pharmakeia

1. the use or the administering of drugs

2. poisoning

3. sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it

4. metaphorically the deceptions and seductions of idolatry

This is old hebrew kabala magi shit. Pharoah had a couple of them if you recall. Now remember what took place between Moses and the two Magi pharmakeia practitioners. Moses laid Aarons on the ground and it became a snake so Pharoah ordered the two magis to do the same. Which they did and they became two snakes. Then Moses snake proceeded to devour both of the magis snakes. Staffs and snakes.