Awakening the Ancient Power of Snake by Dawn Baumann Brunke

Author:Dawn Baumann Brunke
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: New Age/Self-Transformation
Publisher: Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Published: 2019-11-19T16:00:00+00:00

Though the Rod of Asclepius has remained a widespread symbol of healing, it is sometimes confused with the caduceus. Originally given to the Greek god Hermes by Apollo, the god of healing, the caduceus is a winged staff entwined by two serpents.

Caduceus

Hermes (known to the Romans as Mercury) was a paradoxical god. Not only a protector of travelers and merchants but also of thieves, he guided the dead to Hades and relayed messages between humans and gods.

Sometimes imaged as a hermaphrodite, Hermes represents a being who incorporates dualities—male and female, yin and yang. As messenger god and psycho-pomp, he also routinely moves between worlds, connecting mortals with other realms.

One snake winding around a rod, two snakes twirling upon a staff: it’s easy to see why these symbols are sometimes confused. Asclepius and Apollo are also connected in the healing tradition, as evidenced by the original Hippocratic Oath, which begins: “I swear by Apollo the physician, and by Asclepius, Hygieia, Panacea,*1 and all the gods and goddesses as my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and covenant . . .”

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