Barbara: What is the snake ceremony?
Jean Roberts: A ceremony where Billy becomes brother to a snake.
Barbara: How does he do that?
Jean Roberts: By going on the mountain and being bitten by the snake over and over. Then he passes into unconsciousness for the last time. And if he lives, he has a vision. And in this vision, he finds out what his life's mission will be and who the spirit will be to guide him on this mission.