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Written by Kris Katsuko Oster
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The patriarchal world strives to deny its dark and “lowly” lineage, its origin in this primordial world, it does everything in its power to conceal its own descent from the Dark Mother and–both rightly and wrongly at once–considers it necessary to forge a “higher genealogy,” tracing its descent from heaven, the god of heaven, and the luminous aspects.
--Erich Neumann, The Great Mother
When I was a teenager, I suddenly had this irrepressible urge to have a pet snake. My mother was not pleased to say the least, but I was able to sweet talk her into it (that’s what I call “snakey,” but I digress). We went to the pet store and I picked out a beautiful California Kingsnake that had alternating cream and burgundy stripes. I adored and loved my new snake who I named “Ralph.”
It felt so natural to be in relationship with a serpent.
Fast forward: I’m a sophomore in college and taking a Religious Studies class on the Bible. It’s the first class and my professor hesitates when she gets to my name in the roll call, as all teachers did during the undergrad years.
“Um, Seraphine, Christine. Wow, your last name carries a lot of responsibility.”
Responsibility, indeed. My maiden name, Seraphine, is related to the word Seraphim, which is the name for the highest order of angels in Hebrew mythology.
Read the rest on my blog, click here.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 18 May 2008 )
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