Free Advice from Animal Reiki Shaman, Rose De Dan
This week rather than answering a reader question, I tossed a question at Rose about animal communication. I found her response to be insightful as well as delightful!
My Question: My husband found a ribbon snake crawling in the grasses in our yard. He couldn't help but snatch him up to handle and show me. The snake, who we named "Slither" because of his squirmy activity, was quite young and very docile. My husband had no plans to keep him caged permanently but did put Slither in a plastic jug so he could enjoy looking at this fine specimen for a day or so. He is a retired life science teacher and if he still had a classroom he would have taken Slither to school for show and tell. The neighbor children often come by the house to handle our pet snakes (two corn snakes) and also talk to our parrot so he decided to keep Slither for a day or so, get some pictures of him (her?), and show it to the children before releasing it back to the wild. Unfortunately, Slither smartly made its escape out of the jug and it was on the loose somewhere in our home. I really worried about the snake being trapped in a house, not a natural habitat, where it would not find any food and probably eventually die. I told my husband that next time he captures a frog, toad, snake, or whatever, for him to please to keep the container on the porch so in the event the creature escapes at least it is back in nature and not indoors. He agreed.
After the snake was discovered missing we attempted to locate it, but were unsuccessful. That night after going to bed I decided to try a little animal communication in the quiet of the night. I began by sending the lost snake some absentia Reiki. While sending the Reiki energies I attempted to project a message for it. In my mind I told Slither how sorry we were that it was likely feeling lost and confused. Also, I tried to convey that we had no intention of keeping him as a pet. I told him if he would reveal his whereabouts to us that we would make sure to return him to the outdoors. Even so, I really felt we would never see the snake again. But, the next afternoon as I was walking through the house I discovered the snake laying out in the open on the carpet not very far from the front door. I couldn't believe my eyes at first and hollered at my husband who was in the kitchen. When my husband stooped to pick it up it laid perfectly still and did not try to crawl away. We were both so happy, you would have thought we had won the lottery. We took some pictures and within a few minutes my husband took Slither to a ravine about a block away from our home and released him. My question is? Do you think the snake heard my communication? Thank you, ~lila
Response from Rose: Hi lila, what a wonderful story! Yes, I do believe that Slither heard you. As an animal communicator I have had some truly amazing experiences and heard stories from other professionals that make it clear that interspecies communication is real.
Animals are very aware of the energies around them--their survival depends on it. They are also aware of the intentions of others. Domestic animals such as dogs and cats will sometimes ignore their instincts and trust people who do not have good intentions, but wild animals will not.
But I feel that there is another reason Slither trusted you and your husband--one beyond animal communication.
As a culture we no longer have a strong connection with nature, and deep inside each of us there is a yearning for what is missing. What we desire is a personal connection with the animals that we encounter, and during that encounter we are so hungry for what is lost that frequently we do not think to offer something in return.
You offered Slither the gift of Reiki out of concern for his well-being, but he also considered it a gift of gratitude. He enjoyed being appreciated since many people are uncomfortable with snakes.
Your combining Reiki with intuitive communication was an important factor in Slither's complete trust and acceptance of your assistance. As you may be aware the attunement that you received as a student in Reiki class not only opened up energy channels--it also opened the doors to your heart. Combining Reiki and intuitive communication allowed Slither to see directly into who you are at the highest level, thereby creating a powerful connection, making it possible for trust and understanding to be established.
Shamanically-speaking there is more to your encounter, something I feel that you and your husband instinctively recognized by calling him Slither--a name which describes attributes versus a more personal name like "Bob."
In shamanic cultures around the world serpent represents the opportunity for transformation; like the serpent sheds its skin, we can also shed the layers of old programming that hold us back. And because serpent makes connection with the earth with its entire body, it is believed that it feels the heartbeat of Mother Earth best. The wisdom of serpent lies in teaching us to walk gently upon the Earth, respecting and appreciating her.
Serpent is telling me that it is time for people as a whole to embrace a new way of being with animals--to shed our fears and the barriers we have imposed between our heads, our hearts and the natural world. Time to not only remember that we are kin to animals, but to awaken to a whole new way of being. By combining energy, ceremony and intuitive communication we can create a world of beauty where people and animals work together harmoniously to achieve common goals.
Great change and transformation begins on a small scale (pun intended) in respecting animal ambassadors like Slither, and by being open to receiving, and using, the gifts that are offered in return.
Rose De Dan,
Animal Reiki Shaman
Disclaimer: Rose De Dan shares insights derived from spirit and through animal communication. Any advice she offers is not meant as a substitute for veterinary care.
Each week, we invite a different intuitive to answer a question from a reader. If you'd like to submit a question for Rose please email her directly.
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ribbon snake image © Phylameana lila Desy, snake totem cave painting photo © Eric Meola/Getty Images
I, too, have had amazing encounters which proved animal communication is real. There was the tribe of small black ants, for instance, who were some of the most intransigent negotiators I ever met. They were taking over my kitchen thoroughly. First I explained this was my house and nicely explained I needed them to leave. No go. Then I requested quite firmly. No go. I next explained with mental visuals of their demise that I would in fact kill them if they did not leave. Usually a repeated mental visual with words is enough to be sure any animal gets a message – but these ants, oh no! Until I actually bought a can of Raid. By the time I got home with it, they had all vamoosed – nor did they return. They were psychic indeed (they had started to make me wonder!), but that tribe was determined to wait for signs of definite imminent danger before they would take me seriously. Tough negotiators indeed! Note to the reader: Your ant tribes may vary (just like human tribes).
like number 8 snakes have been a part of my life . First I used to ignore the signs . I usually get signs in dreams and whenever I had a snake in my dream I knew it was an indication that something wrong is happen.First I took them to be negative but my Reiki told me that they were my well wishers and wanted to warn me about something wrong that was to happen.