Belief in malevolent spirits inhabiting the human body has persisted across cultures for millennia. Incredible read, I learn so much from this amazing creature. The spider weaves her web so steadily that is fascinates you and soon you realise that the weaving itself is a meditation. The spiral of the web, converging at a central point, is something to be meditated upon by those with Spiders as a guide: If a Spider is a guide in your life, ask yourself some important questions: Remember that the Spider is the keeper of knowledge and of the primordial alphabet. In modern times, Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced "SAH-win") is usually celebrated from October. We can derive even more Spider symbol meaning when we consider certain subtle characteristics that represent ancient symbols of infinity. Both Cree and Algonquin storytellers know the tales of Wisakedjak. Maybe Arachne, the Greek woman who was turned into the first spider by Hera. In latter-day paganism, Hecterions (a form of pillar) depict the goddess with six arms, three torches and three sacred symbols: A Key, A Rope and A Dagger. A song, chant or poem can be written to honour a deity. I remember it embracing me, I remember it letting me see through its eyes, I remember crawling around on the web and growing more legs and eyes of my own! about Kharga Oasis spider rock art may be astronomical writing, about Very unusual rock art discovered in Egypt, Mother and Child Reunion Of Thetis And Achilles, Seductive Sirens of Greek Mythology and How Heroes Resisted Them, Celestial Goddess Selene: The Ancient Greek Goddess of the Moon, Pegasus of Greek Mythology: Majestic Winged Horse of Mount Olympus, Dreams of Human-Powered Flight: Daedalus and the Story of Icarus. Spiders and webs have been featured in traditions around the world, and have meant many things to many cultures. He is described in the Prose Edda as a "contriver of fraud." I got the sense that it thought of the lion as clumsy, and became agitated if the lion was caught messing with the webs. (RNS) When the U.S. Supreme Court was hearing the Obergefell v. Hodges case that eventually made marriage equality a reality across the nation, pagans held . In many cultures spiders stand as the creators of our universe and world, and also serve as agents of destruction. Two weeks ago, Egyptologist Salima Ikram announced the discovery of a very unusual rock panel in the Kharga Oasis, 175 kilometres west of Luxor in Egypt. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. Grandmother Spider looked then like she looks now, she had a small torso suspended by two sets of legs that turned the other way. Naturally, Athena, Aphrodite and Hera had to bicker over who was the rightful owner of the apple. Yet the material presented here can be adapted to deities in other . In both Cree and Algonquin folklore, Wisakedjak shows up as a troublemaker. While he offers us opportunity, he is just as likely to throw an obstacle in our way. And to this day, buzzards have naked heads that are bright red and blistered. His head was now bare of feathers, red and blistered looking. Do you need to pay attention to your balance and where you are walking in life? However, often these trickster gods have a purpose behind their trouble-making plans! After crossing the meadow you arrive at a stile leading into a wood, with a noble Oak either side. . The spider would speak to it, through me, telling the lion to watch his behavior. Loki is a god in Norse and Germanic mythology whose very name stirs debate in the pagan community. Theyre not bound by space and time in the way humans in the temporal, everyday world are. She was honored by the ancient Greeks, and is still celebrated by many modern Pagans. One example is the Ogham. Hes a trickster deity, though worshipping/working with him may be a closed practice. https://www.learnreligions.com/trickster-gods-and-goddesses-2561501 (accessed March 5, 2023). The spider is an ancient and powerful symbol found round the globe, and have always elicited a wide range of emotions in people: fear, disgust, panic, and sometimes curiosity and appreciation. All the People met in a great powwow, with the Animal and Bird People taking the lead, and the Human People hanging back. A lot of the Lokeans I know seem to associate spiders with Loki. It is believed that these tales served not only as a form of cultural identity for enslaved West Africans, but also as a series of lessons on how to rise up and outsmart those who would harm or oppress the less powerful. Knowing her is a beautiful blessing, but I make no rash promises. Privacy Policy. The deities considered here are associated with the Celts, and Druidic nature spirituality. Huacas de Moche: A Moche Capital and Religious Site with Spider Mural ( Living in Peru ). In my practice (which is really an integral part of daily life) love, meditation and inner journeying are of greatest importance. Any reward may come in its own time. Mrohu. They made a beautiful design to decorate their homes, a picture of Grandmother Spider, two sets of legs up, two down, with a fire symbol on her back. As we all know, Druidry is a spiritual path based in Nature. You arrive in a small glade and settle on the soft grass, awaiting the arrival of a deity. Featured image: Arachne depicted as a half-spider half-human in Dante's Purgatorio, by Gustave Dor ( Public Domain ), Happiness Dropped from Heaven Cultural China, Arachne, The Greek Goddess Who Became The First Spider - GoddessGift, Peruvian Temple of the Spider God Revealed - Softpedia, Cultural depictions of spiders - Wikipedia, Spider Mythology and Folklore About Religion, Liz Leafloor is former Art Director for Ancient Origins Magazine. As a Bard it produces works of art as depicted in the many kinds of webs it can produce; as an Ovate seer, to determine the best spot for the web or hide-out for the hunt, and the lessons the animal teaches us shows us the Druid side of Spider lore, or as some call it, Spider Medicine. With that weaving you imagine her as a creator weaving the whole universe and you also imagine her as a dream catcher weaving the net to manifest our deepest desires. This is right, as my behavior is my responsibility. Arachne returned to the living as a spider (via GreekMythology). Veles is an underworld god, associated with the souls of deceased ancestors. Like the Anansi tales, the Wisakedjak stories have a clear pattern and format, usually beginning with Wisakedjak trying to trick someone or something into doing him a favor, and always having a moral at the end. UK In Germany and Ukraine, it is tradition to include spiders and webs in Christmas tree decorations, due to the association between tinsel decorations and the spider web strands. The timid humans, whom none of the animals or birds thought much of, were volunteering! But, who should have the honour? A Spider tattoo can also be a symbol of destiny and the Fates. Are you feeling closed in or stuck, as if in a web? I view the deities as real and an integral part of daily life, Nature, and my self. Ive even heard them talking about Loki sending spiders Well theres Anansi! I know someone who connects with a Celtic deity from France! I can also tell more if asked.) After a week or two, I began making flower offerings to the spring. She sits at the centre of the web, controlling things via the strings. She ends her teachings by telling you that she weaves a new web every day. Certainly an enigmatic symbol, the spider has different meanings and purposes according to different cultures. I have visited this site casually but this is the first article that truly grabbed my attention and I love it. After interacting with her I began to see spiders everywhere and dream about a mysterious female presence that was associated with them. In venerating a local deity, the greater aspect of deity is also being honoured. The lesson the spider is teaching here is persistence. Laverna was the patron of charlatans and thieves. by Dennis Hazenbroek ~ Spiders in Druidry As we all know, Druidry is a spiritual path based in Nature. (At this point follow your intuition if possible and let events flow). Athena had that story of Arachnae. Kharga Oasis spider rock art may be astronomical writing, Very unusual rock art discovered in Egypt. Poor Opossum! This does not need to be complex or large and can even be placed on a shelf, and items that represent the deity or deities of your choice can be placed upon it. I felt reality slip away and found myself in an expansive darkness, with my body slowly sinking into a sea of thin, silvery spiderwebs. This, or a similar journey can also be used to meet animal guides, etc. How are my choices affecting others in my life? Opiyel Guabiron. Our experience of relationships with other humans, etc, is invaluable, as relationship with deities is somewhat like these all rolled into one. At the same time a strengthening feeling of gratitude and reverence was felt as I became more aware of the beauty of the spring, and of my need of it for survival. In some eastern cultures the spider is seen as a trickster. Caw!, The Council said, Opossum has failed. There are deities of rivers, for example Severina (or Sabrina) of the River Severn. The references to menacing, deadly spiders are countless in modern culture, and their scary natures are illustrated time and time again in our movies, art, literature and popular culture. Using cunning and cleverness, Anansi was able to capture Python and Leopard, as well as several other hard-to-catch beings, all of whom were part of Nyames price. Anubis (Egyptian) Paul Seheult / Getty Images Anansi the spider decided he wanted stories of his own, and offered to buy them from Nyame, but Nyame didnt want to share the stories with anyone. In the myth, Arachne claimed that she was a better weaver than the Goddess Athena. You will not be yelled at for asking questions. The Spider as a guide (or totem, familiar, etc) serves as a reminder that our choices construct our lives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Paris selected Aphrodite to receive the apple, and thus guaranteed that his hometown would be demolished by the end of the war. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Although there is little documented information about Veles, parts of Poland, Russia and Czechoslovakia are rich in oral history about him. Wigington, Patti. Also somewhat scary. The retelling of these spider tales imparts moral lessons through the generations. I lived under canvas, with solar power for radio and music. In the tarot deck is a card The Wheel of Fortune. Mokosh, the Fertility Goddess. I've not been actively seeking out this spider entity. Some suggest the spider could have been a fertility symbol in the Nazca culture, and the senior astronomer at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum posits that the spider is a representation of the Orion constellation. From that exit, you see a small garden Spider approaching. Allow up to about 30 minutes. Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? Hopi ( Native American ): In the Hopi creation story, Spider Woman is the goddess of the earth. Zeus, trying to be helpful, chose a young man named Paris, a prince of the city of Troy, to select a winner. It seems like they appear when I am in distress (I suffer from pretty bad anxiety) or if I'm making a powerful choice (voting for instance.) The spider is a trickster god in West African stories, personifying the creation deity Anansi. Yet the material presented here can be adapted to deities in other spiritualities or religions, on the common basis of loving connection and universality. Imagine youre walking down a footpath in the countryside and arrive at a gate. and our For more about Coventina, see her entry in the OBOD online library. By. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. A giant tree sprouted in front of the cave, and a spider built a web between the cave and the tree, with similar results.. OBOD (2021, August 2). Updated on September 16, 2019. But he took so long standing over the fire, trying to find the perfect piece to steal that his white feathers were smoked black. Loki is known for bringing about chaos and discord, but by challenging the gods, he also brings about change. I've become more aware of spiders, and my attitude toward them is changing. PO Box 1333 All the People moved around by touch, and if they found something that didnt eat them first, they ate it raw, for they had no fire to cook it. Are you using your creative opportunities? The goddess Athena was furious and, in a rage, destroyed Arachnes work. The moderators here have all been approved by the tumblr pagan community at large. Archaeologists have discovered a rock panel in the Kharga Oasis about 175 kilometres west of Luxor in Egypt, which is believed to contain the only known example of spider rock art in Egypt and, it As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. Spider webs serve as homes, food storage, egg incubators and are almost limitless in their functionality. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/trickster-gods-and-goddesses-2561501. Relationship with deities is inclusive in that a single deity will generally have many followers, just as a human may revere a number of deities. Crow at that time was pure white, and had the sweetest singing voice of all the birds. Grandmother Spider again said, Let em go! Elegua originates in the Yoruba culture and religion of West Africa. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. UK Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. It appears that shes not concerned about my faults; what matters is my integrity, and the quality and truth of my love with respect to her, and all life. Even when I come out of the visions and ground myself for quite a while I will sense webbing that seems to drift outward towards something I can't see. She tells you that she takes down the web when it is ruined and begins again everyday and she never has to think about it, she just spins her web with great care. Lewes BN7 1DX The once-mortal Lover of Eos, Goddess of the Dawn. In any case the response, if any, to a prayer may not be what one expects and can happen in its own time. The Spider is The Bard, the Ovate and the Druid rolled into one. She tossed a golden apple the Apple of Discord into the crowd, and said it was for the most beautiful of the goddesses. With its gentle strength, Spider spins together the threads of life with intricate webs. Those animals include the fox . In many traditions, the spider is a good omen and a helpful savior. Arachnids and their webs embody many traits and interpretations, including resourcefulness, creation and destruction, cunning, deception, intrigue, the feminine, wisdom, fortune, patience, and death. A dog-shaped god that watched over the dead; often associated with the Greek Cerberus . that might be UPG but Ive heard it pretty often. Eventually, pride and arrogance lead Arachne to boast that her work was even better than Athenas. This is because the rational, linear mind can only take us so far. Patti Wigington writes in About Religion , In several cultures, spiders are credited with saving the lives of great leaders. Does the guide say you are the second coming, or something similarly extravagant? Spider knows the past affects the future and visa versa. We assign names and gender to deities, but to some extent this is an artificial device to enable us to identify with them. Arachne, horrified and ashamed to realize where her hubris had taken her, hanged herself. Every bit of hair had burned from his tail, and to this day, opossums have no hair at all on their tails. Hes actually a spider, a west african trickster deity. The deities are totally detached by human standards. This spider certainly thinks of itself as a higher being. A search can be undertaken to see if theres any known archaeological or historical evidence. The Choctaw remember. To this day, Anansi is the keeper of tales. Spiders, contrary to their sometimes fearsome or creepy physical appearances, are not always portrayed as dangerous creatures or destructive emblems. The priest went to confront her but she was gone. bob ingham family tree The following meditation/inner journey is one way of encountering a deity. Today it feels like an it, but I've address it as a He and a She as well. Keep up the good work. Heather Greene. Cross the stile and follow the path into the wood. And he breathed so much smoke that when he tried to sing, out came a harsh, Caw! The series of geoglyphs depict straight lines and giant creatures, and were created between 400 and 650 AD. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. Jorgumo morphs into a beautiful woman to beguile warriors into marrying her. In addition, the vast majority of us are not sufficiently evolved to understand them. Trickster Gods and Goddesses. Finally, Veles is a well-known mischief-maker, similar to the Norse Loki or Greeces Hermes. Without Loki's influence, the gods may become complacent, so Loki does actually serve a worthwhile purpose, much as Coyote does in the Native American tales, or Anansi the spider in African lore. Venerating the deities helps to re-empower Nature and the land, and ourselves. It is a symbol of creative power, reflected in its ability to spin a silken web. I would appreciate if somebody could name a few gods/deities that are associated with wasps/hornets/spiders or tbh any insect. Please remember that the above described relationship with Coventina is unique to my spiritual path. Colours: Silver and white. I have decided to let the spider come to me again the next time I try to engage my psychic abilities, to see if this thing has any other lessons to teach. So, ask us. As with most other gods, Loki is associated with certain sacred animals. In one legend, Kokopelli was traveling through the land, turning winter into spring with the beautiful notes from his flute, and calling the rain to come so that there would be a successful harvest later in the year. Goddesses and Magical Plant Associations He is well known as a deceiver and a shapeshifter. This is because Spiders are related to death because of the venom they carry. However beautiful the relationship, one is not preferred over other people who venerate her, as is usually the case with deities. The Ogham can be found in the web of a Spider. I've been finding them in my home, in my work, even earlier this morning in the voting booth! This tumblr blog is here to answer any and all of your pagan (or witchcraft) related questions. Anansi comes from Ghana, where his adventures are told in songs and stories. These tales show spider teaching skill and wisdom in speech, slave resistance and survival as well as teaching mankind the techniques of agriculture and so we see again a kinship in spiders lessons reaching many cultures in a profound way. Multiple layers and meaning. During one of the visions, I decided to "sink into the webs" and interact with the entity while my partner tried to enter the plane and observe. The Spider teaches us to maintain a balance between past and future, physical and spiritual, male and female. Soon after their night of dancing to Kokopellis flute, the people discovered that every woman in the village was now with child. The altar can be placed in practically any room; an altar to a water deity could be placed in the bathroom for example. I've been spending most of today doing research. Are you becoming too involved and/or self-absorbed? And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Spider is associated with maternity, feminine power and the power of your words and art. For background, I'm pretty new to the pagan scene. The webs this spider maintains/produces(?) More recently, she opened a portal to the oceans via her pool, where over time I started to feel the wondrous unconditional love of the worlds waters. Theres truth in this, but it can work both ways; it takes two to develop relationship. According to legend, she was born fully formed from the white sea form that arose when the god Uranus was castrated. The people of the East said, Look! It calls us to make use of our creativity and weave our dreams into our destiny. As her golden threads are woven into my being, her lovely presence and companionship can often be felt by just thinking of her, if my mind is clear. Nor must I forget to mention the West African and Caribbean trickster spirit Anansi, also known as Ananse, Kwaku Ananse, and Anancy whose story is like the tricksters Coyote, Raven or Iktomi found in many Native American cultures and Loki found in Norse mythology. This is so their children never forget to honour Grandmother Spider, Fire bringer! Author unknown. Good books of this kind inspire and can be read with both mind and heart. A number of inner journeys followed, and I connected with her. It helps us to re-connect with Nature and Great Spirit (the Source, the All), assists with self-realisation (know thyself) and can enrich ones life greatly. However, this works very well, as many people know by experience. From devious Loki to the dancing Kokopelli, most societies have had, at some point, a deity associated with mischief, deceit,betrayaland treachery. Before you the footpath runs through a beautiful meadow. The Choctaw People say that when the People first came up out of the ground, People were encased in cocoons, their eyes closed, their limbs folded tightly to their bodies. I've done a little research concerning spiders in folklore. It is not necessary to fear such deities, but its worth being really respectful! The mortal Arachne was gifted in the art of weaving fine cloth and tapestries, and studied under the goddess Athena, herself a master at weaving and pottery. Image by Cristian Baitg/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images. When I tangled myself in the webbing or crawled around on it, it felt as if the spider was teaching me how, either through demonstration or letting me act on my own. When my body had sunk entirely into webs, I felt a new presence: a large, brown beautiful spider, with large glistening black eyes and big pincers. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. Note the synchronicity around my long acquaintance with springs, and finding a figurine of a lesser known deity. Buzzard has stolen the fire! And they took it and put it back where it came from.Poor Buzzard! Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. Athena had that story of Arachnae. As always with the net, cross-check a number of sites for the sake of accuracy. 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Very much like the lyrics of the famous She may be ancient Egypts most famous face, but the quest to find the eternal resting place of Queen Nefertiti has never been hotter. Despite many Slavic areas being heavily Christian, there is still an interest in the old Slavic folk gods. If, through karma or stupidity a hard lesson has to be learned, we may or may not have a prayer answered or receive any support. It didn't feel necessarily seem full of itself, as much as it seemed like the spider has been here a lot longer than myself or my partner or his spirit. I'm still itching for more info so I'll look into reading all these references individually. Follow the footpath through the verdant meadow and through the gate. Working with deities tends to be a circle in many ways. The lion is a sort of "spirit form" my partner can take on when he is doing witchcraft usually a very passionate and protective being. And this was true of all People, the Bird People, the Animal People, the Insect People, and the Human People. A solution must be found! She was so small, the people from the East took no notice. July 12, 2021. Lada, Goddess of Love and Beauty. "I invited you into this place, I expect you to be respectful while you're here," was one of the comments. Th women would be possessed by the incontrollable urge to dance, after being bitten by the tarantula spider and then a ritual would be performed to bring her back from the throes of furious dancing. Megalithic Sites Are More than Just Stone, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort, The Evidence is Cut in Stone: A Compelling Argument for Lost High Technology in Ancient Egypt, A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. Patti Wigington. While waiting, he watched a Spider building a web in the caves entrance. Ancient Chinese folk culture celebrates spiders. Throughout the history of civilization, the concept of the apocalypse has been ever present, in one way or another. She walked on all of her wonderful legs toward a stream where she had found clay. To the Native Americans, Spider is Grandmother, the link to the past and future. Well that's fascinating. Eris, the original wedding crasher, showed up anyway, and decided to have a little fun. Arachnes work was so beautiful, and her talent so great, that word of her weaving spread far and wide. Spiders are also associated with this Goddess as she is seen as a weaver of fate. However, there was plenty of unwanted wood lying around for fuel to burn on my wood burner. Only the bare bones of connecting with deities are offered, as each of us has our own individual path, and peoples experiences with deities are as varied as people themselves. The Spider fell down time after time, but finally he succeeded with his web. While sorting through some 280,000 artifacts excavated from land reserved for a highway construction project running from Cambridge to the village of Huntingdon in eastern England, archaeologists affiliated with the Museum of London Archaeology discovered a miniature comb that was incredibly ancient and also made from a most unusual material. Cookie Notice An open and loving approach is a great help. Egyptian Goddess of Weaving (via HeartsPM). Because Anansi tales, like many other folktales, began as part of an oral tradition, these stories traveled across the sea to North America during the slave trade. I can succeed where Opossum has failed. Relating with a deity tends to be reciprocal, as the devotional energy of the human empowers the deity a little, and the deity empowers the human. In some cultures, the spider is portrayed negatively. Then a small voice said, We will take it, if Grandmother Spider will help.. A very pleasant way of honouring the deities is by creating an altar. Govinda - Sikh God, preserver, protective father. Athena, feeling that the mortal had learned the error of challenging the gods, turned the hanging rope into web, and Arachne into a spider, so she might weave beautiful creations for all time.