Whirling around, my daughter screamed, “Mommy, a black snake!” She bolted past me almost knocking me down on the sandy pathway leading to the beach.

My goodness, what the— It was then I noticed the little black serpent slithering through the granules. I had stopped just shy of ogling his tail before it vanished into the brush. I called after my teen, “It’s a garden snake silly. Come on back, it’s gone now.”

Shivering on the sidewalk, she yelped, “No! It’s a curse! I’m going to die!”

Not today, Lord! It was 90 degrees, the sun was blazing hot, and it was not even noon. I was sweating, and looking forward to dunking myself in the ocean for relief. My husband and younger daughter were already on the beach waiting for us and had come down earlier to set up the umbrella and chairs; meanwhile, my eldest daughter and I made deli sandwiches up in our rented condo. We were going to regroup with them when we encountered the infamous SNAKE.

Hoisting the little cooler with our lunch, and balancing my flip-flops in my other hand, I trudged back to my daughter who was in tears. “Calm down,” I said. “It’s gone.”

“What if it comes back out and bites me?” She hyperventilated. “I’m cursed, I’m cursed! I knew I shouldn’t have come to the beach with you guys!”

I quietly coaxed her as a family of four walked past us and onto the same sandy path that led to the beach. “See,” I pointed. “Look at those people. They’re going through, no problem. The snake has disappeared because it hears the footsteps on the sand. Remember, snakes feel in their bodies. Come on…”

She wouldn’t budge, holding her arms tight around her waist. “Serpents are bad luck, Mommy!” “Who told you that,” I gritted my teeth. This kid reads too much fantasy. “It’s true, it’s true,” she sniffled.

Upset with her unwavering actions, I left her on the sidewalk while I went to my family to drop off the cooler. Maybe my husband can convince her. At about the same area on the sand where the snake had passed, I picked up my pace as my feet sank deeper and deeper into the sand.

I arrived at the umbrella and my husband was standing with his hands on his hips wondering what had taken so long. After giving him a briefing, he trod through the sand to go and get our daughter. To no avail, she didn’t move, wanting to go up to the condo. My husband was ready to give in when I slogged back, threatened to take away her phone, and persuasively pulled her along the sidewalk to another path on the other side of the building.  By this time, my face, arms, and legs were so wet it looked like I had just come out of the shower. I counted to three and we ran hand and hand through the sand until we got to our spot.

It had taken her almost an hour sitting under the umbrella to get her bearings and when she did, she threw herself in the water because at that point she was overheated. Bobbing in the salty ocean, I looked up and noticed a rainbow halo around the sun. It was magnificent and glorious. “Girls, girls, look at the sun!”

“No, we’re going to be blinded,” my younger daughter smirked, going under a wave.

“Seriously, just for a second, look up.” Their faces marveled at the sight. “See,” I told them. “This is a blessing from God.” My older daughter shrugged. “How do you know it’s a blessing? I’m probably cursed forever.” I swam toward her. “You’re right, I don’t know for sure. But, it is still cool. I’ve never seen a halo around the sun before. It has to be a good omen.”

This seemed to reassure her a bit and we carried on the rest of the afternoon tanning and playing in the water, forgetting the strange incident. Weeks later, back at home, I was reminded of the snake and the sun halo upon seeing a rainbow post on social media. I decided to do some investigating on what the snake and the sun halo meant.

One of the most notable meanings of a snake crossing your path is a transition, indicating possible changes that could happen in your life. It could mean an encounter, an event, or an experience that can alter your life for good. The snake also symbolizes physical vitality and strength. Sometimes, it’s a sign that the universe has come to warn you against something terrible in your future. This site gives nine signs and their meanings.

The black snake is a message from the universe that they are watching your steps and they will protect you from making mistakes by intercepting your life if need be. A snake crossing your path could be a symbol of patience. It means you have to be patient because your way to success will not be easy.

What about that sun halo?

A halo forms when these high cirrus clouds are in front of the sun. The ice crystals in the clouds reflect and refract the sunlight which causes a halo to appear around the sun. What are Cirrus Clouds? Cirrus clouds are a type of high cloud. Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals. Yet, everything starts with air and water. When dry air goes up, it makes water vapor turn into ice, forming the ice crystals that create cirrus clouds. A sun halo (and moon halo) usually means that rain will occur within 24 hours because the cirrostratus clouds that cause these beautiful halos usually mean a front is near.

Now, Biblically, through the centuries, people have looked to the heavens for spiritual answers and guidance. The Bible does tell us to look to the heavens for astronomical signs that reveal God’s power and glory. Below are just a small sample of scriptures to explain just that.

Luke 21: 25-28. “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

 

Deuteronomy 4:19. “And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.”

 

Acts 2: 19-21. I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:

Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,

Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
And it shall come to pass

That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’

 

The halo around the sun shows evidence that God exists and is present in our lives, much like a rainbow does. In fact, it’s interesting to note that the halo around the sun is sometimes referred to as a “solar rainbow.” No matter what life throws at us or how many times we fall, our loving God is there to catch us. Our lives are not in vain because of His great love for us, as shown by the halo around the sun’s presence.

So, take this information and also do your own research. Whatever transition that is coming our way, we as a family will continue to look up to the Heavens for help and protection from God.

Until next time…

Be well. Be safe. Be happy.