The first born male inherits the money and the title.
The second born goes to the "school", where they learn witchcraft, sorcery and science.
Their book is the Hermetica.
All the symbolism comes from Hermetica.
These texts may vary widely in content and purpose, but by modern convention are usually subdivided into two main categories, the "technical" and "religio-philosophical" Hermetica.
The category of "technical" Hermetica encompasses a broad variety of treatises dealing with astrology, medicine and pharmacology, alchemy, and magic, the oldest of which were written in Greek and may go back as far as the second or third century BCE
They see no difference between astronomy and astrology, to them, its all the same thing.
You don't have to read anything, Anon, just watch Harry Potter.
Its about a boy who went to "school" to learn witchcraft. His classmates were all "purebloods", or the second sons of the elite.
The entwinned snakes represent faith and reality, or science and magic truth and belief.
The imagery is everywhere.