(Dendroaspis)
The snakes are closely related to lizards and vipers. They are highly developed prey hunters. In the course of their evolution over millions of years, they have evolved from lizards to snakes, losing the legs and reducing their streamlined body to the essential. They belong to animals with scales and their body temperature varies so they depend on an external heat source and, in case of cold, they enter a state of hibernation until the weather warms Although they do not have limbs, eyelids or external ears, they can slither through grass or among rocks without causing disturbance that might frighten prey.
They may perceive minimum vibrations and have an excellent sense of smell. All snakes eat other animals, depending on their size; they can eat from ants to wild boars. Constrictor snakes proceeds to strangle the prey to death before consuming it whole. Other snakes bite their prey with their venomous fangs. Snakes eat their prey whole and are able to consume prey three times larger than the diameter of their head because their lower jaw can separate from the upper jaw. Snakes can be found throughout the world, with the exception of Antarctica and a few islands.
Snakes in Mythology: In every culture around the world, the snakes are considered mystical animals. At the beginning, the Great Serpent of the World represented the Mother Earth, the one that gives birth to everything to devour it afterwards. In Greek mythology, Asclepius, God of the healing arts, is often represented with a snake in his hand. The Greek Goddess Hecate, which governs magic and fertility, is represented surrounded by snakes. It is also known the representation of Medusa with her head full of snakes instead of hair.
Even nowadays, snake charmers can be seen in the Maghreb, hypnotizing the snakes with their music and their movements. The snakes follow the pungi that the "snake charmer" holds with his hands. In this case, the snakes are considered to be the path to the knowledge of the mysteries of life. The indigenous Australian people, the murngin that inhabit Northern Australia, worship the great copper python or the rainbow serpent, Yurlungur, as their ancestral soul.
Snakes are very important for many indigenous cultures. There are many representations of snakes in the cities of the Maya. During the spring and fall equinoxes, the shadow of the serpent cast by the angle of the sun and edges of the nine steps of the pyramid combined with the northern stairway and the stone serpent head carvings create the illusion of a massive serpent descending the pyramid. The name of the indigenous religious King, Quetzalcoatl, precisely means "Feathered Serpent" and represents the union of the sky with the Earth, of light with darkness and of life with death. The Aztec goddess Coatlicue whose name means "Serpent Skirt," was the Earth Mother. Ixchel, the Moon Goddess that can generate tides, is represented with an entwined serpent headdress.
Within the culture of the Hopi Indians, we get to know the Water Serpent Ceremony (Palolokon). It lives in groundwater; it controls the liquids and body fluids and represents justice and the unification of body and soul. In China, the snake represents resurrection and renewal. In Chinese astrology, it represents the wisdom, the healing power and the good humor. For Hinduism, Ananta is the celestial snake on which Vishnu reclines. In Tantric yoga, the snake represents the ascending Kundalini energy and sexual strength. From the Bible, we get to know the serpent that tempted Eve to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge and, as a result, Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise. From the Kabbalah, we know the image of the serpent that creeps up within the mystical tree of the worlds.
The snake in the interpretation of dreams: If it appears in dreams, this may be an indication towards sexuality or treachery, or a message from the deepest unconscious.
Snake Essence: The essence stimulates our self-healing forces on the energy level. It stimulates harmony in emotionally intoxicated situations.
On the body level: The essence mainly helps us with skin problems. As it has been accepted by some dermatologists, it acts particularly well supporting self-healing powers in the case of psoriasis. In the same way as the snake sheds its skin periodically, this essence can help us during some process of renewal. The essence stimulates our self-healing forces in general, which benefits the immune system.
On the emotional level: The essence helps us through difficult times, when we feel attacked and unfairly treated. It helps us develop greater confidence in ourselves and thus we can be more aloof. It also encourages our sexual power and our vital force. It helps us to consciously manage our aggression. It teaches us that the venom can have both meanings: death and healing.
On the spiritual level: It promotes the Kundalini energy. It connects us energetically to the Earth and the spiritual plane, which promotes our life force. It makes us connect with our origins and at the same time, with a higher consciousness. It guides us through the "Book of Wisdom of Life" and awakens our inner self-healing forces.
Note: In Costa Rica, we had invited some indigenous people to attend a conference free of charge and they thanked us by inviting us to their village in the forest. While we were going to the village, we came across a snake. It was as if it was waiting for us and thus we made the essence. Throughout the preparation, the animal did not move one iota when we ended the preparation; it immediately disappeared in the bushes. Even the indigenous people were surprised.
