This tumblr blog is here to answer any and all of your pagan (or witchcraft) related questions. Athena had that story of Arachnae. As we all know, Druidry is a spiritual path based in Nature. And this was true of all People, the Bird People, the Animal People, the Insect People, and the Human People. In Druidry, the Spider represents The Bard, the Ovate and the Druid. This is because the rational, linear mind can only take us so far. What really matters is offering open and sincere love, trust, appreciation and respect without thought of reward or expectations. Both Cree and Algonquin storytellers know the tales of Wisakedjak. Spiders in Druidry. 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. 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. I've crafted different kinds of rituals to get these visions. 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 that tree she starts to weave a web blocking the exit. For many Santeros, it is important to give Elgua his due, because he plays a role in every aspect of our lives. https://www.learnreligions.com/trickster-gods-and-goddesses-2561501 (accessed March 5, 2023). 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. 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. 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. Those animals include the fox . This beautiful water is soft and made everything really clean. The Animal and Bird People decided that lief was not good, but cold and miserable. 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. Updated on September 16, 2019. The ancient Moche people of Peru often included nature and spider images in their art. A goddess of chaos, Eris is often present in times of discord and strife. 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. This is why the Spider is considered the teacher of language and the magic of writing. Mrohu. In ancient Greek legend, the worlds first spider was born from the pride of a woman. Together with Tawa, the sun god, she creates the first living beings. And he breathed so much smoke that when he tried to sing, out came a harsh, Caw! Arachne, horrified and ashamed to realize where her hubris had taken her, hanged herself. In Hopi creation myth, Spider Woman is goddess of the earth. I find her to be loving and generous in addition. 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. She walked on all of her wonderful legs toward a stream where she had found clay. Incredible read, I learn so much from this amazing creature. UK: +44 (0)1273470888. In addition, the vast majority of us are not sufficiently evolved to understand them. The people of the East said, Look! Any tips for the next time I encounter this thing? Goddesses and Magical Plant Associations Svarog, the Fire God. The people of the East said, Look, that Opossum has stolen our fire! They took it and put it back where it came from and drove Opossum away. It all started with the wedding of Thetis and Pelias, who would eventually have a son named Achilles. Govinda - Sikh God, preserver, protective father. Does the guide or teaching insist you must follow it exclusively, or lose your way? The spider is a trickster god in West African stories, personifying the creation deity Anansi. Nasca Lines, Spider Geoglyph ( Wikipedia). Hes actually a spider, a west african trickster deity. You follow the Spider and you see that she walks to a tree. 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. But he took so long standing over the fire, trying to find the perfect piece to steal that his white feathers were smoked black. bob ingham family tree 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. When we take a look at the Spider itself and consider most Spiders have eight eyes and all have eight legs, we can see that the Spider also shows the meaning of the number eight, which involves cycles, passage of time, evolution and, as mentioned before, the eight fold path of the year.Spiders are also found to be connected to Halloween or Samhain. It is also suggested the spider image was a powerful political symbol. The blooms of bright yellow buttercups, and white and purple clover raise their lovely faces to the blue sky. Anansi literally means spider. Grandmother Spider volunteered, I can do it! A Roman goddess of thieves, cheats, liars and fraudsters, Laverna managed to get a hill on the Aventine named for her. Spider is associated with maternity, feminine power and the power of your words and art. The aspects of Spider spiritual meaning that relate to networking can also be embodied in this tattoo. The sequel, Anansi Boys, tells the story of Mr. Nancy and his sons. Lewes BN7 1DX Privacy Policy. 2. 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. Captioned as "Kampf der untergehenden Gtter ". Soon after their night of dancing to Kokopellis flute, the people discovered that every woman in the village was now with child. 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. There can also be the occasional pleasant surprise, perhaps in the form of a sudden insight. (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 . 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. Marzanna, the Goddess of Winter and Death. I found the following on a website, spiderzrule.com: 1507 Typically, these deities are associated with the darker half of the year, when the nights get longer and the soil goes cold and dormant. 3. Egyptian Goddess of Weaving (via HeartsPM). When we take a good look at this diversity, we can also look at the web-like construct of our own lives. 1. Actor Tom Hiddleston portrays Loki in the Avengers films. The retelling of these spider tales imparts moral lessons through the generations. 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. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. The image of the spider features widely in art and literature in China, and spider jewelry or charms are worn to bring good luck. During the Middle Ages, exorcisms were commonplace to rid individuals of supposed demonic possession. Ive heard that Loki is commonly associated with spiders. The Ogham can be found in the web of a Spider. You arrive in a small glade and settle on the soft grass, awaiting the arrival of a deity. You stand up and respectfully introduce yourself and await a response. 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. While he offers us opportunity, he is just as likely to throw an obstacle in our way. After interacting with her I began to see spiders everywhere and dream about a mysterious female presence that was associated with them. He is described in the Prose Edda as a "contriver of fraud." It may seem surprising that someone living in south Worcestershire is connecting with a goddess from so far away, but deities transcend linear distance. Trying to understand deities, or a pantheon (a group, or a number of deities, venerated in a single spirituality or religion) of deities, is a very confusing and complex matter. In Druidry, the Spider represents The Bard, the Ovate and the Druid. 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. She is often depicted with a weaving shuttle in her hand, or a bow and arrows, demonstrating her hunting abilities. Pantheons are never as well defined as they may at first appear. She sits at the centre of the web, controlling things via the strings. For more about Coventina, see her entry in the OBOD online library. The spider is a powerful image that has endured since ancient times. One example is the Ogham. This can happen over time. Coventina, an ancient Celtic goddess of wells and springs, and I share a particularly intimate, consistent and truly loving relationship. Any reward may come in its own time. David hid in a cave, and a spider crawled in and built a huge web across the entrance. **UPDATE TO SITUATION IN COMMENTS BELOW** 11/9/18. Also, some deities were adopted; for example the Romans adopted and renamed some ancient Greek deities. She ends her teachings by telling you that she weaves a new web every day. Owing to the complexity (and often ambiguity) of such material, I only dip my toes in these waters. PO Box 1333 Is there knowledge about spiders in the various pantheons I should be aware of? Developing relationship with one or more deities may sound challenging, but is it? Cross the stile and follow the path into the wood. (which he often does. Huacas de Moche: A Moche Capital and Religious Site with Spider Mural ( Living in Peru ). Also somewhat scary. After a week or two, I began making flower offerings to the spring. We're here to help. In my practice (which is really an integral part of daily life) love, meditation and inner journeying are of greatest importance. . Grandmother Spider again said, Let em go! Meditation upon this card would be beneficial for anyone with the Spider as a guide. If the answer to any of the above is yes, its probably best to say a firm yet polite goodbye and have no further involvement. Lewes BN7 1DX After winning from Athena, she was turned into a Spider and she and her offspring became the best weavers in existence. Who shall we send?. The Spider is The Bard, the Ovate and the Druid rolled into one. A deity can give personal attention to a number of people simultaneously, and be in different places at the same time. 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. (feel free to reblog with any ideas!). These deities are often of the land and waterways, etc. I've not been actively seeking out this spider entity. Zorya, the Goddess of Dusk and Dawn. Inner journeying enables humans to leave the temporal world, in a broadly meditative state. However, it illustrates many of the points made above, and hopefully gives some idea of the amazing quality of love that can be experienced, or rather, shared. Theres truth in this, but it can work both ways; it takes two to develop relationship. A song, chant or poem can be written to honour a deity. I was invited to bathe in the pool, and this is where Coventina gives me healing. They appealed to the Gods for assistance, and who called Laverna before them, and asked why she had not upheld her end of the bargains with the men. Open the gate, walk through, then close the gate. In a sense, Coventina is the water. Buzzards head began to smoke and flame even faster! However, this works very well, as many people know by experience. The largest image spans over 200m (660 ft) across. Although there is little documented information about Veles, parts of Poland, Russia and Czechoslovakia are rich in oral history about him. This is a card that has to do with rhythms the rise and fall, the flow and flux. You will not be yelled at for asking questions. 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! One of the earliest mentions of the spider can be found in Waltor Gregor's 1881 book, Notes on the . Theyre not bound by space and time in the way humans in the temporal, everyday world are. 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. To this day, Anansi is the keeper of tales. Origins and History 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. Could Kharga Oasis Rock Panel Represent Zodiacal Constellations? I could feel the weight, the warmth, the strange pulse of it. 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. Colours: Silver and white. Our experience of relationships with other humans, etc, is invaluable, as relationship with deities is somewhat like these all rolled into one. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. 3 Amazing Deities That are Associated with Spiders Arachne and Athena myth Minerva and Arachne, Ren-Antoine Houasse, oil on canvas 1706 Arachne, daughter of the dyer Idmone, was a girl who lived in the city of Ipepe, in Lydia. Death gods and goddesses are not always considered malevolent; they are often just another part of the cycle of human existence. For more information, please see our 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. The series of geoglyphs depict straight lines and giant creatures, and were created between 400 and 650 AD. While waiting, he watched a Spider building a web in the caves entrance. Spider was said to have woven the alphabet, creating the means for people to communicate and record their history through language. Although primarily devotional, this isnt about mindless grovelling, infatuation, fear or stern duty. 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. His head was now bare of feathers, red and blistered looking. In venerating a local deity, the greater aspect of deity is also being honoured. It seems intensely powerful, and I wouldn't want to do anything to get on its bad side or tread where I should not. There is no historical evidence for it, and it is purely UPG, but I associate spiders with Rosmerta of the Gaulish pantheon. A Spider tattoo can also be a symbol of destiny and the Fates. Kokopelli is perhaps best recognized by his curved back and the magic flute that he carries with him wherever he may go. Yet the material presented here can be adapted to deities in other . So far, matters have been discussed on the level of mind. The Spider as a guide (or totem, familiar, etc) serves as a reminder that our choices construct our lives. I'm going to have to go read up on the eight energy belts of helios. It seemed to move and act like someone who was old, and expected to be respected in the same fashion. The spider weaves her web so steadily that is fascinates you and soon you realise that the weaving itself is a meditation. Poor Opossum! In the Celtic pantheon, local deities are interrelated aspects or facets of the deities of the land, and Earth (the mother goddess), more generally. I practice an ecclectic/forge-my-own path style of witchcraft with my partner and we are in a phase where we are still learning about different practices, magicks and beliefs. I get a very "teacher" or "mentor" like feeling from the spider. It reflects a duality that both horrifies and fascinates us, cementing its position in our world as an unforgettable symbol. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. All the People met in a great powwow, with the Animal and Bird People taking the lead, and the Human People hanging back. His job was mostly to make trouble for other gods, men, and the rest of the world. Since they couldnt see any fire, they said, Grandmother Spider has failed.Oh no, she said, I have the fire! She lifted the pot from her back, and the lid from the pot, and the fire flamed up into its friend, the air. The deities considered here are associated with the Celts, and Druidic nature spirituality. So, he set Anansi out to solve some absolutely impossible tasks, and if Anansi completed them, Nyame would give him stories of his own. A cup of tea and a snack will help you return to the present. 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. During the yearly celebration of Velja Noc, Veles sends the souls of the dead out into the world of men as his messengers. To the Native Americans, Spider is Grandmother, the link to the past and future. 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. For more just look it up on youtube Taranta, look for the 1950s videos. Working with deities tends to be a circle in many ways. Generally my preference is for modern books on spirituality written in plain, modern English. 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. I start by finding out some of the attributes for the deity in question. Wigington, Patti. Mokosh, the Fertility Goddess. He is well known as a deceiver and a shapeshifter. Does the guide inhibit free will; the capacity to think and act for oneself? According to legend, she was born fully formed from the white sea form that arose when the god Uranus was castrated. Spiders make us awareof the amazing construction of their webs. I've been finding them in my home, in my work, even earlier this morning in the voting booth! Are you inspired to write or draw and not following through. Jorgumo morphs into a beautiful woman to beguile warriors into marrying her. For background, I'm pretty new to the pagan scene. Like Anansi, Kokopelli is a keeper of stories and legends. Does the guide say you are the second coming, or something similarly extravagant? Maybe Arachne, the Greek woman who was turned into the first spider by Hera. This is the origin of the word arachnid, a term we use for spiders to this day. This is only a starting point as one may discover other attributes of a particular deity over time. Later, she swindled a lord in the same manner, and the lord and the priest realized they had both been the victims of a deceptive goddess. Nefer Say Nefer - Was Nefertiti Buried in the Valley of the Queens? 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. She is often referred to as having a head but no body, or a body with no head. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Birds joyfully sing their praises to the Sun. The timid humans, whom none of the animals or birds thought much of, were volunteering! Well, theres an african spider god, Anananzi(I might be spelling that right). Lada, Goddess of Love and Beauty. Spider knows the past affects the future and visa versa. I lived under canvas, with solar power for radio and music. UK For example I feel that Brighid has a warrior aspect, although this isnt normally attributed to her. 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. We have all shared relationships with family, lovers, friends, and even other species such as dogs. Are there any deities associated with spiders? 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. The deities are not categorized by culture or origin. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/trickster-gods-and-goddesses-2561501. In a Peruvian valley in 2008, researchers uncovered a forgotten adobe temple with carved spider imagery. I view the deities as real and an integral part of daily life, Nature, and my self. In some cultures, the spider is portrayed negatively. He thought about leaving the country and never coming back. This practicum is designed to get to know the spider a little better. When collecting water, I developed the habit of thanking the spring. We will now move towards the more intuitive, heart related aspect of connecting with deities with a specific example. and our Perhaps the spring goddess Coventina, who will be discussed later, came into being in this way. Are you weaving your dreams and imaginings into reality? Arianrhod's Archetype. So Bruce decided also to retry his fight and told his men: If at first you dont succeed, try, try and try again.Old legend as told here. office@druidry.org (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.). Also, non-pagan related, but now that you like spiders you should check out r/spiderbro! office@druidry.org OBOD Imagine a brown recluse, but Aragog/Shelob size, for reference. In both Cree and Algonquin folklore, Wisakedjak shows up as a troublemaker. The mysterious Nazca lines in the desert of southern Peru contain arachnid imagery. This has ties to the characteristics of some Spiders, i.e. Welcome to Pagan 101: A safe place to ask questions! Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. This spider certainly thinks of itself as a higher being. Laverna was then ordered by Jupiter to become the patron goddess of dishonest and disreputable people. In effect, deities are energy fields, or forces of nature. 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. 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. The knowledge we have can be found everywhere. The deities associated with the dissolution and death of the body and certain aspects of the human psyche tend to be feared, but this is a reflection of our fear of death. A giant tree sprouted in front of the cave, and a spider built a web between the cave and the tree, with similar results.. Yale University archaeologist Richard Burger told Softpedia, other symbolic associations for the spider god included war, hunting, power or textiles. The deities considered here are associated with the Celts, and Druidic nature spirituality. Originally, there were no stories at all. So my question: has anyone else here had similar experiences/connections with spiders? which of the following statements is true about cooperatives? seem to be interconnected to a lot of different things, if not everything. 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. Multiple layers and meaning. Because of his ability to change his appearance, Lugh sometimes appears as an old man to fool people into believing him weak. Then ask yourself: Spiders and their webs draw attention to our life choices, but that is not all. 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. The moderators here have all been approved by the tumblr pagan community at large. I belive there is a trickster deity that usually takes the form of a spider, I cant recall the name unfortunately. Loki is a god in Norse and Germanic mythology whose very name stirs debate in the pagan community.