Spider Symbolism
Spider spirit animal tests the space in front of her by delicately lifting the front one of her eight legs. Her furry appendage tenderly caresses the air feeling the breath of the forest collectively and the movements of the creatures around her individually. The only thing that gives away her active, sentient thoughts is the small, almost nervous, twitching of the two feelers on either side of her mouth.
This is mother spider. She weaves webs, climbs trees, and digs burrows. But always, she ambushes her prey.
Spider Dream Meaning
Dreams about spiders can speak about where you may feel trapped in your life or where you are experiencing greater connection to all things. It depends on if you’ve found yourself in an overwhelming web of lies, opinions, or judgements or if you are in the space of owning your power and writing your own destiny.
Most people are afraid of spiders, so having dreams about spiders is a frightening experience. Take a look at what fears have come up for you lately. Spider spirit animal has crept into your unconscious to help ensnare the fears and bring them out into daylight. It’s time to stop blindly running into traps and instead weave the life you envision for yourself.
You are not a victim here. You have the power to navigate your way down the strands that will unlock an unlimited number of options for you. Like spider spirit animal at the middle of the web, you have the potential to go any way you choose. Getting those fears out of the way is the key.
Help Overcoming Fears
Spider symbolism is powerful and the presence of mother spider in your life is not to be taken lightly. She has come to help you work with your fears. Ask spider totem animal to help you muster the courage to look at the fears that are behind the negative, critical thoughts of yourself and others.
Often when we get critical it is because we are trying to protect ourselves from something we are afraid of. It’s as simple as the arachnophobic person saying, “I hate spiders”…. the truth is “I fear spiders”.
Allow all the little fears to pour out of you into your journal. It is these fears that are preventing the creativity in your life, not the judgments of others. You’ll find that spider spirit animal will come to collect all the little eggs of fear and transmute the energy into creativity, hatching dozens of creative helpers in your life that can help you spin beautiful webs.
Weaving a Written Web
It is said that spider created the alphabet and is the mother of the written word. There is no better companion to welcome to your home to help you wield your words on paper. What more is a story than the creation of a new reality?
In spinning a web, spider literally weaves a new plane of existence, an entirely new world. This world can be flat, round, linear or circular. It all depends on what species of spider you are watching. Each has their own unique weaving style. What is the signature of the species you watch now? What does this mean about the paths you have available?
The spider has eight legs, so spider symbolism is associated with infinity like the number 8. Imagine you now stand at the center of a web of possibilities with an unnumbered variety of paths to follow. Which is yours?
Spider meaning is strongly tied to the networker archetype who expertly crafts webs of interconnectivity.
Burrowing Spider Symbolism
If you find yourself face-to-face with a non-spinning spider such as a wolf spider or tarantula you’ll be examining a different aspect. Rather than hanging suspended by a thread and opening up to possibilities, what is needed now is to burrow into the unconscious.
These spiders dig burrows in the Earth and wait patiently for their next meal to pass by. Go inside yourself. Snuggle into the smell of the soil, know who you are and be grounded in that. Here you are safe to confront your fears. Here spider spirit animal will find you and use the effective poison in her bite to transmute those fears into true power.
All you need will pass by the door of your tunnel. Turn inward, be brave, and trust that you are safe. There is no better companion to have accompany you on any forays into the unconscious to uncover the meaning behind WHY you do the things you do.
Spider spiritual meaning is about being incredibly sensitive to vibrations and sensing things you hadn’t felt before. Spider spirit animal can help you navigate the darkness and the fears and view them from a new, less threatening perspective.
World Travelers
Spider symbolism is about about the journey. Spiders are known to fly for hundreds of miles, even across open oceans, by casting out a strand of web and allowing the wind to take them thousands of feet aloft. This is know as “ballooning”. They have absolutely no control over where their journey will take them or how far they will go. They could go 20 feet or 20,000 feet.
Think about the amount of trust it takes to cast that strand and not know. Let go of control. Face the fears that cause you to try and be in control. Know that there is no such thing as control. Ask spider spirit animal to help you see that you are already on this unknown journey. Anything else is just an illusion.
I love this excerpt from David Abram’s book The Spell of the Sensuous about spiders:
“It was from them that I first learned of the intelligence that lurks in nonhuman nature, the ability that an alien form of sentience has to echo one’s own, to instill a reverberation in oneself that temporarily shatters habitual ways of seeing and feeling, leaving one open to a world all alive, awake, and aware. It was from such small beings that my senses first learned of the countless worlds within worlds that spin in the depths of this world that we commonly inhabit.”
About Author, Stacey L. L. Couch
Stacey L. L. Couch, Certified Shamanic Practitioner, works as a publicist and journalist for Mother Nature and is the author of Gracious Wild: A Shamanic Journey with Hawks. She empowers people with the ability to explore life’s big questions by calling on nature, story and synchronicity as a source for guidance and healing. With her deeply rooted experience in the field of shamanism and passion for working with wildlife and rescue animals, Stacey has a unique blend of rational and mystical perspective that makes the world of shamanism easily accessible to others. She values mindfulness, wonder, and compassion in her daily spiritual practice. Learn More about Stacey.
About Author, Stacey L. L. Couch
Stacey L. L. Couch is a Spiritual Director who teaches about archetypes and symbolism. Her speciality is working with soul pioneers - those of you who are making it up as you go along the spiritual path. She works with beginner and life-long spiritual seekers. Through working with Stacey, lost seekers find their way home and professional spiritual guides receive mentorship. Stacey empowers people with the ability to explore their purpose and calling. Wisdom found in story, mysticism, and nature provide guidance and healing in her work. She is the author of Gracious Wild: A Shamanic Journey with Hawks. She values mindfulness, wonder, and compassion in her daily spiritual practice. Learn More about Stacey.
19 comments
I used to fear spiders. I no longer do. The event that changed my fear? Several summers ago I was pulling overgrown weeds in the garden. As I pulled up a large clump of weeds, I saw her. A spider with an egg ball. Seeing a gigantic threat to her safety what did she do? She laid down her egg ball and standing up on her rear legs, she stood up and spread her front legs at me in an unmistakable challenge. Ready to fight a giant – what courage. I didn’t move for perhaps a full minute, I watched her. Taking her opportunity she grabbed her egg ball and ran and I suddenly saw spider for what she was, a mother, ready to take on the terrifying giant to protect her children. She cared. Now I care too.
I realize this comment was posted in 2015, but I just wanted to thank you, Michelle, for sharing such a deeply, heartfelt story.
I’ve read many comments from various blogs and websites, but yours has truly moved me to a whole other level. You’re so compassionate and wise, and I have no doubt that you have many other wonderful qualities as well.
This world needs more highly evolved, loving Beings like you.
Continue to Be an invaluable gift to your Multidimensional self (physical self)/Self (Soul/Spirit), interconnected humanity, Mother Earth, merging worlds, and beyond.
<3<3<3 Barbara/Mulantis
Loved this! Beautifully written! Thank u
You’re most welcome Eileen! Thanks for stopping in!
Thank you madame this help me so much. I allways wanted to write a book, i think about it again just before a blackspider wait in front of my door. It is time for change, hurray!!
You are most, most welcome. I’m so glad this article about spider spirit animal has helped you. I wish you all the best of luck with writing your book! Many Blessings, Stacey
Last night, a spider circled the perimeter of my bedroom, where the wall meets the ceiling. My friend was walking me through some intense healing that seemed inaccessible and buried behind old fears I couldn’t even express. Then the spider caught our eye. Reading this brought tears to my eyes and perspective to my situation. Thank you for giving depth to the situation and an ally (spider spirit) in my journey. <3
You are most welcome Christie! That is wonderful to hear that mother spider has come to help you heal. Many Blessings, Stacey
I’m so glad I came to your website again. You help me make a good positive step and walking away from a job after receiving seeing several owls dead on the road. I’ve been driving a bus and I wasn’t sure if this is what I should have been doing period however seen so Much Death and these beautiful birds made me quit that job.
I have a severe fall and fractured my back and have not been able to work. I’ve been in fear and doubt and not sure what to do. I’ve been pretty depressed after dealing with so much pain. The last two weeks I’ve had several spiders who have bit me in bed. And again tonight I found another spider in my bed and I cleared up to spiders on my ceiling! The place I’m staying does not have screens on the Windows however I love to have the windows open for fresh air.
So after reading your column I realize you’re saying that spiders have to do with fear as well as writing period I just did some life purpose cards and one of the first things that said for me was writing! I have been very insecure and not wanting to dive into creating a website as well as I’ve been wanting to write several screen place and or in a book. So I’m not sure what the spider bite is about? Is it about my waking up and getting going?
Hello Laurie, Well life sure does have it’s twists and turns! I am so sorry to hear of the accident and your struggle to endure the pain, fear and doubt. Although terrible to experience and something I’d never wish on anyone, I see how these things are developing characteristics of strength in soul in you that are precious and invaluable. Hang in there my dear and kudos to you for holding on to hope and braving the darkness. The spider bite could definitely be about waking up and getting going. They could also be symbolic of all the wounds you are addressing and that are coming to the surface to be healed. Another layer could be the critical way you may be nipping at yourself to get these things done. Remember to be kind to yourself and encouraging but not berating or belittling. Bless you as you journey down this new road with the help of spider spirit animal, Stacey
Hello Stacy, what does it mean when you first wake up and you see spirit spiders web drawn all on wall ceiling and you know the ghost spider is huge and waiting somewhere in its own dominance or dimension possibly waiting for you to die or have outta body for her/him to catch you and trap you in that web keeping you in time space or mind control to where you are trapped in limbo just like comatose people are within their state of rest or loss. I don’t think the spirit spider is there for good it’s hoping to catch and no release for anyone trapped once your body ascend. But no one will believe you or know your cry and they will presume death came early for you and no one knowsvyoir trapped in limbo etc.
Sincerely,
Andrëa
Hello Andrea, This sounds like a bit bigger of a question than I can tackle in a comment as I hear you are running up against some big fears. From what I can glean, you may be in a bit of a spiritual crisis right now, not sure if you’ll be abandoned to the web and left in limbo. The spider likely represents the fear in your life that already existed before you met the spirit of the spider – fear of being forgotten, abandoned, imprisoned, etc. My recommendation is to find a Spiritual Director of one kind or another to help you navigate this territory. Prayer is always a good idea and calling on support from the helping spirits, angels or whomever you feel watches over and protects you. Many Blessings, Stacey
I have been bitten by a poisinous spider twice, first in my right thigh and then my left. ,My boyfriend goes on a two week journey twice a year. First bite was when he was away in november and the second bite again when he was away now in march. Both bites are EXACTLY at the same place but contrary leg. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN????
Hello Karina, Well the placement and timing surely is hard to ignore isn’t it! Yikes! I hope it wasn’t too painful and that you’ve recovered okay. I suggest spending some time looking at the fears that come up when your boyfriend leaves or is away and how you can transmute the poison of that fear into faith and courage. Many Blessings, Stacey
Stacey, thank you so much for sharing you and your gifts. I love your writing style that’s incredibly flowing, intuitive, creative, eloquent, descriptive, poetic, and filled with much unconditional love, profound wisdom, and self-empowerment.
I was drawn to this reading while searching for an interpretation for wolf spider totem.
This morning, I noticed a small one on my bed, so I expressed my gratitude for its presence and its message, and as usual, I got a plastic cup and a small piece of cardboard, gently caught it, and then set it free on our apartment complex front lawn, near a tree.
My husband and I have two cats, so they tend to persistently swat at any tiny creatures that enter our home.
The last time a wolf spider visited our home was several years ago, and it was larger. It hung out on our patio screen for a few days, on the opposite side of a large grasshopper, which was interesting; in addition, I was grateful that they could coexist within the same space without harming one another.
At that time, I looked up the meaning of these animal spirit guides and wrote a post about it, but it’s always a delight to come upon deeper meanings.
Continue Being an invaluable gift to your Multidimensional self (physical self)/Self (Soul/Spirit within), interconnected humanity, Mother Earth, merging worlds, and beyond.
<3<3<3 Barbara
This was beautifully written and spot on for me as the spider is my current totem and number 8 has followed me heavily this year! Blessings,
Sonya
A large banana spider moved to the garden on the edge of the patio where I spend many moments throughout the day, Another one joined her a few feet away. I opened the back door following a week or so to the patio to find the larger one right beside the door. I am fascinated by them so I left her there for 2 days. Knowing I would have guests on the patio in a couple of days, I told her late last night I would have to relocate her the following day andvShe could move herself to a place of her choosing before this time. This morning she is gone!
Hello Tania, The more time I spend with spiders, the more convinced I am of their ability to understand and respond to us. They have an uncanny sentience about them that is truly amazing. How nice that you got to share this time with the banana spiders and cohabitate peacefully with them. These moments with nature are so soothing to the soul! With Gratitude, Stacey