Ouroboros Meaning Spiritual
Ouroboros the ghost serpent. Pronounced oo-ruh-bo-ruhs, the Ouroboros symbol is one of the oldest and most ancient of all symbols. An Egyptian symbol. Its first appearance was found in Egypt in the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1323 BCE. But found all over the world in various designs and slightly differentiating meanings.
The Ouroboros or Uroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. The word Ouroboros comes from the Greek meaning “devouring its own tail” The mathematical symbol for infinity is widely believed to have derived from a version of Ouroboros, with the serpent snake looped once before consuming its own tail.
“The Ouroboros is a dramatic symbol for the integration and assimilation of the opposite, i.e. of the shadow. The mystical Ouroboros represents the cycle of nature and the universe itself. Life, death, rebirth and renewal. Where the end is the beginning.
“This ‘feedback’ process is at the same time a symbol of immortality since it is said of the Ouroboros that he slays himself and brings himself to life, fertilizes himself and gives birth to himself.”
– Carl Jung
Metaphysical Meaning
Within the art of alchemy, the grounding message of the Ouroboros is the changing of one thing into another, ultimately yielding “All is One.” A symbol for Mercurius and the union of opposites.
The mystical Ouroboros symbolizes the indistinguishable and eternal flow of sulphur and mercury into one another. The permanent fusion of the two creates the Philosopher’s Stone.
The reason behind creating the philosopher’s stone, other than to turn base metals into gold, is to make the elixir of life. The elixir is a distilled substance in which the alchemist extracts pure life energy. This elixir of life can supposedly be consumed to regenerate the body, mind and spirit.
Ouroboros is similar to the symbol of Yin-Yang with the duality of opposite sides existing in harmony. the union of the two opposites, light and darkness, produces creative energy. Ouroboros is a purifying symbol, preparing a spiritual path for release, liberation, and the unification of the conscious and unconscious realms.
A protection spirit for shamans astral travelling to learn secrets and mysteries. Worn as an amulet or ring protects the wearer from harmful occult energies. © Psychic Medium Ian Scott