The Karmic Nature of the Year of the Snake
Each year of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac
is characterized by a particular animal. Of these, the Snake is particularly
ominous, because the snake is considered to be a karmic animal.
The year of the Snake is therefore considered to be
a time when problems come to a head, when unresolved issues require resolution,
when the Dialectic of Thesis and Antithesis give rise to a Synthesis.
Following is a list of some historical precedents.
As will be observed, the karmic effect of the year of the Snake will sometimes
spill over into the year of the Horse, e.g. 1953-1954, and 1989-1990.
Interestingly, the Russian October Revolution of 1917 was preceded by events in
the previous year of the Snake (12 years earlier).
Historical Precedents
1893:
"Panic of 1893" marked by collapse of railroad overbuilding
and shaky railroad financing, resulting in a series of bank failures
1905: Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 (Battle of Tsushima May 27) was responsible
for the 1905 Russian Revolution
1905: Russian Revolution , October 1905 General
Strike in Moscow / preceded by Bloody Sunday in St Petresberg January 9th
1917: Russian October Revolution
1929: Great Depression begins
1941: Japan attacks Pearl Harbour (Dec.7, 1941)