Dragonfly

The iridescent colors of dragonfly wings & body (& their cousin the Mayfly) have captivated me ever since I was a young child. Even though I am an Earth sign, there is something about water that draws me to it. Perhaps it is the security I felt being in the womb of my mother. Or maybe it is because of my parents love of the beach and taking me there when I was newly born has something to do with it. I simply adore the scent of water. It doesn’t matter of it is fresh water or the saltiness of the sea & salt marsh, I simply must be near it!

Some of my fondest memories are of my parent’s, my siblings, and me playing in the streams, creeks & rivers of inland Florida. My father took us fishing often. I also enjoy the memories of jumping off of his strong shoulders into the waves of Folly Beach.

I can recall long lazy summer days lying in the grass and watching dragonflies flit from rock to rock in the stream. Elkhorn Creek at the Forks of the Elkhorn (near Frankfort Kentucky has one of the most prolific populations of the lovely creatures. My children & I often went to slide down the side of the old stone dam on inner tubes into the rushing waters of the creek. Once exhausted from playing we’d lay on the ricks and watch dragonflies & mayflies flit about. Pure Heaven!!!

Recently I started a social media strategy company. I named it Dragonfly Social Connection. There are a few reasons why I chose this name that I will not go into now. Suffice it to say, it just seemed fitting.

I have been house-sitting for my son & his wife while they vacation and I have been doing lots of work in the yard. Oh how I adore being outside in the sun. I enjoy mowing the grass & digging in the dirt. I keep the water-hose handy so I can keep spraying myself. It is so hot!!! However, you will not hear me complain about itJ In the midst of gardening and such a very bright and very green dragonfly keeps hovering around me. It is not afraid of me either and I really like that.

As part of my spiritual path I have been paying closer attention to nature and what She is saying to me. I believe I was a Shaman in a past life because it comes too easily to me…teaching, healing, a wisdom beyond the logical mind; all of these have been intrinsically a part of my life for so long that I cannot remember being any other way. This got me to pondering…

What is up with Dragonfly?

Off I went on a search and the following is what I have discovered:

Symbolic Meanings of the Dragonfly

As a creature of the wind, the dragonfly totem represents change. It’s iridescent wings are incredibly sensitive to the slightest breeze, and so we are reminded to heed where the proverbial wind blows – lest we run into stormy weather.

Dragonflies are also creatures of the water, and any creature whose habitat is in, or around water carries symbolism relative the subconscious, or “dreaming” mind and thoughts.

This is because in the animal world, water is symbolic of the subconscious mind (“deeper mind,” “dreaming mind”) and relates to the thoughts we have in relaxed/meditative/sleeping/subconscious states.

Quick-list animal symbolism of the dragonfly:

 

• prosperity
• good luck
• strength
• peace
• harmony
• purity

 

These symbolic meanings of dragonfly are particularly associated in Asian (Japan) and Native American (Plains region) circles.

Dragonflies carry messages that deal with deeper thought – and they ask that we pay attention to our deeper thoughts and desires.

Further symbolic insect meaning of dragonfly comes into play when we observe the dragonfly’s mode of transportation as it skitters across the top of water surfaces. This implies that our deeper thoughts are surfacing and we must be mindful of the outcome we wish to have.

The dragonfly is a reminder that when our deeper thoughts rise to the surface we must pay attention – there are lessons to be learned, and we are also reminded that what we think is directly proportionate to what we “see on the surface.” …In short, our thoughts (even the deeper ones that we might not be as in-touch with as we are with our conscious thoughts) are responsible for what we see in our lives – in our physical surroundings.

The dragonfly gives us a very powerful meditation tool. Close your eyes, and focus on a thought – let it rise to the surface of your mind’s ocean – see that thought float lightly up to the water’s surface. Now upon the top of a smooth, calm glass-like surface – visualize that thought moving across that water – sliding across – smooth and fast.

This exercise is useful when we want to visualize positive outcomes in a situation. We see the thought of hope happily moving across an ocean of peace (peaceful mind) and skirting to a perfect outcome.

Lastly it should be noted that the Dragonfly lives a short life, and it knows it must live to the fullest with what it has. This lesson is huge for each of us. When you see a dragonfly, be aware of the gifts it has to offer by keeping its animal totem meanings in mind.