Deep in the jungles of South America dwells a serpent goddess by the name of Sachamama. A two-headed serpent, she said to have ears and to dwell upon and within the Earth, remaining still on the jungle floor for long periods of time–so much so, that passersby might mistake her for a fallen ancient tree. One […]
Archive | Mythology & Legend
Amaru! Winged Serpent of Revolution
As the moon wanes into the darkness this October, the seasons also turn towards a time of inner work and silent reflection. As the nights grow longer, those of us in the Northern hemisphere gather the final fruits of the growing season and lay to rest that which has served its purpose and is ready […]
The Serpent & the Moon
By Serpent Sanctum on September 8, 2018 in Full Moon, Health & Wellness, Mythology & Legend, Offerings, Ritual, Serpent Sanctum
Waxing and waning. Bleeding and birthing. Emptiness and fullness. Light and shadow expanding and contracting constantly—although at first they may seem like strange bedfellows, the moon and the serpent have much in common. Many people are quite surprised to learn that within the Sanctum, our serpents align the shedding of their skin with the monthly […]
Ouroboros: The Infinite Serpent
Serpents have fascinated us for millenia, and have helped us to connect with worlds beyond imagination, and even to imagine the world before Creation itself. Long before Christ was born, humans recognized the power of serpents and honored them as wisdomkeepers—teachers of visionary awareness, oracles of transformation, guardians of abundance & fertility, and masters of […]
All Snakes’ Day: The Hidden History of St. Patrick
By Serpent Sanctum on March 20, 2018 in Mythology & Legend, New Moon, Offerings, Serpent Sanctum, Serpents
St. Patrick is perhaps the most well-known Catholic saint in human history. He is celebrated internationally in the United States, Brazil, Australia, Britain, and of course, Ireland, where he has been honored as the patron saint of the country for centuries. Among the many miracles he supposedly performed, Patrick is said to have driven all […]
Lunar New Year + Eclipse Wisdom
There are some moments that carry great weight throughout the fabric of time-space. When potent bodies align, new energy is easily available to be transmuted, reconfiguration occurs, and portals open for new acts of creation. These spaces invite us in—sometimes sweetly, other times through states of desperate necessity—but always with an invitation into greater awareness […]
Nāga Kanya : Guardian Goddess of the Three Realms
Naga Kanya—also known as Nag Kanya or Naag Kanya—snake of the rainbow, daughter of the serpent, guardian of treasures, benevolent goddess of the three realms. In Hindu mythology, Nagas are serpentine spirits who reside in the underworld, protecting and offering the teachings of the Mother Goddess. They are said to guard all esoteric and mystical […]
Tiamat: The Original Mother of Dragons
Tiamat is one of the earliest known serpent goddesses in world mythology. Little is certain about her mythos today—too much has been lost in the 7,000 years since she was worshipped in ancient Babylon. But in the long-ago days, Tiamat was honored as the primordial goddess of the salt sea, the Waters of Chaos. Mother […]
Melusine: Fairytale of the Serpent Mermaid
A beautiful fairy sprite with a serpent’s tail, Melusine comes from the world of French fairy tales. Her story was first collected and recorded in the late 14th century CE by Jean d’Arras, a collector of European folkloric tradition. The story goes that Melusine, a beautiful fairy, was cursed by her jealous mother. To escape […]
Benzaiten: White Snake Goddess of Japan
Benzaiten is a Japanese water goddess of fertility and flow—of rivers and waters, language and poetry, music, dance, and abundant wealth and good fortune. Benzaiten is the only female figure within “The Seven Lucky Gods” (known as the Shichi Fukujin) of Japanese Shintōism, and most often appears with a white snake as her headdress. Dragons […]