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About the above image - it is called the Ouroboros (also spelled Oroborus, Uroboros or Uroborus) is an ancient symbol depicting
a snake or dragon swallowing its tail, constantly creating itself and forming a circle. It is associated with alchemy, Gnosticism,
and Hermeticism. It represents the cyclical nature of things, eternal return, and other things perceived as cycles that begin
anew as soon as they end. In some representations the serpent is shown as half light and half dark, echoing symbols such as
the Yin Yang, which illustrates the dual nature of many things, but more importantly, that these opposites are not in conflict.
In alchemy, the ouroboros symbolises the circular nature of the alchemist's opus which unites the opposites: the conscious
and unconscious mind.
It is believed to have been inspired by the Milky Way, as some ancient texts refer to a serpent of light residing in the
heavens.
Of course, you were not invited here to discuss art.
At your leasure, please click the link at the top of the page entitled: 'Our Purpose'.
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| John Collier, Lilith, 1887 |
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Many old paintings and drawings of the snake and the woman depict the woman as a willing but fearful participant in the offer
of the snake. The snake, of course, is meant to represent temptation and even evil, while the woman represents the tempted
and perhaps the innocent. This particular version 'lilith' takes a rather embracing, unfearful approach to such temptation.
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