Caduceus
The caduceus is the traditional symbol of Hermes and features two snakes winding around(sexual intercourse) an often winged staff. It is often mistakenly used as a symbol of medicine instead of the Rod of Asclepius, especially in the United States. The two-snake caduceus design has ancient and consistent associations with trade, eloquence, negotiation, alchemy and wisdom.
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| Rod of Asclepius |
In Greek mythology, the Rod of Asclepius (Greek: Ράβδος του ΑσκληπιούRávdos tou Asklipioú; Unicode symbol: ⚕), also known as the Staff of Asclepius (sometimes also spelled Asklepios or Aesculapius) and as the asklepian, is a serpent-entwined rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius, a deity associated with healing and medicine. The symbol has continued to be used in modern times, where it is associated with medicine and health care, yet frequently confused with the staff of the god Hermes, the caduceus. Theories have been proposed about the Greek origin of the symbol and its implications.
Cobra Gallbladder
Among the earliest recorded use of snakes in Chinese medicine was the application of sloughed snake skin, described in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (ca. 100 A.D.) It was originally applied in the treatment of superficial diseases, including skin eruptions, eye infections or opacities, sore throat, and hemorrhoids. The use of snake gallbladder is first recorded in Ming Yi Bie Lu (Transactions of Famous Physicians; compiled by Tao Hongjing, and written around 520 A.D.), which was an update of the Shen Nong herbal with double the number of ingredients. In addition to the gallbladder, the skin (fanpi) and the meat of a pit viper (Agkistrodon halys; fanshe), were also described. They were used to treat skin diseases, pain, and intestinal hemorrhage.
Other species of snakes were also mentioned in the medical literature: zaocys, the non-toxic black-striped snake (wushaoshe) was described in Yao Xing Ben Caoby Zhen Quan (ca. 600 A.D.), and the toxic white-patterned pit viper, agkistrodon (A. acutus, baihuashe or qishe) was described in Kai Bao Ben Cao by Mai Zhi in 973 A.D. Among the earliest records of using snakes for food come from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 A.D.), including the meat of pythons and pit vipers. It is likely that the more widespread use of snakes for food and medicine during the Tang period derived from the Indian culture. The Tang Dynasty period is especially known for its willingness to accept foreign influences, including those from India and Arabia (in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, many animal substances were used as medicine).
There are at least three features of snakes that capture the attention of traditional healers: they have an incredible flexibility and speed, they shed their skin, and certain snakes are extremely poisonous when they bite.(THE MEDICINAL USE OF SNAKES IN CHINA)
Python Skin
KABBALAH CHARMS Snakeskin – A person who carries snakeskin attracts good fortune and prosperity in finances and business. The gemara states: “One who sees a snake in his dream is assured abundant livelihood.” How can a person induce dreaming about a snake? Kabbalah suggests a way: carrying a bit of snakeskin.
During their forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the People of Israel were commanded to look upward facing a copper image of a snake to cure them from the bite of poisonous snakes. But does a snake kill or rejuvenate? Looking upwards reminded the people to subjugate their hearts to their Father in Heaven, and through this they were saved.
The powers accessed by carrying snakeskin originate at the very beginning of creation. In the Garden of Eden, G-d cursed the snake, decreeing that it would eat dust all its life. Why is this considered a curse? After all, just as dust is universally prevalent, the snake’s food is ever-present and he is assured abundance.
It is a curse because the snake never needs to turn his face upward to G-d for his sustenance. He faces the darkness, rather than the light. To counteract this curse and activate the beneficial powers of snakeskin, the person using this talisman should recite the ancient Shema Yisrael prayer before going to sleep at night. This prayer can be found in the Jewish prayer book (siddur). The prayer will elevate the dream of the snake or snakeskin to a higher level to facilitate a stream of abundance from the crown of the Heavenly throne.
Don’t forget: All charms need to be accompanied with a simple yet heartfelt prayer to G-d, such as, “Master of the Universe, please heal me.” As Rabbi Yisrael of Salant taught, “There is nothing more complete than a broken heart”.(evenruby website).
In Japan, if you put a piece of snake skin into your wallet, you are going to become rich or find money. Snakes are a symbol of money and wealth in Japan. Some people believe the snake is an animal of God, so they never kill snakes. People say if you kill a snake, you will lose your money.
Snake Oil
Snake oil is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizing properties extracted from the Chinese water snake. It is applied topically to relieve minor physical pain, and has been used in TCM for many centuries. It continues to be a relatively common medicine prescribed by doctors practicing TCM. In Western culture, snake oil is most commonly associated with a placebo panacea and/or deceptive marketing. This is due to the fact that many 19th century United States and 18th century. United Kingdom entrepreneurs advertised and sold mineral oil (often mixed with various household herbs, spices, and compounds,) as 'snake oil liniment.' In England, any legitimate snake oil was derived from the viper, and in the US, from rattlesnakes.
Use the Snake oil to get rid of those bad vibrations around you. Conquer your worst conditions and enemies. Anoint your head and feet. Use it so everything will turn out in your favor! You can also anoint your wrists, chest and forehead for triple strength. You can also dress a spiritual candle to increase the power of the candle burning ritual.
