiting for the wheel of fortune to turn your way and accidentally squash you flat. Use all those senses that non-snakes can only guess at to move laterally where you need to, and keep your distance from snake charmers. Where the year takes you is, er, in your hands.
West
Goldfish bowls
Grey
Snakes do not sneeze and neither should you. Small afflictions may tremble across your body, but a little proactive exercise and moderation in consumption will see them off as just the tremors of passing traffic. Your position on the Rod of Asclepius means you can be the source of your own healthy renewal and basilisk a little more in the sun.
This is not the year to swallow someone else’s large tale or snake oil, but it is the time to be your own best adder-ing machine. Your tendency to stare unblinking at people is sometimes mistaken as simple naivety; focus that stare on the calculations lining up in front of you and ensure that no one is skinning you alive. Why? Because the Misfortune and Dread Star is coming by and can accidentally knock your hard-earned morsels onto someone else.
The Heavenly Joy Star is visiting and it is time to slough off any remaining ill feelings and slide out from under any social rocks you have been lurking under and make your moves - even if they come in your unobtrusive concertina or side-winding approaches. If you already have enough love in your life, use this energy to improve relations with colleagues who might appreciate a less-than-hiss-trionic style.
With a bevy of auspicious stars hatching in your nest, make good use of your ability to pay close attention to detail and ride them up. Have a little more faith that prey will wander down your snake hole without you needing to go out and hunt for it, but once you catch that scent, you will need to dislocate your jaw and consume as much of it as you may.
Sorcerer: Dr James Greenbaum
Sorcerer's apprentice: Stella Liu
Wand bearer: Justin SL Chan
Director/Editor: Sandy Chen Dowling; Yukti Vidyarthi
Translation editor: Sandra Tsui
Design/Art: Cecilia Wong; Elva Lau; Lizzie Lau; Patrina Leung; Jon Berkeley
Web development: Paul Ngan; Timothy Wang
Video production: Alexandra Lee; Joy Zhou
Thanks to: Christina Qianna; Ellen Lo; Melanie Ng; Priscilla Man
Producer: Liz Patterson