Daily Meditation: Thursday, July 22, 2010

Caduceus of Hermes - symbolism

07/22/2010

There are numerous symbolic objects representing the human being. Among these is the caduceus of Hermes. The two snakes intertwined on either side of the central staff are the two currents, positive and negative, which spiral around the spinal column. The Hindus call these two currents ida and pingala, and the central channel inside the spine they call sushumna. An initiate is someone who knows how to work with these two currents: as their work progresses, they acquire powers which enable them to act on nature, on themselves and on others. This is why the caduceus has become a symbol of medicine. The caduceus of Hermes represents a whole philosophy and discipline of life based on the two principles. It teaches us how to work with the two negative and positive currents circulating in the universe. A true initiate working with the two principles, who knows their power as instruments, as weapons and as remedies, possesses true powers.