Spiders

[Aislin Ni MorRhiaghan]

Spiders creep into our lives when we least expect them to. These leggy and ferocious looking creepy crawlies are one of the few tiny creatures to bypass the evolutionary chart and remain the same for thousands of years. The fascinating creatures carry with them deep spiritual and metaphysical teachings and also a long lesson in truth and lore.



The biggest misconception about spiders is that they are insects. Spiders are Arachnids belonging to the class Arachnida. Both insects and spiders belong to the order Invertebrata (which basically means they have no vertebrae or backbone), however their physiology are distinctly different. Insects have three body parts and six legs with appendages in three part segments. Their bodies consist of a head, a thorax, and an abdomen and they have some sort of hard outer shell. Spiders have two body parts, a cephalothoraxes (meaning the chest and head are fused together), and an abdomen. Their legs are segmented into fours, although the chelicerae are included as minor appendages, and they have four pairs of eyes. The spider also lacks antennae and wings, both of which are common characteristics of insects, and have soft bodies with no hard outer shell.



Spiders are aggressive hunters of insects and sometimes even small rodents, but are also powerful symbols in world metaphysical and spiritual practices. In North America it was the Grandmother Spider that wove the world and everything in it and carried fire on her back in a woven basket of webbing. In the Caribbean the spider Ananci weaves tales of mischief and wonder detailing the Caribbean history and keeping its records. In Greece the maiden weaver Arachne becomes the first spider, a minor goddess, and a beautiful constellation.



Spiders represent different things to different people but in every corner of the continent spiders represent the weaver and the interconnectedness of all life. Spiders are powerful totems to work with on a shamanic and spiritual level as they are precognitive and carry the fate of all people within their webs.

As one of the oldest species of animals remaining untouched by evolution or time, spiders carry the voices of the ancients and of the ancient languages, wisdoms, and teachings. They are privy to our innermost Akashic records and can aid us in the re~awakening process of integrating our many dimensional selves. Spiders transcend time and reach into our perceived past, present, and future to warn us, enlighten us, or aid us when we are ready to move into the next state of spiritual advancement. The spider is commonly associated with death, birth, and rebirth as it is constantly tearing down, repairing, and rebuilding its web. Thus it is also a symbol of change, a warning against stagnation, and the importance of setting and achieving our goals. The ever diligent spider is also a powerful portent of creativity and artistry and it is not uncommon for artists, authors, and poets to find these fuzzy creatures tucked away over their workspace.

Spider teaches us the importance of boundaries, of truth, of being non~judgmental, and to always strive for balance between the physical world and the spiritual one. A walker between the worlds and even dimensional verses, the spider is a seeker of truth and represents the beauty and the ugliness it can bring, however just as the spider is an integral part of creation, it reminds us that the truth is integral to balance even though we may not want to see it.



On a much different level, the spider represents duality as it is a mirror image of itself, both sides identical to the other. In addition, the spider is also a symbol for infinity, the number 8. Thus it is a symbol of eternal life and the infinite spirit that resides within all of us. The spider is a teacher of geometry, of self reliance, and the importance of creativity. Spider also teaches us to be fully in control of the weaving of our lives. To remove the strands that don't work for our benefit, and to repair the ones that have been damaged. The spider can be a magnificent totem for those approaching soul retrieval but can also be a powerful guardian as well. Spider challenges us to face our fears and overcome them by recognizing them for what they are and showing us the results of complacent thinking.



On a dreaming level where magick truly happens and the spirit begins to show us the path to wholeness, the spider can alert us to dangers, become a talisman of good fortune ( generally the larger the spider the better the luck), and can also cause us to consider our lives on a closer level. Are you living a balanced life? Are you reaching your full creative potential? Are your associates balanced or are they causing you an imbalance? If you are concerned about financial issues consider the spider as a multifunctional charm.



The spider doesn't worry about where its next meal is coming from, and rarely with a few exceptions does it leave its web for food, it simply knows that it is taken care of. This is a vital lesson for everyone who walks a spiritual path. To know that we will be taken care of and that all of our needs will be met even though we may run into snares in our webbing, is important to the weaving of the fabric of our realities. When we see ourselves as balanced and powerful beings we become balanced and powerful beings. When we are assured that our needs will be met, they are. Sometimes the simplest animals can be our most profound teachers if only we be still and listen to what they have to say.


* taken from http://www.thegraveyardpress.jswebpro.n ... spider.htm *

[deacongray]

I really loved this article. I think what I loved the most about it that it touches on the basic fears that people have, even if they are deep inside.

Good work Aislin and thank you for sharing this:)

[GOTHIKA]

[nar'suan'ark]

[RavenHarte]

[GOTHIKA]