Intoxicating Change: The Serpent Rising

This Wednesday 1/31, into Thursday 2/1, will be for many a time of unprecedented and dramatic transformation, a tumultuous and ecstatic time of transmuting karma and misconceptions to emerge on a higher plane of understanding.

The neo-pagan holiday of Imbolc occurs on this night and day (the holiday beginning at sundown 1/31 in most traditions). As I discussed in my Imbolc post, this was a time of kindling the fires of creativity and vitality for the beginning year. For this reason it is a traditional time for initiations (e.g. initiation into a coven).

Above: Dried flowers in winter

This year a full moon will occur that night. This is one of a series of three “supermoons”, full moons that appear both larger and brighter because of their proximity to Earth. The ray-energy of the moon governs and sustains the emotional plane of existence, and our feeling-level energy bodies respond to the ebb and flow of moonlight. All beings on Earth enjoy an expansion on the feeling level during a full moon. Barbara Pijan on the Moon in Vedic astrology.

Above: Otherworldly Nourishment Amulet

This particular full moon will undergo a lunar eclipse, appearing red in the sky as the Earth’s shadow falls across it. In Jyotish astrology, the eclipse is caused by the demonic “shadow planet” Rahu (Rahu and his other half, Ketu, are honored as planets in Jyotish astrology even though they have no solid existence) crossing the moon and “devouring it”. This causes a shadow to fall on our outward activities and material success, insisting we turn within to uncover greater truths. For this reason, eclipses are considered inauspicious for most ordinary activities, and highly favorable for deep meditation and related spiritual practices. The greater the power of the full moon, the greater the depth of transformation we achieve when the eclipse turns us inward.

Above: Sun behind bars

The fourth similar influence on this date is the position of the full moon in the nakshatra (star grouping, using smaller divisions than the twelve zodiac constellations – there are 26 nakshatras) of Ashlesa, the serpent. Snakes represent transmutation of intense energies. The survivor of a poisonous snakebite is said to attain great shamanic power due to their transmutation of the venom. Snakes represent sexuality, the underworld, and other root chakra energies.  The Kundalini rising, or the uncoiling of energy up the spine blooming and integrating the body’s chakras and resulting in altered states of heightened consciousness, is usually pictured as an uncoiling serpent. Once again intense spiritual experiences, initiation, and dramatic change are on the cards. 

Above: Release Resistance Amulet

Now that you’re aware of these influences, take advantage by asking for the spiritual, emotional, or physical transformation you most desire, and trust that your experience will be ecstatic and blissful!

As always, my magic amulets are available to assist you here.