The Psychology of Animals

Where neophytes are accompanied by animal spirits during shamanic initiation, acting as psychopomps.

Had a vision of a serpent that brought him delight, but later drove it away, symbolizing the repression of the 'light bringer'.

A fiery serpent on a pole created by Moses, which healed those bitten by venomous snakes, symbolizing both poison and cure.

A staff with a snake wrapped around it, the symbol of the god of healing, Asclepius.

A mystery religion popular in the Roman Empire featuring the sacrifice of a bull (tauroctony) as a fertility rite.

In Jungian psychology, the masculine aspect of the female psyche.

In Jungian psychology, the archetype of wholeness and the totality of the psyche, often symbolized by animals in dreams and myths.

A Gnostic sect that viewed the serpent as a symbol for Christ, a positive messenger bringing illumination.

Represents loyalty, companionship, guidance of souls, and a moral sense, but can also be linked to temptation in myths.

In Jungian psychology, the feminine aspect of the male psyche.

The totality of the human mind, conscious and unconscious, explored through the lens of animal symbolism.

An alchemical symbol representing the warm-blooded, devouring monster, preceding the purification stages.

A book by von Franz exploring the cat archetype in a fairy tale about a princess transformed into a cat.

The feminine cosmic energy symbolized by a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, which can ascend through meditation.

Embodies power, royalty, protection, and ferocity; often interpreted as the king of beasts and a symbol of Christ's triumph.

Possibly referring to the basilisk's 'deadly glance' or 'paralyzing sight,' derived from the Greek word 'derk' meaning 'to see'.

An ancient motif depicting a human taming wildlife, representing human dominion over the animal kingdom.

A fairytale where the hero integrates with the lion archetype, shifting from enemy to protector.

A Gnostic text depicting outer darkness as a dragon guarding the Light-kingdom, containing dungeons ruled by figures with animal heads.

Symbolizes independence, emotional detachment, stealth, magic, and coziness; its integration is important for workaholics.

An ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail, representing eternity, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life.

Represents motherhood, nurturing, the divine mother archetype, and profound docility, symbolizing life-giving aspects.

Spiritual knowledge or insight, often associated with the serpent symbol in Gnostic traditions, representing inner revelation.

In Norse mythology, the World Tree that Níðhöggr the dragon gnaws at the roots of.

A Jungian analyst who wrote about the archetypal symbolism of animals, informing the discussion on various animal archetypes.

Austrian zoologist who explored the link between animal behavior and moral sense in his book 'Man Meets Dog'.

Biblical text referring to Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Represents energy, libido, adaptability, obedience, and sensitivity to emotions; can also symbolize wildness and panic when disconnected.

A comprehensive work by Taschen that serves as a resource for understanding archetypal symbolism.

Author whose stories, like 'The Cats of Ulthar', touch upon the mystical and supernatural nature of cats.

In Norse mythology, a dragon that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree.

Not explicitly mentioned, but the context of serpents and knowledge might allude to Adapa, the hero of an Akkadian myth who lost immortality.

Consider animals as gods in disguise, living in invisible god-worlds but sharing territory with humans.

A book by Jungian analyst Barbara Hannah that explores the symbolic meanings of domestic and wild animals.

A book recounting a journey of ten thousand miles with two intelligent horses, highlighting their remarkable abilities.

An Egyptian fertility god worshipped as a bull, later associated with the creator god Ptah.

An alchemical text attributed to Zoroaster featuring the ouroboros symbol of a dragon and serpent devouring each other's tails.

Semi-divine beings in Asian traditions with half-human, half-serpent forms, guarding treasure and knowledge in a subterranean realm.

The most frequently depicted animal in mythology and religion, symbolizing renewal, wisdom, danger, healing, and the primal unconscious.

Symbolizes male generative power, sacrifice, and the foundation of culture; its sacrifice represents creation of new life.

Universal, archaic patterns and images that derive from the collective unconscious and are the psychic counterpart of instinct.

A mythological serpent known for its deadly glance or paralyzing sight.

Moses's staff, which transformed into a snake and back, used to perform miracles.

A book by Konrad Lorenz examining the connection between animal behavior and morality.

A Turkestan fairy tale where a horse becomes a symbol of the Self and facilitates a transformation into a mandala kingdom.

A Babylonian epic describing Tiamat, a monstrous figure resembling a sea serpent or dragon associated with the primordial sea.

Latin for 'world soul,' an ancient idea suggesting a mystical connection between all living beings and nature.