The Kundalini usually doesn't rise until all the chakras are well balanced, it also can be forced to rise like using drugs, extensive breathing etc.

When forced and the chakras are imbalanced it can be a world of hurt for the individual, or even burn up from the inside out.

A spiritual awakening, is the reunion of waking up the spirits within, also waking up the Kundalini, and the chakras to better ones life.

The snake can be used for the good or evil, depends which side of the fence one is on. If it was used for evil purposes, one can only go to the 3rd eye, while the good can go all the way up.