A search can be undertaken to see if theres any known archaeological or historical evidence. The Great Spirit took pity on them and sent down someone to unfold their limbs, dry them off, and open their eyes. . Grandmother Spider looked then like she looks now, she had a small torso suspended by two sets of legs that turned the other way. Inner journeying enables humans to leave the temporal world, in a broadly meditative state. To this day, Anansi is the keeper of tales. Are you weaving your dreams and imaginings into reality? Also, some deities were adopted; for example the Romans adopted and renamed some ancient Greek deities. All of the gods of Olympus were invited, including Hera, Aphrodite and Athena but Eris name got left off the guest list, because everyone knew how much she enjoyed causing a ruckus. This spider certainly thinks of itself as a higher being. This is, broadly speaking, a rather simplified approach to working formally with deity as archetype. Generally my preference is for modern books on spirituality written in plain, modern English. I bought a figurine of Coventina at a camp in August 2011 because it attracted me, and it found a home on my altar. When Opossum came to the East, he soon found the beautiful, red fire, jealously guarded by the people of the East. Belief in malevolent spirits inhabiting the human body has persisted across cultures for millennia. By. 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. Close your eyes and spend a few minutes relaxing your body, particularly around the neck and shoulders. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. So Grandmother Spider taught the Human People how to feed the fire sticks and wood to keep it from dying, how to keep the fire safe in a circle of stone so it couldnt escape and hurt them or their homes. Spiders are lucky creatures, and dubbed happy insects. In the Torah, there is a story of David, who would later become King of Israel, being pursued by soldiers sent by King Saul. In the Hopi creation story, Spider Woman is the goddess of the earth. Every bit of hair had burned from his tail, and to this day, opossums have no hair at all on their tails. Spiders are also associated with this Goddess as she is seen as a weaver of fate. We can derive even more Spider symbol meaning when we consider certain subtle characteristics that represent ancient symbols of infinity. I'm aware of the African "Anansi," god of stories, The Native American trickster Iktomi, the Navajo/Hopi Grandmother Spider, spiders in japanese, islamic, jewish and oceanic folklore, etc. From very interesting discussions at a one day One Tree gathering of Hindus and Druids Ive discovered that there is some common ground with Druidic spirituality! Although there is little documented information about Veles, parts of Poland, Russia and Czechoslovakia are rich in oral history about him. 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. During the Middle Ages, exorcisms were commonplace to rid individuals of supposed demonic possession. Origins and History Crafting small items for an altar by hand can be most enjoyable, whilst thinking loving thoughts of the deity in question. However, there was plenty of unwanted wood lying around for fuel to burn on my wood burner. A Spider tattoo can also be a symbol of destiny and the Fates. A very pleasant way of honouring the deities is by creating an altar. (feel free to reblog with any ideas!). Lets takea look at the lessons from the Druid Spider by contemplating its web.Seeing the Spider weaving a web, it signals to us that we must weave our own lives. 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. We have all shared relationships with family, lovers, friends, and even other species such as dogs. I remember small black spiders that dotted the sea, constantly weaving and fixing strands all over, they seemed to work around me, mostly unaware of my presence. A number of inner journeys followed, and I connected with her. Loki has become a bit of a pop culture icon lately, thanks to the series of Avengers movies, in which he is played by British actor Tom Hiddleston. A parallel story appears in the life of the prophet Mohammed, who hid in a cave when fleeing his enemies. Also, non-pagan related, but now that you like spiders you should check out r/spiderbro! The apparent functions of deities in a pantheon can overlap or vary, and the same deity can have more than one name, and theyre often connected. Imagine a number of people many hundreds of years ago coming upon the land and spring and deciding to settle. Marzanna, the Goddess of Winter and Death. 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. Spiders in Druidry. But he took so long standing over the fire, trying to find the perfect piece to steal that his white feathers were smoked black. Pantheons are never as well defined as they may at first appear. The ability to forgive and provide for her children and put them before herself is the essence of a . 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. However, often these trickster gods have a purpose behind their trouble-making plans! Open the gate, walk through, then close the gate. Any tips for the next time I encounter this thing? When we take a good look at this diversity, we can also look at the web-like construct of our own lives. This broad spectrum of impressions has influenced origin myths, legends, art, literature, music, architecture, and technology throughout history. As we all know, Druidry is a spiritual path based in Nature. I could feel how the strands interacted with each other, and could feel the area of my awareness expand far greater than I felt like I achieved before. 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. Cross the stile and follow the path into the wood. which of the following statements is true about cooperatives? I have heard that the people in the East have fire. This caused a stir of wonder, What could fire be? There was a general discussion, and it was decided that if, as rumour had it, fire was warm and gave light, they should have it too. Try to let go of any worries and calm the mind. For more just look it up on youtube Taranta, look for the 1950s videos. It is a symbol of creative power, reflected in its ability to spin a silken web. Spiders in their webs are linked with a sacred rock and ceremony for the Rembarrnga people in central Arnhem Land. A giant tree sprouted in front of the cave, and a spider built a web between the cave and the tree, with similar results.. I belive there is a trickster deity that usually takes the form of a spider, I cant recall the name unfortunately. They dont need to be masterpieces, as its the intent that counts. She was so small, the people from the East took no notice. Hopi ( Native American ): In the Hopi creation story, Spider Woman is the goddess of the earth. While she was at it, she taught the humans about pottery made of clay and fire, and about weaving and spinning, at which Grandmother Spider was an expert. Does the guide or teaching insist you must follow it exclusively, or lose your way? I found the following on a website, spiderzrule.com: 1507 Yet the material presented here can be adapted to deities in other spiritualities or religions, on the common basis of loving connection and universality. Interestingly, while Elegua is often portrayed as an old man, another incarnation is that of a young child, because he is associated with both the end and the beginning of life. Finally, Veles is a well-known mischief-maker, similar to the Norse Loki or Greeces Hermes. So, if enough people venerate or honour the feature for long enough, including devising and performing ceremonies, and naming the feature, it is gradually empowered and can become a deity. It is also associated with keeping the feminine energies of creation alive and strong. In Hopi creation myth, Spider Woman is goddess of the earth. It seemed to move and act like someone who was old, and expected to be respected in the same fashion. 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. So my question: has anyone else here had similar experiences/connections with spiders? Venerating the deities helps to re-empower Nature and the land, and ourselves. A typical Anansi story involves Anansi the Spider getting into some sort of mischief hes usually facing a horrible fate like death or being eaten alive and he always manages to talk his way out of the situation with his clever words. Please remember that everybodys perception of a given deity is unique to a point, and that the following example has limited instructional value in itself. This is only a starting point as one may discover other attributes of a particular deity over time. This is why the Spider is considered the teacher of language and the magic of writing. The variety of spider families is vast and includes, among many others, the classic orb-weavers; the funnel-web weavers, the ones who make little gauzy tunnels in the grass; the wolf spiders and the crab spiders, whom you often see in the garden; and the jumping spiders, who hunt their prey actively and have exceptional vision. Answer: TITHONUS is the god of insects, thats about as close as your going to get, now if you take all the pantheons and choose gods that are similar, IE Lunar Deities, Solar Deities, etc, then you could make the assumption that Uatchit was goddess of both since they both live in the marshes Eventually, pride and arrogance lead Arachne to boast that her work was even better than Athenas. I get a very "teacher" or "mentor" like feeling from the spider. The series of geoglyphs depict straight lines and giant creatures, and were created between 400 and 650 AD. Tiny Grandmother Spider shouted with all her might, LET ME TRY IT PLEASE! Though the council members thought Grandmother Spider had little chance of success, it was agreed that she should have her turn. And now a very minor God of Cicadas. I remember during one vision when it didn't touch me at all, merely helped me into the web then watched me as I moved on my own. A lot of the Lokeans I know seem to associate spiders with Loki. So far, matters have been discussed on the level of mind. The image of the spider features widely in art and literature in China, and spider jewelry or charms are worn to bring good luck. Working with deities tends to be a circle in many ways. The mysterious Nazca lines in the desert of southern Peru contain arachnid imagery. You will not be yelled at for asking questions. For example, in ancient India, it is written that a large spider wove the web that is our universe. He was the one responsible for conjuring a great flood that wiped out the world after the Creator built it, and then used magic to rebuild the current world. Connection with deity can include love, inspiration, empowerment in various forms, guidance, healing and support in times of difficulty. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. As he played his flute, melting the snow and bringing the warmth of spring, everyone in a nearby village was so excited about the change in seasons that they danced from dusk until dawn. Note the synchronicity around my long acquaintance with springs, and finding a figurine of a lesser known deity. One of the more intriguing etymologies of his name connects it to the Swedish dialect-word Locke ("spider"), which places Loki in the world continuum of Trickster Gods with animal forms. Keep up the good work. Yet the material presented here can be adapted to deities in other . The Animal and Bird People decided that lief was not good, but cold and miserable. Egyptian goddess neith is too (weaver of destiny) Loki is a god in Norse and Germanic mythology whose very name stirs debate in the pagan community. Jorgumo morphs into a beautiful woman to beguile warriors into marrying her. In some eastern cultures the spider is seen as a trickster. He is well known as a deceiver and a shapeshifter. Any thoughts on who/what the spider might be? Loki is associated to a lessor extent with spider (as he invented a fishing net aka a web that catches fish) and flies (he turned into one in a myth a think) also his name loki in some Scandinavian dialects means knot with connections to weaving or the threads of a web or net. In addition, the vast majority of us are not sufficiently evolved to understand them. It reflects a duality that both horrifies and fascinates us, cementing its position in our world as an unforgettable symbol. But, who should have the honour? Privacy Policy. In the visions I could feel all the strands interacting with the environment and with things that were beyond my sight. I will go to the East and since I am a great hunter, I will take the fire and hide it in the bushy hair on my tail. It was well know that Opossum had the furriest tail of all the animals, so he was selected. I would appreciate if somebody could name a few gods/deities that are associated with wasps/hornets/spiders or tbh any insect. (2021, August 2). Those who weave magic with the written word probably have a Spider as a guide. Lewes BN7 1DX Birds joyfully sing their praises to the Sun. He was Knight and Overlord of Annandale. Well that's fascinating. In both Cree and Algonquin folklore, Wisakedjak shows up as a troublemaker. (At this point follow your intuition if possible and let events flow). You follow the Spider and you see that she walks to a tree. It seems that some people connect with a deity whose attributes are compatible with their particular personality traits and their spiritual path, and that their experiences are vastly different. Before you the footpath runs through a beautiful meadow. The ancient Greeks were no different. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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. July 12, 2021. When the Spider appears to us, it is a message to be mindful of the choices we are making. Perhaps this is the very beginning of the process of a natural feature becoming a deity. Arianrhod's Archetype. Aphrodite offered Paris a bribe he couldnt resist Helen, the lovely young wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. UK: +44 (0)1273470888. 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. There can also be the occasional pleasant surprise, perhaps in the form of a sudden insight. Knowing the magical plants associated with your deities will help you learn, as well as give ideas of appropriate offerings. In Japan the Spider Princess, a mythological spider figure called Jorgumo, is able to transform into a seductive woman who entraps travelling samurai. From that exit, you see a small garden Spider approaching. I can also tell more if asked.) Meditation upon this card would be beneficial for anyone with the Spider as a guide. Anansi tales have been traced back to Ghana as their country of origin. For more information, please see our Kharga Oasis spider rock art may be astronomical writing, Very unusual rock art discovered in Egypt. The retelling of these "spider tales" imparts moral lessons through the generations. Anansi literally means spider. Egyptian Goddess of Weaving (via HeartsPM). Anansi the Spider appears in a number of West African folktales, and is able to shift . This can happen over time. In Druidry, the Spider represents The Bard, the Ovate and the Druid. Subtle summer scents grace the warm air. "Trickster Gods and Goddesses." OBOD **UPDATE TO SITUATION IN COMMENTS BELOW** 11/9/18. Two people may well have different experiences with the same deity. For more about Coventina, see her entry in the OBOD online library. Thanks for the great info! 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 . 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. Remember to enjoy the journey and not regard it as a means to an end! Imagine a brown recluse, but Aragog/Shelob size, for reference. Once again, the powwow had to find a volunteer chief. It calls us to make use of our creativity and weave our dreams into our destiny. Loki is associated (mainly by UPG) with spiders by many a folk who work with him, Anansi the trickster god is often said to take the shape of spiders. 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. Zeus, trying to be helpful, chose a young man named Paris, a prince of the city of Troy, to select a winner. Laverna was the patron of charlatans and thieves. A goddess of chaos, Eris is often present in times of discord and strife. While waiting, he watched a Spider building a web in the caves entrance. But instead of filling me with dread like usual, I've had this strange curiosity and connection, like I can see their eyes in a way I didn't before. I could feel the weight, the warmth, the strange pulse of it. 3. However, outside the Isles it may not be this well known, so here is the story: King Robert the Bruce I was born at Lochmaben Castle in 1274.