Day 2:

…and I’m going to try and chronicle this month long journey from beginning to end— whether it be encouraging or ridiculous, passionate or indifferent.

{Thank you so much to those of you have already responded by either joining in or offering your support. This is oddly and incredibly exciting to me! I'll create a side bar link for those of you crazy enough to join me one of these days very soon. Also, I think it is important to suggest that each of us create our own "self contracts" (or whatever you might think of it as) in order to make sure this commitment serves the best purpose for each individual.}

I’ve been dreaming a lot lately, but last night they were especially vivid. I dreamed of a snake, but not just any snake. It was a boa constrictor at least 8 inches in diameter and longer than myself by several times. If there’s one thing I’m afraid of, it’s snakes. How fitting, wouldn’t you say?

I was in my 11^th grade English class. Why there? I have no idea. Perhaps because it is the place that I first experienced a healthy sense of passion and my own inner power? I loved that class. I loved that room. And, strangely enough, that particular class has a lot to do with who I’ve become.

It was nice being there again…except for one thing: the snake.

In the dream, the snake and I were face to face. It stood up on the strong curves of its body and put its large head under my chin and pushed my head to look skyward in a gesture of challenge. The snake was forceful. Fierce. I winced and gritted my teeth in pain as he bit through the nails and skin of both my thumbs. But I didn’t make a sound. I wouldn’t back down. It hurt like hell.

I was well aware of the fact that he was a boa constrictor and could easily wrap himself around me. I was horrified by the thought of being trapped in the snake’s grip. He could crush me, but worse, he could surround and enclose my body, my mind. He could steal my breath away. But, at the same time, I knew he wouldn’t. And so I held my ground.

Eventually, the snake released my thumbs from its grip. We looked hard into each others eyes. And then?

I walked away.

There were other people in the room, but only in the periphery of my vision. The pain in my thumbs was intense. I felt angry, but much more than that, I felt a sense of success, self-confidence, strength.

I woke up and my thumbs nails still hurt intensely. I was confused. I looked for the pup. Did he bite me? But he was curled at my side sound asleep. I looked for V., but he was also sound asleep. And then I realized that it was only a dream.

Before leaving for work I decided to look up the meaning of the snake. I dug around in my closet in search of the animal spirit cards that I haven’t looked at in over a year, unwrapped the fabric that I had carefully folded them in, and lifted the first card from the top of the deck: the snake. No, I'm not kidding. The first card I pulled was the snake! My jaw dropped.

~ ~ ~

This is what I learned about the snake today:

{Snake Symbology}:
transformation, healing, sexuality, clairvoyance, rebirth.

“The power of snake medicine is the power of creation" ~Sams and Carson pg 61*

The transmutation of the life-death-rebirth cycle is exemplified by the shedding of Snake’s skin. It 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.

This medicine teaches you on a personal level that you are a universal being. Through accepting all aspects of your life, you can bring about the transmutation of the fire medicine. This fire energy, when functioning on the material plane, creates passion, desire, procreation, and physical vitality. On the emotional plane, it becomes ambition, creation, resolution, and dreams. On the mental plane it becomes intellect, power, charisma, and leadership. When the Snake energy reaches the spiritual plane, it becomes wisdom, understanding, wholeness, and connection to the Great Spirit. If you have chosen this symbol, there is a need within you to transmute some thought, action, or desire so that wholeness may be achieved. This is very heavy magic, but remember, magic is no more than a change in consciousness. ~Sams and Carson pg 61-62*

The cards also say that the snake represents masking ones ability to change.

Look at the idea that you may fear changing your present state of affairs because this may entail a short passage into discomfort. Does this discomfort keep your 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. ~Sams and Carson 62*

To be honest, this all really blows my mind away. I do not doubt that my snake dream was directly related to yesterdays decision to reach past my fears. I mean, really, can it all get any more blatant?! The emotions in my dream were powerful (fear, anger, uncertainty)...but I walked away from the snake with a feeling of full-heartedness and empowerment. The snake taught me to keep my head up and to hold my ground. The snake taught me to respect myself. The snake showed me...that I am capable of this. We all are, really.

Today I: Emailed someone that placed an add for a portrait artist. Well paid. Who, me? Hey, it's worth a try. What do I have to lose?

*from Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson