For the past couple of years, there has been a spider specter that hangs over my bed while I sleep. It's about the size of a softball, and just hangs there with all of its legs folded up, the way that real spiders rest. Once I blew on it and it disappeared. I'm scared to death of spiders in real life, but for some reason, this specter doesn't scare me. Could this be a protector of some sort? I've never seen anything like this before. Thanks!
Cindy
Astrea:
The manifestation of a spider as a totem animal is very significant. Having a spider specter for a guide and protector is a very good thing!
In most old myths, spiders represent certain elements of life. If you have Native American blood, perhaps your ancestors sent the spider to you. If you don't, you could have been in a tribe that venerated spiders in a past life. The reason you don't fear this particular spider is because you know in your gut that you shouldn't.
Making something disappear with your breath is a custom as old as time. The idea probably came to you from some magical work you did in a past life. People blow away bad dreams, and in our current vernacular, people are often blown away
by something that impresses them. I think you followed an ancient instinct when you took that action.
Our breath is considered an element of fire. What did you want to burn out of your life when you blew away your spider?
Spiders are good guides because they are crafty, intelligent and decisive. Do you possess these qualities? Do you need to work on them? Spiders are spinners. Is your life going the way you want, or do you need to put a different spin on things?
Remember too that spiders bite and often stun things. Do you need a swift kick in the pants to get some new project going? Do you feel trapped into doing nothing about a situation that needs to be changed?
I've found that spiders manifest to my clients when it's time for them to change something in their lives, to weave a new web or to capture something of immense importance. Job and career changes often accompany the appearance of spiders.
If you don't need to make some drastic change in your life, it may be that a person close to you needs to change or weave a new way of thinking. Spiders are great communicators. This one could be weaving a new web for your family to connect you to someone who is feeling left out or useless to the rest of you.
You probably can't communicate with your spider verbally, but you can via thought and meditation. Even if it feels silly to you, give your spider a name - it will give you a warmer feeling about it.
Be positive when you see it and try to silently communicate. It will give you messages in your dreams or in visions. It's there to help you work something out that has been pending for as long as you've been able to see it. It's a GREAT guide to have!
*****
Susyn:
The symbol of the Spider has many rich and varied interpretations. Examining some of the more prevalent beliefs about the Spider should help you interpret the messages this specter has been trying to send to you. This will enable you to benefit from the gift of its presence and understand why this special eight-legged ghost has chosen to look over and protect you.
Not only is this spider a symbol of spiritual protection, it has been sitting over your bed to encourage you to create the life you've been dreaming of. Your letter indicates that you are now ready to hear and act upon the direction it is offering.
In India, the Spider is regarded as a symbol of the perfect order of the cosmos and of one's ability to create or weave the life one wants. This spider's presence could be encouraging you to become more creative, and especially more decisive. Taking action to create the world you dream of living in can be very powerful when you have Spider energy backing you.
Picture a spider sitting in the middle of its web - a web of its own creation - and you will see that whether you feel trapped or enchanted with your life right now, you have woven that reality for yourself.
Many Eastern cultures believe that the Spider is an indicator of spiritual self-liberation. In that regard, this specter denotes that you've been in a process of spiritual growth and enlightenment for the past couple of years. As you continue on your journey of awakening, the Spider will accompany and guide you.
In Native American cultures, repeated sightings of the Spider carry the message that you should be writing, journaling, and making records of your progress. In other words, take the time to put your experiences to paper for the explicit purpose of gaining greater understanding and helping those who will follow in your footsteps.
Because the Spider's body takes the form of an 8, the symbol for infinity, this may also be part of the message your spider is sending you: Anything is possible at any time, and the time is Now. This is compounded by the fact that Native Americans also believe that four of the spider's eight legs represent the winds of change, while the remaining four legs symbolize the four directions.
This Spider is telling you that it's time for a change, and your possibilities for success are endless. Now that you have awakened spiritually and are ready to create the life of your dreams, it's time to get moving. In honor of the Spider, note your experiences along the way as a record of the amazing path you are about to embark upon.
Astrea:
Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.
Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!
While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!
I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!
As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.
I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.
You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!
Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.
A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.
You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.