My Star Alchemy has three courses including the Zodiacal Constellations and how they differ from the signs. 

We have also  explored the Behenian Stars or the Magical Stars of the Ancient Alchemists and the Magic of the Stellar Triangles.
Find out more HERE

 

Dreaming Into Wholeness with the Serpent Bearer

See follow up article I am the Serpent Bearer featuring a powerful dream I had suggesting the original serpent bearer may actually have been feminine.

Each Year the Sun Passes by this constellation from November 30 to Mid-December.

The Moon passes this star once each month. Moon with RasAlhague the Crown Chakra of this constellation dates are HERE

“Ophiuchus means ‘he who holds the serpent’
and that is how he is depicted.
… on equal terms with equal powers”.
[Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 1, p.31]

Astronomers redrew the boundaries of the constellations in 1922 publishing them as described here placing the feet of Ophiuchus/Serpent Bearer (just above the body the constellation of the Scorpion) on the Ecliptic. Since that time astronomers tell us that the Sun travels through Ophiuchus from Nov 29 to Dec 18 and have made claims about how this is the 13th sign. It is NOT the 13th sign.

Ophiuchus

Signs are not based on constellations as they represent the seasonal cycle of Solstices and Equinoxes. Find out more in this article that explains why there are NOT 13 signs and find out what constellation the Sun was in when you born.

This quote from The Fixed Star Site about Ophuichus is also from the book Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning by Richard Allen Hinkley published in 1899.

This constellation is positioned between the Archer stretching from just east of the head of Hercules to the Scorpion; partly in the Milky Way, divided nearly equally by the celestial equator; but, although always shown with the Serpent, the catalogues have its stars entirely distinct from the latter. The classicists, however, united the two figures into a single constellation. Serpens (the snake) and Ophiuchus (the snake holder) are often considered together. Serpens itself is a two section constellation; divided into head and body by the intervening Ophiuchus…
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Ophiuchus is Aesculapius, the ancient healer, believed to be the ancestor of Hippocrates (born 460 B.C.E.), the great physician of Cos, and Serpens was his symbol of healing. The serpent as depicted in the caduceus is the symbol for the poison (venom) that can both cure and kill, and Ophiuchus uses it to heal. The cult of Aesculapius began in Thessaly; temples were built throughout Greece, especially near healing springs. After fasting and bathing, the sick and disturbed would spend the night in special ‘dream incubation chambers’ in his temples. The god, appearing to them in vivid dreams, diagnosed disease and offered cures, and the grateful recipients of his wisdom would then throw golden coins into his sacred fountains.”~ Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning

In his book The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse tells us Ophiuchus is a symbol for Asclepius, the ancient Greek healer trained by Chiron and believed to be the ancestor of Hippocrates (born 460 BCE) where the Hippocratic Oath originates, and Serpens is his symbol of healing.

Other imagery connected to Ophuichus and Serpens is kundalini (a Sanskrit word meaning ‘coiled up’ or ‘coiling like a snake’). The cultivation and management of this life-force has been the aim of these healers who utilized drumming, trance, chanting, hallucinogenics etc. to facilitate intuitive guidance to facilitate a cure.

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Ophiuchus, as the Serpent Bearer, therefore holds the key to the importance of Kundalini, life force energy and the wholeness or healing that comes from a healthy relationship with this energy.

The association of the serpent (Serpens) with this constellation has also been linked with the miraculous powers of snake charmers, or shamans who were the tribal healers committed to holistic healing of both mind and body, using herbs, potions, charms, incantations, exorcism, magic, divination, and prayers, as means to establish a cure.

The serpent as depicted in the caduceus is the symbol for the poison (venom) that can both cure and kill. Ophiuchus uses it to heal.

The Healing Temples of Aesculapius were built near healing springs throughout Greece. After fasting and bathing, the patient spent the night in special ‘dream incubation chambers’ in these temples. The dreams of the patients helped to diagnose illness and suggest a healing protocol.

Asclepius Learns to Revive the Dead From a Snake
Asclepius was brought to the King of Crete, King Minos, to bring the king’s dead son back to life. The king’s son had died of a terrible illness. Asclepius told the king there was nothing he could do to help his son. Furious the king had his guards imprison Asclepius in a terrible place until Asclepius would agree to his demands.

Asclepius felt doomed. Then a snake crawled into his cell through a small hole in the wall. Angered that this snake could come and go and he could not – Asclepius took out his frustration on the snake striking the snake with his staff until it was dead. After the snake was dead and Ascelpius had spent his anger killing it, he wondered why he taken such a violent action as it was unlike him to cause harm to another creature.

Feeling sorry for his circumstances and concern for his sanity, Asclepius soon noticed another snake had entered his cell carrying an herb in its mouth. Asclepius watched as the snake spread the herb on what remained of its mate. More amazing still, the parts of the first snake began to heal and grow together again. After a few minutes, the first snake was whole and healthy again and both snakes returned back through the hole in the wall. However, the snake that carried the healing herb had left some of it behind.

Inspired by this incident, Asclepius called the guards to take him to the King’s son. He then spread the herb upon the dead body. Miraculously the prince returned to life, and his illness was cured as well. King Minos was overjoyed. Before returning home Asclepius collected a large supply of the magic herb …

Aesculapius was a shamanic healer who learned how to bring the dead back to life. Eventually the God of the Underworld, Hades, complained to his brother Zues about all the dead leaving his realm suggesting this went against the natural order of life. Zeus agreed and destroyed Aesculapius with a thunderbolt and placed the constellation of the Serpent Bearer in the Sky as a reminder.

Scholars feel that that the name Asklepios as described in Homer’s Iliad may come from the Greek askein that is the root of the word ascetic, a hermit or monk. The -epia, -epios, in the name Asklepios is variously translated ‘gentle’, ‘kind’, ‘calm’, ‘soothing’.

The head of the Serpent-Bearer where the star Rasalhague is located is said to be filled with powerful, ageless healing wisdom that has the potential to restore and revitalize.

When any planet travels through this constellation and by this star it is a time when it is beneficial to pay attention to your dreams and to ask for dream messages that will guide you toward your next steps.

 

I am the Serpent Bearer additional article for a deeper look at these mysteries.

Find out more about Rasalhague the Crown Chakra Star of Ophuichus