I've had my snake as a personal animal friend/guardian. She is very curious and calm, only when she is assured, though. Other times she is quite shy, constrictive and aggressive. But nonetheless she's my baby. I myself am curious to know if anyone here on the Nexus has any reptiles? Or has any deep animal connection with serpents? I've found snakes to be a major part of my spiritual animal essence, drive and healing. Including all other animals, of course. I just happen to have a snake that serves as a powerful presence that I thought would be fun to share with others. I also have a cat which serves for obvious reasons..

*picture has been moved to another thread*

Not snakes, but definitely reptiles like iguanas and lizards! Ever since I got really into LSD I have had a really deep connection with them, for some reason. Oddly enough, the two other biggest LSD users I know all are super into lizards as well. One has what amounts to basically a reptile zoo in his living room, and the other has a pet lizard. These two friends also move around in a "reptile-esque" way. Very quick, precise, controlled movements. I always thought it was uncanny. I did a little research and found that reptiles have a significant part in something called the Triune Brain Theory (Link - Wiki- Triune Brain Theory)

Some relevant passages;

The triune brain consists of the reptilian complex, the paleomammalian complex (limbic system), and the neomammalian complex (neocortex), viewed as structures sequentially added to the forebrain in the course of evolution.

The reptilian complex, also known as the R-complex or "reptilian brain" was the name MacLean gave to the basal ganglia, structures derived from the floor of the forebrain during development. The term derives from the fact that comparative neuroanatomists once believed that the forebrains of reptiles and birds were dominated by these structures. MacLean proposed that the reptilian complex was responsible for species-typical instinctual behaviors involved in aggression, dominance, territoriality, and ritual displays.

the basal ganglia (structures derived from the floor of the forebrain and making up MacLean's reptilian complex) were shown to take up a much smaller portion of the forebrains of reptiles and birds (together called sauropsids) than previously supposed, and to exist in amphibians and fish as well as mammals and sauropsids. Because the basal ganglia are found in the forebrains of all modern vertebrates, they most likely date to the common evolutionary ancestor of the vertebrates, more than 500 million years ago, rather than to the origin of reptiles.


Somebody was speculating that after working with the more complex,usually predominant upper two complexes (not the basal ganglia) following use of entheogens which seem to focus on these, that we temporarily become more aware of the basal ganglia, the one whose functions have no place in intense entheogenic experiences.

So perhaps the behavior of these reptiles remind us about primitive, often recessed aspects of ourselves? Food for thought.

Interesting! My brother recently developed an interest in lizards. Though, he's never taken LSD, only LSA, as have I. I too can relate to your friends. Though I don't have a zoo, I have a basic setup for my one snakey. I do plan on increasing this, though. My attitude towards having any relatable reptiles is on my agenda.

I too always have had quite a similarity when it comes to snakes and how they live, react etc. I can be evasive, shy, ritualistic, aggressive etc, but also calm, balanced and eloquent. The theory of having a reptilian complex within the human brain isn't far fetched. The basal ganglia has intriguing similarities when it comes to reptilian behaviour and movement. This is something we probably have acquired over evolution.

Yeah, I see it more holistically in regards of the negative and positive aspects of life force energies, that is what snakes represent. Rejuvenation, protection, death, new beginnings etc. You can discover your own animal totems and implement what feels more like you in comparison to the animal you have in mind, and heart. It is meaningful towards life and fun to do. Other animals I can relate to are Moths. Just their appearance and behaviour is something I can relate to in my own life. The same idea with snakes, you see? The development you can produce when focused on a particular animal can adjust and heighten life experiences and aid in your overall growth, learning capacities and adaptation. And this itself brings us back to the idea(or realization) of being within the reptilian mind.

I have most definitely wanted to own some lizards for a while now! The only problem being, when not at school, I live with my parents, who are not too into the idea. God knows why they are so opposed, but sometimes its easier to just not argue, ya know? I'll have my own residence in a few years here so it'll just have to wait.

I'll probably get a cat, too. As far as animals go, I have always felt a strong connection with cats, also. How self conscious they can be at times, always grooming themselves. How they aren't always so keen on playing with newcomers. And perhaps most of all, how you really have to earn their trust over time.

And for kicks, maybe a pygmy goat too! Not that I have any spiritual connection with them or anything, but I'll be darned if they aren't the cutest little things I've ever seen!

Well, not to be personal, it's all your choice on the matter, but I find persistence can do wonders! Perhaps argue calmly with simple, affordable arguments as to why you'd like one and how to go about it. Family likes planning. Of course, planning to do this later is what you speak of so that is okay.

Cats are incredible creatures! We have one here, she's quite older now but the trust we have is great. She likes going outside and basking in the Sun. Once in a while she'll go into hunting mode. She also likes sleeping next to me, too. We have a good connection because when I was younger, we'd sit together and rest.

Interesting animal that is. I've never seen one myself but I'm sure with enthusiasm you'll have one in no-time.

Here is what my brother is getting. Blue Tongued Skink, 2 years old.

I used to have an obsession with collecting pets. Particuarly salt water fish and coral. I loved learning about them, researching for hours on end. I ran a business- cleaning aquariums. I had beautiful tanks, with some of the most rare specimens. And, I was good at keeping them alive, too.

After DMT, I came to the realization that I enjoy them more when I am aware that these creatures share this planet with us, but I don't need to "own" them, any longer.

I began to wonder what it would be like to be born in the ocean, and then pulled from my world and caged.

The more and more I thought about it, I grew angry with myself for being so blind to my own selfishness. I felt as if I was a hypocrite. I advocated sustainability, but what does being sustained mean when you are deprived of instinct? I hate being put in a cage, but I willingly put other organisms in cages and kept them captive. I don't judge others for thier reasons, but I decided that I wanted nothing to do with it.

Now a days, my biggest connection is with the insects that come and go as they please. Dragon Flys, bees, wasps, ants, and many more... It's interesting to observe their world as they observe ours. One in the same, but at our own terms.

Maybe I sit inside a metaphorical cage of OUR own creating - staring out from behind my own eyes, wondering if I'll ever get to go back home...

My first experience with DXM (the much maligned dissociative in cough syrup that can actually be quite illuminating when used in a more careful set and setting than a lot younger teenagers seem to do it in) had me breakthrough into an all encompassing, underground, liquid environment that was populated by reptilian creatures working away on some unknown job. Speculating afterward, I came onto the idea that my consciousness had maybe travelled down to the R-complex at the base of the brain and was observing, possibly in a symbolic way, the inner workings of it.

On a different note, I've always had a love for lizards from a young age. i had a pet blue tongue named Rex who escaped from his enclosure (in hindsight, I don't blame him, who would choose a cage over the great outdoors?) Beautiful creature he was, hopefully he lived a long, happy life after his escape. I'd love to have another pet lizard but I'd feel too guilty keeping it in captivity nowadays.

Dragon flys are amazing I once had to free one from a spiders web and I looked deep.into its eyes while I carefully cut the web away from its wings and legs and sensed a sentience in it , that feeling you get when you look into another persons eyes.
It seemed to know I was helping it as it stopped struggling to allow me to rid it of web. In Darwin there is a place where hundreds gather and fly around each other and among each other in mesmerising patterns not hitting each other once then when the sun goes down they all vanish. Green ants are also fascinating to watch at work.
I often wonder what a bug experiences when it gets flicked across the room it must be like some transdimensional journey instantly transported from the fluff they were traversing to another space.

Back on subject I would have to say geckos are my favourite reptile the babies look so cool when they are transparent with their black eyes and once they are adult have the most charming chirp.

My previous house we lived at had so many geckoes! If I left my balcony light on at night to attract bugs, I could have upwards of 20-30 geckoes out for feeding time. Their chirp is definitely most charming. I miss those little guys even though our new place is infinitely better in so many ways.