Trigger Warning: Violence and Suicide
As we discovered during the Creative Corner with Tania, our processes for weaving a web with Arachne and connecting are different. Our vantage point, lived experiences, perceptions, and beliefs play a part in everything we do. Whether it is a craft we do together or the ways we connect to the world around us, who we are remains at the center while we weave our lives.
The Myth
While there are many poets and writers who allude to Arachne, the most widely known is from Ovid in The Metamorphoses (Book Six). Arachne was an amazing weaver, having started at an early age, and she knew it. She was confident in her skill and boasted that she was greater than Athena. An old woman appeared advising her against comparing herself to the Gods, to beg for forgiveness from Athena. When Arachne refused, the old woman revealed herself to be Athena and thus a contest was had.
Athena’s tapestry depicted the the Gods’ wrath upon those who claimed equality to the Gods, while Arachne’s tapestry depicted the ways in which the Gods were oppressive and tyrannical. Athena, upon seeing the work of Arachne (that was in fact, better than her own) became enraged at the insulting images. Athena tore Arachne’s tapestry apart and hit her. Arachne, overwhelmed by shame, hung herself. Athena then transformed her into a spider to weave for all time.
The Narratives Woven
The story of Arachne has many versions. The perspective, beliefs, and experiences of those telling the story determines the story we hear and our perspective, beliefs, and experiences determine our comprehension of it. How often have you:
- Found yourself seemingly at odds with another only to find out you are saying the same thing, just differently?
- Found yourself debating with another based on belief and personal experiences that are at odds with yours? Does it make you angry? Why? Is it helpful?
- Recounted a situation or event with another and recognized that the narratives are different?
The tapestries of our lives, that we are responsible for weaving, tell our story. Athena’s tapestry shows her perspective and lived experiences as does Arachne’s. Scholars often discuss hubris as the motif of the story, but within Dark Goddess Collective we have been able to uncover more. Perhaps the following divination will lead you further into your own web!
A Weaver’s Divination
This divination can be used in many ways and I encourage experimenting with as many as one is comfortable with using bones, stones, tarot, oracle, runes, or other enchanted tools.
- Place the Significator item at the center (the item to represent you).
- What narrative or story have you woven about yourself that needs another perspective and what will help?
- How has this narrative or story impacted your ability to connect to your magic, and what will help?
- How has this narrative or story impacted your ability to connect to the world around you, and what will help? See photo below to continue.
- How will transforming the narrative lead you forward in connecting to the world around you?
- How will transforming the narrative lead you forward in connecting with your magic?
- How does the tapestry shift in your ability to weave connection going forward?
A Candle & A Key,
Kaycee
Want to get involved? See our upcoming events and our community collaboration!
Wondering if the private community is a good space for you to dive deeper into your own practice or get to know the sacred within community? Learn more here.
Get the latest newsletter for FREE here!
You can also follow us on:
