north

Direction: North
Element: Earth
Concepts: connections, strength of small things, spiral, patience, Grandmother Spider

This panel shows a spider’s web. But not only a spider’s web, but within that, a spiral. This symbol while very simple, to me personally has very deep meanings.

The web itself is, for me, a symbol of inter-connective-ness. It shows that all things are connected, if not directly, indirectly. That tugging on one part pulls the whole. Re-weaving part of the web effects the whole. Destroying part of the web hurts the whole. A single strand is weak and wouldn’t hold a thing, but many strands can trap the biggest pray. The web teaches that while things get bigger or smaller, they remain the same (hence the spiral). Lastly the web teaches patience. For the spider that spins it must be both patient to spin it, and patient to wait for her pray.

The spider’s web is also a connection to me for Grandmother Spider, a totemic teacher for this realm, spiders (and Grandmother Spider) has shown me much, and will always be a welcome and respected guide.

technical info
dimensions: 3” x 2.5”
tattooed at: Unique Ink, Marion IL
tattooed: May 18th, 2005, 1 hour

photos taken: May 20th, 2005