Snake - Transmutation

Almost placing my hand on a snake coiled in a tree, when I was about 8 scared me, and created a deep level of fear that I carry today.
I was reminded of this fear yesterday as I was gardening. I saw a 4-5’ snake coiled beneath the stone staircase take in the sun.
I immediately felt the fear run through me. My first response was to kill it, with my mind justifying it totally. I stopped, and checked in, hearing not to kill the snake “ all life is sacred”. Stepping back, I returned to my gardening, with one eye on the snake. Thinking about what I should do.
The more I continued working (always with an eye on it) the more my fear was shifting. I found myself digging away with little or no attention on the snake for extended periods. After about 10-15minutes I realized that just being with my fear in the presents of the snake, and allowing it to be. I was transmuting it. (Snake energy).
Now I am not saying I am going to run out and get one as a pet. But I finished my job cleaned up while allowing it to be there. Not wanting to engage it, at the same time not fearing it the same way I had. Transmuting some level of that fear, I know the next time I run across one in the yard, I might not be as startled as I have been in the past.
Blessings to the yellow and brown snake that helped me move some of that fear.