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SERPENS, The Serpent, and Ophiuchus, The Serpent Holder, originally formed one
constellation. The Serpent appears to be cut in two by Ophiuchus, with
SERPENS CAPUT, The Head, to the west, and SERPENS CAUDA, The Tail, to the east.
Always related to the healer Aesculapius, a serpent's venom can cure as well as
kill, and the shedding of its skin is representative of the renewal of life, two
factors which strengthen this association.
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