On the day of Summer Solstice I stepped into the garden and found myself again involved in a life/death drama. A couple of months ago I wouldn’t have shared this picture; I would have posted another shot of a butterfly. Now, in keeping with the realization that I have been shunning aspects of feminine energy, I will look, learn and share.
Snakes are an easy life form to revile…they thrive in dark places. Where once snakes were respected, even worshiped and recognized as part of who we are, today our first instinct is often to chase away or destroy a snake. Most of my life I have attached judgment by perceiving the hawk or the snake as bad and their prey as good. (This while I felt that Hawk is one of my totems.) As I captured these pictures I felt instead blessed and honored to witness a junco dying to feed a snake. Who knew a water snake hunts birds?
My relationship with snake energy began improving a few years ago when I happened upon a coil of snakes, hundreds of them coiled together in a heap in the sunshine of an early spring afternoon. The visual was fascinating and remains strong in my minds eye to this day. A large gathering of crows is called a murder of crows… I continue to wonder what a grouping of snakes coiled like that is called.
Toledo finally spotted me laying on my belly in the grass taking pictures and came bounding over to investigate. This was too much for the snake, who disengorged (is there such a word) the bird and slithered away without his kill. This I know/feel….a few seconds, one picture less, and I wouldn’t have disturbed while recording….another lesson in listening on the inside to Oneself while playing on the outside with Oneself.
3 comments:
Hi Anne,
my first reaction was "UGGGGGGHH"!
i've always had a primeval fear of snakes, but then realized i wear talismans that have two snakes coiling around a staff, the universal healing symbol.
Snakes are symbols of re-birth and sexuality; when i dream of one its always-- watch out, keep calm/centred, take a break out in natural surroundings, ie.. look after myself better.
Saint Francis loved all wild creatures, he saw God in everything, in every little creature. i think of him, when i feel challenged or out of my depth when encountering aspects of the natural world.
Love from,
John
Hello Anne,
A very interesting experience! I must admit, you created some "curves" because, for a moment, I was a bit taken back when you mentioned about preventing Court from startling the hawk! You tie it together so beautifully with the snake and reality of their life.
I can relate to your words about your feelings with snakes. Except for me change the word from snakes to rodents!!
Love,
Tim
Hi John, Hi Tim...
Yes...I thank you for seeing this one through with me. We have been trained to shun creatures that thrive in darkness. We are the ones who pay the highest price for this...we have parts of ourself that thrive in darkness that we deny and shun by proxy.
I identify strongly with the predatorial raptor and would have easily posted a picture of the hawk kill. Not so with the snake and I knew that was why I got one shot and not the other and had to post it.
To you both many thanks for the mirror/company on the journey without maps...
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