[tied] Re: There was a crooked snake

---
I wonder, however, if snakes were always regarded as destructive; down
to historical times Aesculapian snakes and grass snakes hung about
sacred places in many parts of Europe and were respected but not
feared.
---

Shouldn't someone comment about the place of those pet green snakes of
of the Balts?

When looking at snake myths, there is a disconnect from reality. You
read of temple snakes being fed milk and honey cakes, but come on
already, this is not what you feed a tame snake if you want to keep it
alive. Should we call in Dr. Freud for a consult?

Mythically, the fact that snakes shed their skin, and therefore are
'reborn' seems to be very important, and perhaps, the most important
thing about snakes.

For myself, the *sudden* sight of a snake or lizard sets off an
extreme startle reflex (fight-flight reflex). I've read that this is
'hardwired' into the human psyche, something inherited from way way
back, as a means of avoiding venomous snakes (back when we were all in
Africa). Snakes are not interested in us humans (we're too big to be
food), and being wary is usually sufficient to avoid their venom.