Spider Web Messaging

Nature's mysterious communication network

SUNday morning, rays of sunlight illuminated a highly unusual spider web. Lines of thread grouped in fives reminded me of staves waiting for music to be written. On Saturday, I had written a poem, Story Walking. This web seemed to suggest that I consider the poem as lyrics to a song. Knowing a couple musicians, I now intend to explore that possibility.

Further out to the lower edge of the web, the threads were gathered in rows of seven. 7 is the sacred number representing spiritual awakening, enlightenment, and intuition. Much it written about 7, as it symbolizes the journey to inner truth and a deeper understanding of life’s mysteries. My Story Walking Radio Hour is hosted on the Dreamvisions 7 Radio Network, and I am entering my 7th year of podcasting.

Two lines of my poem refer to choosing one of 7 paths (or threads of story) for Nature exploration:

Pick any Path, and see what you find;

Open your heart and open your mind.

Two lines of my poem describe where a path will lead:

Follow along the path of wonder,

up and around, over and under.

While writing these words, I imagined myself walking along a trail - up a hill, around a large boulder, over a fallen tree trunk and under the arching bough of a sapling. Now these same words bring to mind the activity of a spider weaving its threads: up and around, over and under.

If you zoom in on the threads, you can follow the numerous intricate paths laid out by this incredibly creative and industrious spider. So what are the 7 paths of Story Walking exploration? One will be a Spiritual Path, one will be a Creative Path, one will be a Growth Path, featuring pollinators, plants and other creatures that form the web of life, like spiders. Two lines of my poem refer to the educational role of plants and animals:

Walk with Nature, magical teacher.

Learn from every plant and creature.

Nature has so much to tell us. And, while we can learn lots from the worldwide web of technology and information, something as simple as a spider web can fill a complementary role that is more mysteriously informational and instructive.

In many cultures, the spider symbolizes creativity, storytelling, and fate. Its intricate web represents the weaving of our life stories and suggests we humans have a place at the center, where the interconnected threads of life come together. On a more concrete level, the spider is a reminder of nature’s ingenuity, combining beauty with functionality.

Is anyone wondering what species of spider spun this remarkable web? I showed the photo to a friend at church. He guessed the web was woven by a Writing Spider. I went online and looked up Writing Spider, Argiope aurantia, (Black and Yellow Garden Spider). Incorrect. The spider’s color markings and web designs were different. The spider on the web I photographed had red markings on its abdomen; it turned out to be a Joro Spider, Trichonephilia clavata or Nephila clavata.

The Writing Spider is known for zigzag web designs, stabilimentum, resembling written words and woven into part of the web. The functional role of stabilimentum is a mystery that has long been under debate. The Writing Spider brings to mind the well-known story of Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.

The Joro Spider is considered by many to be invasive, thought to have stowed away in cargo that arrived in Atlanta, GA. Nonetheless, the Joro brings an important message, because it represents the power of observation and the ability to find meaning in and reference for the natural world around us. With its intricate web-weaving abilities and resilience in the face of environmental challenges, the Joro Spider might represent the delicate balance and interconnectedness of all living things. We may find that it helps to restore balance in mysterious way we have yet to see and understand.

Spiders are everywhere around us, yet go largely unnoticed until sunlight or dewdrops render their fine artwork visible. I read that spiders can fly on the currents of Earth’s electric field. That’s amazing! Could this suggest that Earth itself might have transported the Joro across the ocean? Please “like” or comment on this post…

… and let me conclude with another two lines from the poem:

Walk on and see and listen and learn.

Mystery unfolds with every turn.

Take a walk and search for spiders; spin a spider story and please share it with me.

Wendy is the creator of StoryWalking.com and host of the Story Walking Radio Hour.

Resources:

Joro Spider Vs. Writing Spider - https://a-z-animals.com/blog/joro-spider-vs-writing-spider/

Writing Spider Symbolism - https://www.writingbeginner.com/writing-spider/

Joro Spider Symbolism - https://spiritanimalonline.com/joro-spider-symbolism/

Spiders Fly on the Currents of the Earth’s Electric Field - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/spiders-fly-on-the-currents-of-earths-electric-field