“The transmutation of the life-death-rebirth cycle is exemplified by the shedding of Snake’s skin. It is the energy of wholeness,cosmic consciousness,and the ability to experience anything willingly and without resistance.It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation, and that those things which might be experienced as poison can be eaten, ingested, intergrated,and transmuted if one has the proper state of mind.” ~Jamie Sams Medicine Cards

I have always loved snakes. Their gorgeous skin patterns have inspired many textile designs. Even as a child I would pick up garter snakes, instinctively knowing they were harmless, and chase my younger brother around the yard. This one, discovered under a wooden plank while cleaning up my yard after a big storm today, had just molted from its skin.
It was placid until I came back 30 minutes later to take these photos. In my eyes, at one point this snake is forming the shape of a heart. Almost.My blog readers know that I look for signs everywhere, especially in nature. I’ve been trained to recognize the synchronicity in my life.

What I take away from this is that Jamie Sams is correct: we can transmute anything if we have the proper state of mind.With this growth of greater understanding comes the need to shed the constraints of spiritual skin. Renewed. Refreshed. Reborn.