Year of the Snake: Shedding Fear, Embracing Growth, and Transforming Through Serpent Energy
The ?Lunar New Year just ushered in the Year of the Snake?, a symbol of transformation, wisdom, and renewal. In many traditions, the snake represents shedding old skin—letting go of the past to make way for new growth.
It’s a time for deep introspection, releasing fears, and trusting the unknown. Just as a snake must navigate the darkness and rub up against rough edges to shed its skin, we, too, are invited to move through discomfort as part of our personal evolution.
I had a profound snake initiation of my own.
From Fear to Trust: My Serpent Ceremony Experience
Like many people, I’ve been deathly afraid of snakes my entire life. To the point where it would impact my ability to truly enjoy a hike or fully surrender to nature when I’m out at our ranch in Idaho.
Rattlesnakes are a real part of life there and one that I’ve been avoiding yet fearing forever.
Once I knew we were going to migrate out west in our tiny home more permanently, it was time to put energy and intention toward healing that fear.
And I KNEW I needed to work with my soul sister, Lola, who has been working with the medicine of serpents —demonstrating their beauty and power through dance and connection.
When I finally got the urge to reach out, she immediately responded that I was invited to join her and three other powerful female healers that night for a Serpent Ceremony at her retreat space.
I didn’t think it would be THAT VERY SAME DAY, but of course, it was divine timing…
That week, I pulled the snake card from my oracle deck and wrote on my manifestation board that this month was about shedding.
That night was the perfect setting and circumstances for me to truly do the work in a way that felt safe to be scared and filled with possibility.
Lola started by explaining how snakes go into the darkness to shed their skin—needing to rub up against rough edges to release the old ultimately. And how we would be shedding with them in the ceremony—letting go of what no longer serves us.
She showed us how the snakes respond to our energy and are here to help us. She demonstrated how to dance but not perform with them on our bodies. And then she brought the snakes forward into the practice for each of us.
Thank goodness she had a baby boa, Chica for me to start with. Only a few feet long and about the width of my pointer finger.
(sweet Chica)
I held her in my hands, shook, and cried. Letting my fear out. The first few moments were about survival.
But as the music played on and my energy shifted, I slowly started to notice Chica’s personality and how she was responding to me.
Instead of being scared of her, I started to see how beautiful she was and how she was helping me. To my delight, I was able to connect to the type of loving energy I receive when working with horses.
Slowly, I took off my sweater and allowed her out of my palms to slither and wrap herself around me. Even having her tongue all up on my neck.
I was amazed at what was possible so quickly when I trusted and surrendered.
Then Lola told me I was ready for the next level and gave me her BIG boa, Javi…
She told me to close my eyes, breathe deeply, and be present.
(Lola with Javi)
I sobbed, shook, and shivered in fear as he wrapped himself around my shoulders like a shawl.
He barely moved as I was at my peak of fear, allowing it to move through me—clinging to my heart and utilizing my breath for grounding.
I finally relaxed and felt love coming from Javi. So I opened my eyes and saw his head resting on my breast right over my heart.
It’s like he looked up at me and said, “I’m here protecting your heart.”
And he moved oh so slowly over my heart, resting his head there—like he was hugging my body and keeping me safe in the process.
The thing I was so afraid to deal with turned into something I didn’t want to end.
And in a matter of a few hours, I shed that part of me, grew new skin, and now have a deep new connection to snakes.
Since then, I’ve attended a second serpent ceremony that was all celebration and joy! I’ve had loads of snakes show up on my nature walks, and I am delighted when I see them.
And most recently, I had a rattlesnake quickly and unexpectedly slither between my legs when I was out on our ranch barefoot. My reaction? I put my hand on my heart, said “thank you,” and told the snake I got its message.
The snake is always a reminder to shed and grow.
What are you Shedding? Where are you Growing?
In the Year of the Snake, we’re all being invited to reflect:
? What am I shedding this year to make room to expand?
? What will I choose to consume that will serve me in my growth?
? How will I face my fears and become empowered in the journey?
Each of us has something we’re holding onto that needs to be released. Whether it’s fear, doubt, resentment, or an outdated version of ourselves—it’s time to let it go.
I even have a complimentary guided practice you can check out to celebrate and honor the Year of the Snake this Lunar New Year on our YouTube page.
It’s a powerful time to release fear, align with your intuition, and step into your next transformation. ?
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