Photo by Bruce Marlin, www.cirrusimage.com
I saw one of these beautiful Marbled Orb Weaver spiders in the park today. She had spun a huge web across the trail and she was hanging right in the middle of it, as if waiting for somebody to come along and admire her. So I did. I love spider-watching this time of year. By the way, for the POL contingent, you'll be happy to know--well, I'm happy anyway--that Charlotte is back, right on schedule.
In honor of the occasion, a favorite spidery poem:
Mr. Edwards and the Spider
I saw the spiders marching through the air,
Swimming from tree to tree that mildewed day
In latter August when the hay
Came creaking to the barn. But where
The wind is westerly,
Where gnarled November makes the spiders fly
Into the apparitions of the sky,
They purpose nothing but their ease and die
Urgently beating east to sunrise and the sea ... [more]
From Lord Weary's Castle by Robert Lowell via Poetry Foundation
2 comments:
Well, I am glad you stopped to admire her work. :) And, what a wonderful poem.
I had put this article on my (myspace) blog a couple of months ago -
The Spider Totem
The spider is the weaver of magic. There is much myth, legend and lore associated with this small and interesting creature. Nearly every culture, continent and tribe has some lore associated with the spider. They are said to be everything from the creators of the universe to the givers of the alphabet to man. They are associated often with the number 8 and are said to be the keepers of the internal plan of creation.
The spider is considered to be associated with the Earth element. Several American Indian tribes tell the story of Grandmother Spider. She is said to have spun the web of life and that all living creatures, beasts, and humans are interconnected through her web. Every life touches another via the intricate, complicated, interwoven threads.
The spiders web is also said to contain messages to man. One folk lore story suggests that it was a spider's web that gave the gift of the alphabet to humankind so that they could communicate with each other, all over the world, with the written word. There are also variations on this theme of messages being sent through the spider by use of the web. One only need understand how to read the web correctly in order to interpret the message trying to be conveyed.
Many different names are given to the spider or it is connected with various god like traits. In India the spider is associated with Maya, the weaver of illusion. Greeks called the spider Neith and believed she was the "divine mother." The Cherokee American Indians call the spider the "sacred weaver" and believe she spun the world into existence. The spider was also one of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom's, totem creatures, along with the Owl as she represented deep knowledge and understanding of life.
To watch a Spider spin its web is a wonder to behold. They diligently work to create a masterpiece of nature that they seem too small to accomplish. The silk of a spider is said to be stronger than a strand of steel of the same diameter. Their webs provide a means of catching the prey for their sustenance. It really is a marvelous work of art and nature. The spider creates her web and then goes about her business, when she returns she has a host of tasty insect meals to choose from. She wraps them up in her silken thread and preserves them for when she needs to nourish herself. Spiders are solitary creatures and their web patterns will vary by species.
The Spider possesses many virtues that are powerful and valuable and which any person would be wise to emulate or divine. One who has the power of the Spider will see enhanced balance, creative energy, and writing skills. Magic and intuition are also all part of this noble totem's magic.
The Creative Spider Totem possesses the following virtues:
Balance, nurturing, energy, solidarity, intuition, inspired abilities, writing abilities, enhanced communication, wisdom, patience, fortitude, faith, ingenuity and divine knowledge.
Spider Pearls are said to impart their particular magical virtues to their owner. Spider Pearls are characteristic of its host; they possess all the virtues that may be seen in the Spider itself; the wisdom and understanding of this creature is contained within the pearl waiting for its proper owner to bestow its inner magic to that unique and fortunate individual. For century's shamans, priestesses, spiritualists and practitioners of the occult have used Spider animal pearls to transfer the powerful magical energy of the Spider to themselves and to others in need of this commanding animal magic.
Spider pearls are highly sought after by any wishing to absorb Spider virtues into their lives and develop stronger mental abilities such as those embodied by this wise creature. The owner of a Spider pearl will see their lives, spiritual energy and mental clarity imbued with all of the virtues attributed to the "Creator" of the world, the Spider. The Spider totem is a strong spirit indeed and its magical properties are one of the most influential of all animal totems. Strength, magic, psychic energy, balance, creativity, and so much more can be integrated into the spirit of the possessor of this magical pearl and the Spider totem.
Copyright © 2006: Zahir Karbani UK Registration Number 253932
Have a wonderful day. Oh and we actually had some sprinkles this a.m. Keep your fingers crossed for some rain. It's in the forecast for tomorrow and Friday.
Dawn
Fun article, Dawn! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. It's got to rain eventually.
Post a Comment