As the year ends and Tet arrives, everyone anxiously wonders what the new year will bring. What does the future hold? How will love, family, work, construction, business ventures, and career progress? Where is humanity heading in 2025? Will World War III happen? Will there be tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or wildfires like those that recently struck Los Angeles, California? Will China invade Taiwan? Will Russia swallow Ukraine? Will Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire and release hostages? Will President Trump be able to buy Greenland?
My Hong family has practiced palmistry, physiognomy, and handwriting analysis for three generations. On this occasion, I don my traditional áo the thâm (a long black tunic), wrap my head in a khăn đống (a turban), and put on sunglasses as I sit in front of my house, setting up a fortune-telling table for charity.
As I settle into my chair, I sip some tea and recall the ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches, just in case someone comes to consult me so I can impress them with my eloquence. The ten Heavenly Stems are Giáp, Ất, Bính, Đinh, Mậu, Kỷ, Canh, Tân, Nhâm, Quý. The twelve Earthly Branches are Tý (Rat), Sửu (Ox), Dần (Tiger), Mão (Cat), Thìn (Dragon), Tỵ (Snake), Ngọ (Horse), Mùi (Goat), Thân (Monkey), Dậu (Rooster), Tuất (Dog), Hợi (Pig). Suddenly, a sharp-looking man with a well-dressed appearance approaches and requests a reading.
“What year were you born?”
“1965, sir.”
“Ah, you were born in the year of Ất Tỵ. This is your zodiac year. What do you want to know? Love, family, career, or future prospects?”
“Master, I want to know about love and family.”
“A full reading like that will cost a bit more. My Hong family has practiced for three generations with experience and credibility. Please, have a seat and show me your hand.”
I take his hand, turn it over, feel it, press it, and then solemnly declare:
“This year, you belong to the Fire element—one of transformation and growth. It is a year of opportunities for change. However, challenges must be overcome, particularly in finance and career. Those born in the Year of the Snake will face difficulties but also excitement. You should focus on self-improvement and expanding your social network.
Career: Stable work with opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Your intellect line is clear, suggesting you must be a doctor.
Finances: Stable, with opportunities to invest in long-term projects.
Love and family: Your relationships will be harmonious. This year, you may meet your soulmate.”
“Thank God, here he is!”
Just as the first client leaves, a middle-aged woman steps up. She still looks youthful, beautiful, and dresses quite stylishly. If I’m not mistaken, such beauty has likely been enhanced multiple times. She appears to be seeking answers about her love life.
“Master, can you tell me if I should marry him this year? And if we get married, will we be happy? Is our future secure?”
“Who is he, and how old is he this year?”
“He was born in 1965, master.”
I pause for a moment. Could this be an incredible coincidence? Could this be fate? If so, I must make this reading worth it. So I proclaim:
“He was born in the Year of the Snake. Due to the influence of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth, there are cycles of creation and destruction. People born under the Snake sign belong to the Fire element, known as Phú Đăng Hỏa, symbolizing the radiant flame of a lantern—bringing joy, prosperity, happiness, and warmth.
Based on the ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches, a man born in 1965 falls under the Khôn sign—Earth element. These individuals are hardworking, ambitious, and passionate. Thanks to their perseverance, they advance in their careers. The man you wish to marry is likely a doctor.”
“Yes, master, that’s correct! He is a very successful doctor. That means I am fortunate, right? I was born in the Year of the Goat, and he is a Snake. He is Ất Tỵ, and I am Kỷ Mùi. Does that mean we are compatible?”
Seeing the dreamy, happy look on her face, I continue:
“A man born in 1965, now 59 years old. A woman born in 1979, now 45 years old. You are over a zodiac cycle apart. Age-wise, the gap is somewhat significant. But love knows no age. Women born in 1979 belong to the Chấn sign—Wood element. They are intelligent and perceptive. However, they may experience emotional and psychological changes between ages 45 and 55 due to menopause. Fortunately, having a doctor husband makes health concerns more manageable—just pay attention to psychological adjustments.
Psychologically, women of the Goat sign like to be appreciated and respected by their partners. Middle-aged women are often moody and demanding. On the bright side, the Snake man’s possessiveness and jealousy make the Goat woman feel loved and cherished. So, if you marry, your relationship will be harmonious. However, since Goat women enjoy being in charge—especially as the wife of a prominent man—she should be mindful to lower her ego during conflicts to maintain peace. Snakes and Goats are compatible signs. In the twelve zodiacs, they form part of the harmonious trinity.
Snake men may appear distant and difficult to approach, but deep down, they are passionate and capable of forming strong bonds. Once you get to know them, you will see their tenderness and attentiveness.
Seeing her glowing with happiness, I give the final push:
“Men born under the Snake sign are highly intelligent and excel in structured, detailed work. They are meticulous in all aspects of life. Marrying such a man means being cherished and protected.”
Hearing exactly what she wanted, she happily pulls out two crisp $100 bills and respectfully hands them over, along with a $50 tip. Seeing this, I remind her: “Avoid getting married on the 5th, 14th, or 23rd of the lunar month, and avoid starting construction on those dates.”
I give predictions for others, but what about my own future? If I knew, I’d be a genius. “Fortune tellers just make things up.” Years ago, a friend cast a full-life astrological chart for me. I still keep it in a box as a keepsake, but how accurate it is, I have no idea. My career never skyrocketed, nor did it plummet—I just go to work and come home. Money? It doesn’t “flow like water”; instead, it “pours out like a flood.” Health insurance, car insurance, home insurance, gas, electricity, water, TV, internet, phone bills, food, clothes for myself and my family, vehicle repairs, household expenses, weddings, funerals, charity, church donations, and helping relatives back home—it all adds up. Income is small, but expenses are vast. Sometimes, budgeting gives me headaches. Thankfully, I am still healthy enough to work; otherwise, I’d be relying on unemployment or social welfare.
In the end, I don’t believe in fortune-telling nonsense—zodiac signs, birth years, lucky stars. I believe that hard work, perseverance, and good deeds determine one’s fate. If you are lazy, addicted to alcohol, gambling, drugs, or illicit affairs, you’ll end up broke.
Vietnamese wisdom says:
“When you’re sick, seek medical treatment—don’t go to fortune tellers or waste money on offerings.”
Or:
“Fortune tellers, astrologers, and mediums—trust them, and you’ll be left with nothing.”
Even fortune tellers themselves are mocked:
“They predict others’ fates but can’t even see where their own destiny leads.”
This is common sense because who truly knows the future, fate, wealth, poverty, nobility, humility, strength, weakness, happiness, or misfortune of a person? Only God does, but God never reveals such things, because “Heavenly secrets must not be disclosed.”
Spring comes and goes. See you next spring, when I will once again don my traditional áo the, wrap my head in a khăn đống, put on sunglasses, and set up a fortune-telling table. In the meantime, to those who live in illusions, dreams, or insecurity—especially those who don’t want to work but still want to enjoy life—I offer the wisdom of the ancients: “If you have extra money, give it away—don’t waste it on fortune-tellers who make you worry.“
-Hồng Ngự Tửu-
Year of the Snake