| Snake power shrewdness Rebirth Illusiveness Creative Power Goddess Energy Exploration of the Mysteries of Life transmutation fertility regeneration life force sexual potency |
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| Since the beginning of time, snakes have held a position of power, mystery and fear in all cultures the world over. In understanding the human chakra system, snake is the symbol used for the kundalini -- the seat of our sexuality and sensuality. Could that bwe one reason why so many humans fear the snake? Do we fear the power of our own sexuality? Snakes will avoid humans as long asa they are allowed. They will leave the area and go into hiding unless their territory is invaded, or they are cornedred or threatened. Then they retaliate with swift and sudden sureness. Does this reflect your own behavior? Do you avoid conflect whenever possible, but stand up and strike back when you are left no other choices? Since they are cold-blooded, snakes will absorb the environment and climate of their surroundings. They will seek out warmth-to survive, but are not overly fond of bright sunshine for this very cold-bloodiness can also "cook" them if exposed to intense heat in the blazing sun for long periods. Do you reflect your surroundings and your environment. Do you blend in with the activities going on around you at any given time? If so, you would be wise to pay attention to your friends, the influences you deal with in your life, and your reactions to them. Take care to surround yourself with positive and empowering energy that will help you to grow and flourish. Avoid things which are mean, hateful, negative and destructive lest you absorb those ways yourself. The outer scales of snake are tough, so you may have a tough exterior that you show the world. Are you really a softie under all that toughness? When the skin becomes old and damaged, snake will go into a period of lethargy and inactivity before it emerges with a new and shiny coat. Do you also have periods that are listless, with low energy and no "get up and go" Pay attention and see if these periods come just before new insights and understandings. You're shedding old ways and attitudes. If you have a keen sense of smell, and a talent for aromatherapy,. this could also be snake medicine working. The snake depends upon its sense of smell for its very life. You may also have very hypnotic eyes, and the power to mesmerize and spellbind people with your gaze. Snake medicine again. You might do well in hypnotherapy, hypnosis, and other skills which carry people into altered states. Snake medicine can be very difficult to carry. It is always restless, always moving, always seeking new things, always changing, forever in the process of transformation. The periods of stillness and rest are few and far between for snake people. When you feel the need to rest, do nothing, and just vegetate, follow that impulse. You're just storing up energy for your new "skin" before you set out once again on your never-ending journey. In Israel the snake was regarded as the earth mother and played a beneficial role in fertility. In Egypt the cobra was known for its ability to expand the upper neck into a disk shape by spreading its ribs which symbolized immortality. In Christian lore the snake is seen rising from the chalice of St. John wound around around a cross sometimes portrayed with a woman's head to symbolize lust and temptation. In eastern cultures a snake rising up through the spine represents the kundalini, or life force being awakened. One of snakes most noticeabel characterisitcs is the regular shedding of its outer skin as it grows. Once the skin is shed the old inner layer becomes the new outer layer and a new inner layer of skin begins to develop. Crawling out of its old skin is very significant for those with this medicine. It is a metaphor for how we shed old ways and habits as we grow into highter spiritual energy symbolizing the death and process. It is also associated with astral travel and out of body experiences. The eyes of a snake are always open protected by immobile transparent scales. Prior to shedding its skin the snakes markings become obscure and the eyes appear opaque or blue. This gives it a trance like appearance as if it is looking right through you. Learning how to see into the hearts of others is part of what it teaches us. Snake has been a symbol of life and sexuality for thougsands of years in many cultures. It is a totem of power, renewal and transmutation. Soundless in motion and invisible at rest snakes are unable to produce their own body heat./ They are often seen lying in the hot mid day sun. The suns warmth coupled with the snakes behavior regulates their body temperature. Not relying on the energy of food to generate body heat, they can survive on meager diets for extended periods of time. Those with this totem need very little food to energize themselves. They are usually cold and prefer warmer climates. Their body temperatures are often lower than normal. Snakes lack eardrums and external ear openings but have small bones in the head that conduct sound. They are able to hear low frequency sounds and sense vibrations that travel through the earth. This links them to the underworld where secrets are stored. The snake symbolizes healing on a cellular level. Because their bodies are lightweight and flexible they have speed and agility. When they enter into your world expect swift changes to sweep through your life. These changes signify a death of the old and a birth into untapped power, creativity and wisdom. Snake is a powerful totem to have. Only those with a high degree of spiritual training, be it past or present, will be awarded this totem. It is the guardian of sacred places and the keeper of hidden knowledge. Snake medicine is a powerful medicine that is the power of creation. Snake embodies our sexuality, psychic energies, reproduction, and our immortality. The Native Americans held the snake as a symbol of transformation and healing. Snake ceremonies involved learning to transmute the poisons within the body after being bitten multiple tiems. Survival of this would then enable the individual to transmute all poisons. . . physical or otherwise. It activated the energy of kill or cure, ultimately leading to dramatic healings. In different cultures, the snake denotes different thins. In Greece, the snake is the symbol for alchemy and healing. The go Hermes carried a staff upon which were entwined two snakes. This symbol is what modern medicine and doctors utilize. It is a symbol of wisdom expressed through healing. In Indea it is the goddess Vinata .. mother of snakes and a symbol of water and the underworld. In Chinese astrology one of every twelve years is named for the snake. Those born within that year are believed to have the qualities of compassion, clairvoyance and charm. Usually the lessons associated with this is learning of forgiveness, and possessiveness. The serpent and snake have long been a symbol of sexual/creative life force within humans as is taught in Eastern traditions. The kundalini or serpent fire lies coiled at the base of the spine. As we grow and develp, the promal energy is released, rising up the spine. This in turn activates energy centers in the body and the mind, opening new dimensions and levels of awareness, health and creativity. The snake sheds its skin and because of this has been a symbol of death and rebirth. It sheds it skin as it outgrows the old. This cycle is part of what the snake represents. It has ties and significance to the ancient alchemists and their symbolic transmutation of lead into gold. Associated with higher wisdom that comes with the passing of tiem. A rite of passage, similar to growing through childhood, the puberty into adulthood. Befoer a snake begins to shed its skin, its eyes will begin to cloud over. It gives the snake a trance like appearance. To many mystics and shamans this indicated the ability of the snake to move between the realms of the living and the dead, of crossing over from life to death and then back to life again. It is also a time of looking within instead of relying on what and who is around us to give us our answers. As the skin begins to shed, they eyes begin to clear as if they will see the world anew. Theis would enable the individual to see the world from an entirely new perspective. The snake has often bee depicted, along with its relatives, the serpent and dragon, as a guardian. The snake is sinuous and fast. Although many people think of them as slimy their skin is very dry. In fact, humans are limier than snakes. If a human runs his hand on the florr, it will pick up dirt. A snake's skin will not, which is why it is able to slide and move in the manner it does. A snake attacks quickly. It raises itself up and strikes quick, hard, and true to its mark.. It is not unusual to find that those with this totem can respond the same way if need by. It is best not anger snake people. Although slow to lose there tempers, once lost, their bite is quick, sharp and direct. They almost always hit their mark. They may end up swallowing you whole or just poisoning you in some way. Anytime a snake shows up as a totem, you can expect death and rebirth to occur in some area of your life. This rarely reflects an actual death but rather a transition. Look for a change in conditions and a movement to new life. Examine what is going on around you. Are you needing to make changes but are not for some reason? As you trying to foce change too quickly? Are you striking out at people you shouldn't? Are not strikand and should? REmember that a snake not only uses its venom and bite over come prey, but also for defence. What needs to be healed? What new opportunities are surfacing that you need to strike out for asnd take advantage of? It can also reflect that your own creative forces are awakening. The stimulation of the kundalini usually has physiological as well as spiritul consequences. Physically it can activate the sexual drive, bring more energy etc. Spiritually it can stimulate great perception of how to apply your insight and intuition. Your own vision and intuition will become more accurate. Snakes have a keen sense of smell. They actually smell with their tongue, which is why it flicks in and out so much. The sense of smell is linked to highter forms of discrimination and spiritual idealism. Individuals with the snake totem will find themselves extremely sensitive to smells and fragrances. Aromatherapy may be a form of healing that is beneficila to explore. They should pay attention to what is going on around them. Do things really smell right? Make sure that you are very discriminating about what you say and to whom, and with what you involve yourself. Snakes are symbols of change and healing. They have speed and agility, so those who have snakes come into their life will usually find the changes and shifts occur quickly and are soon recognized and defined. When snake comes into your life you can look for a rebirth into new powers of creativity and wisdom. Druids were referred to as Adders, and its possible that the story of St. Patrick ridding Ireland of snakes is actually aboaut Druids. Its ability to tunnel through cracks and crevices is symbolic of traveling to the otherworld in shamanic journeying. The adder also represents healing which may seem odd because it is a poisonous snake, but it warns us to use our powers wisely because of theis. Rate into outrage. Poison inot medicine. Snakes are represented by the element of fire, and symbolise trasnutation and immortality. Almost every religion has a strong mythos about snakes, for good or evil. In many religions, the snake, or serpent, is a symbol of wisdom and enlightenment and no matter what the religion, snakes are almost always considered to be being/symbols of great power. In some beliefs the serpent is a symbol of procreation, health, longevity, immortatliy and wisdom, whle others believe it to represent death, disease, sin, lechery, duplicity and temptation. Both Greek and the Norse mythologies had the world encircled by a snake, being held together inside of the snake biting its tail. if the serpent were to let go, that would be the beginning of the end of the world, and in Quabbla the serpent is often interrpeted as the bringer of widsom, or at least information. The Hindu mythos holds that the cobra uncoiling and flaring its hood symbolises the asenscion of consciousness into union with the universal power , while in Buddhist lore, tA giant cobra sheltered Buddha from the elements dring his years of meditation and spritual stuedy, spreading its flanks and creates a make shift tent. In te Philppines, owning a snake is considered good luck especially among the Chinese populace. Some keep snake molt in their cash registers as a magnet for money. In some totemic beliefs, the snake is associated with the strange, the mysterious, the study of magick and metsphysics, and of ancient cultures and legends. It is also associated with person transformation, and the discovers of useful wisdom and knowledge The Rainbow Snake -Australian Aberigine legend. In some areas regardes as female, in others males. REpresents rain, water and the products of rain, without which life would cease to exist. He/she causes rivers to flow to the sea; plays an important part in the training and magic of medicine men; in Amhem Land sends floods to drown offenders against the sacred lore; and in Kimberleys is associated with childbirth, including that of spirit children. In the Amhem Land rites of the Fertility Mother just before the wet season, The rainbow snake is heard coming by the whistling sound of the storm blowing through its horns; as the ritual dancing and singing begins, it arches its body upwards into the sky. The rainboy snake appears frequently in aborigine art |