Snaking branches and coiled root ball, grounded in Earth and reaching for the light - this tree reminds me of a Snake and the ancient, unchanging wisdom that it holds. Transmutation "is the energy of wholeness, cosmic consciousness, and the ability to experience anything willingly and without resistance. It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation, and that those things which might be experienced as poison can be eaten, ingested, integrated, and transmuted if one has the proper state of mind." (Medicine Cards, p61) | Snake medicine. Transmutation. Powerful. Where do I start? In my experience, this medicine is about the power of relationship - passion, love, attachment, sacrifice. Our feelings have the power to change us - for better or for worse. The power to heal also contains the power to destroy. Snake medicine is a primal power. It lies close to our core, immersing us in emotions and sensation. Perhaps it lies next to our greatest fears and if we stop running, if we stand still, we risk the possibility of being swallowed whole by snake. Transmuted, transported. Are we escaping from our own lonely life or embracing another fully? Can we fully embrace another if we are not willing to fully embrace ourselves? A night of passion can change us forever. Our sexuality is sacred if we are open to the power of love. If we are not ready to change, if we are unwilling to be open - we are not ready to love. |
Snake medicine is heavy but it is no more than a change in consciousness. When we are fearful of change we should ask ourselves if this fear is due to a legitimate reason or does it stem from the desire to avoid discomfort. "Does this discomfort keep you from assuming the viewpoint of the magician within? Is the old pattern safe, reliable, and a rut? In order to glide beyond that place which has become safe but nonproductive, become Snake. Release the outer skin of your present identity. Move through the dreamlike illusion that has insisted on static continuity, and find a new rhythm as your body glides across the sands of consciousness, like a river winding its way toward the great waters of the sea. Immerse yourself in that water, and know that the single droplet which you represent is being accepted by the whole." (Medicine Cards, p62)
Will you allow fear to cause you to retreat to your comfort zone where you can remain unchanged and unloved? Do you have enough confidence in yourself, in the universe, to step out of your comfort zone and be open to a new, challenging relationship? Are you willing to make a conscious choice to learn, grow and problem solve with another, moving toward the life of your dreams together?
If an amazing, fun-loving, honest person asked you to be her friend, to commit to being a dependable, trustworthy and caring companion with the possibility of building toward a life-long love - what would you do? Are you in a place to be a trustworthy, dependable friend? Do you have the desire and dedication to build a life-long love or are you still chained to circumstance, bound by ignorance, content enough to remain alone, comfortable, preferring security - unwilling to test your heart?
We are in Week 11 of our journey, we have been initiated by Rabbit, Deer, Frog and Bat and we are now in the Realization Stage. This is when we begin to wake up, we become more self aware and start to notice when we are reacting according to old patterns and others' expectations. We decide to stand still and stop reacting. We stand on the shores of grace with Blue Heron. If we embrace Snake medicine and the power of transmutation, our choices become conscious and we learn to listen to our hearts and follow the wisdom deep within.
We move in the direction of our dreams despite the feelings of fear, doubt, pain and anger that attempt to hold us back. It is not easy, it is possible. Along the way we learn how powerless and powerful we are. We honor the power of Snake but we no longer allow our core emotions to dictate our choices. We accept that we cannot control how we feel but we can sit with our emotions, we can let them come and we can learn to let them go with no need to act. The stillness of the body can calm the mind.
We find that "[e]ven though the mind may rant and rave its disapproval and plead to follow its doubt, the body holds the course. Action brings [a] final stop to old patterns. If the cells of the body are to learn a new way of being, they begin with a new action in response to an old way of thinking. The power of the mind is superseded by the actions of the body. The Buddha describes this experience when he says, "As a stormy wind cannot move a mountain of rock so one who contemplates the reality of the body, and, by doing so, develops faith and energy, is unmoved by forces of fear." (Stepping Out of Self-Deception, p133)
I'm trying a new approach to managing my emotions and where they take me. When my feelings of restlessness, confusion and despair arise I will no longer dwell on the immediate situation and allow my emotions to take hold and amplify (this generally is not good, speaking from experience), instead, I will accept the disappointment and discern what needs to be done. This will allow me to avoid getting caught up in my fanciful ideas or disenchanted by every little disappointment.
Snake medicine can either keep us trapped in old patterns and unhealthy habits or it can provide the needed lesson to stop creating the unwanted drama and trauma in our lives. It all depends on our frame of mind. I have decided to focus on the positive, to keep working to free myself from ignorance and circumstance and to believe that I have the power to build the life of my dreams and that I will find another who wants to build the love of a lifetime together.
"Come along with me and I will love you forever . . . " (TKC, p257)
Namaste.