The Serpent Goddess was revered in various ancient cultures, including Sumer, Babylon, Crete, Egypt, Greece, and Canaan. Often associated with wisdom and divinity, serpents were worshiped in shrines. In Sumer and Babylon, snakes were linked to prophecy, with priestesses providing counsel on political and military matters.
Throughout history and across cultures, serpents have maintained a profound association with prophecy and divine revelation. Myths and legends, such as the tale of Cassandra from Greek mythology and the experiences of the prophet Melampus, depict serpents as conduits for the bestowal of supernatural gifts, such as the ability to prophesy or understand the language of birds. The parallels between snake venom effects and altered states of consciousness induced by hallucinogenic substances, hint at the enduring significance of serpents in facilitating spiritual experiences. This rich tapestry of tradition and observation suggests that serpents were not merely symbols but active instruments in the pursuit of divine insight, serving as conduits through which individuals sought communion with higher forces and understanding of the universe's mysteries.
In the narrative of Adam and Eve, the serpent and the tree carry profound symbolism. The serpent embodies themes of prophecy and divine insight, while the tree, often associated with an apple, may actually have been a fig tree, specifically the Near Eastern ficus sicomorus. This particular tree was revered in ancient cultures and linked to goddess worship. Egyptian texts and murals depict the sacredness of this tree, particularly in association with the goddess Hathor, where its fruit symbolizes eternal life.
Crafted by the Levite priesthood, the Adam and Eve myth justified male dominance by portraying female sexuality as sinful, perpetuating patriarchal ideologies. This led to the stigmatization of sex and the emergence of religions like Judaism and Christianity, which viewed conception with discomfort. The Edenic myth served to reinforce male control over women's sexuality and societal roles, aligning with political agendas of the time. Exploring sacred sexual customs and matrilineal descent patterns illuminates the symbolism of the forbidden fruit within goddess worship. Across cultures venerating the Goddess, she embodied wisdom as well as fertility, celebrated as the Creatress and patroness of sexual pleasures and reproduction. Goddesses like Hathor, Ishtar, Ashtoreth, and Inanna were revered as guardians of sexuality and new life, with devotees expressing this through temple rituals. The suggestion arises that the forbidden fruit in the creation narrative may have served as a caution against practices associated with the Goddess, such as sexual rites and oracular serpents.
The Levite creation story contrasts sharply with accounts of the Goddess religion, attacking its core tenets at every turn. While Sumerian and Babylonian myths portrayed creation as a result of the Great Mother Goddess, the Levite myth asserted male supremacy by depicting a male creator. In the Goddess religion, both women and men were created simultaneously, yet the male-centric narrative emphasized man's primacy and fashioned woman from his rib. This narrative denied the Divine Ancestress and portrayed woman as a gift to man, reinforcing her subservient role. The forbidden fruit symbolized sexual consciousness, with Eve depicted as the temptress who led Adam astray. The serpent, traditionally associated with divine counsel in Goddess worship, was vilified, reflecting a shift away from female wisdom and authority. The myth assigned blame to women for introducing sexual consciousness and childbirth pain, perpetuating male dominance and justifying women's subjugation. The narrative served to uphold patriarchal power structures and suppress the Goddess religion's teachings and customs.
The vilified snake story is a story built over centuries of lies and legends. Reclaiming the symbolic snake in these works creates honor and reverence for a truer meaning of snakes - symbols of prophecy, divinity, and wisdom.
Information synthesized from 'When God Was A Woman' by Merlin Stone