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Awakening the Ancient Power of Snake: Transformation, Healing, and Enlightenment
A look at the mythic, archetypal, and transformational aspects of Snake
• Explores how and why Snake was transformed from esteemed advisor and guardian of ancient wisdom to a symbol of deception and evil
• Examines Snake’s healing powers, its role in awakening kundalini, and its connections to dreams, shamanism, alchemy, and the Goddess
• Shares transformational stories and practical ways that Snake can help us travel through the imaginal realm, gather treasure from the psyche, and shed outgrown aspects of self
Entwined with human consciousness since prehistoric times, Snake has always been associated with transformation--from the shedding of its skin to the rising of kundalini energy. In ancient times, Snake served as protector and advisor to gods, goddesses, and royalty. But with the story of Adam and Eve, Snake became the enemy--a tempter and deceiver. How did this happen and why do humans continue to fear and vilify Snake? Inspired by a vivid dream of an immense snake that lost its tail, animal communicator Dawn Baumann Brunke investigates the interwoven history of Snake and humanity and explores how we can once again access Snake’s wisdom and harness its powerful ability to heal, transform, and awaken.
Uncovering ties between Snake and Goddess, the author demonstrates how both were systematically suppressed millennia ago with the spread of a patriarchal perspective that valued mastery over nature, God over Goddess. Brunke reveals how myths that originally extolled the virtues of Snake and Goddess were refashioned, recreating their images as debased and untrustworthy. She explores why snakes show up in shamanic journeys and transformational dreams and how their unique presence in our world can serve as catalysts of change, truth-telling, and enlightenment.
Examining Snake’s role in awakening human consciousness, Brunke considers the alchemical role of the serpent as well as Snake’s connections to ancient healing, modern medicine, and even the DNA molecule. She shares psycho-activating stories to help trigger transformation and provide graceful movement through the chaos of change. And she offers practical techniques to journey with Snake through inner worlds, to shed confining aspects of self, and to integrate experiences more holistically.
Brunke shows how we need to re-embrace the ancient power of Snake to better support our return to a more balanced consciousness--one that reunites nature with spirit, sacred masculine with sacred feminine--as we strive for global change and personal awakening.
• Explores how and why Snake was transformed from esteemed advisor and guardian of ancient wisdom to a symbol of deception and evil
• Examines Snake’s healing powers, its role in awakening kundalini, and its connections to dreams, shamanism, alchemy, and the Goddess
• Shares transformational stories and practical ways that Snake can help us travel through the imaginal realm, gather treasure from the psyche, and shed outgrown aspects of self
Entwined with human consciousness since prehistoric times, Snake has always been associated with transformation--from the shedding of its skin to the rising of kundalini energy. In ancient times, Snake served as protector and advisor to gods, goddesses, and royalty. But with the story of Adam and Eve, Snake became the enemy--a tempter and deceiver. How did this happen and why do humans continue to fear and vilify Snake? Inspired by a vivid dream of an immense snake that lost its tail, animal communicator Dawn Baumann Brunke investigates the interwoven history of Snake and humanity and explores how we can once again access Snake’s wisdom and harness its powerful ability to heal, transform, and awaken.
Uncovering ties between Snake and Goddess, the author demonstrates how both were systematically suppressed millennia ago with the spread of a patriarchal perspective that valued mastery over nature, God over Goddess. Brunke reveals how myths that originally extolled the virtues of Snake and Goddess were refashioned, recreating their images as debased and untrustworthy. She explores why snakes show up in shamanic journeys and transformational dreams and how their unique presence in our world can serve as catalysts of change, truth-telling, and enlightenment.
Examining Snake’s role in awakening human consciousness, Brunke considers the alchemical role of the serpent as well as Snake’s connections to ancient healing, modern medicine, and even the DNA molecule. She shares psycho-activating stories to help trigger transformation and provide graceful movement through the chaos of change. And she offers practical techniques to journey with Snake through inner worlds, to shed confining aspects of self, and to integrate experiences more holistically.
Brunke shows how we need to re-embrace the ancient power of Snake to better support our return to a more balanced consciousness--one that reunites nature with spirit, sacred masculine with sacred feminine--as we strive for global change and personal awakening.
288 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2020
4 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2020
I used to work as managing editor of a magazine whose theme was spirituality. Despite its subject, it was news and research-based at its core. Readers liked this, but often we would get pitches from New Age writers who couldn't understand the importance of science, verification, and credentials. It was my job to gently explain that although I understood that people had powerful personal experiences, for us to publish a "fact" story, the writer and/or material had to have had some kind of vetting.
I cannot imagine a better writer than Dawn Baumann Brunke for material that might otherwise fall into the "woo-woo" category for many readers. She is not only a deep dreamer with apparently 20/20 vision for details that she remembers, but she is a skeptical analyst of all things and a researcher who understands that history matters—that everything, including dream images, has history that informs meaning. And it helps that she is also an elegant writer who knows how to tell a story.
Who better to write about one of the most potent and controversial animals—snake? Snake is worshipped and loathed. It is embedded in our stories and architecture and reflected in our DNA. There is even a named phobia (ophidiophobia) because fear of snakes is common among our species.
This generously illustrated book is so full—from history, art, myth, and science, to personal stories of owning and feeding snakes, to understanding why our feelings about the iconic snake (in body and in image) are indicative of the sharp divides in today's culture, how these divides came to be, and what we might do to accept the synthesis of opposites offered by one of the most ancient symbols of healing, protection, and oneness.
This is a book for anybody who practices yoga and wants to know more about the power at the base of their spine, or anyone who is simply curious about the inherent wisdom we all hide that may allow us the means to survive our present divide.
This is nonfiction that can serve as a source for writers who work in magical realism or myth, Jungian therapists, and anybody who is excited by metaphor and introspective contemplation.
Although I don't suffer from ophidiophobia, I once almost had a heart attack upon repotting a (fittingly) snake plant to give it as a gift, only to witness a long, wriggling animal on my New York City apartment floor—a garter snake-size earthworm who'd probably been transferred from the plant store's composter. After participating in (I'll explain that in a moment) and reading Dawn's book and becoming comfortably familiar with her snakes, Chloe and Carl, I can now imagine holding them. And although I don't want a snake in my apartment, by the end of the book, I felt not only respect but love for them. So perhaps this is a book for anyone who has serious fear that they want to get over.
Full disclosure: Dawn Baumann Brunke is my friend. Although she lives in Alaska and I live in New York City, with only one in-person visit and almost daily emails, we have become close friends, so I was virtually "with" her as she wrote this book, and we had many discussions about the topic. Some of the personal stories I shared with her are in this book. I had a lot of questions about the ethics of one animal (us) feeding another live animal (mice) to a snake, and on reading our discussion in the now-published book, I went through understanding, acceptance, and a deep sadness all over again. Snakes swallow whole animals, which seems almost impossible. But in her contemplation, Dawn sees a metaphor: by taking in something much larger than we are, we grow, we transform. Reading the printed words, even though I originally said some of them, was a profound and helpful experience. So, like Snake, I'm going to digest this whole large book over the course of many days.
For more information, see the terrific book trailer and see the book's page on Dawn's website.
[Thanks to Inner Traditions Bear & Company for the advanced reading copy.]
I cannot imagine a better writer than Dawn Baumann Brunke for material that might otherwise fall into the "woo-woo" category for many readers. She is not only a deep dreamer with apparently 20/20 vision for details that she remembers, but she is a skeptical analyst of all things and a researcher who understands that history matters—that everything, including dream images, has history that informs meaning. And it helps that she is also an elegant writer who knows how to tell a story.
Who better to write about one of the most potent and controversial animals—snake? Snake is worshipped and loathed. It is embedded in our stories and architecture and reflected in our DNA. There is even a named phobia (ophidiophobia) because fear of snakes is common among our species.
This generously illustrated book is so full—from history, art, myth, and science, to personal stories of owning and feeding snakes, to understanding why our feelings about the iconic snake (in body and in image) are indicative of the sharp divides in today's culture, how these divides came to be, and what we might do to accept the synthesis of opposites offered by one of the most ancient symbols of healing, protection, and oneness.
This is a book for anybody who practices yoga and wants to know more about the power at the base of their spine, or anyone who is simply curious about the inherent wisdom we all hide that may allow us the means to survive our present divide.
This is nonfiction that can serve as a source for writers who work in magical realism or myth, Jungian therapists, and anybody who is excited by metaphor and introspective contemplation.
Although I don't suffer from ophidiophobia, I once almost had a heart attack upon repotting a (fittingly) snake plant to give it as a gift, only to witness a long, wriggling animal on my New York City apartment floor—a garter snake-size earthworm who'd probably been transferred from the plant store's composter. After participating in (I'll explain that in a moment) and reading Dawn's book and becoming comfortably familiar with her snakes, Chloe and Carl, I can now imagine holding them. And although I don't want a snake in my apartment, by the end of the book, I felt not only respect but love for them. So perhaps this is a book for anyone who has serious fear that they want to get over.
Full disclosure: Dawn Baumann Brunke is my friend. Although she lives in Alaska and I live in New York City, with only one in-person visit and almost daily emails, we have become close friends, so I was virtually "with" her as she wrote this book, and we had many discussions about the topic. Some of the personal stories I shared with her are in this book. I had a lot of questions about the ethics of one animal (us) feeding another live animal (mice) to a snake, and on reading our discussion in the now-published book, I went through understanding, acceptance, and a deep sadness all over again. Snakes swallow whole animals, which seems almost impossible. But in her contemplation, Dawn sees a metaphor: by taking in something much larger than we are, we grow, we transform. Reading the printed words, even though I originally said some of them, was a profound and helpful experience. So, like Snake, I'm going to digest this whole large book over the course of many days.
For more information, see the terrific book trailer and see the book's page on Dawn's website.
[Thanks to Inner Traditions Bear & Company for the advanced reading copy.]
April 19, 2024
Awakening the ancient power of snake is a anthology of esoteric, mythical, and psychic snake wisdom, and scientific facts about snakes.
As an individual on the path of Kundalini awakening, I found great pleasure in reading this book. Although the book itself was enjoyable, I must admit that the title was somewhat deceiving. I had anticipated a deeper exploration of Kundalini awakening, but instead, the book primarily focused on physical snakes and the author's personal experiences with owning a boa and corn snake. Unfortunately, the book lacked the desired emphasis on the psychic and spiritual dimensions of the snake, particularly in relation to the mystical concept of Kundalini.
Once again, I found great pleasure in reading the book and delving into the author's personal encounters with her snakes. Additionally, I appreciated the exploration of the physical and scientific aspects of snakes, although it didn't entirely meet my initial expectations. Out of the eleven chapters, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in three chapters that offered a captivating blend of historical and spiritual insights.
Chapter 3 - What Happened in the Garden
Chapter 6 - Snake in the Psyche
Chapter 10 - The Snake, the Stargazer, the Scientist, and the Shaman.
Don't be fooled by the title of this book when it comes to awakening the Kundalini. If you're looking for a comprehensive guide on all things related to snakes, then this book is definitely worth checking out.
As an individual on the path of Kundalini awakening, I found great pleasure in reading this book. Although the book itself was enjoyable, I must admit that the title was somewhat deceiving. I had anticipated a deeper exploration of Kundalini awakening, but instead, the book primarily focused on physical snakes and the author's personal experiences with owning a boa and corn snake. Unfortunately, the book lacked the desired emphasis on the psychic and spiritual dimensions of the snake, particularly in relation to the mystical concept of Kundalini.
Once again, I found great pleasure in reading the book and delving into the author's personal encounters with her snakes. Additionally, I appreciated the exploration of the physical and scientific aspects of snakes, although it didn't entirely meet my initial expectations. Out of the eleven chapters, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in three chapters that offered a captivating blend of historical and spiritual insights.
Chapter 3 - What Happened in the Garden
Chapter 6 - Snake in the Psyche
Chapter 10 - The Snake, the Stargazer, the Scientist, and the Shaman.
Don't be fooled by the title of this book when it comes to awakening the Kundalini. If you're looking for a comprehensive guide on all things related to snakes, then this book is definitely worth checking out.
February 5, 2020
What I respect and admire about Dawn as a friend, writer, and mentor is what I’ve learned from her— and that is— the value and importance of stepping back and taking time to give serious contemplation to the ‘why’ of our fears as a way in which can lead us to a larger perspective.
And this book, Awakening the Ancient Power of Snake invites us to do exactly that.
Throughout my review, I’ve sprinkled a few passages from the book that spoke to me (they are in quotes). Though, honestly, it was hard to choose as there were many.
So – full disclosure – my story and my encounter with a snake are included in the book. But here’s the thing—I almost backed out. It was too much at the time— on many different levels— to bear the judgment I feared by sharing it.
I can’t say I ever hated snakes, but like many, I did have a fear of them. It was hard for me to even look at a photo of one. But one day I came across a mama snake and her four babies who were all perished. I still recall how I was moved to tears because it all felt so tragic.
This is when I learned how to dance with the wisdom of Snake and was thoughtfully and compassionately guided by Dawn.
“Learning from snakes isn’t necessarily about becoming friends, but rather about seeing them for who they are.”
Would I have been drawn to read this book had I not encountered a snake or knew of Dawn, or my willingness to explore what snake had to teach me? Perhaps not.
But like my personal experience with a snake, which changed my life in profound ways, so too has this book elicited another shift and awakened another level of understanding for having read it.
“Snake: protector of our psyche and champion of our eventual awakening.”
I was blown away by the in-depth research and rich history Dawn shares about Snake – something that as a young person I was easily bored by or didn’t understand. But as I’ve grown older and wiser, I’ve come to realize the utmost importance of understanding our history and even more vital, the relation to it as to where we are today as a society.
Reading about the ancient wisdom of snake and goddess— and how that part of our history has been pushed down and even looked at as evil at times, had me vacillating between angry and sad. But it also had my respect for snake deepening even more and how they can guide us to not only evolve individually but as a planet if we open our hearts to these teachings.
“The challenge is to see snake as it really is. By accepting the challenge we may discover far more about both snakes and ourselves than we might ever imagine.”
There have been times in my life where I thought I was nuts because of how I see things in a way that perhaps others don’t understand—and then even more so when I was challenged to go deeper into my psyche because of my encounter with a snake.
But I’m grateful to snake for initiating me, for the other stories in Dawns’ book that were even more confirmation of the healing powers of snake, for the abundant wisdom Dawn has personally gained and so generously shared, and the wide array of research Dawn has included to help us understand snake through myths, history, dreams, science, and so much more.
“I think everything the ancients and alchemists knew about Snake is true and needed now—today, more than ever. Snake’s wisdom is vital to us during this time of planetary upheaval and profound paradigm shifts. As noted in the introduction, “Snake appears in the collective dream when change is most desperately needed.” And that is where we are.
The global transformation we are currently experiencing (which feels like a madness and destruction to so much of the world) is part of an immense shift, a move from rigid patriarchal rule to a more balanced consciousness that reunites nature with spirit, sacred masculine with sacred feminine, and more. Snake’s expertise in bringing together that which is separated and disjointed—something that is essential right now to our survival as a species.”
Lastly, though I initially had great fear around my story being included in this book, I’m now honored to be a part of it. Over the years I’ve come to deepen in respect for all animals (not just the cute and cuddly ones). I believe at the core of my heart, animals are some of our greatest teachers and are here to help us heal and evolve. It’s when we can look at those we consider scary, even repulsive, that I’ve personally gained some of my most profound teachings, and for that, I consider it a great honor to not only be a part of this book but to also share it with others.
Thank you to Inner Traditions Bear & Company for an advanced reading copy.
You can learn more about Dawn and her many other books on animal wisdom on her website at www.animalvoices.net
And this book, Awakening the Ancient Power of Snake invites us to do exactly that.
Throughout my review, I’ve sprinkled a few passages from the book that spoke to me (they are in quotes). Though, honestly, it was hard to choose as there were many.
So – full disclosure – my story and my encounter with a snake are included in the book. But here’s the thing—I almost backed out. It was too much at the time— on many different levels— to bear the judgment I feared by sharing it.
I can’t say I ever hated snakes, but like many, I did have a fear of them. It was hard for me to even look at a photo of one. But one day I came across a mama snake and her four babies who were all perished. I still recall how I was moved to tears because it all felt so tragic.
This is when I learned how to dance with the wisdom of Snake and was thoughtfully and compassionately guided by Dawn.
“Learning from snakes isn’t necessarily about becoming friends, but rather about seeing them for who they are.”
Would I have been drawn to read this book had I not encountered a snake or knew of Dawn, or my willingness to explore what snake had to teach me? Perhaps not.
But like my personal experience with a snake, which changed my life in profound ways, so too has this book elicited another shift and awakened another level of understanding for having read it.
“Snake: protector of our psyche and champion of our eventual awakening.”
I was blown away by the in-depth research and rich history Dawn shares about Snake – something that as a young person I was easily bored by or didn’t understand. But as I’ve grown older and wiser, I’ve come to realize the utmost importance of understanding our history and even more vital, the relation to it as to where we are today as a society.
Reading about the ancient wisdom of snake and goddess— and how that part of our history has been pushed down and even looked at as evil at times, had me vacillating between angry and sad. But it also had my respect for snake deepening even more and how they can guide us to not only evolve individually but as a planet if we open our hearts to these teachings.
“The challenge is to see snake as it really is. By accepting the challenge we may discover far more about both snakes and ourselves than we might ever imagine.”
There have been times in my life where I thought I was nuts because of how I see things in a way that perhaps others don’t understand—and then even more so when I was challenged to go deeper into my psyche because of my encounter with a snake.
But I’m grateful to snake for initiating me, for the other stories in Dawns’ book that were even more confirmation of the healing powers of snake, for the abundant wisdom Dawn has personally gained and so generously shared, and the wide array of research Dawn has included to help us understand snake through myths, history, dreams, science, and so much more.
“I think everything the ancients and alchemists knew about Snake is true and needed now—today, more than ever. Snake’s wisdom is vital to us during this time of planetary upheaval and profound paradigm shifts. As noted in the introduction, “Snake appears in the collective dream when change is most desperately needed.” And that is where we are.
The global transformation we are currently experiencing (which feels like a madness and destruction to so much of the world) is part of an immense shift, a move from rigid patriarchal rule to a more balanced consciousness that reunites nature with spirit, sacred masculine with sacred feminine, and more. Snake’s expertise in bringing together that which is separated and disjointed—something that is essential right now to our survival as a species.”
Lastly, though I initially had great fear around my story being included in this book, I’m now honored to be a part of it. Over the years I’ve come to deepen in respect for all animals (not just the cute and cuddly ones). I believe at the core of my heart, animals are some of our greatest teachers and are here to help us heal and evolve. It’s when we can look at those we consider scary, even repulsive, that I’ve personally gained some of my most profound teachings, and for that, I consider it a great honor to not only be a part of this book but to also share it with others.
Thank you to Inner Traditions Bear & Company for an advanced reading copy.
You can learn more about Dawn and her many other books on animal wisdom on her website at www.animalvoices.net
December 28, 2020
It was a beautiful journey to read, but mostly I missed the practical guidance so we as a reader could also use the snake in our practice as energy. Even if the book claims it helps you to find transformation, without exercises to apply for yourself the book is a compilation of a personal story and old wisdom.
August 3, 2021
I didn’t know anything about this book when I picked it out. The title and the cover grabbed me and I knew I had to have it in my life. While this book is a very interesting read, it’s not what I expected. A lot of research has been done on the history of snake, but it’s also part memoir…or at least it read like one to me. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it’s not what I expected. I learned a lot of new things and revisited some of my own feelings and experiences with snake, but I was hoping for a practical approach to using snake energy for transformation. Excellent for the information included, but not quite what I was hoping for. I still highly recommend this book to anyone with a love or curiosity for snake energy.
July 1, 2020
Good, easy read about the symbolism and some basic natural history of the snake.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews