The Sacred Spider

 As Witches, Metaphysical workers, Pagans, and Spiritualists (who have I missed?)... we tend to have one thing in common and that is reverence for the Earth and Nature. We spend time in the rivers and streams cleansing our souls, get solace and energy from trees and read the clouds for symbols... I mean who doesn't turn to nature for relaxation and rejuvenation?

     But what about when there's a tarantula in your bathroom at 3 am? That is a trying time for anyone... unless you're a huge tarantula lover. Personally I have had several spiders encounters in the last two months including a Brown Recluse in the compost, a Black Widow on a friend's doorstep and a tarantula in my bathroom! Now keep in mind I live in Austin, Texas and we have had an abnormally rainy spring and early summer... in fact, it has only begun to dry up very recently. All of this moisture has contributed to more insects than usual. However, being a metaphysical person with an affinity towards nature... I have to ask myself; "Is this a sign.".

     The tarantula was the final straw and most obvious symbol. I've done my research and it is not common, even in Austin, to have a tarantula sighting indoors. In fact, tarantula sightings, in general, are pretty uncommon North Austin. The interesting thing about this spider is that it is almost harmless to humans, it's bite feels very similar to a wasp sting and they are known for being very gentle unless threatened. It was a large, furry, kind representative from the spider family sent to console me after all of the understandable arachnophobia which has ensued in our home after the sightings of quite dangerous creatures.

     So all of this has got me thinking about the spider as a sacred figure around the world. Recently I had a very pleasant conversation with a gentleman of the Osage heritage. He was proudly inked with a beautiful spider figure on his hand, which is traditional in his mother's tribe. He told me that the spider is a symbol of creativity, patience, and wisdom. That makes sense.

     There are spider myths and stories from all over the world in different historic settings from Arachne to Robert the Bruce.  My personal favorite Spider figures come from Native American and African traditions where the Spider is often a trickster or a Creation Goddess. In the Hopi sacred stories, the Spider Woman is the Goddess of Earth who molds the first people from clay. Tawa, her Sun God mate conceptualizes the people and she creates them. Together they created Adam and Eve. In Cherokee spiritual tales Grandmother Spider is the one who brought light to the world, she rolled it home in a clay bowl which she created. In West Africa, Anansi is a trickster God associated with wisdom, creation, and storytelling. In some cases, he is believed to have created the sun, the moon, and the stars as well as having taught humans agriculture.

     So we definitely see the connections loud and clear: creation, creativity, fertility, the earth, wisdom, protection. The question is, how can we work with the Spider as modern people? How does the Spider manifest to us in current times?

Here is a spell which from The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells, by Judika Illes. pg. 806.

"The golden money spider weaves a web of riches. As the old saying 'If you wish to thrive, let the spider stay alive,' reminds us, killing a spider is considered detrimental to one's own good fortune."

1. Draw a picture of the spider hidden in its labyrinthine web on red paper with gold ink.

2. Place the picture in a corner with a saucer underneath it.

3. Toss a few coins onto the saucer and make an invocation. Express your needs to the spider.

4. Once a week or whenever the spider comes through for you, toss a few more coins onto the plate.

pg. 447 Indicates "A Hungarian Roman fertility cure is puzzling unless one understands the spiritual reasons underlying it: a barren woman gathers spider webs and eats them, together with her male partner. Spider webs are more poetically known as gossamer thread and gossamer is reputed to be spun by the fairies."

     As with any sacred figure, there are two aspects. There is also a darkness to the spider. In the New Orleans and Hoodoo traditions, the Spider Queen can be called upon for defensive and protective magick as well as blessings. In this tradition, spider eggs were believed to be given to enemies inside of dumplings. Many old blues songs depict lyrics which refer to the curse of spider dumplings. In addition, you can call upon this Spider Queen to weave her web around your enemies.

Well... you know where I'll be... I've got some serious spider work to attend to!

Until next time, Blessed Be!