Snakes have fascinated humans throughout history. Every culture and religion has a story related to these reptiles’ spiritual and physical significance. It may be difficult to see them as anything other than symbols of fear since “Animal Planet” has listed snakes as the second most feared animal in the world.
Many ancient cultures revere the snake, for they represent healing, transformation, rebirth, awakening, and fertility. The Kundalini energy moves snakelike through the human body and represents movement from conscious to subconscious. Snake spirit encourages the release of old patterns and fears.
If you know the spiritual meaning of snakes, that will help you in dream interpretation, reading scripture, or if the snake is your spirit animal. This article will clarify any questions and shed new light on these reptiles we were taught to fear.
What Do Snakes Symbolize?
Before going into the more profound spiritual meanings that snakes represent, let us examine what snakes represent in the physical world.
Snakes are cold-blooded reptiles; they lay on the ground to warm themselves and seek shade when the heat gets unbearable. They slither along the ground in a winding “s-shape” pattern.
As they grow older, their skin grows old and worn as well, that’s a time to shed off the old skin, and new skin is born. Snakes are also known to shed their skin after giving birth or before reproduction.
Snakes will defend themselves when deliberately attacked or provoked, spitting venom that could prove deadly. It is for this reason humans fear snakes.
Snakes have been misunderstood from time immemorial. They are referred to as shifty-eyed, charming, sneaky when we see them in dreams; we know to be on the lookout for people around us with these character traits.
Looking at the physical traits of snakes gives us a better idea of the spiritual meanings behind snakes.
What Do These Characteristics Of A Snake Signify Spirituality?
If you suspect a snake, maybe your spirit animal, or you constantly see snakes, there may be a spiritual meaning. The spirit realm is maybe trying to send you a message.
Because snakes are known to shed their skin, they are seen as symbols of transformation and rebirth. Much like clothing worn by humans, the snakes’ skin is discarded when the body no longer fits the skin.
Spiritually, this represents shedding off our old, “physical bodies” to embrace the higher levels of consciousness. Death, after all, is just the shedding of one set of clothing for another.
The snake does experience some pain and discomfort when shedding its skin, similar to humans embracing their spirituality. It is not an easy resolution to make. Sometimes, the universe decides for us. We are thrust out into the world, unwelcome at first, but as we become more comfortable in our new skin, we realize it is in our best interests.
The snake slithers and slides along the ground. Being in proximity to the ground quickly picks up on frequencies and vibrations. The snake conveys to us to stay close to the ground and be aware and watchful.
Humans lose their connection to the earth with the world’s fast-paced movement. They no longer take the time to touch the earth, walk bare feet on the ground. The snake represents us getting back in tune with the ground to be more grounded, balanced.
Snakes are unique in that they live both on land and water. They represent the mind’s ability to cross from conscious (physical) to subconscious (spiritual).
When you come across a snake, it is probably time to look at your thoughts and physical environment. What needs to change for you to move to a higher conscious state?
Every creature, big or small, has a spiritual connection. As humans, our goal is to strive to reach self-realization. So, as you become more self-realized, you question the spiritual meaning of creatures around you.
Snakes As A Symbol Of Healing
Snake venom is sometimes used to treat patients with heart attack, stroke, any other illnesses related to blood clots. It is for these treatments that snakes are considered to be symbols of healing.
The Greek God of medicine, Asclepius, specialized in the healing of people. His rod with two snakes coiled around it, the Caduceus, became the symbol of medicine.
In Ancient India and China, snakes also represent the life force, Prana or Chi, within humans. In Chinese medicine, whenever there is a physical or mental blockage, needles are poked through acupressure points on the body to release the stuck energy. Once the energy is released, healing may continue.
Why Is A Snake Used To Represent Kundalini Energy?
Yoga practice balances both sides of the body, the physical and the spiritual. With continuous yogic practice, the energy lying unused and stored at the base of the spine awakens. Like a snake waking, the energy snakes through the body until finally raising the hood of its head.
Like the snake lying dormant and asleep during winter, Kundalini energy lies dormant until yogic, meditation, or other spiritual practices are undertaken to re-awaken the dormant energy.
The energy, called Sushumna Nadi, runs along the spine, activating the chakras, or energy points, as it moves along the spine. This type of energy is a raw, creative life force known as Kundalini Energy.
This energy is what brings about healing and balance within the body. When there is a balance between the conscious and subconscious minds, Kundalini energy is awakened.
The life force or Kundalini energy is depicted as a coiled snake, running from the base of the spine to the central point of the head. “Kundalini Shakti” refers to this life force energy, literally translates as “Serpent Power.”
Snakes Represent Balance In Spirituality
As mentioned, kundalini energy is similar to a sleeping snake that has been awakened through yogic and meditation practices. According to Hinduism, Lord Shiva is seen with a cobra coiled around His neck, seated on the right-hand side, with His consort, Shakti, is on His left.
When awakening happens, the left and right channels are balanced. Kundalini denotes power,` Shakti,` or the female energy, and our crown chakra denotes Lord Shiva or male energy. After rigorous spiritual practices, when these two powers merge, it is referred to as ” self-realization.”
Awakening Kundalini Energy With Crystals
The idea of awakening the Kundalini energy stems from the concepts of giving the energies within free rein, allowing them to move snakelike through the body, re-energizing, and healing. When any chakra or energy center is imbalanced or blocked, it may cause issues on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.
We need to open, re-align, and re-activate the chakras to prevent any blockages, thereby liberating the Kundalini energy.
Many practices include meditation, tantric sex, pranayama breathing, and chanting sacred mantras. Crystals, specifically Serpentine, can be exceptionally helpful with attuning to the snake spirit and attaining healing.
1. Meditation With Serpentine Crystal
Serpentine is known for offering guidance with clearing and aligning the chakras. Use this powerful stone in your meditation, asking for guidance and help to unblock and re-align the chakras.
When you meditate, hold this stone in your hands, taking deep breathes. Ignore any thoughts coming through bring your focus and attention back to your breathing and the stone in your hands. Feel the smoothness it may get warmer as you meditate. You are attuned to the stone’s energy.
After practicing this meditation a few times, you will become more aware of the pranic energies. You may also notice some tingling in your hands and at the base of your spine. This is one of the first signs of awakening your Kundalini energy.
2. Wearing Serpentine Jewelry To Align With Snake Spirit
Serpentine is one of the best-known stones to bring balance within the body. It helps stabilize the whole chakra system, harmonize energy flow, and unleash the Kundalini serpent within.
By wearing Serpentine crystals close to the body, the crystal absorbs all negative energies from within and allows the release of the potent Kundalini energy.
The snake spirit is about transformation, rebirth, getting to know your true self. When you undertake spiritual practices to awaken the serpent, you open yourself to a whole new experience of knowing your higher self.
Serpentine helps release you from past emotions, pain, and traumas. Those don’t define you. You are more than this body of cells, blood, and bones. You are a higher being, and Serpentine helps you connect with the higher consciousness.
What Is The Spiritual Meaning Of “Ouroboros”?
The ancient Greek symbol for alchemy is shown as a coiled snake eating its tail.
The symbol represents “infinity,” a continuous cycle of destruction and renewal. It represents eternal life and infinite growth.
What Does The Spiritual Meaning Of Snakes In The Bible Signify?
The most notorious reference in the Bible depicting the relationship between Christianity and snakes is seen when Adam and Eve are cast out of the Garden Of Paradise. Satan manifests in the shape of a snake and tempts Eve to eat from the forbidden tree, thereby breaking their promise to God.
“But the serpent said to the woman,” you will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5)
Since then, snakes have been perceived with negative connotations. They represent evil, dark magic, temptation, and lust.
In the Book of Revelations, snakes are again depicted negatively, “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent that is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-he, was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down as well.” (Revelation 12:9)
Later, snakes are also seen as wise, “ Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16)
In this quote, God advises man to be as wise as snakes, wiser than those who pretend to be sheep in wolves’ clothing.
The Spiritual Meaning Of Snakes In Aborigines Culture
The Aborigines of Australia have a fascinating story of creation and the snake. They believe the Rainbow snake brought life-giving water to the people. Therefore for the Aborigines, the snake symbolizes protection, fertility, the abundance and availability of food, plants, and animals.
What Does The Year Of The Snake Symbolize?
According to Ancient Chinese culture, each of the twelve zodiac signs is represented by an animal. The snake sign is the sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac.
Those people born under this sign are intuitive, intelligent, and wise. They do not make rash decisions but rather take their time, considering all options before making the final decision.
For want of a better name, Snake people are private, stealthy like the animals they represent. They are good communicators but seldom say much and therefore are regarded as great thinkers.
What Does The Spiritual Meaning Of Snakes In Dreams Signify?
Dream analysts will tell you when you dream of snakes, you should not ignore the dream or take it lightly. Snakes are potent symbols used throughout history. They are seen as symbols of healing and medicine. They also represent the negative, such as evil, lust, temptation.
When you dream of a snake, take notice of the snake, the surroundings, and your emotions. A snake may point to something toxic, a situation or a person in your life that you need to release, or a health issue you need to be aware of.
Ask yourself what you are doing that tempts you away from your goals? What are your fears? What are the vagaries of the mind (false beliefs, negative thoughts, traumas? Does the thought of change scare you?
On a subconscious level, when you dream of a snake, it may represent that you are going through a transformation, rebirth, or re-awakening.
Snakes Represent The Mind
To attain higher consciousness spiritually, you need to be involved in rigorous meditation, yoga, or other prayer practice. At the central point to all this is your mind. To reach a higher level, you must control your mind and senses.
The mind wavers, between the physical and spiritual worlds, as represented by the snake, moving between water and earth. Be like the snake, steady, one-pointed awareness.
Fix your mind, on your goal, work towards it. The snake may move in a criss-cross fashion but never wavers from its goals.
Snake Totem-Transformation And Healing
When you come across snakes, either in dreams or see them around, they are sending a message. Are you open to receiving the messages?
The snake represents the energy of cosmic consciousness. When you understand on a physical level that you are a spiritual being, you can experience life without resistance. When you do this, you can bring about transmutation and healing.
When you feel afraid of letting go of your “old self,” leave behind old safe, reliable patterns, the snake spirit makes an appearance. The snake spirit lets you know it is safe to make these changes, which leads you to know your higher self.
Feel the rhythm of your body allow it to guide you through life’s challenges. Embrace and harmonize the masculine and feminine energies. Set clear intentions and release all fear.
Conclusion
Humans are conditioned to see snakes as representative of evil, temptation, and lust. However, these cold-blooded reptiles are far more than meets the eye. They are symbols of healing, rebirth, transformation and represent a spiritual re-awakening. If you see snakes or have them as your spirit animal, they are there to show you how to move up to a higher plain spiritually. Take note, do not ignore!
