The Serpent and the Witch: Gnostic and Pagan Views on Forbidden Knowledge

Throughout history, both the serpent and the witch have emerged as potent symbols, often shrouded in fear and intrigue, representing the pursuit of forbidden knowledge, transformation, and resistance against oppression. From the Gnostic view of the serpent in Eden as a figure of liberation to the veneration of serpent deities and oracles in Pagan traditions, these archetypes embody the quest for wisdom that remains concealed from the uninitiated. This article delves into the deep connection that binds the serpent and the witch, underscoring their roles as guardians of knowledge and catalysts of enlightenment.
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The Serpent as the Bearer of Gnosis

In mainstream Christian tradition, the serpent in the Garden of Eden is cast as a deceiver, responsible for humanity’s fall from grace. However, the Gnostic sects of early Christianity viewed the serpent in a radically different light. In texts such as the “Hypostasis of the Archons” and “The Secret Book of John”, the serpent is a benefactor rather than a tempter. Rather than leading Eve to sin, the serpent offers her the fruit of knowledge, revealing to her the truth of the world’s creation and the divine spark within humanity.

Gnostics believed that the world was created by the Demiurge, a false god who sought to keep humanity enslaved in ignorance. The serpent, acting as a messenger of Sophia—the divine embodiment of wisdom—encouraged Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, awakening her to the truth of her divine origins. In this context, Eve becomes a heroine rather than a transgressor, and the serpent a sacred guide, offering the gift of gnosis (knowledge) necessary for spiritual liberation.

This re-interpretation of the serpent aligns with the role of the witch: one who seeks and shares wisdom, often in defiance of oppressive structures. Just as the serpent defied the Demiurge, the witch has historically defied religious and political authorities to preserve and pass down knowledge that empowers others.

The Witch as the Keeper of Forbidden Wisdom

Like the serpent, the witch has long been associated with wisdom—specifically, the kind of wisdom feared by patriarchal institutions. In ancient Pagan cultures, witches, priestesses, and oracles were revered as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. They possessed knowledge of healing, divination, and magic, serving as custodians of esoteric traditions.

Many of these traditions revered serpents as sacred beings. The Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi, was named after Python, the great serpent that guarded the temple of Apollo. In Minoan Crete, priestesses of the Great Goddess were depicted holding snakes, symbolizing their control over mystical forces. In Egyptian mythology, the cobra-headed goddess Wadjet was a protector and bestower of wisdom, her image adorning the crowns of pharaohs.

Despite these positive associations in early Pagan traditions, with the rise of Christianity and patriarchal control, the role of the witch was demonized. Women who retained knowledge of herbalism, astrology, and spirit work—much like Eve with her newfound wisdom—were labeled as dangerous. The very same wisdom that had once been sacred became “forbidden,” reinforcing the idea that spiritual knowledge outside of religious orthodoxy was heretical.

The Shared Symbolism of Rebellion and Transformation

Both the serpent and the witch share a deeply symbolic association with transformation. The serpent sheds its skin, an act that has long been viewed as a metaphor for renewal, rebirth, and spiritual awakening. Similarly, the witch embodies the ability to transform—whether through alchemy, spellwork, or initiation into deeper mysteries.

This transformative power is what makes both figures threatening to established authority. The serpent and the witch challenge the status quo, offering knowledge that disrupts societal norms. Just as the Gnostic serpent encouraged Eve to awaken to divine wisdom, witches throughout history have guided seekers toward enlightenment through their own mystical practices.

Embracing the Path of the Witch and the Serpent

The serpent and the witch have endured centuries of demonization because they represent something dangerous to systems of control—personal empowerment through hidden knowledge. Yet, despite persecution, their wisdom persists in modern esoteric traditions, Pagan practices, and occult studies. To walk the path of the witch is to embrace the serpent’s wisdom, to seek knowledge beyond what is permitted, and to reclaim the power that has been denied to those who dare to question.

In a world that still fears the power of the unknown, the legacy of the serpent and the witch remains a call to awaken, transform, and reclaim the ancient wisdom that has never truly been lost.



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