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Spiders are also very popular in the dreamstate and I
encourage you to really look into becoming the Spider (see my tools page) in order to understand the symbol within your dream. I immediately associate the symbol
with "fears". The spider coming out from under the bed or jumping out from a hiding place...these I would see as fears that are creeping out, showing themselves, trying to communicate with you or scare
you into finally facing. Spiders can hide but they can also bite. A fear that has been swept under the
bed must be dealt with sooner or later; a spider in a dream could be a metaphor saying: time
to deal with the fear now or it will come back and bite you. I can hide well, but you will always know
that I reside in the dark, waiting to be seen/heard/acknowledged. Spiders are also connected with language, communicating
something important that needs addressing. The webs catch energy/food/lies/nightmares...there are so many possibilities
when working with Spider Dreams.
Another aspect to look at when considering spider dreams
is the relationship to the web and the cosmos. There are many exciting scientific breakthroughs happening, one of which
is proving Einstein's Time-Warp theory (NASA's article) or Theory of Relativity. This is exciting and archetypal at the same time. Many people are dreaming of intricate webs, having
three dimension, which I find in relation to M Theory (or String Theory). I believe we are entering a new era and new way of thinking, new consciousness. The spider
web is a perfect example. The movie The Last Mimzy is a great example; the spider and it's web is used in an experiment,
showing the strength of the web and how the spider is controlled through sound/vibrations. I recently had a spider dream
where the web was woven as a transport or luggage (if you will) to take across the ocean. I believe many people are
dreaming of spiders in relation to a new way of thinking, like opening your senses or learning how to read another language.
D.J. Conway writes about Spiders in her book Animal Magick:
"This [Spider] 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-weaving aspect. Neith
was the Weaver of the World in Egypt; in Babylon it was Ishtar and Atargatis; in Greece, Athene and the Fates; in Norse myth,
the Norns and Holda. One Greek tale tells how the goddess Athene turned the human Arachne into a spider because of her
arrogance over her spinning and weaving.
"The Hindus say that the spider weaves life itself from its own body, but is also the
creator of illusion, or maya. Barbara Walker suggests that the eight-armed deities of India and Odhinn's eight-legged
horse may be associated with the spider.
"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 trickser deity. This idea was brought to Jamaica in the form of Anansi, the Great Spider.
"...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 connects it with the
four Elements. They believe although it is a small creature, it is cunning and intelligent, tricking other insects into
its webs. They called spider power the female energy for the creative force of life."
Marie Louise Von Franz writes about the symbol of spiders in her book Alchemy:
"...A spider
indicates spinning, the spinning of fantasies. The superstition is that in the morning a spider means bad luck and in
the evening good luck. Obviously that really means that if in the morning one is slack and sleepy, gets up late,
and sits about half dressed and just thinks of one's neurotic problems, that would be the spider in the morning which would
certainly bring bad luck. But if after working all day one lights a cigarette in the evening and sits in front of the
house, as peasants do, and lets one's fantasy run, or if one phiosophizes about life, that is quite all right, it is a very
good way to prepare oneself for sleep. Therefore the spider in the evening is propitious, and that probably was the
original meaning of this widespread suspersition. The spider is a neative mother symbol, it is the Maya, and so on.
When it comes in the evening, or at the evening of life, it is all right, but it is very bad to start the day with it."
Spider Symbology
Fear
of something, for instance the spider represents a fear that must be overcome in your life.
Weaving
a web, a metaphor for planning or strategic planning (could be positive or negative).
The
need to write or publish, a metaphor for pushing one to start writing.
Peru, a spider-god
temple has been found dating from 1500-1000BC, images of webs with decapitated heads suggest warrior and hunting metaphor.
Hunting skills, able to catch the prey (are you being hunted or have you been preying on someone?)
Storytelling
Spouse issues
Weaving
of fantasies
Here is an example of a spider dream I had many years ago. In the dream I was lying
down, pinned down by an unknown force, not able to move. A large spider suddenly appears and begins to walk up my body;
I cannot move, I am paralyzed with fear. The spider continues up my body and over my face. The dream ends.
My interpretation: I have been paralyzed with fear in my life to the extent that I've
lost all power to move forward and take charge. I am in a place where I feel frozen with fear. The Spider walking
across my body represents my Fear-the embodiment of my Fear. In the dream I am not harmed. I have been confronted
with this Fear and I've survived. The message: it is time to confront my Fears and move forward; time to take control
and let the fears go, let them run their course and move on.
Some spider dreams can be warnings
of health issues. If you have had spider dreams combined with health problems or worrys, get a check-up. Dreams
that warn people of health problems are VERY common and many do not heed their warnings.
