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. The figure of the trickster is an archetype found in cultures the world over. Then ask yourself: Spiders and their webs draw attention to our life choices, but that is not all. 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. TL;DR In a vision I encountered a giant spider spirit, became very fascinated about what I saw, and now I'm curious to see what other witches thought. Animals: snake, falcon, spider, horse, fly, flea, salmon, vulture, wolf, fox; . 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. In any case the response, if any, to a prayer may not be what one expects and can happen in its own time. Spiders have found their way into nursery rhymes and superstition in more recent times. The envisioned revelation, the feared end of the world that will herald an age of purification through horrific and chaotic means Every culture has an explanation about how we got here. 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. I'm aware of the egyptian creation goddess Neith. When we take a good look at this diversity, we can also look at the web-like construct of our own lives. 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. This is only a starting point as one may discover other attributes of a particular deity over time. I'm thinking about asking for it's name the next time I engage the spider. This is why the Spider is considered the teacher of language and the magic of writing. Laverna was then ordered by Jupiter to become the patron goddess of dishonest and disreputable people. Mokosh, the Fertility Goddess. 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. The spider is a trickster god in West African stories, personifying the creation deity Anansi. Everytime I've seen this spider in a vision, it approaches me, without me going to it, and I have felt my own form change to something spider-like. Poor Opossum! In some eastern cultures the spider is seen as a trickster. How do we get the most effective life? [email protected] In 1933, French philologist Georges Dumzil argued that the characterization of Loki as master thief is incredibly ancient, and can be traced back as one of . Welcome to Pagan 101: A safe place to ask questions! So my question: has anyone else here had similar experiences/connections with spiders? 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. Learn Religions. Knowing the magical plants associated with your deities will help you learn, as well as give ideas of appropriate offerings. 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. Connection with deity can include love, inspiration, empowerment in various forms, guidance, healing and support in times of difficulty. 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. Some months later whilst journeying, she showed me a lovely spring running into a small, misty pool. In a contest to determine who was the better artist the mortal or the goddess - Arachne wove a tapestry depicting the gods in a bad light, detailing their debauchery and foolishness. Patti Wigington writes in About Religion , In several cultures, spiders are credited with saving the lives of great leaders. The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. Having worked in news and online media for years, Liz covers exciting and interesting topics like ancient myth, history, Read More. You follow the Spider and you see that she walks to a tree. (At this point follow your intuition if possible and let events flow). Veles is an underworld god, associated with the souls of deceased ancestors. It may seem surprising that someone living in south Worcestershire is connecting with a goddess from so far away, but deities transcend linear distance. For many Santeros, it is important to give Elgua his due, because he plays a role in every aspect of our lives. Perhaps the spring goddess Coventina, who will be discussed later, came into being in this way. After giving her lessons to you, she takes down her web blocking the exit and leaves. In the visions I could feel all the strands interacting with the environment and with things that were beyond my sight. So, ask us. The moderators here have all been approved by the tumblr pagan community at large. The goddess Athena was furious and, in a rage, destroyed Arachnes work. 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. When I came out of the vision with the lion's aid, I remember the sight of the spider literally rolling its eyes at us and calling us child-like. Because of his ability to change his appearance, Lugh sometimes appears as an old man to fool people into believing him weak. Be guided by what deity attracts you, by intuition, feeling, and synchronistic events (coincidences with meaning) which are often small but can lead to greater things. The sea of webs expanded to all corners of my vision, and as the strands wrapped around my body I felt a strange web-like connection. Sometimes the Spider Princess appears to carry a baby, which turns out to be her egg-sack. Athena had that story of Arachnae. This is so their children never forget to honour Grandmother Spider, Fire bringer! Author unknown. Imagine youre walking down a footpath in the countryside and arrive at a gate. Also, non-pagan related, but now that you like spiders you should check out r/spiderbro! One of the Orishas, Elegua (sometimes spelled Eleggua) is a trickster who is known for opening the crossroads for practitioners of Santeria. Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? . Multiple layers and meaning. 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. Are you developing resentment because of it for yourself or them? 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. During the yearly celebration of Velja Noc, Veles sends the souls of the dead out into the world of men as his messengers. Those animals include the fox . . In Aradia, Gospel of the Witches, folklorist Charles Leland tells this tale, quoting Virgil: He goes on to relate a story of how Laverna tricked a priest into selling her an estate in exchange, she promised she would build a temple on the land. The webs this spider maintains/produces(?) With its gentle strength, Spider spins together the threads of life with intricate webs. She took a tiny piece of fire, put it in the container, and covered it with the lid. the female black widow, which will kill and eat the male after mating has exhausted it.The Spider is also associated with its spiral energy, the links with the past and the future. This beautiful water is soft and made everything really clean. (I can tell other stories if asked, My partner often jokes I may be a Hedge Witch, LOL) But recently, I've encountered a being I don't know how to feel about. Spiders in Druidry are linked with the Goddess, some Gods, the wheel of the year, spinning, weaving, each individual human, the world, creations and creation. Mrohu. 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. The Spider, because of its characteristics, has come to be associated with magic and the energy of creation. Zeus, trying to be helpful, chose a young man named Paris, a prince of the city of Troy, to select a winner. Lada, Goddess of Love and Beauty. Egyptian Goddess of Weaving (via HeartsPM). The god of Coaybay or Coabey, the land of the dead. Incredible read, I learn so much from this amazing creature. All the People met in a great powwow, with the Animal and Bird People taking the lead, and the Human People hanging back. For more just look it up on youtube Taranta, look for the 1950s videos. However, often these trickster gods have a purpose behind their trouble-making plans! 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. Eventually, pride and arrogance lead Arachne to boast that her work was even better than Athenas. Ragnark occurs: Odin holds rides to battle and aims his spear towards the gaping mouth of the wolf Fenrir, Thor defends against the serpent Jrmungandr with a shield while wielding his hammer Mjllnir, Freyr and the flaming Surtr fight, and an immense battle goes on around and atop the rainbow bridge . Myths, legends, old texts and scriptures are popular and can provide insight and inspiration. 1. Welcome to Pagan 101: A safe place to ask questions! These deities are often of the land and waterways, etc. In a sense, Coventina is the water. In Druidry, the Spider represents The Bard, the Ovate and the Druid. 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. July 12, 2021. Athena had that story of Arachnae. Who shall we send?. Bear said, Ill take it! but then he burned his paws on it and decided fire was not for animals, for look what happened to Opossum! In my vision he took on the form (and though debatable, the personality of) a lion. I have found that we can learn much more from the webs and their makers, the Spider. Are you focusing on others accomplishments and not on your own? To this day, Anansi is the keeper of tales. (sometimes I use a crystal ball and stones, sometimes I use marijuana, sometimes I just meditate, I don't really have any rubrics for these ritualsI arrange them by what feels right in the moment.) Samhain is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. Maybe our readers have some suggestions? 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. Maybe you've seen his character in the Marvel movies. From devious Loki to the dancing Kokopelli, most societies have had, at some point, a deity associated with mischief, deceit,betrayaland treachery. Owing to the complexity (and often ambiguity) of such material, I only dip my toes in these waters. (This decision was also backed by a STRONG rune reading, advising me to not restrain the entity, but let it come and go as it pleased.). Later, I did some research to find out about her. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Egyptian goddess neith is too (weaver of destiny). I belive there is a trickster deity that usually takes the form of a spider, I cant recall the name unfortunately. In venerating a local deity, the greater aspect of deity is also being honoured. 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. After a week or two, I began making flower offerings to the spring. Hecate's Key is a key to the underworld, Hecate unlocks the secrets of the occult mysteries and knowledge of afterlife. Cross the stile and follow the path into the wood. I've even done some reading about Indra's Net in Vedic Philosophy and Buddhism, though spiders are more of a symbol than an entity in that instance. There are a number of beautifully illustrated childrens books telling the stories of Anansi. Buzzard and Crow have failed. She loves to start trouble, just for her own sense of amusement, and perhaps one of the best known examples of this was a little dustup called the Trojan War. 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. Being crafty and industrious weavers of webs is only one trait of spiders which been used symbolically across the ages. I'm still itching for more info so I'll look into reading all these references individually. Then she walked back on tiptoe along the web until she came to the People. You will not be yelled at for asking questions. So far, matters have been discussed on the level of mind. 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. UK Eventually, the two of them create First Man and First Woman - Tawa conceptualizes them while Spider Woman molds them from clay. Spiders are lucky creatures, and dubbed happy insects. She ends her teachings by telling you that she weaves a new web every day. 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. **UPDATE TO SITUATION IN COMMENTS BELOW** 11/9/18. Egyptian goddess neith is too (weaver of destiny) AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And he breathed so much smoke that when he tried to sing, out came a harsh, Caw! I know someone who connects with a Celtic deity from France! It is a symbol of creative power, reflected in its ability to spin a silken web. After crossing the meadow you arrive at a stile leading into a wood, with a noble Oak either side. Recently I've been discovering some psychic abilities, namely the ability to have strong visions where I encounter different spirits, usually in the form of animals. 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. 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. Spiders are also associated with this Goddess as she is seen as a weaver of fate. He is often associated with doorways, because he will prevent trouble and danger from entering the home of those who have made him offerings and according to the stories, Elegua seems to really like coconut, cigars and candy. There's also Anansi, but you probably want to talk to a . Elegua originates in the Yoruba culture and religion of West Africa. I've crafted different kinds of rituals to get these visions. 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. Eris, the original wedding crasher, showed up anyway, and decided to have a little fun. Lewes BN7 1DX I find her to be loving and generous in addition. 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. The knowledge we have can be found everywhere. She was honored by the ancient Greeks, and is still celebrated by many modern Pagans. By doing so she is signalling that it is time to end your meditation or visualisation. Anansi tales have been traced back to Ghana as their country of origin. Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photo / Getty Images. 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. By. Study of Pagan Gods and Goddesses: Loki In Norse mythology, Loki is known as a trickster. Captioned as "Kampf der untergehenden Gtter ". Good books of this kind inspire and can be read with both mind and heart. Here are some of the best-known gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon. A dip usually restores my good spirits and sometimes I feel great. In your mind, you see an open place with one exit. They made offerings in her name, she took many lovers, and she was often invoked when someone wished to hide their crimes of deception. Patience is also an asset; developing relationship can take time. A solution must be found! According to Scottish Legend, King Robert the Bruce of Scotland, hid in a cave where he saw a persistent Spider weaving her web.The story about Robert the Bruce, the cave and the Spider is well known to all English or Scottish school pupils. Naturally, Athena, Aphrodite and Hera had to bicker over who was the rightful owner of the apple. The altar can be placed in practically any room; an altar to a water deity could be placed in the bathroom for example. Grandmother Spider again said, Let em go! Loki is known for bringing about chaos and discord, but by challenging the gods, he also brings about change. It seems intensely powerful, and I wouldn't want to do anything to get on its bad side or tread where I should not. I could feel the weight, the warmth, the strange pulse of it. But, who should have the honour? The temple was unique in its dedication to a spider god, by the little-known civilization of Cupinisque, who ruled the area for about five centuries, during approximately 1500 BC to 100 BC, as reported by Softpedia. 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. Recording it may be helpful. Buzzard was very proud. 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! Death gods and goddesses are not always considered malevolent; they are often just another part of the cycle of human existence. There are deities of rivers, for example Severina (or Sabrina) of the River Severn. UK Are you becoming too involved and/or self-absorbed? 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. 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. When natural features or entities in the landscape, such as springs or mountains, receive human reverence or veneration over a period of time, the feature or entity acquires a level of consciousness that it would not otherwise possess. The lesson the spider is teaching here is persistence. Rock art and bark paintings in Australia reveal that the indigenous cultures created spider symbols. A search can be undertaken to see if theres any known archaeological or historical evidence. David hid in a cave, and a spider crawled in and built a huge web across the entrance. Open the gate, walk through, then close the gate. Associated with storytelling and wisdom, the spider causes mischief to get the upper hand in dealings with others. Ive even made a tiny altar for when I go to camps, etc. The spider is a powerful image that has endured since ancient times. Certainly an enigmatic symbol, the spider has different meanings and purposes according to different cultures. Spider is associated with maternity, feminine power and the power of your words and art. A dog-shaped god that watched over the dead; often associated with the Greek Cerberus . He is typically dressed in red and black, and often appears in his role as warrior and protector. This makes Veles a major supernatural force in Slavic mythology. Anansi the Spider appears in a number of West African folktales, and is able to shift . The mind needs to be as relaxed and calm as possible, as anxiety or too much expectation will greatly reduce any chance of success in this or any other meditations of this kind. 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. A parallel story appears in the life of the prophet Mohammed, who hid in a cave when fleeing his enemies. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. As with most other gods, Loki is associated with certain sacred animals. I can do it! But this time a bird was elected, Buzzard. (2021, August 2). Does the guide inhibit free will; the capacity to think and act for oneself? I already have a few on my mind but I can't be clear. A song, chant or poem can be written to honour a deity. The Mother: This Archetype is a life-giver and the source of nurturing, devotion, patience and unconditional love. The call of a bird, a gust of wind or the sudden movement of a wild animal may be a nature deity speaking. Of course I must not forget the Greek myth of the maiden Arachne and the Goddess Athena. Could Kharga Oasis Rock Panel Represent Zodiacal Constellations? By. Though in real life I am terrified of spiders, this entity seemed to welcome me to its domain. God of the moon and of rain, rainstorms, and floods; Boinayel's twin brother. The Spider as a guide (or totem, familiar, etc) serves as a reminder that our choices construct our lives. 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. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. 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. Any tips for the next time I encounter this thing? Film Footage Provides Intimate View of HMS Gloucester Shipwreck, Top 8 Legendary Parties - Iconic Celebrations in Ancient History, The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth Behind the Black Legend (Part II), The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth behind the Dark Legend (Part I), Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan, From Ancient Mystery School to Culture Capital: Eleusis Secret Past is Recognized, Iron Age Comb Made from Human Skull Discovered Near Cambridge, Dizzying Inca Rope Bridges Were Grass-Made Marvels of Engineering, Two Centuries Of Naval Espionage In Europe, What is Shambhala? 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. Pantheons are never as well defined as they may at first appear. Spiders in Druidry. Among the various Native American traditions, spider medicine has been known to represent creativity. Images of Kokopelli, thousands of years old, have been found in rock art around the American southwest. We assign names and gender to deities, but to some extent this is an artificial device to enable us to identify with them. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. However, this works very well, as many people know by experience. Two people may well have different experiences with the same deity. I get a very "teacher" or "mentor" like feeling from the spider. Also somewhat scary. Inner journeying enables humans to leave the temporal world, in a broadly meditative state. 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. Spider was said to have woven the alphabet, creating the means for people to communicate and record their history through language. 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. 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. Basically its an exchange of energies. The spider weaves her web so steadily that is fascinates you and soon you realise that the weaving itself is a meditation. In modern times, Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced "SAH-win") is usually celebrated from October. The Ask box is currently closed This tumblr blog is here to answer any and all of your pagan (or witchcraft) related questions. She sits at the centre of the web, controlling things via the strings. PO Box 1333 But Opossum got closer and closer until he picked up a small piece of burning wood, and stuck it in the hair of his tail, which promptly began to smoke, then flame. It may need to be repeated a number of times. I will fly to the East on my great wings, then hide the stolen fire in the beautiful long feathers on my head. The birds and animals still did not understand the nature of fire. Birds joyfully sing their praises to the Sun. 10 Deities of Litha: Summer Solstice Gods and Goddesses, roles as a smith and craftsman and warrior, Wisakedjak stories have a clear pattern and format. Also we have the Higher Self, the Divine Within, which provides a profound potential connection. 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. A Spider tattoo can also be a symbol of destiny and the Fates. Buzzard has stolen the fire! And they took it and put it back where it came from.Poor Buzzard! Generally my preference is for modern books on spirituality written in plain, modern English. Today it feels like an it, but I've address it as a He and a She as well. Do you need to pay attention to your balance and where you are walking in life? The deities considered here are associated with the Celts, and Druidic nature spirituality. Try to really live the scene the scents, sounds, what you see, etc. Perhaps this is the very beginning of the process of a natural feature becoming a deity. 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.