Transitioning from the Year of the Wood Snake

An article in Parade sets forth recommended steps to take before as we leave the Year of the Wood Snake and welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.

It prefaces the advice with the following commentary:

"f it feels like life is moving faster lately, you’re feeling more passionate and motivated, or you’re experiencing an uptick in independence and restlessness, you’re likely feeling the energy of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which will usher in the Year of the Fire Horse on February 17, 2026. But before we can welcome the new year, it can be productive to take steps to fully close out the Year of the Wood Snake.

“Wood years are all about growth, learning, and collecting information,” explains Donna Stellhorn, astrologer, feng shui expert, and author of Chinese Astrology: Life, Love, and Luck in Twelve Animal Signs. By comparison, 2026 is a Fire year, during which everything is going to move at lightning speed, says Stellhorn. So before you get swept up into this passionate, social, fast-paced, go-getter 12-month period, you might want to release what you’ve been carrying throughout the last year. Here’s what experts recommend releasing and finishing, based on your Chinese zodiac sign."

The Parade article makes the following suggestions based on you Chinese Zodiac Animal from when you were born.

{Use the Chinese Zodiac Caculator towards the bottom of the linked page].

What to Let Go Of Before the Year of the Wood Snake Ends

Read on to learn what you’ll do well to release, based on your Chinese zodiac sign. 

Rat

You tend to be so quick to take action that sometimes you forget to share the task with people who would gladly support you, explains Stellhorn. As the Year of the Wood Snake comes to a close, she recommends trying to let go of doing everything for yourself. “Allow yourself to ask for help,” she advises.

Janine Lowe, a Chinese astrology expert and author of Feng Shui Your Way to Abundance, adds, “Let go of overthinking every decision and trying to control the outcome.” This will set the stage for trusting your instincts, a skill that will benefit you in the Year of the Horse. 

Ox

As someone born during the Year of the Ox, you’ve been carrying everything alone and pushing through no matter what. It’s time to release this approach to life, says Lowe. “You’re allowed to soften,” she says, pointing out that even when you let others help you, you’ll “stay strong.”

Along the same lines, Stellhorn recommends letting go of to-dos that aren’t bringing you joy. “You are very hardworking and always doing the tasks set in front of you, but you often forget to schedule in some fun,” she notes.

Tiger

As a Tiger, you can take on a lot. “You are capable, courageous, and creative,” acknowledges Stellhorn. “But sometimes your expectations exceed what is possible.” For that reason, you’ll do best to release unrealistic expectations, she advises. This can help you laser-focus on more practical visions that you can make a reality in 2026. 

And even though we’re moving into a faster-paced year, impatience and the need to prove yourself can get in your way, especially when moving into a period that requires even more intention, explains Lowe. “When you slow down slightly and choose your battles wisely, you’ll win in a different way,” she says.

Rabbit

You care deeply about others, and people may not realize just how sensitive you are, says Stellhorn. “But you don’t have to carry these hurts into a new year,” she points out. That said, you might be primed to release something from the past that’s not worth toting around any longer.

Lowe adds that it’s time to steer clear of people-pleasing and staying quiet to keep the peace. Instead, “this is your time to put your needs first,” she notes. 

Dragon

As a Dragon, you’re a visionary who’s constantly moving forward, explains Stellhorn. But you can benefit from acknowledging that sometimes the loftiest goals are achieved over the course of a lengthy journey. “This is a good time to look back and see how far you have come,” she says.

Along the same lines, if you’ve been wanting to accomplish a particular goal, it’s OK to throw arbitrary timelines out the window, says Lowe. “[And] listen to others; they have great ideas,” she advises. 

Snake

With your critical eye and methodical nature, you have a knack for pinpointing how to improve just about anything, says Stellhorn. “But wanting everything to be perfect can get in the way of progress,” she points out. “This is a good time to let go of perfectionism.”

You might also find that self-acceptance is particularly useful as you move out of your year and into the Year of the Fire Horse. “Let go of doubting yourself,” advises Lowe. “This is your year to shed old skins and step fully into what you really want.” 

Horse

Your year is nearly here, and it’s going to move forward at a gasp-worthy pace. But given that you’re already prone to speeding through life, Lowe recommends letting go of rushing ahead without checking in with your heart. “When you pause and choose direction over speed, you’ll be surprised at the results,” she says.

Stellhorn adds that this is a good time to avoid self-comparison, noting, “Remember that everyone is on their own journey.” 

Goat

Stellhorn points out that you’re often trying to “keep things together through sheer force of will,” and, to be fair, “your will is strong.” 

Yet, it’s possible you’ve been moving through life with a lot of emotional clutter that’s been draining your energy, acknowledges Lowe. Now’s your chance to let this go. The coming year is an opportunity to “make yourself number one,” she says. 

Monkey

You’re often pulled in multiple directions at once — in part, because your potential is limitless, points out Stellhorn. “But with so many options, distractions are everywhere,” she says. “This is a good time to stop procrastinating on what is truly important.” 

Lowe recommends letting go of distractions and taking on too much all at once. Instead, “commit to what makes you happy,” she notes. “The results may surprise you.” 

Rooster

Known for being responsible and motivated, you can also suffer from perfectionism and self-criticism — both of which you’re welcome to let go of in these final days of the Year of the Wood Snake. “Be gentle to yourself, and follow those dreams,” urges Lowe.

You might also be spread a bit too thin lately, adds Stellhorn, who recommends prioritizing your to-dos and removing a few things from your calendar. 

Dog

You’re attentive to your loved ones and a conscientious friend, acknowledges Stellhorn. You might also tend to put others before yourself. But before moving out of the Year of the Snake, let go of pouring your energy into situations that no longer feel right, advises Lowe. “If something costs you your peace, let it go,” she says.

This is also a wonderful moment to remember that “worry is not a helpful habit” and to release negative thinking, says Stellhorn. 

Pig

When it comes to giving and loving, your loved ones and friends can count on you to show up and offer comfort. “But you serve soup from an empty pot,” points out Stellhorn. “If you are always doing for someone else, you can become depleted.” For that reason, she recommends stepping away from your instinct to people-please.

From there, you can let go of waiting for other people’s permission to go for what you want, says Lowe, who concludes, “Just do it!”