PEOPLE & HOSPITALS

Today I went to the hospital to visit a friend who just had surgery yesterday.  When I was leaving, I stepped into an elevator full of people.  A woman to my left said, “Your hair smells good.”

At first, I didn’t realize she was talking to me.  I guess it was the dead silence afterwards that caught my attention, “Are you talking to me?”

I heard a laugh to my right, as the woman to my left smiled and replied, “Yes,” as she reached towards the back of my head and stroked my hair once.

Some people may have been offended by a stranger touching them, but I just had to smile as I thanked her for the compliment. 

You put people in hospitals and they become your best friend.  They are so much more compassionate.  Before you leave, you will know no stranger.  And I’m not talking about patients, nurses or doctors; I’m talking about those who visit their loved ones.  Like the people in the elevator. 

“But hospitals are so depressing,” I hear this all of the time.  And yes, I believe that visitors are just as vulnerable as the patients, maybe even more.  As a result people open their hearts to perfect strangers.  And it works both ways.  Not only do they wish to talk about why their loved one is there in the hospital, they want to know your story too. 

Grab a seat in a waiting room, and you’ll see what I mean; especially in an intensive care unit.  Families of ten or more will camp out in an I.C.U. waiting room.   The more intense the illness, the more friendly they are. 

Maybe it is because the threat of death reminds us that we are all in this boat together, when facing our immortality.  Or maybe it’s simply that healing energy we bring to those we care for, who are weak.  Either way, if you have lost your faith in humanity, then visit a hospital.  I guarantee you’ll see the best of humankind.

 

 

HALLOWEEN 101

You can surf the Internet until you’re blue researching the origins of Halloween, but this is how it was explained to me, while attending fifth grade in Catholic school.

Halloween began as a Catholic tradition.  Parishioners would dress up as their favorite saint, and then go door to door and collect money for the poor.  Considering the name, “Hallow” means to make holy, and the occasion is celebrated on the eve of All Saints Day (also known to some as All Souls Day), I tend to believe that Halloween began as a Holy day.  As humans evolve, so do our holidays.

When I was a kid, we use to steal Farmer Brown’s field corn.  His field was only a block from our house.  All of us neighborhood kids would get together and collect ears of corn, then take them back to my house and spend a few hours shucking the corn from the cob.  It was really hard and rough on your hands, because the corn was very firm and fixed.  Still, we stood over a trash bag and all of us did our part.

When the night would arrive, we would fill little paper lunch sacks with the corn, and begin our little adventure.  We would run up and down the streets throwing the corn on the front porches of our victims, who were relaxed and cozy in their homes watching prime time television. 

CRASH!  The corn would explode loudly against the aluminum screen doors and siding, as it bounced along the porch.  If you were on the other side of the door, it would scare the ba-Jevus out of you!  I know, because there were times when I was grounded and not allowed to join my friends, and they would corn our house.

Those were the best days of my life as a kid.  People would get mad and chase you down the street, only because you scared the crap out of them.  The corn didn’t do any damage to the house.  It was good clean entertainment.  Our parents even knew what we were up to and most times they did not object. 

When I reminisce on the experience today, I know it was wrong to steal Farmer Brown’s corn, but other than that, it was fun!  Farmer Brown would even sometimes sit in his field with a salt gun and shoot at us.  I never was hit, so I can laugh about it.

Still, I do not know of anyone who corns houses today.  It was one of those traditions that quietly slipped away.  Just like a holy custom becoming a tradition of terror and hell raising. 

I’m much older now.  As close as I get to scaring people these days is sitting in a dark house by candle light allowing my imagination to run wild while watching horror flicks.  If I’m in an ornery mood, I’ll dress up and scare the kids who come a knocking for candy.  Blow their little minds away!

I use to play scary sounds on cassette tape, but then most of the kids were too frightened to approach the house.  So I toned it down a bit after that.  Not many kids trick or treat in our neighborhood as it is.  Most of the little trick or treaters don’t even wear a costume anymore.

Come as you are . . . the real world is much more scarier anyway.  Who knows?  Maybe it’s the birth of a new Halloween custom.

 

 

 

THE MYSTERY & MAGIC OF THE CAT

The people of ancient Egypt attributed magical powers to cats.  When a cat would die, the Egyptians honored the cat as any other member of the household.  Cat mummies have been discovered in ancient tombs.

 

The prophet Mohammed was said to love cats.  One time his cat fell asleep in the sleeve of Mohammed’s robe.  Instead of disturbing the cat, Mohammed simply cut his sleeve off.

Christian legend says it was a tabby cat that kept Jesus warm at the time of his birth.  With gratitude the Virgin Mary marked the cat with an M on the forehead.  In addition, it is said to dream of a tabby cat is a sign of luck for the home and all who live there.

Some say to dream of a black cat is lucky, while other interpretations say it is an indication of fear using your physic abilities and trusting your intuition.

As dream symbols in general, the cat could indicate that someone is being deceitful towards you.  Even old dream interpretation says a cat is a bad omen, and you can expect deceit from those you trust.

I found this to be true long ago when I dreamed of a cardinal sitting on the bed.  The cardinal hopped off the bed and went under it.  When I flipped the mattress, the cardinal turned into two cats.  One week later, my lover left me for another.  I was totally clueless to the affair. 

 

(The following is from the book Animal-Speak, by Ted Andrews):

Although a domesticated animal, it would be unjust not to at least touch upon the energies and essence of the cat as a totem.  Many of the larger cats are examined in this dictionary separately, but cats in general - wild or domestic – have certain qualities in common.

In myth and lore, the cat predominates.  In ancient Egypt they held a position of special privilege.  The goddess Bast was often depicted either as a cat or with a cat’s head.  In Scandinavian lore, the cat was associated with the goddess of fertility, Freyja.  In the Hindu tradition Shasthi, the goddess of childbirth, is depicted riding upon a cat.  Cats appear frequently in the tales of the Brothers Grimm and many other folk stories from around the world.

To cats have been attributed a wide variety of traits – often contradictory.  Curiosity, nine lives, independence, cleverness, unpredictability, and healing are but a few.  A witch’s pet was unusually regarded as her familiar – a spirit in the form of a cat.  It was often believed that witches could take the form of cats.

Cats are at home after dark, and yet most humans want them to be traditional pets during the day.  When they do not respond in this manner, they are accredited with independence and unsociability.  Because the dark is the home of fears and those things humans do not want to see and can’t see, the cat has come to be associated with magic and mystery.  The truth is that cats have more rods in the retinas of their eyes, which enhances light perception.  It enables them to see effectively in the dark.  The traditional prey of the cat is the mouse, but it is by no means limited to it.  Cats still effectively hunt birds and rabbits.

The traditional enemy of the cat is the dog, but this is not its only enemy.  For anyone with a cat totem, the study of the qualities of the mouse and dog will be beneficial for helping you understand the magic and the balance of energies with the cat.

Examine the colors, the character, the behaviors of your own cat.  Everything about it will be significant.  Many books exist on the lore and the character of cats.  Whether domesticated or wild, anytime a cat becomes predominant, look for magic and mystery to come alive.

THE RAVEN & THE WICKED PRIEST

Off and on through the month of October, I have blogged about things that go bump in the night, not to scare you, but to give you a better understanding of spirits and the animals associated with fear.  Chief Dan George once said, “If you talk to the animals, they will talk with you, and you will know each other.  If you do not talk to them, you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear.  What one fears, one destroys.”

(The following is from Ted Andrew’s book, Animal-Speak)

The raven is one of those birds that has a tremendous amount of lore and mythology surrounding it, and it is often contradictory.  It is a bird of birth and death, and it is a bird of mysticism and magic.

In the East, the raven was considered unclean – because it is a scavenger.  It is one of the foods listen as forbidden in the Bible.  The raven is on of the birds that Noah sent out after the floods, but it did not return to the ark.  On the other hand, also in Biblical lore is the tale of how a raven fed the prophet Elijah when hiding from King Ahab.

In Scandinavian lore, the raven played a significant role.  The Norse god Odin had a pair of ravens who were his messengers.  Their names were Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory).  Odin was known to shape shift as raven himself. This reflects the idea of raven being a messenger of the great spiritual realm. 

The raven has a long history of being an omen.  During the Middle Ages the croak of the raven was believed to foretell a death or the outcome of a battle.  It was even thought to the common folk in Christian communities that wicked priest became ravens when they died.  Even today, some old timers tell how you can expect hot weather when a raven is facing a clouded sun.

The raven is a member of the corvids family, to which belong crows and magpies and other such birds.  In truth, the only really significant difference between the crow and the raven is the size, the raven being much larger.  It would be beneficial to study the information on the crow for anyone who has a raven as a totem.  Much of the same information that applies to one, also applies to the other.  It is simply a matter of degree.  Rather than repeat that information here, I would like to give some information not generally associated with the crow itself.

The raven has a wealth of myth and lore surrounding it.  In many ways it is comparable to the coyote tales of the plains Indians, the Bushmen tales of the mantis and other societies in which an animal plays both a significant and yet confusing role.  The coyote was both trickster and wise being – fool and wise one.  This was true of the mantis in the tales of the Kalahari Bushmen.

In the Pacific Northwest, the raven has this same aura about him.  In the Pacific Northwest, raven brought forth life and order.  Raven stole the sunlight from one who would keep the world in darkness.  Nothing could exist without raven.  Raven is honored in art and on totem poles, reflecting the tales and mysticism that have developed around it.

With raven, human and animal spirits intermingle and become as one.  This is reflected in its deep, rich shiny black.  In blackness, everything mingles until drawn forth, out into the light.  Because of this, raven can help you shape shift your life or your being.  Raven has the knowledge of how to become other animals and how to speak their languages.

Ravens are great at vocalizations, and they can be taught to speak.  They incorporate and mimic the calls of other species.  In the Northwest are tales of the Kwakiutl Indians who offered the afterbirth of male newborns to raven so that when they grew up, they would understand their cries.  Raven can teach you to understand the language of animals.

Ravens are playful, and they are excellent tool users.  They will use stones and anything else that is available to help them crack nuts and such.  They are birds not intimidated by others, and they are very fast and wary.  Because of this they are not easy prey for other animals or birds.  This implies the ability to teach you how to stir the magic of life without fear.  They are also known for their amorous behavior, reflecting the strong creative life force to which they have access.

According to legend, if the ravens leave the Tower of London,
the fortress and the British kingdom will fall.

This creative life force can be used to work the magic of spiritual laws upon the physical plane.  It can be used to go into the void and stir the energies to manifest that which you most need.  All this and more is what raven teaches.  If raven has come into your life, expect magic, linking it with your will and intention. 

Raven speaks of the opportunity to become the magician and/or enchantress of your life.  Each of us has a magician within, and it is raven which can show us how to bring that part of us out of the dark into the light.  Raven speaks of messages from the spirit realm that can shape shift you life dramatically.  Raven teaches how to take that which is unformed and give it to the form you desire.

The winter solstice and winter season is the time of greatest power for those with the raven as a totem.  The solstice is the shortest day of the year.  The sun shines the least on this day; thus it is the darkest.  From that day forth, the light shines a little more each day.  This is symbolic of the influence of the raven.  It teaches how to go into the dark and bring forth the light.  With each trip in, we develop the ability to bring more light out.  This is creation.

NUMEROLOGY & THE MAGIC OF NUMBERS

Astrology and Numerology were said to once be a part of the Bible, before the Catholic Church choose to suppress them, as in the case of the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Phillip, and the Gospel of Thomas.  Still the bible does contain a chapter called the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament.  And in the New Testament, the number three plays a very symbolic role in regards the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Numerology is a belief that individual numbers have a direct vibration on ones purpose or the intent of ones life. 

For example, to discover ones life path is found in the birth date.  To find your birth force you would add your birth month to the birth date and then add the year (2 + 7+ 1963 = 28, 2+8= 10.  The number 1 would be your life path).

Number 1 represents leadership, independence, individuality, adventure, initiative, originality, and determination. 

Number 2 symbolizes peacemaker, diplomacy, meditation, caution, kindness, sensitivity, cooperation, emotion, and feeling.

Number 3 creativity and expression, enthusiasm, inspiration, imagination, vision, optimism, pleasure, happiness.

Number 4 create order and serve; achievement, concentration, management, application, conservation, dedication, efficiency, organization and follow-through.

Number 5 freedom; promote new ideas; rewards are realized through expressions of expansiveness, invention, promotion, adventure, movement and change.

Number 6 responsibility; embraces qualities such as beauty, creativity, domesticity, healing, passion, harmony, morality, trust and service.

Number 7 individuality; the quest for wisdom and knowledge; analysis, research, calculation, understanding, perfection, the unseen, intuition, investigation, reason, vision and solitude.

Number 8 manifestation; sense of judgment, power authority, capability, organization, efficiency, skill and hard work.

Number 9 compassion; the nine hold the vibration of universal love; creativity, imagination, charity, generosity, devotion and dedication.

Number 11 this number lives in two worlds often vibrating with 2, but in its full nature it is a number that translates a world beyond; illumination, aware, six sense, creative, discerning, dreamy, inspiring and intense.

Number 22 master; on a practical day the number becomes 4, but when it senses full capacity, it is a master builder; great achievement, ingenuity, high energy, innovation and idealism.

Now, to determine your personality, total the consonants of your full birth name, by using the following information below:

            1 = ajs

            2 = bkt

            3 = clu

            4 = dmv

            5 = enw

            6 = fox

            7 = gpy

            8 = hqz

            9 =  ir

To discover your hearts desire, simply total the vowels in your name.

Your expression or destiny number is the total of your full name.

When you are adding numbers and you come upon double digits, like 16, you simply add 1 + 6 and get 7; seven is the single digit number you are seeking.  If the numbers add up to 10, then the number one is your answer.  This will apply except for the numbers 11 and 22.

There is so much more to the science of numerology.  This blog article barely scratches the surface, but it does provide a basic understanding of how numbers play a role within our existence. 

Rest In Peace Masaru Emoto

This man's contribution to humanity changed my life and saved my soul.

Much Love & Respect!

 

He touched the lives of many and made us aware of the endless
 possibilities of the human mind. He was a great man indeed.
  Thank you Masaru Emoto!

http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/emoto.html 

 

 

 

 

 

DREAM INTERPRETATION – The Dancing Bear

Today I want share a dream interpretation with you. 

Yesterday morning I dreamed I was on the beach and in the distance to my left, I seen a bear wondering around the stores and restaurants.  Eventually he finds his way to the other side of the wall, onto the beach.  On his hind legs he chases a white bird flying right above his head. 

Amused, I pointed the bear out to someone else who is sitting on my left.  They find it amusing too. As I turn to walk away, this person tells me, “Don’t be scared.”

I turn back to look, and I see the bear running towards us.  I do not trust the bear; I don’t know if it is friendly or not.

So yesterday I spent the entire morning researching the bear.  And throughout the day, the bear kept popping up on the television and on the Internet.  So I know the bear has a message for me, or has come to help me on my journey in some way.

I discovered the bear symbolizes many things to many different cultures.  At first I grabbed Betty Bethards, The Dream Book, and found that the bear not only signifies strength and power, but also inconsistent emotional energy.  Her book states that the bear can not be trusted; it can be violent or cuddly; charming or crabby.  But I didn’t feel that this was what the dream was trying to tell me, even though the word trust was mentioned in her interpretation. 

Next I grabbed my Animal-Speak book (by Ted Andrews) and read about the bear.  What caught my eye was, “Like birds, the bear is often considered among Native American peoples as kin to humans because, like birds, it (the bear) can walk upon two legs.”

In the dream, the bear was chasing a bird. Which then lead me to a Native American web site that says, “If the bear is standing up, this is a sign that you need to defend your beliefs.”  It also went on to say that the bear is often associated with healing and medicine.

In addition, restaurants and beaches are places of nourishment.  Beaches are also symbols of healing and balance; earth, wind, water and fire.  Birds symbolize balance as well (among other things).

Considering I’ve had to drastically change my diet this week, due to a possible bladder infection, I believe the dream is actually a reflection of what I’m doing now to heal.  The thing is that I don’t truly know if it is a bladder infection (unsure of myself, a trust issue), because I refuse to see a doctor.

Therefore, I believe the dream is telling me that the change in diet will heal me; don’t be scared, you are doing the right thing.  The bear moves from the cement in front of the restaurant and into the sand on the beach; nature.  I’ve been using natural remedies to cure myself.

Next the bear is playing with a bird on the beach; a white bird, which symbolizes purity.  I’m working towards purifying my body. 

I am sitting on the beach, a place of relaxation – relax, your beliefs are justified. 

The most important element of dream interpretation is how did you feel while you were dreaming, or when you first awoke from the dream.  Were you scared, angry, amused, calm, etc.? 

When I awoke from this particular dream, I thought, wow, cool!  I was intrigued, even though I didn’t quite understand the message at that moment.  If I would have felt fearful about the dream, I would treat the dream as a warning to go seek medical assistance instead.

It’s always best to interpret your own dreams.  You can ask a hundred different people to analyze your dream and I guarantee you’ll get a hundred different interpretations.  Only you know what you felt in your heart while dreaming. 

As in the case of the bear, the symbolism can vary widely.  You have to ask yourself, what does the bear mean to me?  And of course, incorporate all the dream symbols.

 

For an online dream dictionary visit - http://www.dreammoods.com/

 

FIGHTING CANCER WITH SUNSHINE & HERBS

Did you know that cancer cells can not live in a high potassium environment?  High potassium foods include:

Apricot (dried)                                   Lentils (dry or sprouted)

Asparagus                                         Limes (fresh)
Banana                                              Mushrooms (raw)
Barley (pearled)                                Nectarines
Bean (Navy dried or Lima fresh)       Okra (fresh)
Beets (raw)                                        Onions
Bread (sprouted, no salt)                  Oranges
Broccoli (fresh)                                 Parsley (fresh)
Brussels Sprouts (fresh)                   Peaches (dried or raw)
Cabbage                                           Pears (Barlett)
Cantaloupe                                       Peas (dried or fresh)
Caraway Seed                                  Pineapple (raw)
Carrots (raw)                                     Plums (raw)
Cauliflower (fresh, raw)                     Prunes (dried or raw)
Celery Seeds                                    Quince (raw)
Chard (small leaves)                         Raisins
Cherries (dark raw)                           Rhubarb (raw)
Dandelion Greens                             Rice (wild or brown)
Dill Seeds                                          Rolled Oats
Endive                                               Sage
Figs (dried or raw)                             Spinach (raw)
Garlic                                                  Squash (raw Acorn, Hubbard White & Yellow)
Grapes (concord emperor)               Tangerines
Grapefruit (fresh)                              Tapioca (raw)
Horseradish (fresh)                          Turnips (raw leaves)
Kale (leaves)                                     Watermelon
Lemons (fresh)

(This list was taken from the book Natural Healing With Herbs, by Humbart Santillo)

And here is another suggestion, relocate to a warm climate where sunshine is in abundance.  Yes that’s right; sunshine isn’t as bad for you as the medical establishment would like us all to think. 

 

The human body naturally absorbs vitamin D from the sun. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego gathered data from 107 countries (4,443 people) and discovered a link between sunlight and breast cancer.

 

Women with lower vitamin D levels (17 nano grams per milliliter on average) were at a higher risk for breast cancer than those who live near the equator with a level of 30 nano grams per milliliter.

 

In another study conducted in 2007, the University of Nebraska scientists found that vitamin D can reduce all cancers in women up to 77%.

 

Overall there are 16 types of cancer that can be eliminated, for men and women, by sitting in the sun for 20 minutes a day. 

 

In addition, melanoma is more common in Northern latitudes, suggesting that sun screens are linked to the rise of skin cancer patients. 

 

Nature is our friend; not our enemy.  Shine on and be well.

 

 

BLOOD PURIFICATION THERAPY

(From the book, “Natural Healing With Herbs,” by Humbart Santillo, BS, MH)

Blood purification therapy is the therapy that is used to purify the blood and lymphatic system if acids and other poisons are causing disease, imbalances and irritations of glands, organs and body tissue.

 

If the blood and lymphatic system were pure, no disease would exist.  The bloodstream is the river of life during disease and health, the blood is constantly neutralizing poisons and carrying toxins to be eliminated.  Air pollution, chemical preservatives, food waste, the body’s natural cellular waste and stress can cause an accumulation of toxins in the body and result in disease at any organ, joint, or tissue site.

In adding blood and lymph cleansing, alternative herbs are used such as burdock root, red clover, Echinacea, chaparral, garlic, yellowdock, dandelion, etc.  Whenever there is an illness, blood purification, along with bowel cleansing (enemas, colonics) should be considered to assist blood purification therapy.  Short fast using water or vegetable broths, raw vegetable juices like carrot, celery, beet, watercress and citrus juices will help neutralize poisons in the bloodstream and will stimulate the cleansing functions of the liver, bowels and kidneys.  Deep breathing and exercise will aid in lung and skin elimination. Dry skin brushing and hydrotherapy help clean the blood and lymph and is very good for elderly people and weak individuals that cannot move around easily and be exposed to more energetic therapies.

 

Some blood cleaners are diuretics, others are hepatics (liver cleansers), others will influence other organs.  Take blood cleansing herbs between meals on an empty stomach.  If they cause nausea or stomach upset, adding some licorice root, ginger or other carminatives to the combination usually will help.  If this fails, take the herbs with meals or change the formula so it can be taken on an empty stomach.

 

The kidneys, lungs, liver, bowels and skin are the major eliminatory organs of the body.  Always consider herbs that will aid elimination through them to help purify the blood.  Stimulating hot and cold alternating fomentations over the weak organs will stimulate cleansing of these body parts.

 

Blood purification therapy is especially indicated during gout, arthritis, rheumatism, skin diseases, all toxic conditions, during fasts and periodically during cleansing and transition diets, acute and chronic illnesses, infections and low grade fevers.

 

Blood purification therapy is used to treat heat/excess, cold/deficient, internal and external problems.

 

In heat/excess the toxins in the blood and lymphatic system have to be removed.  Toxins and poisons produce heat in the body.  During cold/deficient illness an individual is feeling cold because of the organs not functioning properly.  If there is a heavy congestion in certain areas of the body, deobstruent therapy is indicated, but if the organs are receiving toxic, poor blood which is hindering the function of them, blood purification is the suitable therapy.

 

Whether the condition is internal (chronic) or external (acute) the blood needs to be purified.  It is one of the main therapies that can be used along with any other therapy needed.

MESSAGES FROM THE OTHER SIDE

THIS IS NOT A PAID ADVERTISEMENT:

First, I would like to say that I believe in supporting others within my community.  With that said, in the spirit of Halloween, I want to introduce you to someone who talks to the dead.  Located in Pensacola, Florida, Sharon Renae has been speaking to those from the other side since she was a child. 

 

On the first Friday of the month, she holds a group session at her home called, “Messages From the Other Side.”  Although the first Friday of October has passed, you can still catch Messages From the Other Side on October 25^th, at 7:00 p.m., in Huntsville, Alabama (1328 Governors Drive SE @ Unity on the Mountain) , or visit Sharon’s web site at sharonrenae.com, and schedule a personal reading.

You’ll be amazed by how those whom have passed participate in your life here today.  It is an excellent healing experience for those grieving over the loss of a loved one.  I personally know Sharon and have participated in classes she offers, and I can honestly say that what I have learned from her has helped me on my spiritual journey tremendously.

For more information regarding Messages From the Other Side:

http://sharonrenae.com/services/group-channeling-sessions/


VIDEO:  Breakthrough scientific evidence for the afterlife. The Scole Experiments. For five years a group of mediums and scientists witnessed more phenomena than in any other experiment in the history of the paranormal, including recorded conversations with the dead, written messages on sealed film, video of spirit faces and even spirit forms materializing. These experiments may finally convince you there is life after death. The scientific team in change of overseeing these experiments include world renowned Cambridge Scientist - Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, Dr. David Fontana and Researcher Montague Keen who died during the filming of the documentary.

 

SNAKES & SERPENTS

Did you know that North America snakes appear in the fall more than any other season?  There are a couple of reason for this - one, most snakes are born in August and September; two, it begins to get cold, and they are looking for a warmer place to spend winter, so you may see them near your home.

In Native American culture, the Hopi Snake Dance is a nine day secret ceremony held in August, where performers dance with live snakes in their mouths.  It is a rain dance.  The Hopi regard the snake as guardians of the springs.  They are considered to be sacred.

There is even a Blackfoot legend that links the snake with the moon.  I only bring this up because yesterday I blogged about the moon, and keeping with the spirit of Halloween, today I introduce to you the snake. 

 

(The following is from Ted Andrew’s book, Animal-Speak)

Of all the reptiles – and maybe even all animals – the snake has been the subject of great controversy and paradox.  Religious sources argue over whether it is the symbol of the higher or the lower.  Sometimes seen as devil and sometimes seen as healer, it is an animal that truly has earned the mythical reputation.

In the Americas, the snake served as a prominent symbol in art and lore.  To the Native Americans, the snake is a symbol of transformation and healing.  Snake ceremonies involved learning to transmute the poisons within the body after being bitten multiple times.  Survival of this would then enable the individual to transmute all poisons – physical or otherwise.  It activated the energy to kill or cure, ultimately leading to dramatic healings.

In Meso-American societies, the serpent or snake was depicted as feathered and flying.  It was a symbol of their greatest god and hero, Quetzalcoatl.  Quetzalcoatl’s story is the myth of a dying god who would someday return.  In many ways he was the patron god of the Toltecs, and it was said that the heavens and stars and all the motions of the universe were under his dominion.  “He was the master of the winds and of the clouds and the protecting genius of his people.”

In Greece the snake was also a symbol of alchemy and healing.  The god Hermes carried a staff upon which were entwined two snakes.  This caduceus symbol is the primary symbol of modern medicine and doctors.  It is a symbol of wisdom expressed through healing.

In India the goddess Vinata was the mother of snakes and a symbol of water and the underworld.  Also in India there were demigods, Nagas and their beautiful wives, Naginis, who were usually depicted as half cobra and half deity.  The god Vishnu is often depicted sleeping on the serpent of eternity called Anata.  Shiva wears snakes for bracelets and necklaces, representing sexuality.

The serpent and the snake has long been a symbol of the sexual/creative life force within humans as is taught in Eastern traditions.  The kundalini or serpent fire lies coiled at the base of the spine.  As we grow and develop, the primal energy is released, rising up the spine.  This in turn activates energy centers in the body and mind, opening new dimensions and levels of awareness, health, and creativity.

In Chinese astrology one of the every twelve years is named for the snake.  Those born with that year are believed to have the qualities of compassion, clairvoyance and charm.  They usually need to learn lessons associated with forgiveness, superstitiousness and possessiveness as well.  A study of Chinese astrology will help you with this.

In Egypt the snake has also had mystical significance.  The uraeus is a head band in the shape of the snake.  The head of the snake rests and sticks out at the brow area.  It was believed to represent a state of inner sight and control of the universe.  It was a symbol worn by those who were initiated.  Some believe it to be a variation of the eye of Horus, while others see it as the sacred eye of Ra.  It represented a certain degree of wisdom and understanding.

Because it sheds its skin, the snake has long been a symbol of death and rebirth.  It sheds its skin as it outgrows the old.  This death and rebirth cycle is part of what snake represents.  It has ties and significance to the ancient alchemists and their symbolic transmutation of lead into gold.  This associated with higher wisdom that comes with the passing of time.  This cycle of death and rebirth is often symbolized by the ouroborus, the ancient image of a snake swallowing its own tail.  It is a symbol of eternity.

Before the snake begins to shed its skin, its eyes will begin to cloud over.  It gives the snake a trancelike appearance.  To many mystics and shamans this indicated the ability of the snake to move between the realms of the living and the dead, of crossing over from life to death and then back to life again.  As the skin begins to shed, the eyes begin to clear as if they will see the world anew.  For this reason, alchemists often believed that wisdom and new knowledge would lead to death and rebirth, enabling the individual to see the world from an entirely new perspective.

The snake has often been depicted, along with its relatives, the serpent and dragon, as a guardian.  It is found in myth and lore guarding treasures, the springs of life, or sacred places.  The snake/serpent guarded the tree on which the Golden Fleece hung in the Greek tale of Jason and the Argonauts.

The snake is sinuous and fast.  Although many people think of them as slimy, their skin is very dry.  In fact, humans are slimier than snakes.  If a human runs his or her hand on the floor, it will pick up dirt.  A snake’s skin will not which is why it is able to slide and move in the manner it does.

A snake attacks quickly.  It raises itself up and strikes quick, hard and true to its mark.  It is not unusual to find that those with this totem can respond the same way if need be.  It is best not to anger snake people.  Although slow to lose their tempers, once lost, their bite is quick, sharp and direct.  They almost always hit their mark.  They may end up swallowing you whole or just poisoning you in some way.

Anytime a snake shows up as a totem, you can expect death and rebirth to occur in some area of your life.  This rarely reflects an actual death but rather a transition.  Look for a change in conditions and a movement to new life.  Examine what is going on around you.  Are you needing to make changes but aren’t for some reason?  Are you trying to force change too quickly?  Are you striking out at people and shouldn’t?  Are you not striking and should?  Remember that a snake not only uses it venom and bite to overcome prey, but also for defense.  What is needing to be healed?  What new opportunities are surfacing that you need to strake out for and take advantage of?

It can also reflect that your own creative forces are awakening.  The stimulation of the kundalini usually has physiological as well s spiritual consequences.  Physiologically it can activate the sexual drive, bring more energy, etc.  Spiritually it can stimulate greater perception of how to apply your insight and intuition.  Your own vision and intuition will become more accurate.

To understand the specific role your snake totem will play within your life, first begin by examining the form it takes.  This alone will tell you much.  Every snake has a head, body and tail, and there are a wide variety of snakes.  Some are poisonous, almost all can bite, and some squeeze and strangle their prey by coiling around it.  Examine your snake’s marking, and the patterns of its scales.  A diamond-back rattler is named for its pattern of scales.  Examine the significance of geometric shapes.  This will help you to define the role the snake will have in your life.

The rattlesnake, for example, moves around only during the cool hours of the night.  Extreme heat is deadly to it.  You may find for yourself that becoming more nocturnal would be of benefit.  It has a side-winding motion to its movement.  It also has a special sense organ, a small pit in the head that reacts to heat put out by other creatures.  This is how it senses its prey.  On a symbolic level this indicates for those with this totem an increasing sensitivity to the auras of others.  You may start seeing them soon, but you will definitely start sensing them.  Trust what you feel around others, no matter how strange it may seem.

Always examine some of the qualities and characteristics of the snake in general.  Snakes are carnivorous.  They swallow their prey whole.  To be able to do this, their jaws will unhinge.  The mouth is where we take in nutrition in the form of food.  This unhinging ability of the snake reflects the increased ability for those with this totem to swallow and absorb greater amounts of nutrition for the head, i.e., knowledge.  Learning opportunities, formal and informal, will surface frequently.  Usually with a snake totem, there is a little chance of overloading the brain circuits.  You will be able to swallow and digest whatever you take in.

Some people have been associated hypnotic qualities with the snake because of its stare.  The unblinking stare occurs because the snake has no eyelids.  Learning to use the eyes to mesmerize and look into the hearts and souls of others directly is part of what traditional snake medicine can teach.  It may even indicate a need to look more closely into your own heart and soul.

Snakes have a keen sense of smell.  They actually smell with their tongue, which is why it flicks in and out so much.  Inside the mouth of the snake in the roof is an organ called the Jacobson’s organ.  This organ enables the snake to assimilate the air around them.  This organ helps them to taste the air and its odors, helping them locate food sources.

The sense of smell is linked to higher forms of discrimination and spiritual idealism.  Individuals with the snake totem will find themselves extremely sensitive to smell and fragrances.  Aromatherapy may be a form of healing that is beneficial to explore.  They should pay attention to what is going on around them.  Do things really smell right around you?  Make sure that you are very discriminating about what you say and to whom – and with what you involve yourself?

Snakes are symbols of change and healing.  They have speed and agility, so those who have snakes come into their life will usually find the changes and shifts will occur quickly and are soon recognized and defined.  When snake comes into your life you can look for a rebirth into new powers of creativity and wisdom.