Spiritual snakes

[Guest guest]

Dear ALL,

Nowhere are the differences between cultures and religions

more sharply emphasized than in their attitudes towards Snake,

differences which will also reveal different perspectives towards

fundamental aspects of being alive.

 

On one level these differences relate to sexuality. We see the

snake "tempting" Eve in the Garden of Eden, being symbolized as the

Indian goddess, Vinata, or shown as the legs of the Celtic fertility

god, Cernunnos. People for untold ages have associated Snake with

both male and female aspects of sexuality.

 

In religions where sexuality, in both its physical and spiritual

aspects, is celebrated Snake has been an honored being. In more

repressive belief systems this animal has been associated with evil.

 

This, however, is only the beginning of the contradictory attitudes

towards Snake, for this animal also symbolizes aliveness, as

expressed in sensuality - meaning in this case the ability to feel

and respond to stimuli, and more generally, to the flow of energy

which creatres us and makes us alive. In Hinduism, kundalini, or

serpent fire, lies coiled at the base of the spine. As we mature

emotionally and spiritually, the energy rises, stimulating

emotional, mental, and spiritual energy centers (chakras). This is

also expressed in the worldwide symbol of the spiral.

 

This flow of energy is essential to health, and the Greeks, in their

own understanding of this, used the snake as a symbol of healing and

wisdom.

 

Snake sheds its skin, and transmutes into a new being. This is a

symbol for our ability to shed beliefs and habits which we have

outgrown. To be able to do this is wisdom. In Egypt Snake was

thought to represent inner vision; while the Celts sometimes called

the Druids (who were leaders and teachers in the areas of poetry and

music, the law, spiritual wisdom, and healing) adders.

 

Unfortunately, the more rigid practitioners of the Judeo-Christian

tradition seemed to fear wisdom. When St. Patrick boasted that he

had driven all of the snakes out of Ireland, he meant the Druids,

and the apple the snake gave Eve was from the Tree of Knowledge.

 

On the deepest level Snake's skin shedding symbolizes death and

rebirth, an idea which is represented by the image of a snake

swallowing its own tail, a symbol of eternity.

 

Snake is not an energy to be treated lightly. Its meaning touches on

the deepest mysteries of life. If, however, you are ready to shed

your own skin Snake is always ready to guide you through the spiral

path of transformation.

Also snake means kundalini.It is connected with kundalini yoga.

Yours yogically,

Dattu