On Jan. 29, the page will turn in the Lunar calendar, ushering out the Year of the Dragon and ushering in the Year of the Snake.
We spoke to Paul Ng, a geomancer — a specialized kind of prophecy based on the patterns in a handful of dirt — and philosopher whose Lunar New Year forecasts are highly sought after, both at home in Canada and abroad.
This coming year is a Wood Snake year, says Ng, who explains that each year is represented by one of the five elements — fire, earth, metal, water and wood — and one of 12 animals from the zodiac. (Ng also stresses that this is just one small part of the complicated calculus he uses for his predictions for a year.)
“The snake means getting things done. In general, a dragon is a sign to create ideas and the snake is a sign to complete ideas,” he says. “That means a lot of talk, but the action is this year.”
Because it’s a Wood Snake year (also called a Green Snake, says Ng), that means we should look to what the serpent does in nature: shed its old skin for a new one.
“That means a major change for the world. Ideas, ways of doing things, politics, economics will all see enormous changes,” he says.
As for whether those are good or bad changes? “If there’s no change, there’s no opportunity,” says Ng, who also notes that it’s a year that will begin turbulently, but settle down eventually.
Read on for Ng’s high-level predictions for each zodiac sign’s year ahead.
The Snake
(Born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)
“Typical snake people are concerned about security, especially financial security,” says Ng. “But when they decide to get things done, they get things done. Never upset a snake person!” A glimpse at history, he adds, will reveal that a lot of world leaders tend to be born under this most charming zodiac sign. (Taylor Swift, anyone?)
Work and career
It’s a very good year for travel, says Ng, and particularly advantageous if you work in logistics, sales and marketing, and politics.
Romance, love and relationships
Romance and finance share a similar stable, steady but without major opportunities forecast.
Health and wellness
This year, Ng advises that Snake people “exercise better and don’t take dangerous movements, because they’re prone to accidents and small illnesses.” (He’s particularly worried about falls and traffic-related injuries.)
The Horse
(Born in 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)
The headline here, says Ng, is “people relations and romance.” If you’re a Horse person looking for love — or even just a blossoming of your social life — the portents bode well for you this year. In fact, Ng says this is a good year for singles to get married. Horses, blessed with a “spiritual mind” and boosted creativity this year, should also steer clear of too much pie-in-the-sky dreaming in 2025. “They sometimes have too many ideas,” says Ng. “So they should tie down those ideas to make them practical.”
Work and career
Careerwise, it’s looking good for you if you’re in a people-focused field, like public relations or human resources.
Romance, love and relationships
In addition to those aforementioned good vibes for singles, Ng says it’s a year when the coupled up will “enjoy enhanced affection.”
Health and wellness
If there’s anything Horses should watch out for, Ng says, it’s “minor accidents, because they can be too active.”
The Sheep (also known as Goat)
(Born in 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)
Sheep, sometimes called goats or rams, tend to be artistically minded, excelling in things like design. Conveniently, it’s a great year for that, especially if you’re planning anything, although Ng does caution that career success will also come with “significant effort” in 2025. “If you’re an artist, actor, musician, designer, you should do well,” he says. Try and stay away from “negative places, like burial grounds,” adds Ng.
Work and career
It’s also a great year to be working in fields like philosophy, religion or anything in the funeral business. As mentioned, however, you’ll work hard for that success.
Romance, love and relationships
“Stable” and “long lasting” if you’re in a relationship, but no significant romantic opportunities if you’re not.
Health and wellness
It’s a year for good overall health, but try not to overdo things.
The Monkey
(Born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)
“Monkey people like to work by themselves. They’re very analytical, so they make good analysts or researchers,” says Ng, who cautions against giving in too much to that natural tendency to seclusion this year. “Try to balance both (a social life and being alone).” It may be a year of frequent changes that require self-reliance. On a positive note, however, eureka moments may be in your future. “Create new ideas from your research,” says Ng.
Work and career
In public relations or research? It’s looking good for you or anyone else who excels at solving problems independently.
Romance, love and relationships
No big changes, but you might find yourself inclined toward solitude.
Health and wellness
Keep an eye out for potential issues with your lungs or kidneys.
The Rooster
(Born in 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)
You’re in luck, Roosters! This, per Ng, is a very auspicious year for you. “They’ve got help everywhere,” he says. “Roosters and snakes form a golden connection, so it’s the best sign of the 12 signs. It’s a very creative year and very good with money. Their investments should do well,” he says. “Watch out for jealousy from people. Keep a low-key profile and don’t be too abrasive.”
Work and career
You’re in for “considerable income,” especially if you’re in entertainment or banking, and career prospects are strong, especially in fields like creative writing and HR.
Romance, love and relationships
It’s a great year for relationships too, although Ng cautions against romantic entanglements and possible backstabbing.
Health and wellness
You’ll have good general health, but watch out for overexertion.
The Dog
(Born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)
This year will be about harmony and relationships: romantic, platonic or professional, says Ng. “For example, if you’re in the event management business, you should do well.” It’s a year that will be shaped by “dealing more with people instead of being behind a desk,” he adds. Don’t let yourself get carried away by your social magnetism, however. Ng cautions against “too many relationships, not being loyal enough.”
Work and career
It’s looking good for teachers, marketers or anyone in wedding-adjacent fields.
Romance, love and relationships
While vibes are good, keep an eye out for “minor arguments” and pack your patience.
Health and wellness
Avoid minor accidents by taking your time and not rushing.
The Pig
(Born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)
The most spiritual of the signs will have a year of “mobility,” says Ng. “The more mobile, the better.” Think: Lots of travel and good fortune if you’re in international business, but also good omens for anyone involved in creative or spiritual work. (Pig people, notes Ng, tend to make good writers.) At the same time, the Pig and Snake traditionally are opposites, which is why Ng advises being conservative with your finances and staying away from anything speculative. Also, try not to rush!
Work and career
Fortune also smiles on those in religion, philosophy or education.
Romance, love and relationships
Look out for possible friction in your romantic entanglements. Tolerance will be your friend.
Health and wellness
You might find yourself more susceptible to illness and accidents this year. Get lots of rest!
The Rat
(Born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)
When it comes to romance, rat is “the number one out of all 12 signs,” says Ng. “It’s a year of love. Rats and Snakes get along very well, so there’s a connection there.” If you’re coupled up, expect a harmonious year. If you’re single now, you might not be this time next year. This year is also auspicious for money. “Financially, you should do well,” he says. Be on your guard, however, for getting in over your head. “Watch out for gambling too much, not knowing your limit,” says Ng.
Work and career
In entertainment or the finance industry? The stars bode well for you.
Romance, love and relationships
Congratulations! You’ve got “strong financial luck” in the year to come.
Health and wellness
Drive carefully, cautions Ng.
The Ox
(Born in 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)
“Hard work” will be the watchword for people born in the year of the Ox. “You will be dedicated with a lot of jobs,” says Ng, noting that the Ox and the Snake get on well. “But, the hard work will pay off because it will make them money.” If you’re an accountant or work in the finance department, he adds, you could do particularly well. All this focus on work, of course, comes with its risks: Overtaxing yourself, putting a strain on relationships. Steer clear of risky investments, like bitcoin, adds Ng. “More down-to-earth investments would be good.” Real estate, for example.
Work and career
If you’re in a job where “power generates wealth,” like working for yourself or managing other people, the vibes are auspicious.
Romance, love and relationships
Arguments — maybe because you’re working so much — may abound.
Health and wellness
Watch out for burnout from all that working. Also accidents.
The Tiger
(Born in 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)
If there’s one thing that will go well for a Tiger this year, it’s anything involving talking. “If they are a salesman, a speaker, a preacher, they will do well,” says Ng, who also notes that it’s a good year for car-related endeavours. (Car salesperson? Have a YouTube reviewing automobiles? Could be a bumper year.) Surgeons and chefs, by the way, are also tipped to do well. While you should watch out for arguments, expect a fairly stable, steady year in your relationships. Ditto your finances, which could benefit from travelling somehow. (Is this the year you make it big as a globe-trotting TED talker?!) However: Ng cautions against overpromising with all this chat of yours. “I’ve seen a lot of people talk a lot,” he says. “They promise the moon and they get nothing.”
Work and career
As mentioned: Expect good things if you’re in the automotive industry, surgery, or any job that involves a lot of talking.
Romance, love and relationships
Steady, with a slight chance of tiffs.
Health and wellness
Safety first! You could be prone to injuries.
The Rabbit
(Born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)
“Scholarship and logic” will be the theme of the year for those born in the sign of the Rabbit in 2025.
“They will make good teachers, professors, educators,” says Ng. “They could get themselves famous, especially in the academic field.” (If you’re an academic, for example, this might be the year you publish that paradigm-shifting paper.) At the same time, it’s an auspicious year for relationships, so keep an eye out for help from benefactors. New opportunities could await, although they come through you turning misfortune into fortune, says Ng. Oh, and watch your driving. “They are prone to accidents. Drive carefully!”
Work and career
It’s also a good year for Rabbits in tech and HR.
Romance, love and relationships
Good news: “Strong romantic luck” awaits.
Health and wellness
Try to avoid “intense activities.”
The Dragon
(Born in 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)
This “very creative” sign should expect a year of contrasts, says Ng. “You will work alone, but you’ll do lots of partying,” he says. “It’s a party sign, a happiness sign. So very outgoing, very vocal.” Compared to last year, it will be a better year for relationships — Snakes and Dragons are compatible, you see — but there could be a tendency to loneliness all the same. “Try to be more social,” he says.
Work and career
It’s looking particularly good if you’re in medicine, food, entertainment or celebratory gigs.
Romance, love and relationships
This year will be “stable but unremarkable.”
Health and wellness
Look out for “health issues.”
