Spider Sense

“We dance around in a ring and suppose but the secret sits in the middle and knows.”

~ Robert Frost

How much do we really know about the world around us? We can have ideas, ponder, wonder, have opinions, and suppose. Who really knows; the source, the universe, the creator, the universal spirit, our earth mother … ?

I marvel at what nature can teach us. If we are open and become still and observe, it has so much to convey about life and the world we live in.

Witnessing spider sense

One day while spending some much needed time by the water I asked for a little insight into what I felt confused about at the time. As for any answers I seek in this way, I never know what will come and I need to stay clear and present.

As I perched on a large boulder under some trees, I began to notice a host of spider webs nearby among the rocks and plants. One such web caught my attention. A smallish, delicate spider sat in the center, doing what spiders do and I saw nothing out of the ordinary.  As I watched, each of the creature’s legs gave a careful tug on the strands of its web and in my speculation, seeking to detect any prey. A couple of times the spider left the center of its web to scurry down a strand to investigate before it returned to its original center.

For a moment I shifted my gaze to the water to admire the scene of this ideal summer’s day. As I fixed on the sound of the wind through the trees I became aware that this place I had chosen was one of pure tranquility. It felt private and unspoiled. I became more present.

What I didn’t understand

After a few moments I turned my attention back to the spider web to notice that the spider had disappeared underneath a rock. Then, from beneath the rock came a much larger spider that looked to be of a different species. I was intrigued as I watched it busily destroy the web as it lumbered around. I then noticed this larger spider appeared to be devouring the web and by the time it was done three quarters of the web was gone. I was astonished. I wondered how a spider could do this to another and I was shocked and a little upset. The large spider then disappeared and the original smaller spider returned to resume its position in the center, unperturbed.

When I got home I did some research on this behavior. It turned out that the larger spider was probably the female and the smaller one, the male. Apparently, the larger female ate the silk of the web for food, as they sometimes do.

My feeling upset by this behavior reminded me of how the mysteries of our world can raise questions about things we do not understand. We can find all kinds of ways to feel offended, fear the misunderstood or the unknown, and to make false conclusions.

So … we suppose, and the secret sits in the center and knows

The world is an awesome place. We can only ponder its magnificent mystery and all that happens in our lives that bring a host of emotions and experiences. What is the secret? Who knows?

These amazing little creatures taught me to keep my center – always watchful and paying attention. This experience also showed me to welcome the mystery of the unknown as we sit in the center of our universe.

Do you suppose? Stay centered and embrace the mystery of the world, and just as importantly, the mystery of you.

Joyful journeying.