In the "Book of the Dead," snakes are often depicted as symbols of protection and rebirth, particularly in relation to the god Ra. The knowledge contained in the book was considered sacred and only meant for the eyes of the deceased and the priests who performed the burial rituals. It is not necessarily forbidden knowledge today, but rather a historical artifact that is studied and preserved by scholars and historians. The spells were hidden to ensure their efficacy and to prevent misuse or abuse by those who were not authorized to use