Losar: Tibetan New Year

2025.02.28 kicks off the Year of the Female Wood Snake

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Maximum Demo
February 28, 2025

I always took Western astrology with a grain of salt but, since I first visited Dharamsala’s Mentseekhang (Medical & Astrological Institute) in 1991 and got a free consultation & diagnosis from a Tibetan doctor, I have had great faith in the insights and power of Tibetan doctors and medicine. The doc astounded me with what he knew about my mental & physical state, just by holding my wrists, feeling my pulse, and looking at my face & tongue.

You noted that this one institute trains both doctors and astrologers, right? Is it not astounding (to a Westerner, anyway) that Tibetan doctors and astrologers start out taking the same classes, and then go on to specialize in either medicine or astrology? Explained at mentseekhang.org/relationship-between-tibetan-medicine-and-astrology, ”Unlike most medical systems, especially the modern-day and dominant allopathic school, traditional Tibetan Medicine is not only related to traditional Tibetan Astro-Science, but both these ancient systems are based on the same basic fundamentals of the five elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. The elements are to be understood according to their functional properties rather than literally. The Earth element provides solidity, the Water element imparts moisture, the Fire element bestows heat, the Air element powers mobility and the Space element offers room for development.  Since it is the wish of every sentient being to be happy, it becomes very important to know what we are actually made up of in the first place, and then what causes a person to be unhealthy.

“We are nothing but the union of our ‘body’ and ‘consciousness’. The body is composed of the five elements (said to be flawless seeds from father and mother), sustained by those five elements and afflicted by the same elements when they are either in an augmented, exhausted or agitated state. Another factor, which, according to the Buddhist view is more influential than the physical body, is the mental faculty which when in a disturbed state causes us to feel unhappy.

“In a nutshell, Tibetan Medicine provides various preventive remedies in forms of diet and behaviour, and curative remedies in the forms of medicine and external therapy, in order to treat and pacify the disturbed state of the elements. On the other hand, Tibetan Astro-Science analyses the elements according to their mother-son-enemy-friend and self relationships, and indicates remedies in the form of personalized pujas and mantras, protective amulets, rituals and counseling. These remedies are calculated to pacify any negative energy.”

Now you know why I have faith in Tibetan astrology, and suggest that you give it a look. Following are excerpts from termatree.com/blogs/termatree/tibetan-year-of-the-wood-snake-2025-what-can-this-mean-for-you

“The Tibetan calendar is a unique lunisolar system that combines lunar months with the solar year to measure time. It holds significant importance in Tibetan Buddhist culture, with each year linked to one of the twelve animals of the Tibetan zodiac and one of the five elements.

“The Year of the Wood Snake will combine the traits of the Snake with the nurturing and growth-focused qualities of the Wood element…[creating] a unique energetic dynamic…an atmosphere that encourages both intellectual and spiritual development, positioning 2025 as a year for thoughtful planning, the exploration of new ideas, and the nurturing of long-term aspirations. The blend of the Snake's careful nature and the Wood's vibrant energy indicates that success will be achieved by balancing patience with growth, enabling consistent progress while keeping future goals in sight.”

Details for everyone’s specific zodiac signs can be found on the website, but “general tips for all signs are to stay grounded: meditation and mindfulness practices can help align your energy with the transformative nature of the Snake; cultivate relationships: focus on authenticity and open communication in all of your connections; and seek growth: embrace opportunities for personal and professional development. The Year of the Wood Snake brings a period of transformation, wisdom, and renewal. By tapping into the energy of the Snake, you can let go of old habits and embrace personal growth.”