BRAHMINY BLIND SNAKE (FLOWERPOT SNAKE): Power of Self

The most widespread of all the Snake species is the tiny Brahminy Blind Snake.  Since She is the size of a piece of spaghetti, Brahminy Blind Snake is often overlooked by many people.  A native of Southeast Asia, She is often mistaken for a Worm.  Because She lives in flowerpots, this earned her the name “Flowerpot Snake”.  Moreover, this tiny primitive Snake often finds her way into horticultural greenhouses by mistake through flowerpots.  But wherever Brahminy Blinds Snake finds Herself, She is welcomed because She eats insect larvae plaguing gardeners.

            What makes Brahminy Blind Snake unique amongst Snakes is how She breeds.  Scientists have documented that She is a unisexual Snake.  A consummate colonizer, Brahminy Blind Snake breeds through parthenogenesis.  When She reaches maturity, She lays eggs without any help from a Male.

            Brahminy Blind Snake aptly displays the power of Self.  She does not need another to complete Her.  In her travels, Brahminy Blind Snake is the power of One.  Learn from Her how to be complete, and come into your own power.

BLIND SNAKE FAMILY: Connect to the Deep Ancestors

Often mistaken for Worms, Blind Snakes (Scolecophidia) are classified separately from the more advanced Snakes (Alethinophidia).  This is because many scientists consider Them to be more primitive than Boas and Pythons.  In addition, Blind Snakes’ pelvic girdles and small leg spurs hark back to early Snakes.  These relatively unknown and poorly understood Snakes comprise about ten percent of the world’s Snake population.  Because of their small size and secretive lives, Blind Snakes are often overlooked by most people.     

The Blind Snake Family includes Early Blind Snakes (Anomalepididae), Thread Snakes (Leptotyphlopidae) and Worm Snakes (Typhlopidae).  Early Blind Snakes are found in Central and South America.  Using their enlarged rostral scale, They excavate the soil looking for tasty Termites.  Living secretive lives, these burrowing Snakes usually reside in the nests of Ants. Found worldwide, Worm Snakes are more well-known to people.  The largest of the Blind Snakes is a Worm Snake - Schlegel’s Beaked Blind Snake of Africa.  He is named that because the rostral scale on his snout protrudes out like a bird’s beak.  Also, Brahminy Blind Snake has been introduced worldwide to greenhouses via flowerpots, and thereby earning Her the name “Flowerpot Snake”.

            Meanwhile, Thread Snakes often live in Ant and Termite hills.  By emitting the same pheromones as Ants, these Snakes have successfully adapted to life amongst these Insects.  As They munch on Ants, Thread Snakes are not usually attacked by any of the defending Insects.

            Like Deep Ancestors, Blind Snakes are not readily known.  However, through Blind Snakes, you can reach back through the mists of time to your Deep Ancestors.  Let Blind Snakes show you the attentiveness needed to find the Deep Ancestors.  Allow these secretive Snakes to connect you with the Deep Ancestors.

Tarot: The Thoth Tarot

Since I am strongly attuned to visual stimulae, I am particular about what major variation of the Tarot that I use. The Marseilles Deck left me cold with its garish images.  Furthermore, I have a visceral visual dislike of the Rider-Waite Tarot with its cutesy pictures.  Therefore, my deck of choice is the Thoth deck by Aleister Crowley.

What drew me to the Thoth deck was its vivid art work and striking colours.  The power of the Tower (ATU XVI) was so great that I bonded with it.  The Tower card reminded me of Picasso’s painting “Guernica”.  The same strong lines and feeling of grief, anger, and loss permeated both.  The Thoth deck, which reflects important aspects of the art of the 1920s and 30s, won my admiration and respect.

Guernica by Picasso

 In contrast to The Tower is the Knight of Disks (King of Pentacles).  This card presents a less dramatic and more pastoral picture.  The Knight, seated on his grazing horse, surveys his field of ripening grain.  The lush rich tones of the scene convey a feeling of satisfaction and plenty.  

The Lovers (ATU VI) is a subtle union of opposites.  The couple being united is the Emperor (ATU IV) and Empress (ATU III) with the hooded Hermit (ATU IX) presiding.  (These three represent the states of being for humans.) The richness of this card’s imagery includes the Orphic Egg, the result of the Lovers’ union.  This seed from their Union becomes Horus, the future of the world.  The Lovers card is so rich in subtlety that a person could spend hours in meditation with it.

Surveying the clones of each of the three variations reaffirms my original choice.  Although the Bifrost Tarot (Jeremy Lampkin, 2006) is a modern version of the Thoth deck, the images are still rich in symbolism.  It still carries the symbolism of the Thoth Minors such as the Second of Wands being the “Lord of Dominion”.  In my opinion, the decks based on the Rider-Waite Tarot still suffer from the limited symbolism of that variation.  Meanwhile, the variations of the Marseilles decks seem more obtuse and unfathomable for me.

Tarot: The Tarot of the Trees

Copyright: Dana Driscoll

Because I prefer using Tarot decks for meditation, I am fussy about the decks that I select for use.  The ones that I choose are usually original, colourful, and of a subject that I can relate to.  Because of my esoteric tastes, many of my Tarot decks are not accessible to the general public for readings.

One deck that I am considering is the Tarot of the Trees (Dana Driscoll, 2008).  Few decks are focused on trees, a subject that I dearly love.  In addition, this private deck features colourful and expressive trees in various circumstances.  Also, Ms. Driscoll’s sequence of the seasons matching the Minor suits (Cups-spring, Wands-summer, Swords-autumn, Pentacles-winter) makes intuitive sense to me.

Since I am attuned to trees, the pictures draw me in further for mediation.  For example, The Fool (0) of the Major Arcana features a seedling tree on a cliff edge.  The ravine is deep but the other trees below invite him to take the first step.  Also, the sun and the friendly clouds beckon to him.  To me, this card speaks of hope and possibilities.  I can relate more to this particular Fool card more than to others in many decks.  But since it lacks the customary Tarot imagery, I do not see how this can be understood by many people.

I chose the Tarot of the Trees for mediation because of its rich artwork and subject matter.  Since it lacks the usual Tarot symbolism that people expect, I do not foresee using this deck for pubic divination.  It is a personal deck with particular meanings for me. The Tarot of the Trees calls to me on an intuitive level to go deeper.  Because of this deck’s vibrant and interesting artwork, it sings to me.  

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MILK SNAKE: Telling Stories

One of the most widely distributed of terrestrial Snakes, Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are found from Canada to Ecuador.  People will often discover these Snakes living under rocks or wooden boards.  As opportunistic hunters, Milk Snakes successfully prey upon Rodents that live in those places.

Boldly patterned Milk Snakes are sometimes mistaken for Copperheads and Rattlesnakes.  Moreover, one member of the Milk Snake Family, Scarlet Kingsnake resembles Coral Snake.  Like their fellow King Snakes, Milk Snakes also hunt Copperheads and Rattlesnakes but not Coral Snakes.

An Old World folk tale has become associated with Milk Snakes.  According to various stories, Milk Snakes suck the milk from nursing mothers and cows until they are dry.  Of course, Milk Snakes lack the anatomy to suck and digest milk.  So these folk stories are false.

This myth arose because people discovered these nocturnal Snakes nosing about their homes and barns.  Milk Snakes were of course hunting Rats living in abundance there.  However, instead of sucking milk, these Snakes brought good health by killing vermin instead.

            Check your facts thoroughly before telling stories counsels Milk Snakes.  Silly stories may abound about these Snakes but they do cause undue fear in humans.  Imagine a person encountering a Milk Snake after hearing these inane tales.  Instead of repeating tales, discover if they are true or not or you may cause harm to innocent parties.

KINGSNAKE SUBFAMILY (Lampropeltis): Love of Art

Exceptionally adaptable for a Reptile, Kingsnakes live in a rich diversity of habitats, ranging from scrublands to wetlands.  To keep warm and cool, They often hide under rocks or fallen logs.  Kingsnakes living near ponds and streams will swim to hunt for their meal.

As powerful constrictors, Kingsnakes hunt and eat other Snakes.  The “King” in their name refers to their preying on other Snakes as food.  Immune to their venom, Kingsnakes hunt Copperheads and Rattlesnakes.  (However, They are not immune to Coral Snakes.)

            Brightly colored Kingsnakes are sometimes mistaken for Coral Snakes.  In fact, a multitude of rhymes exist to inform people how to tell the difference.  (“Red and Yellow kills a fellow.  Red and black are safe for Jack.”)  However many Kingsnakes do not share the same habitat with Coral Snakes, and also are not convincing mimics.  But the rhymes are entertaining nonetheless.

            Kingsnakes come in a rainbow of polished colors – reds, oranges, yellows, tans, blacks, and whites.  Designs of bands, patches, rings, speckles, spots, or stripes are vividly displayed on their bodies.  In fact, Kingsnakes are best known for their kaleidoscope of colors and skin patterns.  With bright contrasting patterns on their bodies, Kingsnakes create optical illusions as They quickly move across the earth.  This usually startles any predators lurking nearby.

            Kingsnakes ably demonstrate the depth and breadth of art, since their bodies are a riot of designs and colors.  Each Snake is an incredible work of art.  With their fanciful markings, individual Snakes within the species can differ from each other.  Explore color and design and create beauty as Kingsnakes do.  Love and appreciate art along with Them.  

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