When animals keep showing up in our lives in unusual ways Shamanism asks us to pay attention as there is some aspect of that animal’s medicine that they wish to share. Before I share this story I just want to say that my cat is healthy and I have put steps in place to ensure that she finds other ways to communicate with me.
So, here’s a not so funny story. For about 3 days in a row one of my cats kept bringing snakes home. A mix of snakes both poisonous and not poisonous. A mix of snakes that were both dead and alive - so she was covering all of her bases. And the last snake she brought home had a dead bird in its mouth. The full cycle of life! I was horrified! Both ‘Snake’ and ‘Cat’ had my attention! I currently live in Bali and I spent my teenage years and beyond in Australia so seeing a snake is something that occurs but not as frequently as this and not in this way.
Previously to this, a friend of mine and I had been taking about snake medicine as she was going through a period where snakes were showing up in her life too. This beautiful soul is also going through a transformative time.
So I decided to reflect on what all of this could mean. In many spiritual traditions the snake is known to offer powerful medicine. The snake is close to the ground and is associated with manifesting, transformation and change. Did you know that a snake must shed its skin or it will die? The snake is associated with our Kundalini and its activation and also with fertility.
Like the snake, when we are going through a process of deep transformation we will be asked to let go of that which no longer serves us. We will be asked to shed that which is no longer in alignment with us. We may be called to let go of old ways of operating in the world, old limitations, old beliefs and with that old structures may fall away too. This allows us to upgrade our vibration and invite in that which is now a vibrational match.
Snake medicine also asks us to look into our hearts to see if there is any ‘venom’ or unforgiveness we are carrying from the past. It is also necessary to let go of any unforgiveness so that we can move lightly into new beginnings.
When we have played out a ‘drama’, ‘story’ or ‘wound’ with another person/persons/situation it is just that - something that all parties have agreed to playout so that what needs to be healed can be brought from the unconscious mind to the external world in full colour for us to see, feel, sense and experience. This is why we are here. Letting go and forgiving can be supported by coming back to this knowing - that everything that occurs is just guiding us home.
The Hoʻoponopono prayer is a powerful way to bring us back to this place of deep knowing and forgiveness. It is a Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. It reminds us that we are all connected and we are all just assisting each other in our journey back home.
The prayer is as follows: “I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you.”
There are many guided meditations that you can find on Youtube that will support you in meditating on these words across various situations.
Snake energy also reminds us that if we try to hang on to those things which are no longer a match for us it will become increasingly painful until we surrender and let go! Remember the snake must shed its skin or it will die.
If you find that animals are showing up for you in unusual ways take time to listen to their medicine. When they know that you will lean in, listen and be curious about what they have to share more animal magic will enter your world.
I support my clients to bloom into their True Selves and to vibrate in that power. If you would like to know more about shamanic energy healing, hypnotherapy and more, simply contact us for more information.