Serpentessa is a snake priestess and massagist. Courtesy of Serpentessa Serpentessa (not her real name) is a former professional belly dancer and a 'snake priestess' who uses snakes to conduct healing massages for her clients. For 33 years, she's been facilitating interactions between snakes and people, ranging from thrill-seekers and nature lovers to people suffering from PTSD. This is what her job is like, as told to freelance writer Jenny Powers. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. I was 29 years old and working as a professional belly dancer in New York City in 1984 when a childhood friend of my husband's gave me a boa constrictor.