Troubling. I might add that serpents are obviously central to mythologies from Mesoamerica (Quetzalcoatl) to China (dragons). Perhaps the cult is so ancient as to precede the migrations of Homo sapiens across the continents.
You need to use modern paradigms to make sense of these highly symbolic texts. For instance, a Freudian-Girardian reading will show us that the snake is obviously a phallic symbol of the scapegoat mechanism.
Great essay; I really enjoy it. I must add anyway that seeing the snake negatively seems more like a very Christian projection onto what the author of Genesis (J tradition) actually meant. Throughout the Levant, snakes are symbols of knowledge and wisdom; so it couldn't make more sense to put a snake at the tree of knowledge. When Genesis says the snake was not a god, but a creature created by God, it's actually a polemical statement against surrounding cultures. Nevertheless, a class of angels described in the bible, named as Seraphs, are also probably giant snakes of fire.
>The Ophites have a snake, which they keep in a certain chest—the cista mystica—and which at the hour of their mysteries they bring forth from its cave. They heap loaves upon the table and summon the serpent.
If I recall the Egyptian mystery cult to Isis featured a reveal of a secret chest containing grain and snake as well. And what's inside the Arc of the Covenant? The tablets on which the 10 commandments are inscribed, the Rod of Aaron, and manna. The Rod, obviously, can also be interpreted as a snake. The mysteries at Eleusis also combine grain and snakes: Demeter is often shown with both in her hands.
IMO it's quite an ancient tradition, possibly going back to Gobekli Tepe, which is covered in snake iconography and has all sorts of vats used to ferment wheat. Rituals involving snakes and agrarian goddesses in Turkey 12,000 years ago -> mystery cults of antiquity and the old testament fixation with snakes (often paired with grain).
An interesting supplement to this observation: the institution of science also has a number of inconsistencies contained within it, which are confidently stated to be nonexistent by its believers.
What if this pattern is pointing to something greater but yet to be discovered (aka: *nonexistent*, according to scientists)?
An interesting German myth related to the Ophic ritual records Attilla visiting a Roman temple as part of the conquest, but neglected to offer bread. Procopius writes that the snake did not emerge from its box, ruining the ritual and providing the basis for "Baby got Back".
Does this explain those American Christians who worship snakes?
Troubling. I might add that serpents are obviously central to mythologies from Mesoamerica (Quetzalcoatl) to China (dragons). Perhaps the cult is so ancient as to precede the migrations of Homo sapiens across the continents.
Snakes also figure prominently in Andrew Cutler's "Eve Theory of Consciousness" -
https://www.vectorsofmind.com/p/eve-theory-of-consciousness-v3
You need to use modern paradigms to make sense of these highly symbolic texts. For instance, a Freudian-Girardian reading will show us that the snake is obviously a phallic symbol of the scapegoat mechanism.
Great essay; I really enjoy it. I must add anyway that seeing the snake negatively seems more like a very Christian projection onto what the author of Genesis (J tradition) actually meant. Throughout the Levant, snakes are symbols of knowledge and wisdom; so it couldn't make more sense to put a snake at the tree of knowledge. When Genesis says the snake was not a god, but a creature created by God, it's actually a polemical statement against surrounding cultures. Nevertheless, a class of angels described in the bible, named as Seraphs, are also probably giant snakes of fire.
>The Ophites have a snake, which they keep in a certain chest—the cista mystica—and which at the hour of their mysteries they bring forth from its cave. They heap loaves upon the table and summon the serpent.
If I recall the Egyptian mystery cult to Isis featured a reveal of a secret chest containing grain and snake as well. And what's inside the Arc of the Covenant? The tablets on which the 10 commandments are inscribed, the Rod of Aaron, and manna. The Rod, obviously, can also be interpreted as a snake. The mysteries at Eleusis also combine grain and snakes: Demeter is often shown with both in her hands.
IMO it's quite an ancient tradition, possibly going back to Gobekli Tepe, which is covered in snake iconography and has all sorts of vats used to ferment wheat. Rituals involving snakes and agrarian goddesses in Turkey 12,000 years ago -> mystery cults of antiquity and the old testament fixation with snakes (often paired with grain).
An interesting supplement to this observation: the institution of science also has a number of inconsistencies contained within it, which are confidently stated to be nonexistent by its believers.
What if this pattern is pointing to something greater but yet to be discovered (aka: *nonexistent*, according to scientists)?
An interesting German myth related to the Ophic ritual records Attilla visiting a Roman temple as part of the conquest, but neglected to offer bread. Procopius writes that the snake did not emerge from its box, ruining the ritual and providing the basis for "Baby got Back".
You might consider this alternative take on what is, after all, the foundational myth of Western culture and civilization: https://shorturl.at/mORTX
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