There is a belief that part of our soul is comprised of forefathers that came prior to us. Certain ones bound to us through memory deep in our blood, concealed within our DNA. Although the understanding and idea of memory in our DNA from a clinical perspective is relatively brand-new thinking about human presence, this belief itself is extremely ancient.
Every culture has their own practices and routines related to venerating the dead. Each had their own associated meanings, vision of the afterlife, and the Guardians and Caretakers for those spirits once they exist. Many, specifically older cultures, thought in a form of reincarnation of the soul – the return of the soul in a various body. One of the most typical though is the Snake.
Snakes and the Soul
Snakes held deep significance for death and renewal, so it is reasonable why it ends up being a main animal in the concept of the underworld and forefather connection. There are numerous viewpoints to consider here.
The capability for the snake to vanish below the ground and than reemerge provides the images of the dead moving into the underworld and after that increasing once again into physical form. This is really a more popular images with water than with earth, specifically in older cultures. Traveling through water or crossing it, in order to reach the land of the Dead. This is not unexpected when we consider the component of water itself both from a spiritual and clinical sense.
Water holds circulation and motion – feeling and memory – transport from one location to another – it can bring death or renewal. Water is likewise the compound that brings the blood through our body – blood holds DNA – DNA holds memory. Wells, Springs, and other bodies of water are frequently utilized to illustrate websites in between worlds, in between the world of matter and spirit, and held as spiritual and wonderful.
The shedding of the skin is another significance representing death and renewal, however this handles a various viewpoint when taking a look at it from an ancestral soul viewpoint. Instead of the shedding representing development and renewal as we move through this life – the shedding represents the journey of the soul from body to body. Each time the snake sheds one skin, it is shedding one life. The old snake is not gone, the core of the snake is still there. In the viewpoint of the ancestral soul – the memories, abilities is the soul are continued and combined into the brand-new soul. Each time the soul is continued it is continuing the core of all therefore getting bigger each time.
The snake as a sign of Fertility and Wisdom. We typically associate these things with life not death, however when talking ancestral soul, it quite uses here. The soul does not end after death, for energy never ever dies it simply alters form. The soul is continuing the knowledge from all its previous understanding and experiences, and contributing to that collection of knowledge in the life you are living now.
The snake as a Guide to much deeper knowledge and surprise understanding. Eternal beings with enormous power. No start and no ending – simply growing and altering through the development. Things which are concealed and continued.
The snake twisted around/ related to trees, personnels, and so on, prevailed representations. Representing viewpoints such as the tree representing all that was, is, and will be. The world tree, the ancestral tree, even an individual themselves – the trunk is their self in this life, rooted by all that came prior to them, and the branches and leaves being what they grow in this life (ever altering and progressing.
The staff in Seidr is extremely resonate with all of these. It is a tool to help guide us through the underworld, the land of spirit, and likewise through the parts of our own soul/ self. It is both a physical and energetic representation of the snake. Those within my Death’s Emissary course that begins in October will be going much deeper into this idea and be developing their own staff while doing so.
Abrahamic Distortion of the Snake
An fascinating thing occurred to the vision of the snake with the increase of abrahamic faiths, specifically christianity. Suddenly the snake ended up being hazardous, wicked, and something that needs to be prevented. Like numerous distortions of death that occurred with these religious beliefs, the snake likewise experienced this. Everyone will have their own understanding of why this occurred, however this is mine.
The abrahamic hierarchy, specifically the christian church, has to do with control of individuals. One method to manage the habits and options of individuals is put a set of guidelines down for individuals to follow in this life, and state how well you do this will figure out the rest of eternity for you. Not just does it develop worry around death, it develops a detach on a mindful level. The mindful element being the most convenient accessed part of our soul – the one moving and forming this specific life – from our ancestral soul.
It is not like they are detached totally – the memories, abilities, and understanding are still there, however they are not accessing it and utilizing its complete ability. They are not actively accessing it and pulling from it, therefore what they do get is a surface area connection. I believe this is purposeful. After all, if one thought and experienced this part of the soul, it would destroy the church’s variation of the afterlife.
There is one element of significance for the snake in christianty that has actually constantly troubled me deeply and can not determine why more do not see the insaneness in it. The snake in the garden.
Their god prohibited them to consume from one tree, among understanding and knowledge – of understanding. To me that must have been a warning for them – a god that doesn’t desire them to believe by themselves, to understand things, to check out and grow. Why even put it there then?
Then along comes the snake – which as much as this point had deep ties to the soul, to forefathers, and in my beliefs the ancestral soul which brings all this info of the past. I have my own viewpoints regarding why it was the lady who followed the snake – partially since the church invested a great deal of time dehumanizing ladies and guaranteeing ladies did not hold power – there is likewise another in my mind though that straight associates with this however an entire other viewpoint, however this isn’t the time.
So the snake – the keeper of knowledge, of fertility and development, connection to the past and guide of the ancestral soul – persuades the lady to consume the apple of this tree. Awaken the ancestral soul within her – which “turns on” and begins offering her all this info about the world and herself. Angering a god and permanently penalizing all human beings yet to come. The snake going from revered to reviled. Something to fear and keep away from.
Did they see the idea of the snake as much of the pagan cultures prior to them? The totem and guide for us to access all the elements of our soul. To use the knowledge, understanding, and abilities we can call forth from it from lives lived prior to us. To see death for something beyond their control system. – I sort of think they did.
The Snake who Guides
When thinking about Ancestor Cults of the past, there are 2 methods the snake as a Guide tends to emerge. First, as a guide comparable to other animal and Deity guides. The Second, that the snake represents the soul itself, with all its parts, consisting of the ancestral soul. If you think of it, both of these might be real at the exact same time as well.
In the first example the snake is seen as a Guide. One who can show us the way, help us along the journey, give us information, and take us through lessons, just as any other Guide. Something separate from us, and outside of us. Something we can see and interact with in a way that our conscious brain can reconcile more easily.
The second eludes to the snake being a projection or representation of our soul itself. All the layers of souls that have lived and merged together with each death and new life. All the lives blended and carried through one energetic form that we are adding to with our own life. Imagine if we lived according to this theory instead of an eternal afterlife… I believe the world – the people and how they engage in this world – would be very different.
Personal Experience
I have actually been traveling with my snake – the representation of my ancestral soul. Peeling back layers and discovering knowledge hidden within. It has shown me things, including how to access different lives my soul holds. Not in their entirety like past life regression is said to, but aspects of what got carried forward and resides within me. A few have names I know and many I do not.
The soul, living and growing through every life. One part controlling the body and actions in this particular life, carving out its own path and bringing brand-new skills and memories to add to the ancestral soul when the body dies. In death, within The Well, the old and new merge together – blending two into one. Then being reborn into a new life to begin all over again. Each time adding, growing, learning, and experiencing.
Later this week I will be sharing a story that involves Adeliza, my 26th great grandmother, and one I believe to be part of my ancestral soul. The story is about a rabbit hole she spiraled me down and brought even more depth and connections between the serpent and the soul. It also brought some understandings about her and why she has been my particular guide in certain areas.
Ending Thoughts
Snakes have actually a long history of representation in human culture. Some who welcomed and honored it, and some who vilified and fear it.
People, due to their influences and experiences have their own personal perspective of the snake and what it represents to them.
The Image and concept of the snake when concerning Ancestral connection is undeniable. No matter how you see that afterlife playing out – the snake is present.
My own experiences have shaped my views and beliefs. I allowed myself to follow and drift with the snake – to consume and take up space. To see the kaleidoscope of perspectives and how they are all interwoven in their own ways.
The snake is a physical representation of a Guide that my brain can comprehend. It is the spirit that resides in my staff and travels with me. It is the whole of my ancestral soul, the blending of many. It is one of my escorts in the land of the dead. It is both something outside me and of me, all at once.
How do you see the snake? What has actually formed those viewpoints? Have you dove to the depths of it or remained on the surface area of the water with it? What function does it play in your views or practices where forefathers are worried?
