we are changing a tradition here though, you can change the imagery of kundalini from a serpent to anything you want, a tree, or a bird, onion, or anything, or just energy, the serpent is so pervasive as imagery, but not necessary, our intuition tells us... not necessary as such a central thing, though it is one expression equal to all others, use ur intuition to find what is right for you (perhaps your spirit animal)