Spiders seem to be everywhere I look these days: on the beach, along the trail, in the yard and in the house. Clusters of baby spiders hang from the vines near the front door where they’ll make their home. In the evenings, they’ll have plenty to eat as insects are attracted towards the front light.
A fear of spiders, arachnophobia, is common among humans. Among phobias, it shares top billing with fears of death and public speaking. I’ve never understood this fear, as spiders do us such a tremendous service by consuming a large number of insects.
An ancient myth tells the story of how a maiden with an amazing talent for weaving caught the eye of Athena, goddess of wisdom and skills. The girl, Arachne, refused to acknowledge her teachers and proudly stated that she was better than everyone, including Athena. She boldly accepted a challenge to out-weave the goddess. Though her work was excellent, she used her skill to mock the gods and her defiance cost her dearly. Her master work was torn to shreds by the angered goddess and she was driven to hang herself in despair. Taking pity, Athena changed her into a spider so that she and all generations after her could continue their weaving work.
What if, instead of fearing spiders, we saw them as reminders of Athena’s lessons:
- don’t define yourself by your work, and
- the greater your talent and skill, the more important it is to practice humility.
The story of Arachne can be found in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book VI
Flandrum Hill 
Very cool post, Amy. I do appreciate my spiders – except for the wolf spiders who are so large they threaten to haul off the Cowboy. But I want them to stay outside, please.
I don’t think I’ve come across a wolf spider yet, though I recall one local person being freaked out about them last fall. I really don’t mind if they come inside as long as they stay out of my bed!
I don’t mind spiders now that I live in the northeast again, but Florida spiders are truly frightening!! I think that some of them could open the doors and come into the house. They were so large that I figured it was the only way they could enter 😉
Millhill that is too funny! I’ve heard of webs in the U.S. with a diameter of 4 feet. I’m sure the spiders that make them are quite large. A good reason for putting screens on the windows!
My “other half” has a strong aversion to spiders, although perhaps if I relate the story of Athena and the above lessons, she may feel differently about them…! (?)
Give it a try pepsoid. It can’t hurt. Being afraid of something in nature can limit your willingness to go into places where they might be dwelling. My husband sustained a deadly spider bite in a tropical environment and was treated just in time. There’s a good reason to fear some spiders.
I’m working up to it……
[…] more on spiders, see Weaving Wisdom into Nature. […]