I feel like there's been a lot of conversation lately about the Chinese zodiac and the year we're moving out of, which is the Year of the Wood Snake. That year comes to an end on February 16, and then on February 17, according to the Chinese zodiac, we move into the Year of the Fire Horse. Even if you don't follow the Chinese New Year, I've really appreciated how this way of marking time gives us an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and check our own reality.

In this episode, I share why the energy of the Wood Snake has felt so accurate for this past year, with its focus on shedding, releasing, and doing the inner work that helps clear the way. I share what this year of the Wood Snake has looked like for me, including the purging, the releasing, and the work of letting go of what drains my peace. On today's Wise Walk, we focus on creating space and readiness so that when the energy of the Fire Horse arrives, it's the things that truly matter that gain momentum.

• Are you open to using this conversation as a way to go deeper within yourself and notice what feels meaningful right now?
• What are you willing to look at, release, forgive, or let go of so you can make space for the energy of the Fire Horse?
• Are you open to the opportunities that this new energy may bring?
• What limiting beliefs in your life are you ready to let go of?
• What is this snake energy calling you to release so you can make space for your highest and best self?
• If you feel aligned emotionally or energetically, what physical or material possessions are you ready to release?
• Are there emails, apps, conversations, or items in your space that you are ready to let go of?
• How can you reflect on both the snake and horse's energies to ready yourself for a year when action meets purpose?
• As you reflect on the past year, what are you ready to release and how do you envision your own rebirth?
• Are there relationships you need to release and relationships you want to nourish and invest in more fully?
• What tasks have you been avoiding that you could clear now so they do not drain your energy moving forward?
• What limiting beliefs can you make peace with and reframe through gratitude?
• What is something you need to forgive yourself for so your energy can move forward freely?
• What unhealthy habits are no longer serving you and are ready to be released?
• In what other ways can you take yourself on a Wise Walk and reflect on the shift from snake energy to horse energy?
• What resonated with you in this episode and what ideas feel like they are yours to carry forward?

I feel like this snake energy has helped me release what was draining me and let go of things that no longer light me up. That readiness is what allows me to invite in the Fire Horse energy of opportunity, action, and purpose, and I hope that's true for you as well.

As always, I'd love to hear what you took away from today's episode, so feel free to reach out and share. I also look forward to next Thursday's Wise Walk. Until then, please be sure to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride on.

In this episode:

• [03:11] I love how the Chinese zodiac is represented by a different animal each year. I was born in the year of the Tiger. The animal is also paired with an element.
• [04:05] As I look back on this past year, I feel very aligned with the year of the wood snake. It represents deep inner work and the need to shed. It represents an opportunity to let go of anything that drains your peace.
• [05:03] I've been releasing things this past year. When I step into the year of the fire horse it's all about taking action and gaining momentum.
• [06:06] If you're carrying anything with you into the year of the fire horse, that's what's going to gain momentum.
• [07:08] I've been thinking about areas of my life that I want to release, so I won't bring them into this next year.
• [08:01] I've also been working on limiting beliefs around my body, and I've been working on my ability to squat.
• [09:06] As I work on my squat I say to myself, "I am safe". I don't want to move forward with a limiting belief.
• [10:04] One of the ways that we can reframe limiting beliefs is to usher them out and find gratitude and reinforce that we are safe and doing our best.
• [11:08] I also share a limiting belief a friend of mine had about her sleep hygiene.
• [12:16] In the past year we've acknowledged our limiting beliefs, and like the snake we're going to release them. We are going to create positive self-talk and give ourselves support when we need it.
• [14:14] When purging material possessions, I asked what I would miss if it were lost in some type of disaster. If I wouldn't miss these things, then it's a clear go. Another question to ask is would I replace them with the money that I have?
• [17:26] You have the opportunity to get rid of anything that is draining you or preventing you from being your highest self at this moment.
• [21:09] There are so many areas of my life where I feel ready. I feel like the snake energy has helped me release things that have drained me.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "The year of the Wood Snake represents an opportunity to let go of anything that drains your peace and to disconnect from anything that prevents you from stepping into your full power." - Mary Tess
  • "If you carry something into the year of the Fire Horse, that is what will gain momentum in your life." - Mary Tess
  • "Whenever we have a limiting belief, we get to counteract that with positive self-talk." - Mary Tess
  • "Just because something had meaning in the past doesn't mean it has meaning in the present in the same way." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value
• Colette Baron-Reid

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