Snakes, snakes, snakes....

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[Waldfrau]

Since a while now I'm constantly seeing snakes in spirit journeys or in meditative/dreamy moments. Mostly it's just for a short moment. I see and feel them coiling or crawling around my arms (heads going in the direction of my hands), once I saw them also coiling around my whole body.

My first thought was that since snakes are a very common pagan symbol it might just be kinda brain chatter randomly picturing energy flows. I also feel very energised by that.

But I have the nagging feeling that there's something I'm not getting, something important about this I don't understand or don't want to. Once or twice several years ago I've also thought I've seen a 'ghostly'/spirit kind of image of a little snake out of the corner of my eyes sitting in the same room with me (on my desk). So maybe there's something going on since a while.

I guess it might help to talk about it and collect (however random) ideas. Something someone else says might just be the spark I need to bring light into this and find my own meaning of those images.

So, does this story remind anyone of something? Do any myths, deities or snake symbologies strike you as important here?

I know there's a lot out there about snakes. Maybe there's not any culture where snakes don't have one or two meanings...that's exactly my problem.

And yes, I know Hekate is associated with snakes, I saw a woman lately with a torch and three dark dogs, so I researched Hekate. I didn't see her with snakes in the spirit journey though, so I'm a bit sceptical about her involvement. I mean if she 'sends' me snakes for years to get my attention, why should she simply appear in a spirit journey without snakes? Would be a lot of work just to get my attention, when holding a torch in my face was enough to convince me. And the snake stuff went on after that little encounter.

[catherine]

Hi Waldfrau. I don't know if this will be helpful or not but, I always associate snakes with renewal, growth, and change because they shed their skins as they grow. I don't know if this applies to anything in your life right now, but maybe it's symbolic of changes to come.

[Seeker]

Well, I was instantly reminded of the Minoan snake Goddess, though I doubt that's too helpful.  ^_^

[Rowanfox]

So, does this story remind anyone of something? Do any myths, deities or snake symbologies strike you as important here?

I know there's a lot out there about snakes. Maybe there's not any culture where snakes don't have one or two meanings...that's exactly my problem.

When I was doing a lot of shamanic work, 2 snakes were my spirit guides and helpers. I have always associated snakes with transformation and healing.

And perhaps you just have a spirit helper knocking on the door to get your attention.

[Daralyn_Dahiana]

So, does this story remind anyone of something? Do any myths, deities or snake symbologies strike you as important here?

I know there's a lot out there about snakes. Maybe there's not any culture where snakes don't have one or two meanings...that's exactly my problem.

I agree with Rowanfox that it could be you have a snake for a spirit guide. I have also equated snakes with healing (ever look closely at the symbol often used for medicine [ I recommend googling it if you haven't]?). There is a reason why snakes were incorporated into that symbol.

I know that Hekate has had snakes equated with her in the past, but I honestly have never seen her with one. I've always seen her with a torch, dogs, and/or at a crossroads.

[tinapo85]

And perhaps you just have a spirit helper knocking on the door to get your attention.

In this regard something similar happened to me. I kept having sting rays show up in my dreams. I had no idea what that meant until I was on vacation. I was on the beach trying to do ritual when all of a sudden I heard this noise. So I grabbed my flashlight (it was night) and thought I saw a bag of garbage on the beach, I got closer to it and it was a beached sting ray. I ended up getting it back in the water. But I had dreamed of them for years, but It took a big thump in the head to figure it out.

[Caroline]

So, does this story remind anyone of something? Do any myths, deities or snake symbologies strike you as important here?

If you haven't already, you might want to look into some of the Orphic material (especially the creation myth which describes a snake wrapped around the cosmic egg/egg of creation). A number of the Mystery philosophies involve snakes, and Hekate is often involved, so not necessarily always a direct correspondance, but there is a connection. Snakes also figure into myths with Dionysos, Demeter and Persephone.

[Waldfrau]

If you haven't already, you might want to look into some of the Orphic material (especially the creation myth which describes a snake wrapped around the cosmic egg/egg of creation). A number of the Mystery philosophies involve snakes, and Hekate is often involved, so not necessarily always a direct correspondance, but there is a connection. Snakes also figure into myths with Dionysos, Demeter and Persephone.

I haven't looked into that yet, because I'm confused about the plethora of materials about snakes... (I've ordered a book about snake mythologies in different cultures and might just read it through.)

Interesting you mention the egg connection and Hekate. Is there any connection between the two?

Maybe I'm just freakin' crazy, but I've had that run-in with Hekate in an Ostara ritual and there was some egg-involvement in that spirit journey: I went into a dead tree trunk, met Hekate who handed me a torch to reanimate the dead earth there. I lit a fire to warm eggs I saw lying around down there. No snake in that spirit journey, but I get the feeling the snakes have some kind of earth connection about them and they feel female to me whatever that information is worth.

Thanks, maybe it would make sense to look into the greek stuff first.

[erinnightwalker]

Random idea? Kundalini. I've heard it visualized as snakes before, and it fits with your energy idea.
Just my two bits

[SunflowerP]

Hi, Seeker - don't forget to quote, even when you're replying to the first post in a thread.  Thanks!

Sunflower, TC Forum Staff

[Caroline]

Interesting you mention the egg connection and Hekate. Is there any connection between the two?

Well we know that eggs were offered to both Hekate and to the dead (so much so that there are even pottery depictions of egg grave-offerings). That seems to be the strongest connection. Snakes were also associated with the dead (especially heroes) - sometimes representing the dead themselves, sometimes acting as guardian of the tomb.

I have a very strong connection with snakes myself, and I agree with your feelings of a female nature and strong association with earth (even despite the classic Greek connection with Zeus as guardian of the larder and mythic accounts of Zeus as father/lover of Persephone).

[Waldfrau]

Well we know that eggs were offered to both Hekate and to the dead (so much so that there are even pottery depictions of egg grave-offerings). That seems to be the strongest connection. Snakes were also associated with the dead (especially heroes) - sometimes representing the dead themselves, sometimes acting as guardian of the tomb.

I have a very strong connection with snakes myself, and I agree with your feelings of a female nature and strong association with earth (even despite the classic Greek connection with Zeus as guardian of the larder and mythic accounts of Zeus as father/lover of Persephone).

Hmm....maybe that death connection is why I've turned a blind eye on them for so long. I'm having my problems with the dead. I've had a very radical parting of ways with (literally) half my ancestors lately. I don't want to have any carmic involvement with them anymore. I don't want to go down the same road. So I'm a bit uneasy about business with Hekate or snakes. I'm a bit afraid they act on behalf of my ancestors to get me back where I just escaped from.

On the other hand I know snakes are a symbol of renewal and if that's not fitting now I wouldn't know what else fits. And the return of Persephone business associated with Hekate is also a very good fit. But it's kind of absurd, you know? Why should someone who's considered kind of a guardian of the dead act on behalf of the living who are captured by them?

[Dark Midnight]

On the other hand I know snakes are a symbol of renewal and if that's not fitting now I wouldn't know what else fits. And the return of Persephone business associated with Hekate is also a very good fit. But it's kind of absurd, you know? Why should someone who's considered kind of a guardian of the dead act on behalf of the living who are captured by them?

Can someone explain this to me in more detail please?

[Star]

Can someone explain this to me in more detail please?

Which bit?  There were several ideas in what you quoted--snakes as symbols of renewal, the association between Persephone and Hekate, a guardian of the dead acting on behalf of the living...

The only one of those I've got any thoughts on would be snakes as symbols of renewal.  My guess is it probably relates to the idea of a snake shedding its skin, thus apparently renewing itself/being reborn/etc.

[Dark Midnight]

Which bit?  There were several ideas in what you quoted--snakes as symbols of renewal, the association between Persephone and Hekate, a guardian of the dead acting on behalf of the living...

The only one of those I've got any thoughts on would be snakes as symbols of renewal.  My guess is it probably relates to the idea of a snake shedding its skin, thus apparently renewing itself/being reborn/etc.

Sorry, I should have been more specific there (put it down to sleep deprivation for the last 72 hours). I meant the part about a guardian of the dead acting on behalf of the living.

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