The Ober Aletsch glacier, from the Sparrenhorn before 1866

Ernest Edwards captured this photograph of The Ober Aletsch Glacier from the Sparrenhorn, embedding within it symbols of nature's eternal power. The glacier itself—a river of ice—can be seen as an echo of ancient serpent motifs, present in cultures worldwide. Think of the Ouroboros, a serpent eating its own tail, symbolizing cyclicality. The glacier, with its slow, inexorable flow, also embodies time’s passage, a concept deeply rooted in human consciousness. Consider how the form of the glacier, winding and powerful, has been mirrored across cultures. In ancient mythologies, serpents often guard sacred knowledge or embody primal energy, a connection to the subconscious. This photograph captures nature's force, engaging our own fears and awe, drawing on our collective memory of primal, untamed forces. The glacier persists, a recurring motif, evolving in meaning, yet always resonating with our deepest understanding of time, power, and the cyclical nature of existence.