The Snake in The Grass!
The Snake beside you!
February 28, 2017
Introduction
We have heard of this always. He (or she) is the snake in the grass! What does it really mean?
It is a metaphor meaning a person who is treacherous and can easily betray you without any whims or conscience! Or a concealed danger that you do not see because of the tall grass!
In life we have so many cases of treacherous betraying people – some that even you held as close and as a friend and person that you can trust (or even helped a lot!). That is how my Consultancy went bankrupted 15 years ago – with people still today with no conscience or guilt! And some even still calling you a friend – but knifing you from behind! Or talking evil and bad about you when you are not around!
I do not know about you but for me I have always had a fear of snakes since a child! And at the place we grew up in Mafia Island in Tanzania – there were many snakes – from those in the grass that were less poisonous to the poisonous ones – some extreme – and to the larger ones like pythons and anacondas too!
Actually, I will never forget this scene where anaconda one was killed and in its belly was a dead small African baby with its hands folded as if dying in prayers!
Have you noticed this? How could one so with colourful skin and looks so gentle could really be most dangerous and poisonous? It is very scary!
The Fear of Snakes Phobia is known as Ophidiophobia!
Humans have many fears. The fear of snakes or Ophidiophobia is the second most common phobia in the world. Nearly 1/3rd of adult humans are believed to have an intense fear of snakes.
Most people with Ophidiophobia can lead normal lives as they do not have to confront the object of their fears under normal circumstances. However, for people with severe Ophidiophobia, the mere mention, or an image of a snake in books or on TV can lead to an intense fear response, the reactions of which can even include heart attacks and death.
A long time ago when we were living in this Island called Mafia (She Without in Arabic!) Tanzania there was this man called ‘The Snake Man’! He had the ability to control snakes and if you were suspicious that you had one in your house, you just called him! He would come to your house – just whistle and shout – Here! Here!
In Swahili – and believe me or not the snake would come and sidle up to him! He would then pick up the snake and put it in his trousers pockets! You gave him something for his efforts – if you did not then he would let the snake lose! It was suspected that he would even bring one before in secretly so you will need his services – and he sure made an income and living by this method!
There was one scene that still sends shivers to my skin when they were burying a dead body under a mango tree and this large snake dropped down on the grave – making everyone running out! The snake would not come out – and in the end they buried the body with the snake inside from great protestations from family members!
When we had moved to Qorum Heights in 1976 we used to face scorpions and even snakes – and I remember a case where one of our neighbours had one poisonous one in his baby’s cradle – amazingly it did not bite the baby! They had a tough time of lifting the baby from the cradle without the snake biting the baby! That baby is now a mother with her own children now!
The Dream
Long time ago I had this night mare and I wrote about this before here! I was working in one of the Companies and I was on the first floor. A person had sent me a gift of three cartons! Would you believe what was in the cartons? You guessed it! 3 large snakes as gifts to me! Can you imagine a person in his right mind would send you such a thing?
Fortunately, the snakes looked all ‘pretty skinned and gentle’ until one was being attacked by a small scurry thing! The snake opened its mouth and swallowed it all up! Making me frightened and screaming! I remember shouting to my late father to give me his double barreled gun to shoot at the snake – but my father gave me a big panga (a large knife) to beat at the snake!
Beat it hard – my father was scolding me – cut it up – start with the head – all to me shouting to scarred stiff me – and waking up Madam Wife! Incidentally, the other two snakes both in the second floor – were all still gentle and quiet in the cartons!
The other dream I had recently only was being sent a gift and that someone had the knack to add a small snake along as part of the gift to me for good measure!
I do not know why people send me gifts as snakes?
I Googled and got these answers!
What Does it Mean to Dream about Snakes?
To get start interpreting what dreaming about snakes means, here are the most common meanings associated with snakes in dreams:
- A snake is a symbol of the unconscious
- Snakes or serpents indicate you’re in the process of healing and resolving issues
- The snake is a symbol for an untamed part of yourself or an untapped resource
- Snakes could represent your intuition or spiritual aspects of yourself; your instinctual drive, what moves you from the depths of your soul
- Snakes or serpents tend to show up in dreams in times of transition and transformation
- From the classic Freudian perspective, a snake or serpent is a phallic symbol
Generally, a snake featured in a dream means that you’re dealing with a difficult situation or unsettling emotions in your waking life. On the positive side of this dream analysis, dreaming of snakes could also mean that healing and transformation are taking place.
In the film Kaa The Snake speaks smoothly and gently to Mowgli – as if he was his best friend – whilst all the time coiling around him – ready to eat him! Only he was saved just in time!
Some years before my Late Father died we were in a funeral in Our Bilaad village of m man beaten by what they say is ‘flying snake!’ – and his body was as if it was burned alive black all over! Scary really!
They say that the most poisonous snakes are found in the deserts – like the sand viper – most deadly indeed! Can kill a camel in seconds only! My British boss whom I used to clash a lot before used this metaphor to ‘describe us’!
I understand that some Religions (Far Eastern) believe that snakes are ‘good omens’ and ‘to be worshipped’! Everyone to his own! J!
A nice lady had sent me this video! The Snake beside You! It is scary! You can watch it here!
If you have any inputs – you are most welcome! I would be pleased to receive your interpretations and feedbacks!
Scares even A Suicider!
Apologies for those afraid of snakes – like I!
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