Much like Scorpion and Spider, Serpent has a varied cultural history, seeped in mystery and danger. Subterranean like Scorpion, it is linked to the underworld and oracular mysteries, revered as an immortal god in some cultures due to its ability to regenerate its skin.

Also akin to Scorpion and Spider, Serpent is also seen as a symbol of transformation, of protection in the way it can appear suddenly from the unseen to strike, as well it being symbolic of both death and renewal: its venom also seen as a healing agent.

As an added layer of meaning: Serpent also speaks to the Shadow Self of Carl Jung’s ideas on ‘Inner Alchemy’. Its ability to transform, its destructive and creative qualities underline the idea of the Shadow; which is seen as the repressed, unwanted or unaccepted parts of oneself. ‘Darkling, I Listen’ is a collection of jewels urging the wearer to move towards self-acceptance through the jewels as talismans. The process of individuation or transmutation is the process of becoming ‘whole’. For Jung, this didn’t mean becoming ‘good’, but becoming complete in the sense that one accepts all of their unconscious ‘faults’ as well as their experiences (their pasts) to become whole or complete. In ‘Inner Alchemy’ each phase of the alchemical process from antiquity was re-assigned new meanings: i.e. the quest for the philosopher's stone is truly a quest to become whole. In the 'Nigredo' process, everything is blackened, putrefied, 'killed' in a sense, to allow for new growth. It is during this phase in 'Inner Alchemy' that we are confronted with the knowledge our darker aspects, a phase in which we must accept our shadow selves. When we accept and acknowledge our more shadowy aspects, the parts of ourselves we have been conditioned to suppress, the parts of ourselves we hide from others as well as ourselves, we are on the path to wholeness. We become more accepting of our flaws, our darknesses. Having struggled with my own shadow self for many years, this talisman represents not only that long tangle with ‘darkness’, but our ability to become whole.

While this piece appears to be heavy, the underside of its body has been carefully hollowed out for weight balance. Cast in sterling silver, each snake is hand finished in our signature gloomy gray patina. Snake is 30mm tall, 30mm wide and sits 24mm tall off of the finger via a double bat leg bone band.

***IMPORTANT***: This jewel is handmade to order, just for you, with care and focus. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for creation before shipping.

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Any questions: Please email: bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com