For this image, I gave @janiceduke free reign to represent chapter one, which covered serpent symbolism in general with an exploration the caduceus, the asklepian and the ouroborus with their cross cultural counterparts. These elements can all be seen in this composition. Caduceus like coiling serpents rise up from the bottom whilst a large ouroboros encircles an egg eating snake. The egg foreshadows the subject of the following chapter. The two angelic figures, one male and one female, each have an asklepian-like serpent rising from their spines. An allusion perhaps to the similarity of the asklepian to the kundalini serpent, as discussed in the chapter.

Hen to pan

The title of this image hen to pan translates as 'One the all', an expression of the monad found in Hermetic Alchemy, expressed in such symbols as the ouroboros and the scarab, as both macrocosm and microcosm. The term appears inside the famous ouroboros of the alchemist Cleopatra, who worked in Alexandria during the 3rd and 4th centuries. The name is a psuedonym and she is not to be confused with Queen Cleopatra, although she is later referred to using that title by later alchemists.

The Ouroboros of Cleopatra the alchemist

Hemispheres

What at first appears as two humanoid or angelic figures, on closer inspection turn out to be two ends of a single serpentine entity, each appearing to have one ear of the central face, whose third eye is opened. In this sense the might be said to represent the left and right hemispheres of the brain. In this sense the serpents in the spines of each figure, may also represent the serpents of the caduceus, and thus also Ida and Pingala from Kundalini tantra.

Whilst the serpent itself may represent the reptilian back-brain, the third eye represents, symbolically at least, the awakening of the eye-like pineal gland. One scientist, Rick Strassman, has theorised that perhaps the pineal gland is the source of the natural DMT produced by our bodies. If so this remains unproven, but it would be poetically pleasing if it turns out to be the case. So far the source of naturally occurring DMT remains unknown. Some speculate it has a role in the production of our dreams.

Milky Way.

The egg has a black obelisk-like doorway opening up in its side revealing a spiral galaxy, our milky way. To many of the ancients, the milky way was seen as a heavenly mother serpent, a giant serpentine celestial goddess embracing and encircling our egg like world.

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Contents

Introduction

Serpents

• Caduceus
• Asklepian
• Ouroboros

Sections not yet published on steem

• The Egg and the Androgynous Child
• Trinity
• The Elements
• Macrocosm and Microcosm
• The World Dragon Tree
• Illumination

Appendix A: Asides

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Commentary on artwork

• Title illustration and cover art.

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Chemical Serpents: Symbols of Illumination

published by WhIP (When Illuminated Press)

Permission of publisher to share this book on the steem blockchain. Half of the rewards for this post will be transferred to the illustrator, @janiceduke, using the chainbb beneficiaries options. Follow the hashtag #chemicalserpents for more.