Savannah's icky totem, the Palmetto Bug

Anyone that has ever spent time in Savannah has met this icky, unwanted critter. It has either flown at them, crawled over them, charged at them from shrubbery, or skittered across the pavement in their general direction. Tales of encounters of the ickyiest kind float across vacationer's blogs and locals, well we just call them Palmetto bugs, even though they are known by a much less elegant title. Giant, mutated, flying cockroaches from Hell!! Ok, maybe that's a wee bit dramatic, but if you've ever been assailed by one in the shower with an apartment full of visitors, well you get the picture.

This particular specimen of roach is known by the less glamorous name, Periplaneta americana and belongs to a variety of large, reddish brown, winged, insects that feed on decaying matter and thrive in moist environments. Few places in Georgia have such an ideal breeding ground, much to the chagrin of human natives.

Most people are utterly annoyed and disgusted by these creepy crawlies, but they actually do serve a very valuable purpose. Aside from allerting the home owner to rotting wood or possible dampness under cabinets, they are also a valuable spiritual ally as well. Yes, the lowly Palmetto bug has a higher calling.

Totems are funny things. They can come in all shapes, sizes, and degrees of ickyness. Totems also have three basic classifications: high protector, familiars, and lower level animal souls. High protectors are usually seen as creatures of lore, dragons, phoenixes, unicorns and such. Familiars are those animal spirits that actually assist during energy work. They may also lend their attributes during Therianthropic workings or astral shiftings, act as an astral guide, or astral temple protectors. Lower level animal souls, like our lowly friend here, are animal souls that may move from one creature to another, but who by their very natures teach us lessons and guide us towards higher states of awareness. The cockroach is one of them.

This is a very simple animal with very simple requirements. Give him a nice warm, moist, environment with something rotten to eat and he is good. So good in fact that he will multiply with a harem of pretty little girl Palmettos to the tune of about 150 young per female cockroach every 6 to 8 days. Aside from being a nuisance and, well, just plain gross, this little guy (or girl) has a big lesson to teach. They always seem to be very busy but never really seem to be as orderly as their distant cousins the ant. They go wherever the food is, wherever they can thrive the most, and they seem to be rather astute at avoiding heavy clomping shoes.

Therein is their ability to teach profound lessons.

The Savannah totem has the lessons of durability, adaptability, and a go with the flow zen that few other insects seem to have. Their lessons are to pay attention to subtle energies, they are about to change and change big time. Be prepared to shift into a different state of awareness suddenly and be adaptable when it happens. These creatures have evolved over millions + years because of this trait. They are able to flex with the flow of their environment and they are able to grow where they are planted. Sometimes their lesson is to clear out the old and clarify the energy in your living environment. Most importantly, their lesson of being adaptive when the environment is hostile is one of the most powerful wisdoms they can impart.

So the next time you're down town, by the river and a few of these large brown critters skitter across your path, tell them thank you! They've made you stronger just by crossing your path.

Namaste ~