As the world prepares to welcome the Year of the Wood Snake on Jan. 29, feng shui expert Marites Allen shares what she deems the best life strategy to adopt for a prosperous 2025: “Stay in your lane.”

“Short of saying ‘mind your own business,’ this year is about staying in your lane. The snake never attacks unless provoked; if you don’t move, it won’t attack you,” Allen said in a live broadcast on her eponymous Facebook page on Jan. 21. “So, stay in your lane, [and] stop spending your time on other people.”

Allen described 2025 as “the year for transformation”: Now is the best chance for people to make a change in their lives, much like how a snake sheds its skin—a process that can be challenging but ultimately rejuvenating. She encouraged embracing transformative experiences even when they’re difficult, saying they often lead to valuable life lessons.

She said that whatever issue one may be dealing with, this year is the time to confront it and make a change, while ignoring the urge to post about it online. 

“Stop telling people your plans,” she said. Instead, as part of her 2025 prognosis, she said it is better to create deep, meaningful connections—”to strengthen bonds, resolve misunderstandings, and foster harmony.”

It’s also a favorable year for love and partnerships, as the Snake’s subtle charm can enhance romantic pursuits, Allen said. 

In financial terms, she said, “success will come to those who plan carefully and avoid impulsive decisions.” That means one should look more toward long-term investments, especially those that align with one’s passion and skills.

Prosperity zones

To embark on one’s personal transformation and ensure an auspicious year, Allen recommended revisiting the arrangements in one’s home so as to activate one’s luck. She ticked off the home’s prosperity zones, as indicated in her 2025 Feng Shui Planner:

• The Southwest corner, a critical area for those seeking to enhance their financial prospects or to activate their wealth potential.

• The South sector, the zone for windfall luck and an area that should be enhanced by those hoping to attract financial gains or opportunities.

• The Southeast sector, which houses the Victory Star in 2025, making it an ideal location for placing symbols of achievement and success.

• The Western sector, which should be the focus of those seeking to enhance their love life or increase travel opportunities. 

• The East, which hosts the prosperity star No. 9 that Allen describes as particularly powerful. “Anything you do in this sector could multiply nine times,  she said.

Allen also identified these cautionary zones:

• The Northeast, which requires particular attention in 2025. Pregnant women or those with health concerns should avoid sleeping in this area as it could aggravate existing conditions.

• The North, as it carries the “robbery star,” suggesting potential risks of financial losses or unexpected expenses. Homes with main doors facing north should be especially vigilant this year.

• The Northwest, a sector that correlates with potential misunderstandings and legal issues.

• The center of the home, which requires particular attention as it houses the “illness star” which, Allen said, only emphasizes the need for increased focus on health and wellness all year.

However, Allen said, awareness of these sectors should inform, but not dominate, daily life. “Understanding these energies helps us make informed decisions about space usage, but it’s equally important to maintain a positive mindset and practical approach to daily living,” she said. “The energy of your home supports your journey, but your own efforts and mindset remain the primary drivers of success.”

Day-to day tips for beginning 2025 

By Marites Allen 

Day 1 (Jan. 29): Everyone should rise early and wear their new year clothes to visit friends and relatives. The Chinese visit temples to offer incense and pray for a safe and prosperous year. Red packets are given to children and by employers to their staff. Slaughtering animals and eating meat are avoided. 

Day 2: Traditionally, this day is for married women to visit their parents, along with their husbands, after celebrating New Year’s Eve with their in-laws.

Day 3: This day is believed to be inauspicious for any house visiting. Evil spirits roam the earth on this day and hence it’s bad luck to be outdoors. The air is filled with the potential for disagreements among family and friends. Best to spend the day in your own home. 

Day 4: This is basically a continuation of Day 3, and still not a good day to leave home. It is also believed that heavenly spirits like the Kitchen God visit earth on the fourth day. Thus, it is considered auspicious to prepare a feast and make offerings of incense, food and spirit money to welcome these deities and ensure a prosperous year ahead.

Day 5: The so-called Festival of Po Wu is celebrated on this day to welcome the God of Wealth, who is believed to also be the God of Five Directions—east, west, south, north and center—through which good fortune can enter. Thus, people open their doors and windows, burn incense, and set off firecrackers and fireworks to attract money luck and many forms of blessings. Local businesses reopen.

Day 6: On the sixth day, one should discard old clothes, clean out the garage, and discard trash around the house. This is done to drive away the Ghost of Poverty and to give way for a better life in the new year.

Day 7: This day is for commemorating Man’s Day or the creation of mankind. On this day, the Chinese eat healthy foods symbolizing abundance, prosperity and long life, including raw fish for success and noodles for longevity. This day is marked by reflections on blessings and respect for all human beings.

Day 8: The eighth day is for celebrating rice, the most essential Chinese staple food. Children are taught the importance of agriculture and where their food comes from.

Day 9: This day marks the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity of Taoism. Food offerings and sacrifices of live chicken are done in his honor.

Days 10 to 12: On these days, more feasting, more visits, and more happy moments with family and friends are done. 

Day 13: This day is for cleansing and detoxing from the rich food enjoyed in the previous days. To help cleanse the digestive system, vegetarian dishes are served. The day is also spent preparing for the Lantern Festival.

Day 14: This is the eve of the Lantern Festival, and spent preparing colorful lanterns and food. Dragon and lion dance teams practice for the big event.

Day 15 (Feb. 12): The Lantern Festival ends the Chinese New Year celebration. Streets and houses are decorated with lanterns, fireworks are set off, and people take strolls to admire the lanterns and join the public singing and dancing. Sticky rice balls called tang yuan, again to symbolize family cohesiveness, are the common fare in Chinese homes. This day is also spent to celebrate the birthday of Tian Guan, the Taoist “Ruler of Heaven,” who is responsible for providing good fortune and wealth. Tian Guan is believed to like all types of entertainment; thus, various activities are done in his honor to attract auspiciousness.

To consult Marites Allen or find Frigga Charmed Life locations,
email [email protected] or call 0920 9509390.

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