The Snake and the Five Elements
The Snake: A Fire Sign
The Snake is of the Fire element. Generally, the Fire element determines a very strong sense of confidence, leadership and a strong personality. People born under the Fire element will be seen and heard; they will be active, social, confident and very capable of holding their own.
The Metal Snake – 1941, 2001
The steely Metal Snake will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He has an especially strong desire for beautiful, fine things – much of his effort and focus will be towards securing wealth and material luxuries around him. His sharpness in finance makes him all the more able to handle money well, and pounce quietly but quickly on good investments with the returns necessary to sustain his good life.
This is the most secretive, independent and wily of all the Snakes. With his incredible focus and life-long determination, his intelligent ways are heightened, making him one of the most powerful, driven signs. Be careful not to step on his tail – he isn’t one to give up on his pursuits easily and it won’t be pretty if he turns his sights onto getting back at you. Competitive and possessive by nature, the Metal Snake will do everything he can to remain on top.
Because he becomes easily fixated on achieving his goals – be they good or bad – the Metal Snake is automatically suspicious and wary of anyone who may threaten his position and progress. Snakes already find it difficult to trust others; the Metal Snake often has impenetrable steel bars around him which may make it difficult to communicate with him.
Life Lessons:
The Metal Snake needs to understand that not everyone is out to get him. His Metal element makes him a very good leader who can achieve great goals, but he must realise that he can accomplish more if he only let more people in to help him instead of alienating them.
The Water Snake – 1953, 2013
Very intelligent and astute like most Snakes, the Water Snake is also able to handle many things at once. He has broad interests (and will excel in all of them) with a sharp, discerning ability to discover good projects with good financial returns. This flexibility combines with the naturally intuitive nature of the Snake to make him especially capable in dealing with people, situations and money. He has great people skills and will capitalize on the Snake’s natural charm to draw people to him. Any organisation would do well to have a Snake, who will be able to manage both the company’s interests and people to produce beneficial results.
Like the flow of water steadily running its course, the Water Snake has clear goals and strong, determined tenacity to see it through. This is the more patient of the Snakes who makes the most of a quiet external façade to accomplish what he has willfully set his mind to on the inside. There isn’t much that will be able to distract or derail a Water Snake from his goals. However, the Water element also softens the Snake’s stubbornness, so he will be more practical and open than other Snakes; he’ll also be a friendlier fellow to deal with.
Life Lessons:
The steady, lifelong determination of a Water Snake can also be destructive if he focuses it on the wrong things – to extract revenge or hold on to ill feelings. The Water Snake should make the most of his flexible nature and learn to let go, be more forgiving and make allowance for mistakes – this will improve his relationships and cause him less stress.
The Wood Snake – 1965, 2025
The Wood Snake makes the most of his magnetism and is the most approachable and friendly of all the Snakes. While most other Snakes stay quite guarded, this Snake is expressive, creative and communicative. The tenacity of the Snake comes through here in the most beneficial way – he channels it towards relationships, valuing long-lasting friendships and emotional stability. By these virtues, it is easy for this Snake to attract the things that he needs for what he wishes to accomplish – friends, resources and finances come easily to him.
In spite of this however, he is not complacent. He is resourceful and has set a life-long mission to continuously gain knowledge and put it immediately and fully into practice, so as to improve his own and others’ lives. This Snake will have an above-average ability to absorb new information, assimilate and analyse it so it can be used to its fullest potential.
By his effortless charm and strong presence, it is not unusual for Wood Snakes to be famous personalities who draw large followings and fans. Their drive for recognition means that they pay equal attention to both their external appearance as well as accomplishing goals they’ve set internally. He also has exceptional taste and likes to surround himself with beautiful things – art, good interior design, accessories. As he is a more sociable Snake, he will become a very great friend to many and be able to share much wisdom and advice. This Snake is not egoistic or selfish about sharing what he has with others.
Life Lessons:
Though he is about to take on many things and befriend many people, the Wood Snake must be careful not to overstretch his limits for it could have adverse affects on his stress and health. He also needs to be careful not to become too materialistic or caught up in external riches.
The Fire Snake – 1917, 1977
This is one of the most intense Snakes, with an exceptional drive, ambition and passion in everything he does – good and bad. He is outgoing, adventurous and very capable in all he does.
The Fire Snake has a particularly magnetic draw about him and an independent sense of leadership that inspires confidence in others. He knows what he’s doing and he makes sure you know it too. There aren’t many signs that are as confident and able as this one. He is also very intuitive, with a high emotional quotient that enables him to lead others and hold a crowd. He would do very well in areas like politics or PR, while his dynamism and intense charisma would bring him great success in the public arena – as a performer, for example.
Armed with a tremendous amount of energy, the Fire Snake is powerful and forceful – this drives him to accomplish great things, particularly what will win him fame, wealth and authority. If he’s got his sights set on something, it must be something big and impressive and he will make sure he achieves it, no matter how ruthless he must be to get there. Many will respect him for his amazing determination and passion alone.
However, this intensity can also alienate people around him. So set in his ways and very possessive over his own interests, the Fire Snake instinctively becomes guarded and suspicious of anyone who may threaten his path. He is quick to lash out at anyone who may not conform to his standards or ideals, and can become overly dominating.
Life Lessons:
The Fire Snake must learn more patience and create more peace in his life. The intensity with which he conducts everything – from his relationships to friendships to work – will cause a great strain both to himself and those around him. He should also learn to work more humbly with others or he risks driving them away.
The Earth Snake – 1929, 1989
The Earth element in this Snake makes him the most tempered and reasonable. He is still passionate in his endeavours but not at the intensity of other Snakes. As he is more grounded and level-headed, he is able to make good decisions and accurate observations. He’s not as hot-headed and more able to work through tasks with perseverance and discipline.
The root sign of the Snake bestows strong leadership characteristics and the Earth Snake certainly lives up to this quality. His earthy, practical and dependable nature makes him very capable at managing people and situations, and finding quick, effective solutions to problems. His analytical sharpness and ability to handle finances very well will also ensure that he can lead a team to stability and success.
The Earth Snake is also more able than most Snakes to get down to grass roots and cooperate with others. He is charming and warm, and more sensitive to the people around him. This, combined with his effortless leadership, sincerity, loyalty and reliability means that he will never be short of friends and people willing to rally around to support his endeavours.
Life Lessons:
Because the Earth Snake is so careful in making decisions, he may be slowed down in managing or reacting to crucial situations. In times like these, he needs to be able to open up more and listen to others’ input, and not insist on following only his own way. While sensitivity to others is a good quality, he needs to learn how to control his own emotions – if not, he’ll be easily offended and become quickly discouraged if anyone opposes him.
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
I jus want to know bout the marriage with my boyfriend he is fire rabbit and I am earth snake.though we are at distance relationship and we are facing so many difficulties and its really hard sometimes if we think practically.families are also not that much satisfied with this relation as he is nt near.some times feel like giving up.but sumwhere there is a hope that both of us haven’t done sum thing wrong to the people and our love is so pure n true,we r committed to each other n never cheated..so I jus want to know how the mo is between him n mine as we have to face lot of difficulties to be together in future. My mewa is 2 n his is mewa 4.
I am confused on the snake that I am. I was am born in the year of 2002, so what element snake am I? I was always wondering this. I was also born before the Chinese new year in 2002. If you can get back to me that would be great.
Forgot to mention thanks!! and have a great day! =)
. I am a earth snake but don’t have any snake quality. I always have less confidence so that people used me for their gains. And also torchored me. I never won when I fought for my and someone. And the problem is after having so many affairs a sheep comes to my life and loves me truly. And I also love him truly and want to live him. As everybody says that sheep’s gentle okay but my one is also rude he say abusive words to me. As his family don’t like me and also they engaged him with a girl.. He wanted to spent time with me but not marriage.
As recently his father had suffered from serious illness. And he is blaming me and abusing me.. He wants to have quality time with me but how can I say yes… If I know he is engaged with other girl.. And if his engagement broke where is my fault..
I started to leave away when he got engaged. But I love him then I always message him and call. I want him to come back to me. But I also think am I wrong.. He will not marry me against his parents just want to spent time with me. Please suggest me ..
Sheep man match is Pig I heard.
But why I am deeply in love with him that I only want to marry him. And waiting for him
Dear Niky,
Welcome to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s blog and thank you for comment. Firstly, I’m really sorry to hear about your relationship issues. Please do note that although Horoscopes and Astrology are just a guide to help better understand oneself and they will not always be 100% accurate. There are also other factors involve like one’s time of birth and especially what we Buddhist believe in “karma”. Our karma determines and shapes our life and the results and experiences we have daily, yet karma can change depending on our mind and our actions.
Karma is the Sanskrit word for action. One can think of karma as the spiritual equivalent of Newton’s Law of Motion. “For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction.” Basically, when we exhibit a negative force in thought, word, or action, that negative energy will come back to us.
However, karma is not meant to be a punishment. It is present for the sake of education, to help us learn and improve from the mistakes we’ve done. So you will need to understand more about karma and from there you will perhaps begin to understand your situation a little better.
To understand more about karma I would like to recommend you to read these blog post in this order, which I hope will be able to help you understand how things in our life work a little better:
1) 12 Little Known Law of Karma that Will Change Your Life
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/12-little-known-law-of-karma-that-will-change-your-life.html
2) Karma and the Law of Attraction
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/karma-and-the-law-of-attraction.html
3) Discovering Yourself: A Teaching on Karma & Mindstream
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/discovering-yourself-a-teaching-on-karma-mindstream.html
However, you also mentioned that your boyfriend is abusive and is also engaged with someone else? If this is the case, my advice would be for you to please let go of this relationship because it only serves to create more pain than happiness for both sides, for you, your boyfriend and his fiance. For you to continue a relationship with this man who already is engaged with another person is not appropriate, or considered positive action. This would not create good positive results/karma for you, instead negative karma and results. Hence, it can only result to more suffering and pain for everyone. Your strong attachment to this man could only mean you probably have a karmic debt to pay back, and it looks like it is not over due to the strong feelings. This is again something to do with the laws of karma. As we Buddhist believe in past lives, we would say maybe you did something to him in the past and now in this life, it is as if you owe him something, hence you feel strongly attached. This is why you feel hard to let go or get out of a relationship with him. Hence, the dilemma. But personally I would advice you to forget this relationship and just move on with your life. Find someone more suitable (not in a relationship with another) as well as not so abusive towards you.
If you were in engage with someone, I am sure you would not like if another girl is seeing your partner and betraying you even before your marriage, right? That would not be right. So why give this pain to another woman? Also a man who is abusive is not someone you should expect a happy life with. You deserve happiness and someone better, and you should have some self worth. It is not too late and the power is within you to change your situation because you are not stuck or fully committed to him yet. Personally this is my advice to you and I truly hope it helps you make the right decision for your own happiness.
Since you have an interest in things such as horoscope readings, you may also like to check out our Numerology sectiion with calculators. Many have said it is quite accurate, perhaps you would like to read more about what your karmic debts are, if you have one based on your life path number… https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/numerology/karmic-debt-number.html
Again thank you for your comment and I wish you all the best of luck in solving your relationship. Take good care of yourself and make the right positive decision that does not hurt anyone and create more pain and suffering for you and others.
Dear Rinpoche, I am very new to the lineage of Vajrarana Buddhism as I was exposed mainly to Theravada Buddhism since year 2000. However I was very attracted to Mother Green Tara and Medicine Buddha but I have to honestly confess that I am rather overwhelmed with the different Buddhas and Bodhisattvas during my recent visit to Kechara House on your birthday. A few of us came from Singapore as we wanted to listen to your Dhamma talk and hopefully have a glimpse of you or the good fortune to be under the same roof as you, to feel your presence. Imagine our shock when you decided to, for a change to be answering questions from the audience rather than give a sermon. I was praying that there be lots of questions so we can get as much teachings as possible and fortunately we got more than we bargain for! You have imparted much teachings and i was really glad that we have made the trip. Please allow me to make a small suggestion as we were seated downstairs at the Care room watching the real time video, I was thinking if there were people who had burning questions but do not have a chance to ask, or could be intimidated or shy to ask, but maybe if small slips of paper could be passed around, there could be a lot more questions that evening. We could then learn more from Rinpoche.. A new found friend who is also a fellow Singaporean, who is based in Malaysia, was surprised that we came all the way from Singapore to come to Rinpoche’s Dhamma talk. I was sharing with her that our human life is very short, and precious, we should within our lifetime, while we are still able and healthy, listen to more teachings and practise. Hunger for the Dhamma is essential, and also a priority. I am very happy that you will be conducting the meditation retreat, and am looking forward. We hope you could, out of your extremely busy schedule, and out of compassion for your disciples, conduct the retreat real soon for it is with these retreats, that we often experience true bliss and happiness. I could relate and understand why your birthday wish is to go away and meditate, alone. Be away from all these activities. With that, I humbly look forward to the upcoming retreat. And I hope it is open to Singaporeans as well! 😉
Oh, and one more bouquet before signing off, kudos to your team, everyone, from the staff at the Media and publication who brought the 4 really lost people over to the centre, Gim Lee whom brought us around Kechara house, explaining patiently to the us, and to the sales staff at the different outlets, they were all so warm, friendly and inviting. We felt so welcome over there, thank you and your team for the fantastic experience..
Have a great week Rinpoche.