Spider Dreams: An interview with diarist Seaji Covel

Chinese Kangxi Dish with spider British Museum

Kelliebooks: Seaji Covel, thank you so much for taking time to talk with kelliebooks. You’re best known for your personal diaries. I believe you’ve written 1,539 is that correct?

SC: Well, in fact that number is from the latest count at the end of 2025, so by now I have closer to 1601.

KB: Wow, that’s impressive and it’s so wonderful that you publish them and share your life’s ups and downs with us.  However, that’s not why we’re here today. You are also known as an expert on spiders and dreams with spiders, and I’d like to learn more about that.  I myself had a dream about a spider recently, and I was wondering what it could mean. What do spiders represent for you?

SC: Well, I know most people don’t like spiders, and I really don’t love them the way I do, say, my cats, but I know they do a lot of good. For example, some of them eat harmful insects, or even harmful spiders. So if I see one in my house, I always try to pick it up (without touching it of course, yuck!) and put it outside.

KB: Well, that’s very nice of you, I'm sure. But what do you think they represent in dreams?  In your diary volume 1,520 you talk about having numerous dreams about spiders, and you go on to analyze and work through these dreams. It’s fascinating. Can you share a bit with readers who may not be familiar with your work?

SC: Sure, I’d be happy to. And thanks for your interest in my journals. I find not everyone wants to read about my life. I don’t understand why because I’m a really fascinating person, but it’s possible that I’m ahead of my time.

KB: Yes, that’s possible, although you could also be behind your time.

SC: Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that. Well, about the spider dreams, the other night I had a dream that thousands of spiders were surrounding me as I walked across broken pieces of glass. I woke up in a sweat, thinking maybe my husband had broken our kitchen glasses again. He often does, by mistake. But it turned out that everything was fine.

KB: Well, what did you think the spiders represented in that dream?

SC: I think most likely they represented me feeling anxious, maybe trapped. I’ve found that spiders usually show up in my dreams when I'm dealing with something that feels complicated and hard to navigate. In this case, it turned out to be true. The night before it had taken me 6 tries to get my Wordle, and I didn’t even get my Connections. I think the spider symbolized the fear going forward that maybe I would never get Wordle again.

KB: Oh, yes, that really is stressful. Has your research revealed any positive meanings associated with spiders?

SC: Well, yes, for sure! Let’s talk about that, as it will take my mind off my Wordle fears.

KB: Don’t worry, it’s natural to have Wordle fears. I admire you for taking it in stride. Let’s continue our conversation.

SC: Well, could I read you this statement I found on the internet? It says, Despite the common phobia of spiders many people share, spotting this insect on Halloween night is considered great luck. It is believed that if you see a spider during Halloween, it means that a loved one is watching over you. In many parts of the world, spiders are seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

KB: OK, so they can symbolize luck, wealth and prosperity. That sounds positive! 

SC: Yes spiders can be good or bad luck.  And did you know that it's a custom in some places, like China, to feature spiders as symbols for luck in paintings?

KB: I didn't know that. What else do spiders symbolize?

SC: Well, here’s another thing I learned:   The Bible uses spiders to teach spiritual lessons. In Proverbs we find this statement. “The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, and it is in kings' palaces” (30:28). 

KB: What does that mean?

SC: I have no idea.

KB: Interesting.  What else?

SC: Well, spiders are magically symbolic because their webs symbolize the threads of fate that bind everything together. Orb-weaver spiders use their web as a sensory organ (they can feel vibrations), symbolizing psychic intuition.

KB: Vibrations?

SC: They can feel vibrations from the web. Also, their web-making skills symbolize creative power, and are associated with keeping the feminine energies of creation alive and strong. Spiders carry profound lessons about life, patience, balance, and interconnectedness. As we observe their delicate yet powerful webs, spiders can inspire us to reflect on our paths—how we shape our destiny, embrace life's dualities, and connect with the world.

KB: Wow, that’s better than just symbolizing anxiety and anguish! I’ve even heard that they sometimes represent happiness?

SC: Well, yes. In fact, in ancient China, spiders were called "ximu" ("happy insects"). Even in today's folk culture, spiders are believed to bring happiness in the morning and wealth in the evening.

KB: So, to sum up, spiders can represent anxiety, feeling trapped, bad luck, good luck, protection, wealth, happiness, prosperity, magic, psychic intuition, creative power, connection and balance.

SC: Yes! But you’ve forgotten the Bible verse saying they skillfully grasp with their hands and are in king’s palaces.

KB: Oh yes, of course.  I didn’t know they had hands though. But next time I see one in my house, I’ll remember that they're also in king’s palaces. On the other hand, if I were to want to get rid of spiders in my house, do you have any advice?

SC: Yes, of course. Studies have shown that spiders are averse to some scents—using them in your home means spiders will find a new spot to live. These scents include peppermint, lavender, tea tree, basil, and thyme.

KB: Excellent, thank you SC. You really are an expert. Where did you find most of your information about spiders?

SC: Mostly in AI summaries on the internet, so I guess no credits are needed. After all, AI is like a robot. I guess we’ll never need to credit any ideas in the future, thanks to AI. Isn’t that great?

KB: That’s about as great as a spider. Thanks, Seaji Covel.

Seaji Covel’s latest journal, volume 1,600, will be published in June 2026.  Pre-order your 100%-AI-free copy now from your local bookshop. First 100 copies ordered come with a free spider.