The snake spirit animal represents transformation, rebirth, and ancient wisdom. When a snake appears as your spirit guide, it signals a period of shedding old habits, beliefs, or personal growth. Snakes are represented in many pagan paths. Not as something to be feared but as a protector and teacher.
Snake Symbolism
Danger
Eternity
Healing
Medicine
Protection
Rebirth
Temptation
Transformation
Wisdom
What Do Snakes Teach Us?
Like a snake shedding its skin, having the snake as a spirit guide means you are going through or preparing for a major life transition.
Because they navigate the ground and sense invisible vibrations, snakes symbolize secrets, the subconscious, and seeing past illusions.
Snakes teach us to embrace change. Change can feel uncomfortable or painful, much like growing out of old armor, but it brings renewed energy.
They teach us to trust our Intuition and pay close attention to subtle shifts in our environment, our body, and the energy of people close to us.
Learn how to release control. The snake teaches us to move fluidly through unknown territory rather than holding tightly to the past.
Protection
The snake is seen as protection against negative energies. If you have a pet snake or find a shed skin in nature place it on your window sill or door to act as a deterrent for negative energies.
Small pieces of snake skin can be added to amulets or spell jars alongside protective stones like black obsidian and herbs such as rosemary to ward off negative energy.
Historically, many spiritual traditions have used various animal parts in magic and ritual. Obviously, you want to make sure any parts you acquire are collected respectfully and humanely. Fortunately, snakes shed their skin on a regular basis as they grow. If you find a snakeskin shed, it's because the snake left it behind, so feel free to gather and use it as you wish. It is appropriate to give thanks to the snake for their gift.
Sadly, many people are afraid of snakes. The biblical story of Adam and Eve focuses on the negative aspect of the snake and outcomes such as sin.
Traditionally the snake does have some negative traits.
Temptation
Deception, betrayal
Potentially dangerous or poisonous influence and
Repressed desires
Pagan traditions tend to have a more balanced view of snakes. While snakes especially venomous ones may have been feared in daily life there was respect for the snake as a symbol of healing, growing, and life cycles. Lets talk about the snake in some of our traditions.
Snake Deities
Asclepius
The snake is a classic symbol of physical and emotional healing, reflected in traditional emblems like the Greek Rod of Asclepius which is still used today in the symbol for the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization.
Asclepius is the Greek god of healing and medicine. He is the son of Apollo and Coronis. His mother died at his birth and Apollo reared him, teaching him about medicine. Asclepius later studied the art of medicine under the centaur Chiron.
When Asclepius was young showed mercy and rescued a snake. In gratitude, the snake climbed up his rod and licked his ears clean revealing hidden wisdom and understanding of the healing arts.
The nonvenomous Aesculapian snakes were kept in ancient healing temples. These constrictor snakes are native to Greece. Growing up to six and a half feet or 2 meters they are one of the largest European snakes.
Ra is the creator of the universe, all other gods, and humans, and the embodiment of the sun's power. In this video, we discuss Ra, his stories, and ways that we can worship him.
Apep/Apophis
Apep is the Egyptian god of chaos and destruction. The god Ra is the bringer of light and hence the biggest opposer of Apophis. Ra and his daughter Bastet fight Apep during Ra's nocturnal journey. They defeat Apep every night so that the sun can safely rise again the next morning.
Instead of seeking harmony with Apep, ancient Egyptians and their priests actively fought him using magic spells, burning wax models, and drawing the serpent on papyrus to mutilate or destroy it symbolically
Recent historical-ecological studies of the Brooklyn Papyrus have explored whether descriptions of venomous traits in ancient texts might mirror regional species like the boomslang, though Apep himself is often described as the boomslang snake (Dispholidus typus).
While Apep represented destructive chaos, other snakes, such as the Egyptian cobra, were actually revered in ancient Egypt as sacred protectors (like the Uraeus worn by pharaohs). Wadjet was the ancient Egyptian cobra goddess who served as the patron and protector of Lower Egypt. She helped nurse and protect the infant god Horus from his uncle Seth in the delta swamps.
Wadjet was depicted as a rearing cobra on the royal crown, known as the Uraeus, which symbolizes divine authority, protection, and the pharaoh's right to rule. Through her nurturing of Horus she is associated with the Eye of Horus which I have a video on.
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Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl is the revered Aztec god of wisdom, wind, learning, and creation, famously known as the "Feathered Serpent". He is famously depicted as a coiling serpent covered in the vibrant green feathers of the quetzal bird, symbolizing the union of the earth (the slithering snake) and the sky (the soaring bird)
He is credited with developing the Aztec calendar system. I do a tonal reading based on the Aztec calendar that identifies your spirit animal, deity and energy. It is available on my Etsy shop which Ill link below.
Rattlesnakes are viewed as the physical animals that represent him in nature. Quetzalcoatl also represents the symbolism of rebirth, renewal, transformation, and cyclical time in Mesoamerican paganism.
Late summer and early fall carries back to school energy and whether you are five or fifty, there is something in the air that says it is time to learn. Today I want to talk about forming relationships with deities of wisdom and knowledge.
Hopi
The Hopi Snake Dance is a traditional 16-day biennial ritual performed by the Snake and Antelope clans of the Hopi tribe in northeastern Arizona to pray for rain, agricultural fertility, and harmony. The snakes are viewed as sacred brothers and messengers to the underworld who carry the community's prayers for rain and good fortune to the spirits.
During the grand finale, priests handle live snakes, including rattlesnakes, carrying them in their hands or mouths as they dance around the plaza. At the end of the ceremony, the snakes are released into the desert in all four directions to deliver prayers to the earth spirits.
Jörmungandr
Known as The Midgard Serpent in Norse Paganism is the child of Loki and Angrboda. He was cast into the ocean by Odin where he grew large enough to encircle the entire human world, biting his own tail. the serpent represents an elemental, uncontrollable force of nature that maintains a delicate equilibrium alongside the gods
He is the arch-enemy of the thunder god Thor, and the two are fated to kill each other during Ragnarök, with Jörmungandr releasing his tail to signal the end of the world.
Jörmungandr (the Midgard Serpent) symbolizes cosmic balance through the intersection of chaos, boundary-setting, and cyclical time in Norse mythology. By circling Midgard and biting its own tail, Jörmungandr forms an unbroken ring that represents the cyclical nature of time, creation, and destruction. The serpent's physical coiling around the ocean acts as a "world bind" or boundary that separates the inhabited world of humans from the wild, untamed chaos of the outer sea.
Fun fact. This is a real critter. The armadillo girdled lizard lives in South Africa. In its defensive position, they resemble an Ouroboros.
Ouroboros
The ouroboros is an ancient symbol showing a snake or dragon eating its own tail. We find it in ancient Egypt and Rome and the Midgard serpent is another great example. It represents a never-ending cycle where time, life, and the universe repeat continuously. It highlights the balance of dual forces, such as light and dark, male and female, or life and death.
Vodu Dangbe
The Dahomey and Vodun communities in Benin hold annual celebrations and specific rites to honor Vodu Dangbe, the royal python deity. Seeking blessings, protection, and health.
The royal python is native to western Africa and is a highly respected animal. The python is known as Vodu Dangbe , and represents a powerful deity of life, fertility, protection, healing, and ancestral guidance. He is regarded as a sacred, harmless deity that offers protection, healing, and spiritual blessing to the community.
Mamlambo
Mamlambo is a Zulu deity and the "goddess of rivers" described as a large snake-like creature. She is both revered and feared. Mamlambo is associated with bestowing material wealth, luck, and prosperity to individuals who approach her with proper respect and offerings.
Veles
Veles is the god of the underworld and can shapeshift into a snake as well as a bear, bull, or horned man. I have a video on him. The snake represents his subterranean and water-dwelling nature, connecting the earth with the depths below.
Veles, in his serpentine form, slithers out of the underworld and scales the World Tree to steal ’s cattle, wife, or son from the heavens
Baltic
In Baltic and Slavic traditions a house snake lived near the stove or hearth.
It was treated as a sacred ancestor spirit, family protector, and bringer of fertility and wealth; harming it was considered a severe taboo.
Anaconda Symbolism
Some snakes have specific symbolism. When an Anaconda enters your life, it is a reminder that you cannot control everything. You need to let go of the whatever you are clinging too and allow your destiny to unfold on its own.
Cobra Symbolism
The Cobra lets you know that you need to stay alert and ready to strike at unexpected opportunities. When we take advantage of these opportunities, it may seem foolishly impulsive to others. You will be successful if you move swiftly.
Corn Snake Symbolism
I had a corn snake some years ago. You can tell because there is no grey hair in this photo!! Corny was a rescue and he loved pockets. Corn Snake symbolism indicates that the way is now open for us to climb to new heights. There will be lots of opportunities for you to reach your goals.
Cottonmouth Symbolism
Seeing a cottonmouth means you will experience new beginnings. For this change to happen, you will have to transform and heal some old wounds and do some reflection. Then you will enter a new and brighter stage in your life.
Garter Snake
Spotted the beautiful Garter Snake? They indicate that you will start a highly creative period in your life. Dont be afraid to act on your creative energies.
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Secretive and elusive in nature the American Bobcat or Lynx Rufus is a symbol of stealth and perception. They teach us autonomy and self-reliance. Learning to trust yourself is important on your path to spiritual growth.