It’s a quiet revolution, thanks to Yin energy, which is cooperative, collaborative and thoughtful.
According to legend, as the Buddha called various animals to his side underneath the Banyan tree, the enterprising snake requested the horse if he could ride on its leg, knowing that it would move faster. Then, striking at the right moment, the snake lunged quickly by the Buddha’s side, earning his own honored place in the Chinese zodiac.
With the snake being wise, sociable and adaptive—often described as a “little dragon”—this year is bound to be interesting. Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony principal Patrick Lim Fernandez encourages working with others to achieve one’s goals, as well as adapting long-term thinking, patience and an almost philosophical mindset in taking action and responding to challenges.
Yin Fire is transformative, intuitive, and fluid. It doesn’t seek power through control, but through influence, innovation, and deep connection.
Western and Christian perceptions aside, snakes are blessed with the ability to move close to the earth with speed and an innate sensitivity to vibrations and frequencies that elude other creatures. Whether opportunistic, cunning or both, the snake is acknowledged even in the Bible as clever.
“It’s a dynamic year infused with compassion and empathy,” Patrick adds.
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Frequently asked predictions
The most popular questions Patrick receives during consultations at his New World Hotel store are mainly about improving personal finances and wealth, with romance and intimacy coming in at a close second.
Patrick says that “water industries,” such as hospitality, travel, logistics, trading, sales, analytics, supermarkets, beverage, hygiene, aquatics may fare better than others. “Metal industries” like banking, data, virtual and AI technology, mining, finance, automobile, machinery, aviation, armed forces and defense, energy, communication, entertainment, events, medical, dental, beauty and skincare may also enjoy a considerable upswing during the year.
Yin energy
The world has long operated under a Yang-dominant structure—favoring competition, logic, and aggressive expansion. Now that we are in the second year of Period 9 (2024 to 2043), Yin qualities like collaboration, intuition, and holistic thinking are gaining prominence.
Patrick highlights the fact that we collectively entered a time of the strong female “Yin” energy last year, radiating into the aforementioned industries. This is a period for looking forward, quiet progress and promise, a time for building home, offices or business, even reputation and influence for an eventual sense of self and independence.
According to experts, in feng shui’s Flying Star system, time is divided into nine periods, each lasting about 20 years. Each period carries a distinct energy that influences industries, leadership styles, and even personal success.
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Last year, we transitioned from Period 8 (2004 to 2023), ruled by Yang Earth, which emphasized structure, stability, and material success. This was an era of rigid hierarchies, corporate dominance, and traditional leadership models. In contrast, Period 9 is ruled by Yin Fire—a completely different force.
Yin Fire is transformative, intuitive, and fluid. It doesn’t seek power through control, but through influence, innovation, and deep connection. It is the energy of visionaries, creatives, healers, and those who lead through inspiration rather than authority.
This energy shift favors women, as many of the qualities associated with Yin energy—collaboration, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—are natural strengths of female leadership.
Patrick encourages a more “philosophical” thinking in approaching and sensing opportunities to build up. It is highly advisable, regardless, to be more methodical and strategic, as well as to put on one’s “stop and think” hat without overanalyzing.
The Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony is located at New World Hotel Makati.
