Here comes the Chinese New Year and a great opportunity to better know the serpent we so often misjudge in our collective unconscious. Its slimy skin, hypnotizing eyes and dreadful influence on Eve biting the forbidden apple triggering the fall of mankind: could we associate anything else than fear and disdain for this animal? Even the long-lasting passion of the luxury industry for snake skins is not paying any tribute to this powerful animal apart from consolidating an image of desire, seduction and temptation.

So let’s look at the serpent from a different angle.

Here are some of my favorite qualities of this truly fascinating animal:

1. Serpents represent are the deeper connection to the feminine, symbolizing both fertility and the creative force within us
2. They symbolize transformation and the continuous cycle of life and death through the renewal of their skin
3. Serpents are strongly associated with spiritual enlightenment: a cobra is the protector of the meditating Buddha
4. In shamanic cultures, serpents represent the healing life force
5. Serpents are an invitation to deepen our connection to the unconscious and explore the mysteries of life
6. In kundalini yoga, a serpent is thought to be lodged at the core of our spine around the root chakra – symbolizing both the sexual desire and the life force which awakened, leads us to wisdom.

So indeed, the serpent is not an innocent animal with such a complex set of attributes. Like in everything, there is a light and a dark side to it and this New Year is a great invitation to explore the above qualities in our lives:

Here are just a few thoughts to invite self-reflection on our happiness journey:

• Where do we focus our energy? Holding on to the past instead of releasing old energies? Accelerating into the future instead of appreciating the moment of now?
• What seeds are we seeking to plant? We often forget that the future starts now.
• What do we do with the wonderful gift of life? How grateful are we for it?
• What do we do with our creative power? Do we spoil and waste it or do we appreciate and nurture it for the greater good?

 What do you think about them? What would like to do about them?

What would you add?

PeeledOnion is self-help and personal development blog for all brave souls who want to take ownership of their destiny and make happiness a reality everyday! Your comments and suggestions are welcome to improve the ideas and tips shared!