Today I'm posting a sketch! Woo hoo!!!
Soooooo, I'm presenting Mr. Crabby Crab!
There is a little story behind my friend the crab.
I was at the beach recently, while visiting with my mother. It was a gorgeous day, hot sun, warm water, soft sand. We swam in the ocean for a while, splashing in the waves, then plopped down on the towels for a much needed rest. Suddenly, there was a tap tap tap on my mom's stomach. We look down and see this crab practically underneath her. Needless to say, we jumped up quite a bit shocked.
But then we settled down and just...watched. He was amazing. So calm and centered, with an absolute stillness, and yet when he needed to move he did it swiftly. The thing is crabs never move straight forward, if you've ever watched one, they do this cooky little side to side movement. Which definitely got me thinking.
Our first visitor, who was getting a little touchy feely with mi madre. He might have been a bit fresh, but he made a strong impression.
Our second visitor, who came just after the other skedattled. This one was super fast. He shot on to our towel so quick, he almost shot right up into my lap. Then hung out for a while making his presence known.
With these crabby crabs showing up in such exuberantly friendly ways, we couldn't help but think that just maybe there was a message in this somewhere.
Which means, of course I had to look it up. :-)
Here is what I found on http://www.whats-your-sign.com/crab-animal-symbolism.html:
Crab symbolism was very strong and extremely interesting. Crabs mean protection for the paths we embark on, moon energy, and they are the guardians of the watery world. Crabs cast off their shells so cycling and rebirth is a strong theme with them.
I was also extremely struck by this little ditty...
As an animal totem, the crab's ambulation (what a great word!) is noteworthy. Never taking a direct (forward, or head-on) route, the crab makes its way on land with a sideways tap-dance.
This is a reminder that not all paths are direct and not all ways will be forthcoming in their meaning.
When you are moving
in a certain direction, and you feel a bit misguided, call upon the
travel-savvy crab. She will guide you in an unorthodox way - taking
lesser known paths of least resistance and bring you to clarity....
In other words, when we relax and move in the waves of wellbeing - moving in the natural flow of things, we have no need for defense. All of our needs are met, and we are divinely cared for.
And another great quote that resonated there. "...the crab is content to move with the natural cadence of the moon, the water, the land, and the perfect rhythm of nature."
How very zen, I must say. And honestly, it fits so well with what I have been feeling recently. Some people's lives follow a straight and narrow path, where they are constantly driven to place one foot directly in front of the other, moving forward through life. My life seems so, so different. It feels like a constant one step forward, three steps back kind of dance, and more often than not it is a dance that seems to take me side ways in indirect fashions, rather than directly where I "think" I should go. I'm learning to become more open to the messages, just like I am beginning to become more open in my way of thinking about life goals and advancement.
As a writer, artist, and creative, I guess I haven't choosen the easiest path for myself. But I wouldn't change it for the world. And even if I move with a side to side swagger, I know I'll get to where I am meant to be in the end. In the meantime I'll enjoy the journey, (and the drawing) while I keep a look out for signs, and crabs. :-)
Message received!
