THE SPIDER:This is one of the most powerful creatures in all myth and symbolism in both the Old and New Worlds; it represents the Great Terrible Mother in her fate-weaver aspect. Neith was the Weaver of the World in Egypt In Babylon it was Ishtar and Atargatis. In Greece, Athene and the Fates. One Greek tale tells how the goddess Athene turned the human Arachne into a spider because of her arrogance over her spinning and weaving. In Norse myth, the Norns and Holda. The Hindus say that the spider weaves life itself from its own body, but is also the creator of illusion, or maya. The Japanese have two spider goddesses: Spider Woman, who can ensnare careless travelers, and the Goblin Spider, who can change shape to harm people. The Ashanti of Africa say that the Great Spider is God. In many African tales, the spider is a trickster deity. Many Native American tribes had a spider deity. To the Plains people, this was Inktomi, the trickster spider, a shape-shifter who brought culture to their people. The Southwestern Pueblo tribes speak of Spider Woman, who created the universe; they refer to her as Kokyangwuti, Tsitsicinako, Sussistanako, Thought Woman, or Thinking Woman. Spider Grandmother is the Kiowa heroine/goddess who brought light to the world. Native Americans say that the spider's web connect it with the four Elements. They believe although it is a small creature, it is cunning and intelligent, trickling other insects into its webs. They called spider power the female energy for the creative force of life. SuperstitionsMany folk tales around the world still portray the spider as lucky, a creature who can spin money, but who also is crafty and cunning.The dance called the tarantella was originally the specified cure for the bite of the tarantula spider. Some people believe that if you kill a spider it will rain. A cobweb is said to stop bleeding when laid on a wound. (This really works if the cut isn't too deep!) In the United States, if a girl finds a cobweb on her door, her boyfriend is seeing another girl. If a spider falls on you from the ceiling, it is good luck. If you find one crawling on your clothes, money is coming. If you see a spider spinning its web, you will get new clothes. There is an old saying: If you wish to live and thrive, let the spider run alive. Magickal AttributesWisdom, creativity, new life.Being industrious. Be cautious: you are involved in a tempting but entangling situation. Bringing in divine inspiration and creativity. Beginning a new project or becoming pregnant. ChantWebs of beauty and purpose,Dew-gemmed and rainbow-wrapped, The spider never questions its creative ability. O Deities of Earth and sky, the four directions, Help me to be creative with such confidence. |