Snakes…Why’d It Have To Be Snakes?

I have been using snake charms in my Hawk Couture designs for quite some time, and typically get one of two reactions…either a person instantly is drawn to, or repelled by the sight of the slithering reptile. Snakes have been a polarizing symbol throughout history, and I believe there is something in our biology that reacts to the sign of them (much like how most people do with spiders) that is tied to the very real threat of danger when encountering certain snakes (and again, certain spiders). However, historically have been symbols of death and rebirth, as well as symbols of great wisdom and knowledge.

My appreciation with snakes started a little after college when friends were ‘snake sitting’ their friend’s 6 ft long boa constrictor for a few weeks (apparently, this is a thing). At the time, I was really sick with Lyme disease and I wasn’t able to hang out like twenty-something-year-olds when we had social gatherings. I typically had to sit down most of the time and go to bed early, but during this time I fell in love with this boa constrictor, simply named ‘Snake’. He would hang out with me, draped on my shoulders and even completely coiled up on my lap…like a cat…it was a wild experience (puns always intended) and it completely changed how I saw these truly mesmerizing creatures. A few years later, I was gifted a ball python for my birthday; we named her Bella…she was a sweetheart and we loved her very much. I don’t recommend having reptiles as pets though unless you really know what you’re doing…side note/pro tip.

This is ‘Bella’…her name predates Twilight…she got that name simply because she was so beautiful.

Cut to a few years later when I began exploring Kundalini Yoga as one of the healing modalities for the Chronic Lyme I was living with. In Kundalini Yoga, snakes represent the Kundalini, our creative life force energy, that lays coiled at the base of our spines until awoken. It is through specific breaths, postures, mantras, and meditations that the Kundalini energy, the coiled snake, is ‘coaxed’ from the base of our spine, where our root chakra is, up through the chakras making it’s way out of the crown chakra (I am paraphrasing as I am merely a student and not a teacher…I’m sure I’m leaving only a few thousand details out).

I found Kundalini intimating, weird, and completely life-changing. After spending about 6 years or so in a bubble, not pushing myself too hard for fear I would break again, my teacher helped to remind me of strength I have always had, and through breath and trust, I began to explore the boundaries I had relied upon for so many years…seeing how far I could push them and see how much I had grown. I attribute much of my healing to learning and utilizing the breathing techniques and technology of Kundalini yoga. I highly recommend taking some classes or even just incorporating a few minutes of breath of fire into your daily regimen (Kia Miller’s classes on Glo are my favorite), especially if you are super sensitive to energies around you.

“Snakes remind us of our ability to shed what is no longer serving us and embrace our transformation. They are a symbol of healing and wisdom and serve as a bridge between the elements of water and fire.”

Here are a few of the highlights in snake symbolism that I wanted to share with you:

* Snakes shedding their skin represents the cycles of shedding the old and starting anew; it also represents shedding illusions so that we may see the truth

* In Hinduism, the symbol of the snake has been utilized to represent our sacred energy, known as ‘kundalini’ or ‘the serpent fire’. This energy is thought to live, coiled like a snake, at the base of our spine. Throughout life’s experiences, or through consistent spiritual work, and sometimes through spontaneous awakening, the kundalini, the snake, begins to rise up through the chakras, stimulating each center of wisdom throughout our physical and emotional bodies.

* Snakes during Druid times were looked at as teachers, leaders, great poets, musicians, and bearers of great wisdom and healing, and were incredibly revered.

I believe that we are drawn to whatever serves us most at that time in our lives, and much like taste buds, these subtle callings change over time. In terms of animal totems, I do believe that for most people, they have resonated with one or a few beings (birds, mammals, reptiles, etc), throughout their lives. These relationships may what is commonly thought of as one’s ‘totem animal’; however, I also believe that when we invite the lessons from mother nature into our lives, we begin to learn from all of these wise beings.

“So if you are feeling drawn to the symbol of the snake right now, it may be a sign that you are embarking on shedding old stories, old paradigms, and old behaviors. It may be a sign of emotional and spiritual maturity and that you are ‘leveling up’. If the symbol repulses you, I invite you to do some self-exploration to see what about the snake’s message is causing pause? It is not a question of judgment, it is an invitation of observation and awareness.”

There is no right way or wrong way to be ‘spiritual’, it’s just a matter of finding which practices resonate with you, and they are not all going to resonate. If this has piqued your curiosity, I invite you to read up on the message of the Snake, written by the insightful Ina Woolcott, or to look up it’s meaning in Ted Andrew’s revered book “Animal Speak”. See what jumps out to you and many blessings to you on your journey.

~ Greta