The Spiritual Meaning of Snakes: A Witch’s Guide to Serpent Symbolism
Mysticism, Magick, and Alchemical Transformation on the Serpent’s Path
Across civilizations, the snake—often referred to as the serpent—has long been honored for its spiritual and metaphysical meaning. Witches, mystics, and spiritual seekers have looked to the snake as a powerful symbol of transformation, divine wisdom, and hidden knowledge.
From the snake gods of Mesopotamia to sacred serpent cults in Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Mesoamerica, serpents have slithered through myth and magick as guardians of secrets, initiators of change, and vessels of primal power.
What is the spiritual meaning of snakes—and why does it still matter to witches, occultists and modern practitioners today?
For modern witches and spiritual seekers, understanding serpent symbolism unlocks deeper layers of meaning in ritual work, shadow exploration, and personal transformation.
By tracing the serpent’s path through history, we reconnect with forgotten wisdom and reclaim this archetype as a potent force in contemporary witchcraft.
Whether you're working with kundalini energy, transformation spells, or ancestral rites, the serpent’s ancient legacy continues to shape the magickal craft in powerful and unexpected ways.
In this article, explore cross-cultural snake lore—and reveal how you can work with serpent energy in your own witchcraft practice.
Neolithic Period: Early Goddess Worship & Sacred Snake Carvings
The Neolithic era—over 11,000 years ago—marks one of the earliest known connections between snake symbolism and spiritual practice.
Long before the pyramids were built, before the invention of writing, and even before the rise of the first cities, ancient people were carving serpent goddesses into temple stones.
At Nevalı Çori, a temple site in what is now southeastern Turkey, archaeologists unearthed a remarkable artifact: a human-sized stone head with a snake carved across the face, dating back to the 10th–9th millennium BCE. That’s nearly 7,000 years older than Stonehenge.
This wasn’t just art—it was ritual, myth, and magick in physical form.
Even in these earliest sacred sites, the serpent was revered as a symbol of fertility, renewal, and the cyclical forces of life and death. These beliefs later echoed across the ancient world—from Anatolia to Mesopotamia, from Old Europe to Egypt.
Ancient Egypt: Uraeus, Wadjet, and the Protective Power of Serpent Symbolism
Over 5,000 years ago, the people of Ancient Egypt worked with snake symbolism in deeply sacred and ceremonial ways.
The Uraeus—a rearing cobra—was worn on the crowns of pharaohs, representing divine protection, royal authority, and the fierce, watchful power of the goddess Wadjet.
Dating back to as early as 3000 BCE, this serpent imagery wasn’t just ornamental. It was believed to guard the pharaoh from harm, both physical and spiritual. Wadjet, one of the oldest deities in the Egyptian pantheon, was venerated as the guardian of Lower Egypt and the protector of kings. Her shrine in Buto became a major center of religious worship.
The image above shows a powerful example of this belief: the head of Ra-Osiris encircled by the Ouroboros, discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun (14th century BCE). This eternal snake devouring its tail symbolized divine protection, rebirth, and eternity—core themes in Egyptian magick and cosmology.
Whilst these symbols are more than 3,000 years old—and still resonate with witches today. In modern witchcraft, practitioners may call upon Wadjet for protection spells, use cobra imagery in amulets and talismans, or incorporate Egyptian serpent motifs into rituals that boost personal power and spiritual sovereignty.
Some witches adapt ancient spells from the Pyramid Texts, invoking snake spirits as protectors of sacred space, just as Egyptian priests once did to guard the dead on their journey to the afterlife. These timeless symbols continue to inspire modern rituals of security, clarity, and magickal defense.
The Minoan Snake Goddess: Ancient Priestess of Serpent Power, Fertility and Transformation
Over 3,500 years ago, on the island of Crete, the Minoan Snake Goddess emerged as one of the earliest known representations of female spiritual authority and serpent symbolism.
This iconic faience figurine, dated to around 1650–1550 BCE, was uncovered at the Palace of Knossos and is now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.
She holds a snake in each hand, embodying divine power, earth-based wisdom, and the regenerative force of nature.
In Minoan culture, snakes were closely linked to fertility, the underworld, and chthonic energies—foreshadowing the serpent associations found later in Greek mythology.
Some scholars suggest the Snake Goddess may have been part of pre-Hellenic mystery traditions, in which priestesses and deities wielded serpents to symbolize their dominion over life, death, and transformation.
Serpents in Greek and Roman Mysteries: The Ouroboros, Caduceus and Esoteric Snake Symbolism
Symbols like the Ouroboros and caduceus are among the most enduring representations of serpent magick—carried from the ancient world into modern spiritual and esoteric practices.
In the 4th century BCE, the Ouroboros—a serpent devouring its own tail—was adopted by Greek alchemical traditions, though its origins trace back to ancient Egypt. It symbolizes eternity, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life, embodying the concept of eternal return.
The caduceus, shown in the image above held by Hermes (Mercury in Roman mythology), is a staff entwined by two serpents and topped with wings. Though originally linked to commerce, balance, and divine communication, it later became associated with healing and alchemical transformation—themes deeply rooted in serpent mythology.
These symbols are over 2,000 years old—and still resonate in modern magick and medicine alike. While often confused, the caduceus is distinct from the Rod of Asclepius, which features a single serpent and is the true symbol of healing and medicine. The caduceus instead represents duality, equilibrium, and the harmonizing of opposites—core concepts in both alchemy and witchcraft.
Modern Witchcraft Connection
In contemporary magick, both the Ouroboros and caduceus are powerful tools for ritual and symbolic work:
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The Ouroboros is used in spells of transformation, cyclical renewal, and shadow work, reminding us that death is never an end—only a new beginning.
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The caduceus, with its twin serpents, may appear in healing talismans, ritual tools, or chakra-balancing work, symbolizing restoration and energetic alignment.
A witch might craft a charm featuring the caduceus to promote emotional healing, spiritual insight, or energetic protection—calling on the serpent’s ancient role as both guardian and guide.
Medusa: Serpent-Haired Gorgon of Protection, Transformation & Divine Feminine Power
Few figures in mythology embody serpent power as vividly—or as misunderstood—as Medusa.
First recorded in Hesiod’s Theogony around 700 BCE, Medusa was originally a priestess of Athena, transformed into a Gorgon with living snakes for hair. Her gaze could turn men to stone—a symbol of both divine protection and misunderstood feminine power, born from betrayal, transformation, and myth.
In later Roman interpretations, Medusa’s image was used on shields and amulets to ward off evil, reinforcing her role as a guardian figure and a powerful goddess archetype.
The interpretation above, painted by Caravaggio in 1597, captures the intensity of her transformation—shock, fury, and serpent symbolism entangled. This version of Medusa resides in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.
For over 2,700 years, her image has persisted as a talisman against evil—appearing on shields, coins, and protective amulets throughout the ancient world.
In modern witchcraft, Medusa has been reclaimed as a potent archetype of feminine sovereignty, shadow work, and energetic protection. Her serpents are seen as guardians of inner truth and intuitive power.
Witches may call on Medusa during rituals of self-defense, trauma healing, or when confronting oppression and injustice. Whether through altar images, amulets, or meditative visualization, her presence offers psychic shielding and a path to empowered transformation.
In Medusa, we meet the shadow side of serpent magick—fearsome, fierce, and unapologetically divine.
The Celtic Horned God: Serpent Power, Nature & Ritual Transformation
Over 2,300 years ago, the Celts honored the serpent as a powerful symbol of renewal, nature’s rhythm, and mystical power. This energy was embodied in the Celtic Horned God Cernunnos, a guardian of the wild, fertility, and transformation.
The image above, found on the Gundestrup Cauldron (dated to the 4th century BCE), shows Cernunnos seated in meditation, holding a serpent in one hand and a torc (a sacred neck-ring) in the other—symbols of sovereignty, rebirth, and earth-based power.
In Gaulish and Insular Celtic traditions, serpents were revered as sacred animals linked to the cycle of life and death, the underworld, and divine knowledge. This connection extended into Celtic art, where serpent imagery was often woven into knotwork, metalwork, and depictions of sacred trees like the Yew or Ash—symbols of longevity, wisdom, and the bridge between worlds.
Cernunnos’s role as a liminal deity—a mediator between realms—makes his serpent imagery especially potent. Together, they embody the eternal return, the shedding of the old, and the transformative rhythms of nature.
In modern witchcraft, Cernunnos is often invoked during seasonal rituals like Beltane (celebrating fertility) and Samhain (honoring the dead). His serpent association adds layers of protection, wisdom, and ritual transformation to these practices. A ritual for personal transformation might involve meditating before an altar adorned with Cernunnos and serpent symbols, focusing intention on shedding old habits, invoking the serpent’s power to renew, heal, and awaken the wild self within.
The Viking Serpent: Norse Symbolism, Jörmungandr, and the Oseberg Ship’s Protective Magick
The Oseberg ship, a ceremonial Viking longship dating to around 820 CE, features an intricately carved prow depicting a coiled serpent. This design is deeply rooted in Norse mythology and reflects the Vikings' symbolic use of serpents.
In Norse culture, serpents embodied both chaos and protection. The most notable example is Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent, believed to encircle the world and play a crucial role in its cyclical destruction and renewal. This association made the serpent a powerful emblem of transformation and eternal return.
Viking ships were often referred to as 'sea serpents', symbolizing their agility and prowess across treacherous waters. The serpent carvings on ships like the Oseberg served multiple purposes:
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Symbol of Power and Intimidation: The fierce, coiled serpent on the prow projected strength and instilled fear in adversaries.
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Protective Magick: These carvings functioned as magical guardians, believed to ward off evil spirits and sea monsters, ensuring the crew’s safety during voyages.
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Connection to Myth: The designs embodied Viking cosmology, emphasizing themes of liminality, transformation, and confronting the unknown.
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Display of Status: The elaborate craftsmanship of the Oseberg ship, used in the burial of a high-status woman, showcased its ceremonial significance and the prominence of its owner.
Today, the Oseberg ship stands as a testament to the Vikings’ use of serpent symbolism in art and their magickal worldview, bridging myth, protection, and ritual power.
The Snake-Witch Stone of Gotland: Norse Serpent Symbolism, Magick, and Burial Mysteries
Unearthed from a burial ground in Smiss, När parish on Gotland, Sweden, the Snake-Witch Stone—also known as the Smiss Stone or Ormhäxan—offers a captivating glimpse into early Nordic spirituality.
This enigmatic artifact, dating back to approximately 400–600 AD, features a central figure, likely female, clutching a snake in each hand, with three interlaced creatures—a boar, an eagle, and a wolf—forming a triskelion pattern above her. The stone's intricate symbolism continues to intrigue scholars, suggesting deep connections to themes of transformation, protection, and the interplay between humans and the natural world in ancient Scandinavian belief systems.
The term 'Ormhäxan' translates directly to "Snake Witch" in English, reflecting the figure's association with serpents and the possible interpretation of her as a practitioner of magick or a deity linked to transformation and the mysteries of life and death.
Scholars have drawn parallels between this depiction and various mythological figures. Some suggest connections to the Minoan Snake Goddess due to the similar pose of holding snakes, while others propose links to the Celtic god Cernunnos, who is also depicted holding a serpent on the Gundestrup Cauldron. Additionally, interpretations include associations with Norse deities or mythological narratives, though definitive conclusions remain elusive.
The stone’s rich iconography continues to offer insights into the spiritual and cultural beliefs of early Nordic societies.
The Ouroboros: Ancient Serpent Symbol of Infinity, Alchemy, and Magickal Transformation
The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent consuming its own tail, embodies the concepts of infinity, cyclical renewal, and the unity of opposites. As an emblem it appears across various cultures and epochs, each attributing to it profound metaphysical significance.
The above example, depicts a medieval manuscript illustration features a crowned Ouroboros encircling a ritual circle inscribed with Latin and Hebrew lettering. It appears in texts attributed to the Clavis Inferni or The Key of Hell, a grimoire associated with Cyprianus, a legendary figure in Iberian and Scandinavian occult lore.
The Ouroboros, as always, represents the eternal cycle—creation and destruction, life and death—but here it also appears as a magickal seal, enclosing a space of power. The crown atop the serpent suggests sovereignty over those cycles, reinforcing its symbolism as both guardian and liminal force between worlds.
The Clavis Inferni is a late 18th-century grimoire, written in a mixture of Latin, Hebrew, and the cipher alphabet known as Transitus Fluvii—popularized by Cornelius Agrippa. Though much of the manuscript remains enigmatic, it's associated with ceremonial magick and protective sorcery, believed to contain keys for invoking spirits, warding off evil, or gaining arcane knowledge.
For modern witches, this image is more than historical—it’s an invitation to explore symbolic protection, boundary work, and the use of sigils and sacred language in ritual. The Ouroboros here serves as both a container and a circle of power, reminding us that magick often begins with the act of drawing a boundary—and knowing when to cross it.
Hekate: Goddess of Witchcraft, Magick, and Serpent Energy in Ancient and Modern Traditions
Hekate, the ancient goddess of crossroads and liminal spaces, has been honored for over 2,500 years—first appearing in Greek texts as early as the 6th century BCE. Her legacy endures as one of the most powerful figures in both historical and modern witchcraft traditions, especially through her association with serpent energy and primal magick.
As the guardian of thresholds, secrets, and hidden realms, Hekate is often depicted with torches, guiding souls through the darkness of the underworld. Her link to dogs further emphasizes her role as a psychopomp—one who leads the way between worlds.
Yet it is her deep connection to serpents that weaves an especially powerful thread through her magickal symbolism. In ancient traditions, serpents were sacred to chthonic (underworld) deities, embodying regeneration, rebirth, and wisdom born of darkness. As a goddess who moves between the upper world, earth, and the underworld, Hekate’s affinity with serpents is not only natural—it is essential.
In ritual magick, Hekate’s serpents are invoked for transformation, divination, and spiritual insight. Ancient dedications and modern rituals alike call upon her to illuminate hidden paths, using serpent energy to shift perception, awaken intuition, and shed what no longer serves—much like the serpent sheds its skin.
Today, many modern witches honor Hekate in rites of shadow work, ancestral communion, and serpent magick, recognizing her as the Goddess of Witches, Dogs, and Serpents. Her presence remains a guiding force in spellcraft that seeks inner wisdom, liminal power, and the cycles of death and rebirth.
Her continued veneration reflects both reverence for her ancient origins and her lasting influence as a deity who moves fluidly between worlds, wisdom, and the wild.
Kundalini and Witchcraft: The Awakening Serpent
The serpent as a force of awakening, intuition, and transformative power is not limited to Western esoteric traditions—it is also a vital archetype in global spiritual systems and remains a potent current in modern witchcraft.
In Eastern mysticism, the concept of Kundalini describes a coiled serpent of energy that resides at the base of the spine. When activated, it rises through the chakras, bringing spiritual enlightenment, transformation, and heightened consciousness.
What is Kundalini?
Rooted in Hindu, Tantric, and Yogic traditions, Kundalini is considered the divine feminine energy (Shakti)—the creative life force that fuels the universe. The word Kundalini comes from the Sanskrit kundal, meaning 'coiled' or 'circular', and is referenced in ancient texts like the Upanishads and Tantric scriptures.
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Ancient India: The serpent is deeply embedded in Tantric and Yogic practices, where it represents Shakti, the primordial divine feminine energy.
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Alchemical Traditions: The Kundalini fire is mirrored in Western alchemy, where the serpent is an agent of transmutation.
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Witchcraft and Occultism: In modern witchcraft, practices such as breathwork, movement, and trance work align with serpent energy to enhance intuition, spellcraft, and deep personal insight.
The Five Vayus and Witchcraft: Harnessing Subtle Energy for Magickal Practice
In both Eastern and Western traditions, the spiritual meaning of a snake often relates to awakening, hidden knowledge, and life force energy. From alchemy to yoga, this ancient symbol appears again and again—reminding us that transformation is a sacred act.
The five vayus (currents of prana) describe how energy flows through the body and can be consciously directed in ritual and spellcasting:
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Prana (inward-moving energy) – Governs breath and absorption of energy. Used in intention setting, meditation, and drawing in spiritual guidance.
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Udana (upward-moving energy) – Associated with speech, expression, and spiritual growth. Channeled during invocations, trance work, and spirit communication.
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Vyana (circulatory energy) – Spreads energy throughout the body. Vital for aura cleansing, personal empowerment, and ritual preparation.
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Samana (digestive energy) – Aids in integration and transformation. Aligned with herbal magick, alchemical work, and manifestation.
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Apana (downward-moving energy) – Grounds and eliminates. Crucial for banishing, cord-cutting, and grounding after rituals.
How Witches Use Kundalini Energy
Modern witches, occultists, and practitioners of magick recognize Kundalini energy as a potent force for transformation, psychic enhancement, and spellcasting.
Just as alchemists sought to transmute base metals into gold, witches channel Kundalini to transmute personal and spiritual energy into higher consciousness.
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Serpent Breathwork & Energy Work – Witches use controlled breathing techniques to awaken Kundalini energy and direct it upward through the chakras. These practices are similar to pranayama in yoga and breathwork in witchcraft rituals.
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Serpentine Movement & Dance – Ritual movement, such as spiral dances or snake-like undulating motions, helps raise and circulate Kundalini energy, promoting healing and mystical experiences.
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Chakra Spellwork – Many witches incorporate chakra-based spells, using herbs, crystals, and ritual tools aligned with each energy center to balance and enhance Kundalini flow.
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Serpent Sigils & Symbols – The Ouroboros, caduceus, and serpent spirals are frequently used in sigil magick, representing the eternal cycle of energy and wisdom.
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Dream & Vision Work – Serpents appearing in dreams or meditation often signal Kundalini activation, leading to psychic visions, divination insights, and shadow work revelations.
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Sacred Sexuality & Tantra Magick – Many witches embrace sacred sexuality as a means of raising Kundalini energy, using the merging of masculine and feminine energies to fuel their magickal workings.
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Alchemy & Transformation Rituals – Fire and serpent rituals are used to release blockages, burn away old patterns, and embrace personal rebirth.
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Conclusion: The Serpent and Snake as Timeless Symbols of Magick and Transformation
By enriching your knowledge of history—from the mystical paths of ancient civilizations to the evolving practices of modern witchcraft—the snake and serpent emerge as transcendent symbols, weaving a continuous thread through the fabric of spiritual and magickal traditions.
From the Neolithic reverence for life and renewal, to the profound wisdom of Mesopotamian deities; from the protective powers of serpents in Ancient Egypt, to the transformative energies found in Celtic, Mesoamerican, and other indigenous cultures—the snake and serpent alike embody a deep, universal current of transformation, healing, and rebirth.
Blessed Be,
Bec Black
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