Serpent Symbolism in Dreams and Myth by Christina Bjergo

March 26, 2008

Serpents in dreams, myth and art around the world reflect the cycles of Nature moving one forward in the evolution of consciousness. Pagans, Mystery schools of Greece and Egypt, indigenous cultures around the world as well as matriarchal societies throughout history view serpents as symbols of the divine feminine of the earth and the instinctual nature (dreambody) leading us towards enlightenment. These traditions find the joyful expression of the body through movement, music and embracing life provides a spiritual dimension for connecting with one’s Self through the Dreamtime. For as modern research reveals, the body is the subconscious mind. Serpents come in dreams, visions and other intuitive messages to help our bodymind work through and clear our stuff. Through listening and acting on their guidance, we release our subconscious baggage and resolve the sense of separation within ourselves (that we habitually reflect outwardly onto the world around us in what Carl Jung calls projection of our shadow side). Ultimately, serpent symbolism shows us as we are and helps us integrate our subconscious and conscious separation so we can embrace our wholeness as well as gain wisdom into the underlying reality of existence. I encourage you to explore the serpent/snake/dragon images and messages from your individual dreamscape whether in sleep or waking life. Their guidance both sacred and profound throughout the ages continues to move us step-by-step towards are highest potential and to living more authentic lives. Below are some specific examples of serpent symbolism from my individual experiences (though coming from the collective unconscious many are similar to serpent myth and art of many cultures) to assist you on your journey. Use as guidance only, taking time to assess what messages the serpent has specifically for you in your life. Hold on and enjoy the ride! Snakes – androgynous nature having unified masculine and feminine aspects. Snakes move like water and have an internal fire as demonstrated by their lightening strike and fiery tongue movements. They also reflect the celestial cycles of the moon and the ability to shed their skin and emerge reborn. As such they are symbols of the divine feminine, movement through seasons of the soul and a means to work towards spiritual wisdom. Their sensitivity to vibration makes them a good symbol of the electromagnetic spectrum from cosmic rays to subsonic frequencies – the symphony of music found throughout Nature that unifies us with the Universe. Dragons – highly respected in Asia as symbols of the Tao they represent the highest state of consciousness, enlightenment and the authentic self. Many deities have a dragon/winged serpent aspect and many cultures (China, Korea and Japon) believe they are descendents of the dragons - reflecting their human potential. Strangulation by a serpent – important to note the area of the body. May represent an area cut off from source or electromagnetic energy (between heaven and earth) that if not taken care of may lead to physical symptoms. For example, I dreamed many years ago of a snake strangling me around my neck. A few years later they found a cyst on my thyroid and later again I developed TMD in the jaw. I have since clearing and resolved these physical symptoms mostly through work with vibration and sound healing. Had I worked on the dream guidance initially, however, I could have prevented these symptoms of dis-ease. Medusa/serpent monsters/threatening serpents – those energies of ourselves we have hidden away in the depths of our subconscious. They may be fears, traumas, repressed emotions, experiences, etc. trapped within the bodymind, not having been processed or perhaps even acknowledged. Our subconscious will bring these shadow aspects of ourselves into awareness through the Dreamtime (sleep and waking life) in ways to get our attention. Particularly when it is time for our highest good to clear away and grow beyond our limitations so we can experience greater health, emotional wellness and peace of mind. Pay attention to any associated thoughts and feelings as can help one process the experiences out of the individual cells of the bodymind. Devil serpent figures - cultural and religious fears and prejudices seeking acknowledgement that have been picked up consciously or subconsciously by the bodymind and need to be processed and released so the individual can move another step beyond dualistic thinking (separation into good or evil) and towards unification of the Self. Can also be a symbol of the ego trying to thwart our spiritual growth and development. Checking in with one’s intuitive center, the heart, can help in assessing. Note additional dreams for clues in what it reflects and how to proceed. Chased by serpents – as hidden aspects of ourselves move into consciousness there is sometimes uncertainty or tentativeness until our psyche becomes comfortable with these newer energies awaiting expression.Snakebite, swallowed or eaten by serpents – symbol of initiation. Many rituals and ceremonies of various cultures from different time eras reflect the initiations of the soul, which is ultimately an inward experience through connection with the collective unconscious. Serpents and dragons are frequently found at the entrances to temples and sacred sanctuaries throughout Asia and Egypt (nagas, dragons and cobras), places for spiritual enlightenment and awakening – in the dreamstate this could be reflected by the opening of windows and doors leading into Nature as we unlock hidden aspects of ourselves. The beginning of a kundalini awakening is also often marked by dreams of snakebites and/or the lighting of ceremonial fire in the dreamscape. Being bitten on our Achilles Tendon – reflecting a vulnerability or opportunity for growth. Feeding/nourishing/caring for/gifts to serpents – we are moving towards acceptance of new energies of ourselves we are integrating. Could reflect our overall increased connection with our bodies and their innate wisdom through mindfulness, meditation, qigong, movement, dance, yoga, spontaneous expression, dreamwork, etc. Serpents coming out vagina/head/flowers – vagina is a symbol for divine feminine/goddess energies and the womb/tomb cycles of life. It is also the lower aspect of the body connecting us with the earth energies and our subconscious/instinctive selves. This is the lower point where yin and yang of the microcosmic orbit unify and as is a potent place for transforming stuck energies in the bodymind. Can also represent new creative energies we are birthing (often following clearing of obstacles from the psyche). Serpents coming out the head may be symbolic of wisdom gained and the more refined heavenly energies and/or the masculine aspect of God. Head and flowers link us to heavenly energies and etheric spiritual dimensions or cosmic rays. The channel linking these locations is the Central Channel in Chinese Inner Traditions and the Spine in India Tantrism. See Blood and Serpents for more details.Kissing/Sex/Marriage Serpents – kissing, sex and marriage all represent connection and unification of energies of the Self and often specifically symbolize our sensuous Nature. Kissing and sex are particularly linked to sexual creative energies we either embrace or wish to express. This energy is store in the pelvic area or lower dan tian in Chinese Medicine. Marriage represents balance of male and female aspects and is a union of the heart where energies of body/earth and mind/heavens unite to the oneness of Spirit. Ascending Serpents – breakthrough, ascension of yang energy upward. This upward flow is often along the spine, tree, pole, stone, or caduceus. Sometimes there are two serpents ascending intertwined around empty space – can be anything from galaxies spinning to intercellular DNA. The spine in Chinese Medicine is the Governing Vessel or seat of the yang/masculine energy of the body. Sometimes reflects an individuals opening to higher vibrational frequencies. This often occurs for me during meditation or after some bodymind clearing has occurred. As a symbol for yang may alternatively reflect an outward, expressive aspect of the Self being symbolized. Descending Serpents – energy moving into manifestation. In the body this might be represented as energy, water or serpents. Sometimes this descending serpent energy cascades down from the tongue. Images of Female Chinese Shamans, Hindu Kali Goddess and She Who Watches all emphasize the image of the tongue sticking out or the mouth itself as this is the beginning of the Conception Vessel of the body which governs the feminine/yin of the body. These powerful female figures bring down the rains as blessings from heaven. The Conception Vessel moves downward along the front centerline of the body to the perineum between the legs. This is also the downward half of the Taiji symbol and the microcosmic orbit of the body practiced in movement meditation of various qigong forms from China. Manifestation is movement down in frequency. As a symbol for yin, may also suggest the inward more reflective aspect of the Self being symbolized. Serpent connection with the tongue - the tongue is also where the feminine/yin and masculine/yang energies unify. It is therefore a potent location for transformation with the voice helping clear lower vibrational energies or trapped energies previously unexpressed. I often have dreams of this sort when going through a death-rebirth clearing cycle of my own psyche. See Descending Serpents for additional information. Spirals/Swirling mist – spirals are metaphors for serpents in dream symbology. The Chong qi in Chinese inner traditions is described as the whirling emptiness (reflective of the tao) uniting heaven and earth. The coiled serpent later became what known as the kundalini in India. As energies/cosnciousness awaken one might see them coming out of closed dark spaces such as drawers, garages and such – a symbolic coming out of the closet. Working to activate the Chong qi in the Chong Channel in qigong activates the Ascending and Descending energies or serpents of the microcosmic orbit of the body. See Ascending Serpents I upward, Descending Serpents if downward. Serpent Tunnels – people with near death experiences and visions of higher frequency often report experiences of traveling in and through long tunnels. These tunnels are the mythical Amenti of the Underworld. Ultimately they lead us to Spirit or the integrated Psyche. Spirit/God is often represented as spirals in indigenous cultural artwork as well as in dreamtime. I often see as revolving spirals of energy or a womb like shape characterizing the timeless eternal oneness for those willing to do the inner alchemical work necessary to break down karma, ego, limited thought patterns and separation. The sepent tunnels can also be an individual experience of Jacob’s Ladder from the Bible, a means of uniting heaven and earth to experience the dimension of angels and other divine beings. Ouroborus – serpent eating it’s own tail in shape of a circle. Movement along the cycles of life (spiral) and union of feminine/yin and masculine/yang leading to the eternal oneness or state of enlightenment. The serpent is an androgynous animal balancing both male/yang/conscious and female/yin/subconscious energies. Within is the whirling emptiness or oneness reflecting the Tao or the return to one’s authentic Nature. The inner aspect of the ouroborus circle reflects the holy spirit in early Christian traditions, the eye of Ra in some of the ancient Egyptian stories. This is the Superconscious and like the holy spirit is often depicted as a dove or other winged bird.Serpents Underground – earth telluric energies called leylines or dragon lines that support the evolution of human consciousness and as such have been the building sites of sacred temples around the world. These sites commonly have unusual radiation and magnetic fluctuations. The building of pyramids and megaliths are believed to be a means to tap into and utilize these earth energies (comparable to energy channels or meridians of the body) for spiritual growth and spiritual messages. Dreams of serpents sleeping underground maybe dormant energies awaiting expression. Coming out of the earth would reflect their being newly wakened. Could also represent the emerging of the serpent within the individual such as in a kundalini awakening. Winged Beings/Dragons/Serpents – just as birds were said to evolve from reptiles, there is a progression from activating the instinctual self of the lower body (lower frequency) to moving upward towards strengthening and clearing the upper dan tian located in the center of the head (higher frequency) and activating the spiritual energies often represented as birds and winged beings. As we clear our karma/issues from the body we open ourselves to accessing these higher vibrational energies related to air/wind. In qigong our main focus is to strengthen and clear the body through the lower dan tian so like a tree we have the root system to support tremendous upward growth. Note that while often appealing, pursuing spiritual growth without working on one’s stuff can potentially create a condition of imbalance and exacerbate physical and emotional health concerns. As Carl Jung said, you work down to go up. See Dragons. Moving Water – represents serpents and life force energy in motion. Descending from above and collecting within a bowl, vase or cup represents our instinctual side, sexual/creative energies strengthening and storing in our bodies or more specifically within our pelvic area in the lower dan tian. The upward movement of water from a container usually reflective of the upward awakening potential energies also known as kundalini or chong qi.Rainbows – The Rainbow Serpent is the primary deity of the Aboriginal Dreamtime of Australia. Rainbows connect heaven and earth, the shamanic three worlds and symbolically ourselves. They reflect the electromagnetic spectrum, including the visible spectrum of rainbow colors. Aboriginal artwork often shows rainbow serpent connecting heaven and earth particularly when demonstrating harmony between humans and Nature. Music/Sound/Vibration – Human audible sound is another aspect of the electromagnetic scale. Snakes are very sensitive to sound and vibration. Sound and vibration are also powerful healing modalities (serpents are associated with healing) that can unlock and release discordant lower vibrational energies within the body. This has been a powerful way that I have personally cleared a lot of my own internal obstacles. I recently am dreaming about music and sound as a means to help other people with their healing as well.Blood and Serpents– Blood, particularly menstrual blood is symbolic of the cycles of life and the vital life force energy associated with birth and rebirth after death/purification/letting go. In Chinese theory it is the Central Channel going through the middle of the body (from top of head to perineum) that is androgenous and between the yin and yang meridians (Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel respectively). The Central Channel or Chong Vessel is called the Sea Blood. It is considered the primary energy meridian of the body for healing as it goes through and nourishes the three internal treasures (dan tians in pelvis, chest and head) as well as the primary yin and yang vessels of the body. As such it can also be viewed as the central staff of the Greek and Egyptian caduceus. I have had dreams of red snakes coming out of and healing open wounds for example or of indigenous women purifying themselves through the flow of menstrual blood. Red ochre, as an artistic symbol for blood has been used in many sacred ceremonies in cultures around the globe to represent rebirth and eternal life. Dreams of spiritual indigenous body or sand painting could also be reflecting these kundalini energies as well as our innate ancestral connection. Serpent Masters – spiritual masters such as Jesus, Shiva, Buddha, Kwon Yin and many others all have associations with serpents. Their mastery came from successfully connecting and integrating their bodymind to overcome separation and fears and be the ultimate reality of oneness beyond duality. I discovered this after a succession of dreams with Jesus telling me the serpent was an aspect of himself. Other cultural deities followed. Serpent Masters may present themselves in dreams to teach or offer guidance. They ultimately reflect the divine within each of us and support us on our journey around the cycle of life. Dreams of Yahweh, God, Allah, White Buffalo Woman, etc. are all a reflection of source yet from a different cultural perspective. Serpent Colors – maybe reflective of chakra color or other archetypal color associations. Additional color association is as follows: Black: coming from subconscious or the yin/feminine aspect of serpent wisdomRed: Kundalini/life force energy/blood as symbol of activation and rebirthWhite: purification, cutting away old or reflection of Spirit/Shen in the center of the headWhitish Blue: color of pearl the treasure of the dragon, connection with ascension energies. If you have a serpent dream you would like to share feel free to contact Christina directly.

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Mind Mapping Your Dreams for Interpretation by Kris Vockler

March 13, 2008

After posting several articles on dream interpretation and mind mapping your dreams, a commenter asked if I had an example of how I mind map my dreams. In this post you will see a jpg of a sample mind map I created using “Mindjet MindManager” software yet doing a Wikipedia search will yield some great hand drawn mind maps. As you look at the photo you can see that I try to explain each symbol all alone and emanating further out. Then I create an offshoot or a cloud off that symbol with what the meaning of the symbol is to me. From there you can see that as I dream I notice the same symbols or meanings come up over and over. Once I know a symbol or I know what a series of symbols means, I can associate them to other dreams down the line. Eventually you start to recognize the meanings quicker because you recognize the pattern. It’s not perfect, your meanings for a dream might change as you grow but the thread of meaning is always there.