Represents: Wisdom, healing, initiation
Snake, or Serpent a powerful spirit animal. It is the symbol of transformation and healing. The caduceus, ancient Greek symbol of healing that still adorns many hospitals and healing centers, reflects this symbolism. The Snake is wisdom expressed through the powers of wholeness.
In the form of the Ouroboros, or a Serpent eating its own tail, it is also the symbol of eternity. The Ouroboros represents an entity that is complete unto itself. It also illustrates the idea of repeating cycles. It is therefore a powerful symbol of life, death, and rebirth. The darker side of the Ouroboros is that it is also an image of a Serpent devouring itself. In its darker aspect, it warns us against the dangers of becoming so self-centered that we create our own demise.
The Snake is a protector and guardian spirit animal, along with its sister spirit animal, the Dragon. She is associated with the chthonic world and with telluric energies. As such, she is also a symbol of the Mother Goddess in all her aspects.
If a Snake spirit animal has come into your life, your creative forces are awakening from the dark places of your psyche. Serpent teaches you how to sharpen your intuition and to trust her guidance. The more you do this, the sharper your intuition will become.
Snake energy is the energy of wholeness, cosmic consciousness, and the ability to experience anything willingly and without resistance. People of the Serpent possess the knowledge that all things are equal in creation. Snake also signals a transition in your life, symbolizing new opportunities and changes.
Snake medicine is fire medicine, the medicine of transmutation. On a material level, it is vitality. On an emotional level, it is ambition and dreams. On a mental level, it is intellect and power. On a spiritual level it is wisdom, understanding and wholeness.
Snake magic is heavy, deep magic. As a symbol of alchemy, Snake calls you to become the Magician and to transmute the energies of your world and to accept the power of the fire.
The Snake is one of the symbols of the Goddess, and of Cernunnos, who is depicted on the Gundestrup Cauldron holding a serpent.
Explore the significance of some common spirit animals by clicking a link below.