Spiders Are Definitely Cool, not Creepy

I think spiders are fascinating. I know a lot of people are scared of them, and that they can be deadly. I have had a few runs-in with them, and I warn you, if you are scared of them, the second part of this might be a hard read. Hopefully, however, I can help you see that they really are a great spirit animal to have come into your life.

SPIDERS IMPART STRONG MESSAGES:

Take pride in doing things correctly: Spider webs are stunningly beautiful, and they are also strong and serve a critical purpose. Spider takes time to find a good spot to put her web, and then she meticulously builds it with just the right space between strands and works tirelessly to make it large and strong. When a bug flies in and messes it up, she starts over to repair and improve it.

We are all linked: Be grateful and giving: A spider need strongholds to attach her web to, the right place that bugs will come through, shelter so the elements don't ruin her web, a hiding place for her egg sac, the right weather conditions for her babies to come into the world, a little breeze to send them on their way, and a little bit of luck and timing for it all to come together. And, like with any animal, they have a cycle that corresponds to the seasons and is part of the bigger cycle of life.

Be patient and persistent in all areas of your life: Weaving a web is not easy, and waiting for a bug to fly into it takes patience. Sometimes the web needs to be repaired or even moved, and sometimes her meal gets away. She may have several meals stashed away, or goes days without any food.

​Use creativity to find the best solutions to challenges: I have seen webs in the craziest places, some being pretty ingenious. Some are the "classic ones that go easily between leaves, and some have very long tethers to get the web just where she needs it. Sometimes you even see a side web. Webs have a basic pattern, but if you look closely, they are truly functional art.

You have a say in the way your life progresses: Looking at everything said so far, you can see why Spider tells us this. If something isn't working, change it. Refine it, move it, rebuild it, be patient if you think it is the right thing, and use creativity to accomplish all this. Most things ARE in your control.

SPIDER IS VERY MYSTICAL & SPIRITUAL:

The more mystical meaning of spider is about growing your connection to the spiritual and feminine power. Have you noticed that in stories the spider is always female? That's because the female spider is the one who connects it all together. If you struggle with embracing your own feminine power, ask Spider to help. This can be true for a man too, asking Spider to help him see that the feminine side is incredibly strong.

​Many cultures and beliefs have spider as a very powerful and important messenger and bringer of good luck. So even if you are scared of them, appreciate them for what they are and know they are a positive influence in your life! Listen to their message and take it to heart.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH SPIDERS

I find that personal experiences are the best way to understand the messages and blessings from spirit animals. If I have an experience with one directly, or I see a particular animal pop-up several times, I pay attention. If I am really struggling with something, I look in my many books about them to see which one I need to actively ask to help me.

Spider came to me about 25 years ago. I was a Social Worker at a Residential Children's Home and we were on a field trip to the Butterfly Pavilion. They have a tarantula there that you can hold. (Its actually several so the 1 doesn't get too stressed out.) The kids were scared to hold her, but I really felt it was critical for them to see the beauty of nature and to help them learn to respect animals. So, taking a deep breath, I went first. The caretaker placed her in my hand. She was absolutely amazing! So big she took up my whole hand, and I could feel her weight and each of her feet placed in my hand. It was only about 30 seconds, but I was completely enamored with her. It showed the children that they could be brave, and many of them held her after I did.

About 15 years ago, we went on a trip to Australia. Yep, land of most of the poisonous animals on the planet. We were staying with my cousin out on their farm. It was just getting dark one evening when we were walking back to the house, and being careful not to step on any snakes in the grass, I had my head down. From behind me I heard my husband cry "Look out!" But it was too late, I looked up as I was walking... right into a huge spider web at head height.

Flailing my arms, I am sure I looked hilarious as I screamed and ran into the house. Our host was laughing. I went into the bathroom to see what was so funny. It looked like I had pulled my hair back with a hair net! It took 3 washes of my hair to get it out. I did not see the spider, but we had gone on enough walks for me to know that given the strength and size of that web, the spider was probably the size of a silver dollar or bigger.

My next big run-in with a spider was about 8 years ago. We lived in a house that had a daylight basement, and we had a lot of spiders. I caught them and set them outside. Even the brown recluse that liked to come in from the wood pile. I didn't ever see this spider, but I somehow ended up with a bite on my bottom. Yep. My husband could clearly see 2 puncture wounds. Overtime, it got worse, and started to grow bigger and I maybe even had some dead tissue (I couldn't see it of course).

My husband is a nurse, and is also scared of big spiders. So he wanted me to see a doctor. I said no, I wanted to try some natural and alternative methods first. Within a few weeks it was completely cleared up. Now I don't necessarily recommend you do what I did - if it looks bad, go to the doctor.

In smaller ways, I always see spiders in the garden, and when my husband is afraid of them in the house I catch them and let them go. This summer I found a lovely lady in one of my tomato plants. I accidentally ruined her web. I apologized and hoped she would be ok. The next day I went back and she had completely reconstructed it! Overnight!

I said hello to her every morning as I watered the tomatoes, and I was careful not to hit her web. Despite that, I did a few times while picking the tomatoes, and every morning it was reconstructed. She was like my guardian of the vegetables, and I look for her every morning.

I noticed she was getting larger, but always really thin. So thin it made it hard to identify her online. I never saw anything in her web except 1 day she had a honey bee, which made me sad. My brother is an Entomologist, so I sent him a photo and he confirmed that she was a banded garden spider and that she was too skinny. So I found her a juicy moth that I caught with some tweezers. She pounced on it immediately. Over the entire summer I brought her flies, moths, and other bugs. I felt a little bad sacrificing them, she is now huge and so are my tomatoes!