Photo by Spidermanbryce
Outside of my office, there’s a little picnic area with a few tables, a fountain, and some random flowers, potted plants, and trees. I like to go out there after lunch everyday and spend a few minutes meditating, just enjoying the sunshine, the breeze, and the nature (such as it is). There’s usually some birds along with chipmunks and squirrels this time of year (pause while I look up how to spell squirrels…ok, back to the story)
So I’m sitting out there today, minding my own business, and I see this praying mantis hop up on the table where I was sitting. Now, I *think* a lot faster than I can type, and even faster than you can read probably, so you’ll have to realize that these thoughts all flew through my head in the space of a couple of seconds:
“Wow, cool! A Praying Mantis! Man, I haven’t seen one of those since I was a kid! How cool is that? Wow, she’s just walking straight towards me, isn’t she? Hello, friendly little praying mantis, how are you this fine day? Wait. Why is she still coming straight for me? Praying Mantis-es…er…manti…err…I should look that up…do they bite? No, I don’t think so. Wow, she’s really coming straight for me, isn’t she? They bite the heads off the males. I hope she doesn’t think that I’m a huge male praying mantis, cause that would kinda suck. What if she’s like a vampire praying mantis, or a zombie praying mantis? Maybe she’s a human using a shapeshifting spell come to give me the kiss of death. OH MY GOD SHE’S STILL COMING STRAIGHT FOR ME! What?!?! What do you want, Ms. Mantis? I don’t have any food. Here. I’ll just get out of the way, and you can go about your business. Just let me back up, and…FUCKMEIT’SONME SHEJUSTJUMPEDRIGHTONME DEMONMANTISDEMONMANTIS AAARRGGHHHHH”
*thump*
Praying mantis goes flying into the grass.
And so then I immediately felt guilty. See, despite my carnivorous habits, I really do love animals, even the creepy crawly kinds. But I just don’t want them on me, know what I’m saying? And so then I was all apologetic.
“I’m sorry Ms. Demon Mantis, I didn’t mean to freak out and thump you across the yard, really. It’s just that I have an overactive imagination, and for some reason, you just pushed one of my buttons. I hope you’re OK. Really. I’m sorry. Friends? No? It’s Ok. I understand.”
And so then, I was like, Oh holy fuck. I wonder what the praying mantis symbolizes? Maybe that was an animal messenger from the Goddess, and I just totally kicked Her out of my life?
You see, I’m a big believer in signs, pattern recognition, and hidden meanings. Especially those that come from the natural world. So, then, of course, I had to google “praying mantis symbolism”, just to see what I had done to myself. One of the lovely pages I found was this one, which I will summarize plagarize below for your convenience. The praying mantis is often seen as a symbol of:
{begin copy and paste}
- Stillness
- Awareness
- Creativity
- Patience
- Mindful
- Calm
- Balance
- Intuition
The mantis comes to us when we need peace, quiet and calm in our lives. Usually the mantis makes an appearance when we’ve flooded our lives with so much business, activity, or chaos that we can no longer hear the still small voice within us because of the external din we’ve created.
The mantis never makes a move unless she is 100% positive it is the right thing for her to do. This is a message to us to contemplate and be sure our minds and souls all agree together about the choices we are making in our lives.
{copy and paste ends here}
Here’s another good one:
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The praying mantis is the oldest symbol of God: the African Bushman’s manifestation of God come to Earth…a divine messenger. …they are also associated with restoring life into the dead. “Mantis” is the Greek word for “prophet” or “seer,” a being with spiritual or mystical powers.
The praying mantis shows the way. In the Arabic and Turkish cultures a mantis points pilgrims to Mecca, the holiest site in the Islamic world. In Africa it helps find lost sheep and goats. In France, it’s believed that if you are lost the mantis points the way home.
“Follow Mantis” means putting that core aspect of yourself, your foundation of Spirit, at the helm and let it direct your intellect and ultimately your life.
{end copy and paste, again}
Various other sites listed the praying mantis as a symbol of martial arts and good luck, mostly due to the “praying mantis” style of kung-fu, where (presumably) you win by biting the head off of your opponents.
Crap. Seriously?
I just TOTALLY SCREWED MY KARMA!!! Here it is, a bona-fide messenger of the Goddess, bringing me the gift of intuition, guidance, peacefulness, and stillness…all this great stuff that I have been focusing all of my energy on attracting into my life, and I THUMPED IT RIGHT OFF OF ME!!! Did I just brush off any hope of ever receiving all that feel good happiness stuff?!?! Did I just tell the Goddess that I wasn’t ready for it?!?! How pissed is She gonna be when Her “divine messenger” reports back?!?! “Yeah boss, I tried to tell him, but then he THUMPED ME INTO THE YARD! Whack him! If anyone ever deserved a bad karma ass-kicking, it’s THAT GUY!”
So, really, I’m sorry Ms. Mantis. Please don’t hate me. It was really just a big misunderstanding. Come back, please? I’ll set out some food for you….
Love always,
Jay
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Don’t worry cousin…..she’ll come back. Women always believe in 2nd, 3rd, 4th…..need I go on…CHANCES. It is ok!
Don’t worry! I don’t think you did anything wrong. You wanted your personal space there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m a vegetarian and huge lover of animals but if a spider gets anywhere near my bed…well…let’s just say it’s not pretty. It’s okay to want to keep your distance from creepy crawly types. I’m sure I would have done the same thing! I’m sure your karma is just fine and, as Cadena said, I’m sure she’ll come back…
Positively Present´s last blog ..positively present: the soundtrack
Jay,
I really enjoyed your story.
Remember, the praying mantis found you as her temporary suitor and, even if you brushed her off, she still picked you.
Jut lIke the rest of us do.
Love Always,
Lori
Lori´s last blog ..Fellowship Fridays: LEOpalooza – The Essential Motivation Handbook
OOPS. Maybe you just weren’ ready for what you thought you wanted for so long.
When you know you ARE, go back in the garden and ask to feel her again. Notice I didn’t say see. Although you might, it may be more intuitive next time.
Loving Annie´s last blog ..7 Night Alaska Cruise
So you fucked up the afternoon of a preying mantis? Man, you’ve got some real balls. Last guy I knew that did that spent his next six years in a North Vietnamese dungeon. (Yeah, it’s been a long time since I knew anybody brave enough to mess with a mantis.)
Good luck. Keep a good pistol or at least some sharp knives around. Who knows what method of extracting revenge Mother nature will choose?
Be alert, watch all shadowy places and travel in a group whenever possible. No matter what happens, remember that your father loves (loved? ) you.
Dad
You didn’t actually kill the bug did you…lol? Anyway…here’s the cool thing… She got your attention. If she came up on the table and sat there…cool. You probably would not have thought too much about it. But she came charging right up…to the point where you had to act…then think about it *ding ding ding.* And you thought so much about it that you went and researched animal totems to see what the meaning was of her presence.
No karma harm done my friend. Just a message and a lesson.
How cool is that!?
Caroline´s last blog ..I have something to admit…
@Cadena – LOL. I hope so!
@Dani – Yeah, I can imagine that a spider in bed doesn’t make for a happy night for any of the parties involved. As to whether she comes back or not, here’s to hoping!
@Lori – You’re so sweet. I kinda like the idea of being her temporary suitor. I’m just glad I got out before the whole “biting the head off” thing kicked in!
@Annie – That’s as good an explanation as any. Or maybe I still have some fears that I need to work on before I’m ready to accept the gifts?
@Dad – LOL. Somehow, I don’t think a good pistol will protect against Mother Nature should she decide to come after me. Nope. I’m just screwed
@Caroline – No, I didn’t actually kill it. And I think I like your interpretation of the possible meaning the best. Just a message and a lesson…I like that!
Yep, I like Caroline’s interpretation too!
Next time….
You’ll see the sign in a different light!
Lance´s last blog ..Leading From Within
I’m with Mike… you’re screwed.
Hopeless.
I love this part ’cause it’s exactly how I feel: “See, despite my carnivorous habits, I really do love animals, even the creepy crawly kinds. But I just don’t want them on me, know what I’m saying? ”
LOVING this post… quite possibly my favorite Porsidan rant yet!
Lisis | Quest For Balance´s last blog ..Fellowship Fridays: LEOpalooza – The Essential Motivation Handbook
Little bastards can bite….they attack in teams of three. One is sent forward to attract and distract. The other two come in from the side and behind you. This technique makes it easier to chew the head off larger beings.
If you took out the lead mantis, the other two probably followed you home. Once in the home, they prefer attacking in the shower, so don’t bathe. If that fails, after several days they will attempt a stealth attack while you sleep. During the day they reside under the frig, looking for the right moment to charge when your hands are full and you’re defenseless.
They are descendents of an evil alien race. What you see is not their true form. Actually, in their alien form theykre invisible, so no one really knows what they look like.
So let’s recap. Forget karma, you’re screwed. Don’t eat, sleep or bathe. Keep a sharp eye out for odd movement in your environs, in case they’ve gone invisible.
Oh, and they love ABBA. Puts them in the mood to mate.
You’re pretty much toast, but thank you for brightening up my day. So sorry that I am sitting here laughing hysterically at your expense. It’s not personal. LOL
Jill´s last blog ..To my Uncle Doug
@Lance – I hope so! If nothing else, I hope I am always able to learn from my mistakes. Hopefully, I’ll get better at reading the signs and listening to the message before freaking out!
@Lisis -Thanks for the vote of confidence :/ On the other hand, I’m glad you are loving this post! I figured we were due for a dose of humor round these parts.
@Terrapin – LMAO! That has to be the best comment I have EVER gotten on a blog! Thanks for keeping the humor vibe alive and well!
@Jill – (bows deeply) At your service, milady! Always glad to help. And if I can help by being the court jester, then so much the better!
Jay – You crack me up.
But I’m with Caroline on this one, and I think you’ve devoted more than enough time to unpacking this omen to make up for your initial reaction!
Also, I don’t think there are many true teachings that are accepted without initial resistance anyway. Your comment about ‘liking animals but just not on me’ pretty much sums up spirituality for most of us at some point – we want the truth, but when it hurts (or in this case crawls), well, we don’t always welcome the lessons right away! – Lisa
Jay, this was hilarious. The comments just made it that much better. I’m into all creatures and the only ones I kill are mosquitoes and fire ants. The rest of them live. I think your Karma is OK.
Stephen – Rat Race Trap´s last blog ..The Power of Less – Setting Limits
Hi Jay,
That is the thing about knowing about karma…it takes all interactions to a new level!
This post made me laugh and who knew that the praying mantis held such powerful meanings. Wow! I learned something new. Thank you!
BTW, I don’t think you messed up your karma. I am with Caroline on the interpretation.
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..Happy News (July 26, 2009)
@Lisa – Thank you for that added insight! I hadn’t even thought about that, but you’re absolutely right. We love the truth and accept it easily when we’re ready for it, or when it comes in an attractive package, but if we’re not ready, or the packaging isn’t to our liking, then we resist.
@Stephen – I know, right/ the comments on this post are more entertaining than the post itself is! I need to write humor more often!
@Nadia – Well, since Lance, Lisa, and you all agree with Caroline, that makes it official! I can’t think of any three spiritual folks I trust more than you all, so I’m gonna take your word for it!
HI Jay,
You have no idea how much i actually enjoyed this demonprayingmantis post of yours. I am giggling while typing this…I dont think you screwed with you karma. Imagine if all the sites online were truly truly right…we would all be weird alien illusions….;)
So dont worry, i am freakishly grossed our by weird crawling creatures myself…i usually just make a run for it..or scream…till someone else does something about it. It usually works..and i dont even worry about my karma then.{wink wink}
Zeenat-Positive Provocations´s last blog ..Wants vs. Needs
Funny! I think you left out the USA interpretation: Weird, alien-looking, mutationally oversized insect that scares the crap out of you even if it doesn’t move, but if it does, DON”T LET IT GET ON YOU! If that had happened to me I would still be trying to slow my heartbeat down.
Dot´s last blog ..Comment on Positively Present Quoted by Dot
Oh, dear Jesus, I totally LOVED this post!!! Jay, you are a kindred spirit, my friend!!!
Would you believe me if I told you that I had a very similar experience last year? Would you?!
Like you, I totally pay attention to the little messengers that the Universe sends to us, especially the animals that come across our paths or zooming into our lives from time to time. Just like you, when something unusual like this happens, I look up the animal on one or two of my favorite Animal Totem sites … and what I read is usually spot on!!! I am so tickled that you do this, too!
Anyway, as I said, something similar happened to me last year. I had been seeing this one animal again and again and again … and AGAIN for about 2 months, so I’d already decided this little dear had some meaning for me and had looked her up. Then a month or two went by and I didn’t see her all that much. Well … one day I was at the beach (a very strange place for this little creature to be) when I felt something land on and start tickling my legs, so I quickly (without thought) brushed it away only to look down and discover that it was her … and that I’d CRIPPLED HER! My heart was crushed, I mean crushed! How could I do this to her?! I tried to help but I am not sure she ever really recovered, and I couldn’t stop thinking “How could I do this?”
I finally could only comfort myself as a lesson learned: Be aware. Think before I act. If I don’t, I can “destroy” a gift in my haste. Don’t do this again.
I’m happy to report that she has visited me again since then.
Chania Girl´s last blog ..Letter to a Friend, or Where Have I Been All Summer
@Zeenat – I’m glad you enjoyed the post! Laughter is always good for the soul, and I’m glad I was able to make you laugh.
@Dot – LOL you’re right, i think that IS the USA interpretation. I’m also fairly sure that it’s more universal than any of the others. I think almost everyone worldwide has that same reaction!
@Chania Girl – Indeed, we are kindred spirits! I like the lesson that you learned…think before you act. I feel like that might be applicable to my situation as well. It gives me hope that you were visited again…perhaps I will be visited again, too!
Jay -
LMAO – thanks for the great visual! I’m sitting at work on a Monday (shhhh…don’t tell anyone that I’m at work reading blogs!)and it’s actually a slow afternoon and I’m counting the minutes until I can leave and go home and do all the things I feel like I “should” be doing instead of sitting in front of this computer screen, then I read your blog and get a good dose of comic relief – to include some of the great comments!
About a year ago my life was in a state of chaos – I just started a job I didn’t want because my marriage of 26 years was over and I had to support myself, I just moved out of my house to live on my own for the first time in my life and to top it all off, my dog unexpectedly died! Anyway, all the sudden I started having visits from praying mantises (or mantids, or mantes – whichever form of the plural you want to use – I looked it up!). I also believe in signs and I felt like they were there to give me hope for my future…of course, I didn’t “whack” my visitors when they came! LOL
Did you totally screw your karma? I’m no expert, but I think there might still be some hope for you ;o) I suggest that next time you get visited, that you take a deep breath, get your over-active imagination in check and see what message is being brought to you – you might be pleasantly surprized!
Good luck!
Carol
Carol´s last blog ..My Daughter…My Friend
Jay,
I was about to sign off for the day and I was feeling a bit down. Then I found this post and it made laugh so loudly, I scared my almost deaf dog!
Were you wearing green that day? Perhaps the matis thought you were a huge grasshopper and decided to feast. Afterall, they are a carnivore and have legs with spikes for snaring prey and pinning it in place.
So, maybe you had the good Karma and the mantis had bad Karma:~)
Sara´s last blog ..Story Photo: To Start a Conversation
Well, even your brief interaction with the mantis sounds like it prompted you to do a lot of research and introspection — maybe getting thumped was all it was there to do.
@Carol – Thanks for stopping by! I spent the better part of my afternoon perusing your blog, and I really liked it! I think you’re right – the key is to get my imagination in check, and let reality be reality. Harder than it sounds for me, though, cause I’ve always had the dreamer’s disease
@Sara – LOL. I’m glad I helped brighten your day! I wasn’t wearing green, but I’m pretty sure She wanted to eat me anyway!
@Chris – Maybe so, but if that’s true, then what a brave trooper! She was just there to get thumped…it’s almost like a suicide mission!
Oh my god, I’m wetting myself over here! This is my first visit to your blog, and I most assuredly picked the perfect post. You’re hilarious, a great writer, and a brilliant spiritualist to boot. Fantastic combination in my book!
You know, I would have been right there with you, and actually there have been a few insect messengers I’ve had similar exchanges with. I have to believe that the preying mantis had a contract with you on that day, and expected to be thumped. That doesn’t mean she won’t hunt you down and find you (while you’re sleeping, most likely).
I’m so glad I stopped over today… Have a super Wednesday!
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..What’s In An Opinion?
@Megan – Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you liked this post. I don’t have nearly enough funny posts on here, so you did indeed pick the perfect time to visit. I’ve been to your blog a few times, and I enjoy it a lot.
Since that’s two votes (you and Chris) for the Mantis having a contract, I think we’re going to officially adopt that position. The mantis knew she was gonna get thumped. Wow. Talk about “taking one for the team!” I feel like I owe her a double dose of gratitude now!
Hey Jay, I came over from Lisis’ blog. I’m very sorry about your karma. That’s actually happened to me before. Not with a praying mantis but with animals in general. I would just accidentally freak if they made any physical contact with me. I’d be like “Wow, that looks so cool”, but then I’d be like “Aggghh, get off me!” without realizing what I was doing.
While it was pretty funny, I hope you’ll meet another mantis soon, when you’re more careful anyway.
John´s last blog ..What Comic Book Heroes Can Teach You About Life
@John – Thanks for stopping by! I, too, hope I can meet another mantis when I’m in a more careful, present frame of mind!
Zombie praying mantis! Hahaha! I enjoyed this story, thanks!
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net´s last blog ..The Judging Mind and Emotions – Attachments and Aversions
Don’t be so hard on yourself….you thumped her, you didn’t squish her little life between the bindings of your hardcover book until the life was pinched out of her…….
Dawn´s last blog ..Armageddon is Here!
@Albert – You’re welcome, my friend! Glad to see you around these parts again!
@Dawn – lol, true. I can count that as a small victory, because honestly, THAT was my first thought on how to handle the situation…instant squish. So in light of that, perhaps thumping wasn’t so bad after all.
Jay,
You are hilarious! Love your blog. I love how you Googled it. I saw a rainbow the other day and wondered what it meant. Duh. I think I’ll go find out!
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Out-of-The-Box Blogging Bold
@Tess – Thank you, Tess! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Google is a wonderful invention, isn’t it? A world of knowledge at your fingertips.
Oh Jay this was precious – hilarious and thought provoking. I saw you (and this post under your name) on several blogs and I simply HAD to read it – so glad I came by!
If I thought for a moment that every critter than came way and was killed for it had any effect on my karma at all, I’d fold up my tent and end it all! But I do admit, I’ve had a lot of wonderment over some of the incidents, similar to yours but without the actual google research. GREAT post! You have a new fan!
suzen´s last blog ..The Power of the Circle
@Suzen – Welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed this post! And it’s always great to have a new fan. Hopefully, I won’t disappoint
Now, I’m going over to spend some time on *your* blog….
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Hi Jay
Been in a spiritual delema as to weather I should end a relationship or not, and have been asking the universe for direction. I was walking out the batroom door at work and, there on a railing she looked right at me. I ran to Google to see what was up and found you Jay. The info. that jumped out was the part that say’s “never make a move unless you are 100%, I guess I am not 100% yet, and I guess I need to be still, aware, patient, and calm. I have been listening to my intuition, but not acting on it yet. I agree with you 2 Lisa. Jay thanks for my first smile of the day.
Meridith
@Meridith – I’m glad you found your way over here! I’m sorry that you’re in the “end a relationship” dilemma. It’s good that you’re listening to your intuition, I’m sure that it will lead you to the best decision when you are ready to make it. Come back and see me again sometime!
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