Thanks all. I talked to my reiki lady last night about it. She mentioned snakes can be about sexuality and sensuality but also about renewal through the shedding of skin etc. It can be about a transformation as synchronicity said.

She mentioned the black snake is my deepest fear and not to confront it head on but to gently ask my inner self to let it go. Letting go of fear is always difficult, especially when there's already been so much grief, but I'm working on it.

I need to keep a dream diary. Some of them can be very interesting.