I’ve mentioned before that I’m not particularly squeamish about bugs and other creepy crawlies. (Except snakes.) I find them pretty fascinating, actually. (Except snakes.) So when Graham snapped a shot of this colorful lady while he was out doing some work on the house yesterday, my first thought was, “What a pretty spider!”
And she is, isn’t she?
I did some research today, and it turns out, this giantess is an Argiope aurantia, sometimes called the writing spider. They’re known for the patterns they weave into their webs, which often look like X’s and Z’s. They’re not aggressive, but they will bite if provoked, and they tend to stay in one place throughout their lifetimes. And an interesting bit of folklore: It’s been said that if you tear down a writing spider’s web or try to harm it, the spider will build a new web the next day with your name written in silk, thereby cursing you with bad luck.
So, I’ll leave her alone, then. Which is my general rule of thumb anyway, when it comes to spiders.
But it does feel sort of appropriate to have a writing spider close by. I certainly don’t plan to bother her, but I think it’s pretty likely that I’ll check on her every now and again, if only to see what new patterns she’s created.
A Virginia Writer's Diary 
Great post, I was actually up all night searching black widow images for my tattoo, lol. I love snakes as well & most creatures others don’t care for. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
I have what I know is an irrational fear of snakes, and I’d love to get past it. Bugs and spiders and the like have never really bothered me, so I think it’s curious that snakes do.
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One morning I looked out the window and one had created a web across it, just above the spot where Libby would go out the pet door and onto her little porch. I struggled mightily with the desire to take it down, but I resisted the urge in my efforts to be eco-friendly in the yard. The next morning, she and her web were gone.
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I wonder where she went. It’s hard when they set themselves up just barely out of the way. I would have thought about moving her, too. We had a big guy right in the corner of the door frame once, and you could tell he was nervous every time we opened the door. Eventually, he moved on. I’ve always wondered where.
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It reminded me of how sometimes acceptance results in what you wanted. Her web was anchored on either side of the pet door and did not cover it, but I thought perhaps having a little dog flit in and out several times a day or night was disrupting her vibes. I was happy she picked elsewhere.
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Spiders are such interesting little creatures. She probably found a quieter spot, as did the one on our door frame. At least I hope so. We all deserve some peace and quiet in our own homes. Or webs, as it were.
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So interesting – her name, her markings, and the folklore. I am with you… nature is fascinating. I grew up with an older brother who helped me to see the beauty in creepy crawly creatures. 😆
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I love that!
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I did not always love it, but I am grateful for his form of immersion therapy. 😆
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LOL!
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That spider is incredibly fascinating… but I’m scared of spiders 🥶
I’m scared of all jumpy things actually
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I get that! I mentioned in the post and in a previous comment that I’m scared of snakes. Don’t know why, and I can’t seem to help it. I figure everyone’s afraid of something (or a few somethings). 🙂
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