A very pleasant way of honouring the deities is by creating an altar. Lada, Goddess of Love and Beauty. This is a site for a tree planting project in which I was involved. For many Santeros, it is important to give Elgua his due, because he plays a role in every aspect of our lives. Coventina is detached in that she leaves me to make my own mistakes and face the consequences, although she may give me gentle support. Our experience of relationships with other humans, etc, is invaluable, as relationship with deities is somewhat like these all rolled into one. Patti Wigington writes in About Religion , In several cultures, spiders are credited with saving the lives of great leaders. Megalithic Sites Are More than Just Stone, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort, The Evidence is Cut in Stone: A Compelling Argument for Lost High Technology in Ancient Egypt, A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. 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. 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. How are my choices affecting others in my life? A giant tree sprouted in front of the cave, and a spider built a web between the cave and the tree, with similar results.. In my vision he took on the form (and though debatable, the personality of) a lion. In modern times, Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced "SAH-win") is usually celebrated from October. Spider is associated with maternity, feminine power and the power of your words and art. This is so their children never forget to honour Grandmother Spider, Fire bringer! Author unknown. 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. For grownups, Neil Gaimans American Gods features the character Mr. Nancy, who is Anansi in modern times. Also, some deities were adopted; for example the Romans adopted and renamed some ancient Greek deities. Her eight legs represent the four winds of change and the four directions on the medicine wheel, while her body is in the shape of the infinity symbol, which represents infinite possibilities. 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 . Are you using your creative opportunities? This is, broadly speaking, a rather simplified approach to working formally with deity as archetype. (At this point follow your intuition if possible and let events flow). He is well known as a deceiver and a shapeshifter. I know someone who connects with a Celtic deity from France! We assign names and gender to deities, but to some extent this is an artificial device to enable us to identify with them. Try to let go of any worries and calm the mind. However, this works very well, as many people know by experience. Subtle summer scents grace the warm air. A Roman goddess of thieves, cheats, liars and fraudsters, Laverna managed to get a hill on the Aventine named for her. Yet the material presented here can be adapted to deities in other . So my question: has anyone else here had similar experiences/connections with spiders? Wigington, Patti. According to legend, she was born fully formed from the white sea form that arose when the god Uranus was castrated. (feel free to reblog with any ideas!). 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. There is some debate as to whether she is a healer; however, she has given me healing on a number of occasions. Pantheons are never as well defined as they may at first appear. Keep up the good work. I've done a little research concerning spiders in folklore. Kokopelli is a trickster who represents mischief, magic and fertility. He is described in the Prose Edda as a "contriver of fraud." In Germany and Ukraine, it is tradition to include spiders and webs in Christmas tree decorations, due to the association between tinsel decorations and the spider web strands. Peter Berresford Ellis, in his book The Druids, suggests that Lugh himself might be the inspiration for folktales of mischievous leprechauns in Irish legend. Archaeologists have discovered a rock panel in the Kharga Oasis about 175 kilometres west of Luxor in Egypt, which is believed to contain the only known example of spider rock art in Egypt and, it As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. about Kharga Oasis spider rock art may be astronomical writing, about Very unusual rock art discovered in Egypt, Mother and Child Reunion Of Thetis And Achilles, Seductive Sirens of Greek Mythology and How Heroes Resisted Them, Celestial Goddess Selene: The Ancient Greek Goddess of the Moon, Pegasus of Greek Mythology: Majestic Winged Horse of Mount Olympus, Dreams of Human-Powered Flight: Daedalus and the Story of Icarus. I could feel how the strands interacted with each other, and could feel the area of my awareness expand far greater than I felt like I achieved before. The Spider fell down time after time, but finally he succeeded with his web. 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. This makes Veles a major supernatural force in Slavic mythology. In effect, deities are energy fields, or forces of nature. Anansi literally means spider. Veles is an underworld god, associated with the souls of deceased ancestors. Then ask yourself: Spiders and their webs draw attention to our life choices, but that is not all. The deities considered here are associated with the Celts, and Druidic nature spirituality. The following meditation/inner journey is one way of encountering a deity. Although he doesnt appear often in the Eddas, he is generally described as a member of the family of Odin. This tumblr blog is here to answer any and all of your pagan (or witchcraft) related questions. Belief in malevolent spirits inhabiting the human body has persisted across cultures for millennia. Cross the stile and follow the path into the wood. 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 could feel the weight, the warmth, the strange pulse of it. You will not be yelled at for asking questions. Egyptian Goddess of Weaving (via HeartsPM). Rock art and bark paintings in Australia reveal that the indigenous cultures created spider symbols. Any tips for the next time I encounter this thing? This is because Spiders are related to death because of the venom they carry. 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. 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. Hes a pretty important cultural figure, both in West Africa and in Caribbean mythology. Colours: Silver and white. The deities considered here are associated with the Celts, and Druidic nature spirituality. 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. The spider is a powerful image that has endured since ancient times. Birds joyfully sing their praises to the Sun. The Ask box is currently closed This tumblr blog is here to answer any and all of your pagan (or witchcraft) related questions. And to this day, buzzards have naked heads that are bright red and blistered. I view the deities as real and an integral part of daily life, Nature, and my self. 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 mysterious Nazca lines in the desert of southern Peru contain arachnid imagery. Maya, the Hindu Goddess, means weaver of illusion and is associated with the spider. This has ties to the characteristics of some Spiders, i.e. nebulasoul-archive-blog said: Loki is associated (mainly by UPG) with spiders by many a folk who work with him sailoraquila said: Anansi the trickster god is often said to take the shape of spiders. By the age of 10, most children in the United States have been taught all 50 states that make up the country. The knowledge we have can be found everywhere. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. In a Peruvian valley in 2008, researchers uncovered a forgotten adobe temple with carved spider imagery. Are you developing resentment because of it for yourself or them? 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. A deity can give personal attention to a number of people simultaneously, and be in different places at the same time. Then she walked back on tiptoe along the web until she came to the People. All the tales were held by Nyame, the sky god, who kept them hidden away. The strands of the web, like the spokes of a wheel are straight from the edge to the middle and do form the eight fold wheel. We can derive even more Spider symbol meaning when we consider certain subtle characteristics that represent ancient symbols of infinity. After giving her lessons to you, she takes down her web blocking the exit and leaves. Preform this while in your Sacred Grove after preforming your Light Body exercise or in a state of meditation or visualisation. Follow the footpath through the verdant meadow and through the gate. It reflects a duality that both horrifies and fascinates us, cementing its position in our world as an unforgettable symbol. Arachnids and their webs embody many traits and interpretations, including resourcefulness, creation and destruction, cunning, deception, intrigue, the feminine, wisdom, fortune, patience, and death. I have found that we can learn much more from the webs and their makers, the Spider. The retelling of these "spider tales" imparts moral lessons through the generations. Loki has become a bit of a pop culture icon lately, thanks to the series of Avengers movies, in which he is played by British actor Tom Hiddleston. Loki was constantly meddling in the affairs of others, mostly for his own amusement. 2. The site had been clear-felled of a previous commercial crop of Sitka spruce trees. UK Close your eyes and spend a few minutes relaxing your body, particularly around the neck and shoulders. As a Bard it produces works of art as depicted in the many kinds of webs. Wigington, Patti. To this day, Anansi is the keeper of tales. In the myth, Arachne claimed that she was a better weaver than the Goddess Athena. Loki is a god in Norse and Germanic mythology whose very name stirs debate in the pagan community. I felt reality slip away and found myself in an expansive darkness, with my body slowly sinking into a sea of thin, silvery spiderwebs. 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. After a while, you see him or her approach you from amongst the trees. They also show us how we can manipulate our thinking, so we can construct the life we want to live. Soon after their night of dancing to Kokopellis flute, the people discovered that every woman in the village was now with child. It calls us to make use of our creativity and weave our dreams into our destiny. I remember small black spiders that dotted the sea, constantly weaving and fixing strands all over, they seemed to work around me, mostly unaware of my presence. Origins and History Tiny Grandmother Spider shouted with all her might, LET ME TRY IT PLEASE! Though the council members thought Grandmother Spider had little chance of success, it was agreed that she should have her turn. that might be UPG but Ive heard it pretty often. The ability to forgive and provide for her children and put them before herself is the essence of a . Alternatively you can make up your own, or modify this one if you wish. Generally my preference is for modern books on spirituality written in plain, modern English. Without Loki's influence, the gods may become complacent, so Loki does actually serve a worthwhile purpose, much as Coyote does in the Native American tales, or Anansi the spider in African lore. Unlike many trickster gods, however, Wisakedjak often pulls his pranks to benefit mankind, rather than to harm them. Ancient Chinese folk culture celebrates spiders. Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photo / Getty Images. The blooms of bright yellow buttercups, and white and purple clover raise their lovely faces to the blue sky. For more about Coventina, see her entry in the OBOD online library. bob ingham family tree This is right, as my behavior is my responsibility. Goddesses and Magical Plant Associations But, who should have the honour? A search can be undertaken to see if theres any known archaeological or historical evidence. We will now move towards the more intuitive, heart related aspect of connecting with deities with a specific example. After a week or two, I began making flower offerings to the spring. 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. In a way its easier, as deities dont have egos in the same sense that humans do. In addition, the Sun may be considered feminine and the Moon masculine in a few circumstances. The aspects of Spider spiritual meaning that relate to networking can also be embodied in this tattoo. Connecting with Deities. Imagine a number of people many hundreds of years ago coming upon the land and spring and deciding to settle. Many years ago, I went on an eight week solo retreat (the first of a number of retreats) on top of an isolated Welsh hill. However, its the responsibility of the human to be respectful, open-minded, open-hearted and to keep the ego in check. It seems like they appear when I am in distress (I suffer from pretty bad anxiety) or if I'm making a powerful choice (voting for instance.) Associated with storytelling and wisdom, the spider causes mischief to get the upper hand in dealings with others. They are fully functional, practical, and perfect in design. The priest went to confront her but she was gone. 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. It didn't feel necessarily seem full of itself, as much as it seemed like the spider has been here a lot longer than myself or my partner or his spirit. It is believed that these tales served not only as a form of cultural identity for enslaved West Africans, but also as a series of lessons on how to rise up and outsmart those who would harm or oppress the less powerful. However, outside the Isles it may not be this well known, so here is the story: King Robert the Bruce I was born at Lochmaben Castle in 1274. I've been spending most of today doing research. Being married to a Goddess, he was granted Godlike status and given immortality which did him no good at all. It has been said that the deity finds you rather than the other way round. He thought about leaving the country and never coming back. Updated on September 16, 2019. Eros - Greek God of sexuality and fertility. Privacy Policy. I don't know if it counts but Arachne, from the Athena and Arachne myth might be a good one to look into. Laverna was then ordered by Jupiter to become the patron goddess of dishonest and disreputable people. North American indigenous cultures have often portrayed spiders as creators, helpers, and wisdom keepers. 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. Answer: TITHONUS is the god of insects, thats about as close as your going to get, now if you take all the pantheons and choose gods that are similar, IE Lunar Deities, Solar Deities, etc, then you could make the assumption that Uatchit was goddess of both since they both live in the marshes The webs this spider maintains/produces(?) And he breathed so much smoke that when he tried to sing, out came a harsh, Caw! Athena had that story of Arachnae. Slowly open your eyes and feel your feet firmly on the floor and ground yourself. Today it feels like an it, but I've address it as a He and a She as well. Its best not to try to overly define or limit things, especially as all this is potentially part of the process of self-realisation. Alberto E. Rodriguez / WireImage / Getty Images. She, together with other gods, formed the first man and woman out of clay. This led to significant laughter among the gods, who made the matter right by ordering the head to join the body, and instructing Laverna pay up her debts, which she did. Several regional clans use spider totems in rituals. A song, chant or poem can be written to honour a deity. UK I already have a few on my mind but I can't be clear. 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! about Could Kharga Oasis Rock Panel Represent Zodiacal Constellations? (which he often does. by Paul Sandover. The Lakota peoples lore includes a trickster spider, and the Navajo connect Spider Grandmother and the weaving of webs with the creation of the world. The spider is a trickster god in West African stories, personifying the creation deity Anansi. It all started with the wedding of Thetis and Pelias, who would eventually have a son named Achilles. And this is an important yet simple thing a Spider can teach us. Are you focusing on others accomplishments and not on your own? One of the Orishas, Elegua (sometimes spelled Eleggua) is a trickster who is known for opening the crossroads for practitioners of Santeria. A solution must be found! Coventina, an ancient Celtic goddess of wells and springs, and I share a particularly intimate, consistent and truly loving relationship. I get a very "teacher" or "mentor" like feeling from the spider. The spider is a trickster god in West African stories, personifying the creation deity Anansi. 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. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. OBOD One example is the Ogham. Anansi the Spider appears in a number of West African folktales, and is able to shift . 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. 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. Together with Tawa, the sun god, she creates the Athena is associated with weaving and spinning, and once punished a human girl named Arachne out of jealousy of her work Arachne isnt exactly a deity, but she was turned into a spider by Athena. Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? I've become more aware of spiders, and my attitude toward them is changing. Then a small voice said, We will take it, if Grandmother Spider will help.. I can succeed where Opossum has failed. When the soldiers saw the cave, they didnt bother to search it after all, no one could be hiding inside it if the spider web was undisturbed. In your mind, you see an open place with one exit. This is easily seen in the wheel webs some Spiders weave. Any thoughts on who/what the spider might be? I'm thinking about asking for it's name the next time I engage the spider. His job was mostly to make trouble for other gods, men, and the rest of the world. In many cultures spiders stand as the creators of our universe and world, and also serve as agents of destruction. As we all know, Druidry is a spiritual path based in Nature. Arachne returned to the living as a spider (via GreekMythology). It is also associated with keeping the feminine energies of creation alive and strong. More detail will be given later. After crossing the meadow you arrive at a stile leading into a wood, with a noble Oak either side. A dip usually restores my good spirits and sometimes I feel great. The moderators here have all been approved by the tumblr pagan community at large. There's also Anansi, but you probably want to talk to a . Once again, the powwow had to find a volunteer chief. Someone spoke from the dark. Also, non-pagan related, but now that you like spiders you should check out r/spiderbro! By. Jorgumo morphs into a beautiful woman to beguile warriors into marrying her. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. . 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. **UPDATE TO SITUATION IN COMMENTS BELOW** 11/9/18. This spider certainly thinks of itself as a higher being. I start by finding out some of the attributes for the deity in question. I remember it embracing me, I remember it letting me see through its eyes, I remember crawling around on the web and growing more legs and eyes of my own! Its about joyous, loving and respectful connection. In some eastern cultures the spider is seen as a trickster. Ganesh - Hindu God with elephant head, remover of obstacles, God of beginnings, patron of arts and sciences, of intelligence and wisdom. Imagine youre walking down a footpath in the countryside and arrive at a gate. Two people may well have different experiences with the same deity. Aphrodite, Goddess of Love Aphrodite was a goddess of love and romance. Spiders are also associated with this Goddess as she is seen as a weaver of fate. Buzzard and Crow have failed. Grandmother Spider again said, Let em go! Hes actually a spider, a west african trickster deity. These deities are often of the land and waterways, etc. Incredible read, I learn so much from this amazing creature. 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. For more just look it up on youtube Taranta, look for the 1950s videos. The once-mortal Lover of Eos, Goddess of the Dawn. But the opened eyes saw nothing, because the world was dark, no sun, no moon, not even any stars. Typically, these deities are associated with the darker half of the year, when the nights get longer and the soil goes cold and dormant. Also somewhat scary. Ive even made a tiny altar for when I go to camps, etc. The altar can be placed in practically any room; an altar to a water deity could be placed in the bathroom for example. Any reward may come in its own time. Later, I did some research to find out about her. Patience is also an asset; developing relationship can take time. (2021, August 2). Relating with a deity tends to be reciprocal, as the devotional energy of the human empowers the deity a little, and the deity empowers the human. Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? The goddess Athena was furious and, in a rage, destroyed Arachnes work. Perhaps the spring goddess Coventina, who will be discussed later, came into being in this way. Ive even heard them talking about Loki sending spiders Well theres Anansi! In southern Italy the spider is connected to trance and transformative traditions. I bought a figurine of Coventina at a camp in August 2011 because it attracted me, and it found a home on my altar. This tradition was considered a sacred one, and the divine trickster would later evolve into the Medieval jester, who accompanied the king and was allowed to say things to . 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. Venerating the deities helps to re-empower Nature and the land, and ourselves. The Mother: This Archetype is a life-giver and the source of nurturing, devotion, patience and unconditional love. Death gods and goddesses are not always considered malevolent; they are often just another part of the cycle of human existence. The insects thought it was pretty, but they, too, stayed far away from the fire. I, Opossum, am a great chief of the animals. and our Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. So, he set Anansi out to solve some absolutely impossible tasks, and if Anansi completed them, Nyame would give him stories of his own. OBOD In that tree she starts to weave a web blocking the exit. It may need to be repeated a number of 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. Grandmother Spider volunteered, I can do it! Instead, however, Laverna sold off everything on the estate that had any value, and built no temple. Meditation upon this card would be beneficial for anyone with the Spider as a guide. Mrohu. The largest image spans over 200m (660 ft) across. It doesn't matter what they're about, we're here to be a resource you can go to without worrying about repercussions or being looked down on. Myths, legends, old texts and scriptures are popular and can provide insight and inspiration. 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. 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. Try to really live the scene the scents, sounds, what you see, etc. (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. Well, theres an african spider god, Anananzi(I might be spelling that right). 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. 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. When Opossum came to the East, he soon found the beautiful, red fire, jealously guarded by the people of the East. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. In addition, the vast majority of us are not sufficiently evolved to understand them. "I invited you into this place, I expect you to be respectful while you're here," was one of the comments. Humans are essentially energy fields, but of a different nature. Anansi comes from Ghana, where his adventures are told in songs and stories. Loki is associated (mainly by UPG) with spiders by many a folk who work with him, Anansi the trickster god is often said to take the shape of spiders. And now a very minor God of Cicadas. Are you moving toward a central goal or are you scattered and going in multiple directions?