Stronger than Silk: Why the Spider?

Recently, I launched the details for a Women’s group that I will be hosting in August 2026.

The group is designed to be an experience in exploring our practices as women – as imposed by society and ourselves. We aim to question roles, where our energy goes, and to allow ourselves the freedom of expression in a safe, non-judgmental space. My ultimate goal is to “build a village,” so to speak - so all women have access to a community of other supportive women.

But my promotion/flyer design choice has received a bit of push back.

The feedback sounds a lot like (and I’m paraphrasing here), “Ew, gross – women and spiders?” “What the hell do those have to do with each other??” “Don’t you know we HATE spiders?”

Admittedly, sometimes I forget to share the “why” behind my choices. Now I aim to clarify.

Ladies, let me know if you still view spiders the same way after this post.

A Clarification…

I’m sure most of you think Black Widows when you think of spiders, especially in association with women. I can understand how this correlation would be off-putting. It carries a negative connotation, after all.

However, when I mean spiders, I am specifically talking about Orb weavers.

Why Orb weaver spiders?

Well, because spiders in general are fascinating, but Orb weavers are particularly extraordinary.

And I’m a fan of the dark and broody.

As a species, Orb weavers are known for their traits, web building, and their sexual dimorphism. This means the species shows distinct physical and behavioral differences between males and females beyond their reproductive organs.

For example, all Orb weavers can make three different types of silk within their bodies, depending on the need. They literally contain within them everything they need to build a sustainable life.

Spiders and Women: We Share More Than We Think

In general, spiders have been associated with the Divine Feminine archetype, often symbolizing themes like creativity, maternal instinct, intelligence, and resilience.

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Female orb weavers are up to 3x bigger than their male counterparts. The spiders have more physical size; human women often have larger character. Female weavers take down greater, more varied prey – women do the same, metaphorically. Sometimes actually. Human or arachnid, they both represent presence, authority, and holding space.

Female orb weavers are also the ones building the massive, intricately detailed webs that we see (or run accidentally run into) in open spaces. The bravery alone to build in such a vulnerable spot, am I right?

Males build much smaller, less detailed webs – if they build any at all.

These females are the ultimate creators and architects.

Not only can these webs span over 3ft in width, they’re also highly organized into circular patterns. Every silk thread serves a purpose. These webs become the spiders’ world – it is where she will eat, sleep, and care for her eggs.

History notes the weavers as symbols for the nurturer and creator.

This is seen most notably in Navajo legend where Na'ashjé'ii Asdzáá - the Spider Woman (not to be confused with Marvels’ superhero) - is the savior and universal protector of the cosmos. She weaves the fabric of reality and protects humanity from harm, while teaching balance, connection, and inner strength.

In Hopi legends, Kokyangwuti - the Spider Grandmother - is the Earth Goddess who has the ability to weave worlds into existence. She sustains life, ensuring humanity’s safety by tethering herself to a single silk thread atop every person’s head.

Women are indeed weavers of the future.

Moreover, Orb weaver females are strategic, focused, and patient. Rather than chasing down prey, weavers prefer to wait patiently at the center of their webs. Acutely tuned, they can feel even the slightest vibration – and determine whether it’s wind, water, or food – so they know when to act.

This speaks to the strengths of strategic patience and intuition.

Women, too, learn to discern what is worth our energy and what isn’t. We possess an understanding of emotional intelligence and often lean on our gut instincts to make decisions. And boy, are we observant.

Female Orb weavers are ruthlessly caring of their young – even after death.

Though many spider species partake in some form of guarding behavior, Orb weavers leverage their silk engineering skills for protection.

That’s because she won’t be around when her offspring hatches.

Every Autumn, these moms build dense, fluffy, multi-layered sacs using special weather-proof silk. Orb weaver females die shortly after laying their hundreds of eggs, so they make sure their babies have everything they need to sustain them after she’s gone. Each female spider ensures her eggs are in a safe, discreet location with enough nourishment for her babies to emerge in the Spring, completely ready for the world.

The dedication and planning to ensure offspring succeed is no strange concept to women.

Female Orb weavers are skilled in adaptability and continuous renewal.

These gals are nocturnal. Just before morning, they recycle their silk to make a new web by dusk, then go to bed.

That’s not what gets me about Orb weavers, though.

To start their webs, they cast a single silk thread out into the wind. Once it catches something – be it a fence post, sturdy branch, or a single leaf - she beings her build.

How beautiful is it to trust in yourself so much that you simply cast out, knowing that you’ll make it work with whatever catches?

That right there, is why I chose the Orb weaver as the symbol for Stronger than Silk.

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To save your spot, please go to the Eventbrite link here.

Currently, each group is limited to 10 per session but if there’s interest, I’m happy to open up more space.

I’d love to see you there.

Let’s get moving 😊

-          Sasha