I think in Western tradition, it is very common to see the snake as a villain, much like the wolf or the fox in other stories. I like the Eastern interpretation of rebirth and fertility. I love your analysis of how snakes represent the umbilical cord, as well as the neverending cycle of life. They are powerful symbols of transformation!
Very well written and informative! The umbilical cord was a new connection I haven’t heard of ! There’s much there that I’m gonna think for my own path and research! The serpent/ snake I’ve also read was dragon at first and like the fallen angel lost its wings when it went against god
Not surprisingly this popped up in my feed today. Last night I was having hypnagogic visions last night and in one of them I saw a couple snakes. First I became afraid and then I remembered that the fear of snakes mostly comes from Christianity’s stories. Then I chilled out and looked upon them with interest and thoughtfulness. I appreciate your words.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts thus far, thank you for sharing! There are few people, from my experience at least, who are truly pushing the boundaries of what we know, or can know. Your explorations along these paths is refreshing, very intriguing and much appreciated.
In the past year or so I’ve been quite drawn to the ouroboros symbol, its meaning and incorporating it into my life through jewelry and artistic applications. Needless to say I found this read very enjoyable 🙌 Thank you 🙏😌
In Yogic tradition, one of the most ancient forms of yoga is called Kundalini, after the kundalini serpent which metaphorically coils itself up one's spine from tailbone to head. Kundalini yoga is a practice to awaken the serpent, who activates the chakras from bottom to top as it rises, bringing prana/life force energy, transformation, good health and enlightenment to the practitioner. Another rising serpent archetype, which connects earth (root chakra) to heaven (crown chakra). And interestingly, kundalini practice has a reputation for being very dangerous for the practitioner who is not guided by an experienced guru, an improper practice of kundalini can lead to the opposite of enlightenment, it can darken the mind and lead to illness or insanity. So again we see the dualism.
Also, in the sacred texts of Abrahamic tradition, there is a lesser known story of the healing serpent archetype. In the book of Numbers, while the Israelites are wandering in the desert led by Moses, Yahweh punishes their impiety by sending down seraph serpents (seraph means fiery or burning, i think referring to venom?) to sting them. The people cry out to Moses for deliverance, and Yahweh orders him to fashion a bronze serpent, and mount it coiled upon a pole, and all those stricken by the poison who look upon it are healed. The bronze savior-serpent is called Nehushtan in Hebrew. So even though the Judeo-Christian West has largely demonized the serpent figure, there is still the presence of its dualistic nature as both savior and scourge in its mythos.
If the serpent is represented as the umbilical cord, can the healer aspect of the serpent be attributed to the life giving stages of the development of the fetus? And then in the later stages when the umbilical cord starts to do more harm then good, can this can be represent by the serpent as foe?
It makes me think about how maybe we can’t rely on the “gifts of the serpent”, whatever that may mean. Maybe it’s knowledge, new perspectives. But when we become more developed in ourselves these gifts actually start to do more harm then good. We have to learn to recognize this and “cut the umbilical cord” of our own personal serpents.
I still don’t quite understand the serpent as healer. What does that mean exactly?
I think in Western tradition, it is very common to see the snake as a villain, much like the wolf or the fox in other stories. I like the Eastern interpretation of rebirth and fertility. I love your analysis of how snakes represent the umbilical cord, as well as the neverending cycle of life. They are powerful symbols of transformation!
The ouroboros indeed
Very well written and informative! The umbilical cord was a new connection I haven’t heard of ! There’s much there that I’m gonna think for my own path and research! The serpent/ snake I’ve also read was dragon at first and like the fallen angel lost its wings when it went against god
Not surprisingly this popped up in my feed today. Last night I was having hypnagogic visions last night and in one of them I saw a couple snakes. First I became afraid and then I remembered that the fear of snakes mostly comes from Christianity’s stories. Then I chilled out and looked upon them with interest and thoughtfulness. I appreciate your words.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts thus far, thank you for sharing! There are few people, from my experience at least, who are truly pushing the boundaries of what we know, or can know. Your explorations along these paths is refreshing, very intriguing and much appreciated.
Thank you for the kind words!
In the past year or so I’ve been quite drawn to the ouroboros symbol, its meaning and incorporating it into my life through jewelry and artistic applications. Needless to say I found this read very enjoyable 🙌 Thank you 🙏😌
Great article, and well-researched!
A couple additional thoughts-
In Yogic tradition, one of the most ancient forms of yoga is called Kundalini, after the kundalini serpent which metaphorically coils itself up one's spine from tailbone to head. Kundalini yoga is a practice to awaken the serpent, who activates the chakras from bottom to top as it rises, bringing prana/life force energy, transformation, good health and enlightenment to the practitioner. Another rising serpent archetype, which connects earth (root chakra) to heaven (crown chakra). And interestingly, kundalini practice has a reputation for being very dangerous for the practitioner who is not guided by an experienced guru, an improper practice of kundalini can lead to the opposite of enlightenment, it can darken the mind and lead to illness or insanity. So again we see the dualism.
Also, in the sacred texts of Abrahamic tradition, there is a lesser known story of the healing serpent archetype. In the book of Numbers, while the Israelites are wandering in the desert led by Moses, Yahweh punishes their impiety by sending down seraph serpents (seraph means fiery or burning, i think referring to venom?) to sting them. The people cry out to Moses for deliverance, and Yahweh orders him to fashion a bronze serpent, and mount it coiled upon a pole, and all those stricken by the poison who look upon it are healed. The bronze savior-serpent is called Nehushtan in Hebrew. So even though the Judeo-Christian West has largely demonized the serpent figure, there is still the presence of its dualistic nature as both savior and scourge in its mythos.
terrific history and analysis - thank you
Yes to all of this! 🐍
If the serpent is represented as the umbilical cord, can the healer aspect of the serpent be attributed to the life giving stages of the development of the fetus? And then in the later stages when the umbilical cord starts to do more harm then good, can this can be represent by the serpent as foe?
It makes me think about how maybe we can’t rely on the “gifts of the serpent”, whatever that may mean. Maybe it’s knowledge, new perspectives. But when we become more developed in ourselves these gifts actually start to do more harm then good. We have to learn to recognize this and “cut the umbilical cord” of our own personal serpents.
I still don’t quite understand the serpent as healer. What does that mean exactly?
Maybe my post will help bring some light to your question
New trying to get my work out there.
Https://veldain.substack.com/