Snake medicine has been coming up a lot lately, in my own life, along with readings and treatments of others. I felt called to share this animal medicine with all of you.
Now learning Peruvian shamanism in 2 ways, first through my mentor Shaman Silverwolf (through the lineage of Alberto Villoldo and the Q'ero Paqo's of Cucsco Peru), and now having the honor of learning the ways of this practice from the Q'ero Paqo's directly in personal classes, it has really opened my eyes to how simple, yet profound this shamanic practice can be. It's animistic at it's heart, which connects us with all other types of shamanic practices around the world.
In my Paqo classes, where I am learning directly from the sons of Don Alejandro Apaza (Justo and Raul), a lesson about magic of the snake archetype really spoke to me. This is what I now want to share with all of you.
I have always been told snakes are symbolic of transformation, shedding of old ways, but why. Well something Justo Apaza said really stood out to me.
In the Paqo belief system, the underworld is known as Qollasuyo: Healing modalities of the underworld. There is a masculine and feminine guardian in each of the worlds (lower, upper and middle), in the underworld it's Huascar (M), Mama Siena (F). Both masculine and feminine are always kept in balance in this practice. Huascar is the guardian of the underworld, and is a shapeshifter. He will appear differently to every person who encounters him, he brings the lessons of our shadows forward, shows us who our inner child is, and connects us to our gifts after we heal our shadows. Mama Siena is a mermaid, she rules over the waters that cleanse us and this planet. They combined, clear the heavy energies of the world.
The Snake is the archetype of the lower worlds, he is the liminal animal that can travel between the underworld, our middle world, and also within us. And why snakes are important, is because snakes actually enter in through our body and eat the heavy energy within us. They can move in and out of our bodies same as they move between worlds. They eat the energy that no longer is serving us within us, around us, then returns to the underworld and regurgitate the energy to then be recycled by Huascar and Mama Siena.
Snakes also physically slide across the earth, their bodies always in contact with the most powerful cleansing energy on this planet, grounding. They transfer that grounding energy to us when we allow this snake spirit to enter our body.
Snakes represent growth and transformation because only when heavy or stagnant energies are removed, can we then take the steps forward to transform to a new version of ourselves. Snake medicine causes major change, they cause things to happen, remove stagnation, and promote space for you to take opportunities. When the snake spirit removes that heavy energy within you, it's up to you to fill that energetic space with something useful that aids in your transformation. People fear snakes not just because of their appearance, but the forced change that they bring. Those who truly fear snakes are the ones who need it's spirit the most. Remove your fear, step into it, overcome, within this you become powerful.
Opportunities will present themselves once the heavy energy is removed, and since you are in charge of your own fate, it's up to you to take the opportunity to grow your own soul. Snake spirit tells me that even the wrong choices are not a lost cause, that even if the choice we make wasn't the best or correct one, there are still lessons to be learned in the choices we make. Lessons by experience is how we grow our soul grows.
Never see snake medicine as something menacing, but as something ancient, that is ready to help you walk through your shadows, because only then when you face them, can you truly grow your soul.
QUICK SNAKE MEDITATION
Whenever you feel stuck in life, sit down and relax, go outside if you can, breathe deeply, then call to snake. State your name, call to snake, and ask it to come slither within your body and eat what no longer serves you. Envision within yourself a snake moving within you, flowing to the rhythm of music, slowly removing anything that feels heavy within your body. Move your body like a snake, open up your arms, ribs, chest, neck, etc, give snake room to get within all parts of your body. If you can listen to flowing deep music, primarily with drums and chanting, you get bonus points!
Last envision snake leaving your body and entering the ground.
Be sure to thank snake, give immense gratitude. Give thanks to Pachamama for hearing your call and sending snake your way.
Go drink a bunch of water to cleanse your body.
Be open to any opportunity that comes your way, do not waste the opportunities you now have room for, release fear, and take that chance. You have nothing to loose!
Sending energy along with this blog to all who read it, so I may walk with you through your shadows as you discover your light.
Christina (Mystical Crow)