Dreams, spiders and Synchronicity

Every now and then, something happens that shakes me awake a little bit and reminds me that are still unknown and mysterious events and processes that happen all around us, especially when we are open to them. I had one of those very things happen this week, and I have to say it was pretty awesome.

 The other night, I had a dream in which the main character was a large spider. Although I don’t remember the specifics of the dream, I do remember that there was someone else and myself, and this other person was showing me a spider that was under a house or something. It actually reminded me of the area under a mobile home, when the siding is pulled away – with the insulation and other stuff underneath. I remember the spider running around a little bit and thinking that it was similar to a tarantula, but not quite as big, and grey instead of brown. The dream was neither firghtening nor disturbing, and I didn’t think much of it. 

The very next day, I was at work and went into the lunch room to get some ice for my soda. As I walked in, I noticed there were a couple of maintenance guys working around the ice machine. I asked them if it was ok for me to grab some ice, and they said “sure.” As I was went to fill my cup, one of them asked me something, but I didn’t quite hear what it was, so I said “hunh?” He replied, “you wanna’ see this spider up here?” 

He had one of the panels in the relatively low acoustical ceiling pulled down, and there on the pink insulation above was a large spider. For a moment, I had that strange feeling of wondering whether what I was seeing was real, or whether I was maybe still sleeping. I took a long look at the spider, determined it was real, and after a few moments said “wow” and walked off. 

Now to many people, it may seem like just a coincidence, to dream about a spider and then see one the next day. But I can tell you that for me, with the way it happened, the timing and manner of it all, I was pretty blown away. It’s not like I dream of spiders all the time. And I can honestly remember only one other time being shown a spider at a place I worked. If one were to calculate the odds that I would dream of being shown a spider one night and then have someone show me a spider at my work the very next day, I’m sure they would be extremely long odds – long enough to make me wonder if it could have been just chance. Oh, and the fact that this all happened the day before the much hallowed venus transit made it even that much more mystical – to me anyway. 

I think I mentioned in another post that I have been feeling some feelings this year that I haven’t really felt since the mid 90′s when I had quite the “mystical experience” happening. I have had some events happen, this spider one being a perfect example, that are serving to once again awaken that part of me that believes in the possibilities psychic abilities, mystical experiences, myths and legends, paranormal activities and all the other unknown phenomenon. It is a part of myself that I have sometimes resented because I felt as though it was almost teasing me, as if to say “see – it really is possible – but don’t go thinking it’s going to keep happening – all you get is a taste.” When I have always wanted MUCH more than just a taste, as I’m sure have many others. 

But at times like this, after not even having had a taste, not even a crumb, for so, so long, I remember just how grateful I am for these little glimpses; just how important they have been to me and my spiritual development; just how much I truly enjoy and treasure them; and just how much I truly miss them when they are absent for long periods of time. I think it is the lack of gratitude (and probably the over-consumption of certain “substances”) that contributed to this last lengthy absence. Of course I’m sure there were probably external factors as well, but I can’t help but think that my lack of gratitude combined with delusions of grandeur were the real reasons those things stopped happening altogether. 

And so today, rather than ascribe some personal meaning to it, like telling myself “I’m psychic! I’m a guru! I’m the chosen one!” I am merely in humble awe of the experience, and extremely grateful to have had it. Would I like more such experiences? Absolutely I would. Do I understand what the true source or meaning of those experiences is? No, not entirely. But I do know that I am only a grateful servant, a humble vessel, and an eager student. I used to yearn to be some great teacher. Now, I yearn FOR a great teacher – whether that teacher be internal or external, material or immaterial, human or otherwise, I am open to learning. For all this, I say “thank you Mother/Father God” and thanks to all that is. Hopefully, I will have more such experiences to report on, and hopefully I will remember to stay grateful.