(Grapsus grapsus)
Crabs are invertebrates and are a very diverse group, ranging from sea lice and other copepod crustaceans to large crabs and lobsters. Most species live in the water, but some, such as isopods, live in terrestrial humid places. What all the crabs have in common is the fact that they are usually brightly colored and have a hard external skeleton, which is calcium-fortified. The carapace functions as branchial chamber and it never covers the abdomen. They have two eyes on short stalks at the front of their bodies and four antennae on their heads.
The grapsus species is bright red and lives amongst the rocks at the often turbulent, windy shore, just above the limit of the sea spray. They have claws, with which they can retain their prey and 6 legs for walking, swimming and digging. Crabs can walk or swim backwards. They feed on small animals and organic material in the water, keeping their habitats clean. They are, themselves, a source of food for many other animals. As they are caught by men, fully developed adult animals are almost no longer found.
Crabs in Mythology: In Greek mythology, the crab represents Hera, goddess of birth and marriage. It is said that the Milky Way grew from her chest. She sent the crab to help and protect Hydra, the multi-headed water snake. Heracles had to defeat Hydra by cutting all her heads. But first he had to defeat the crab. But each time that he cut one head, immediately two new ones grew back. Until he had the idea of using a firebrand to scorch the neck stumps after each decapitation. He buried the last immortal head of Hydra, which is a constellation in the sky next to the crab. The crab in the sky should also retain a nymph to Zeus, so that he could take advantage of her. In Norse mythology, the crab is related to the ISA Rune.
It represents ice, stillness and silence. It provides concentration and determination. At Midsummer celebrations (June 23, Cancer in the Zodiac) Celt people honored Aine as she symbolizes deep love and protects young and weak people. It is the party of the Red goddess, a woman in her best years. The goddess of the Moon and the Moon itself are also related to Cancer, the crab. They represent femininity, receptivity, shadow, rhythm of tides, intuition, dreams and the intangible. In the Kabbalah, the crab corresponds to Yesod, the ninth Sephirah, the Moon and the Archangel Gabriel. Here, it represents brilliant ideas, intelligence and clear imagination.
The crab in the interpretation of dreams: It represents the messages of personal or collective unconscious. It makes us to be careful and look inward before taking another step in our life.
Crab Essence helps us to focus internally and to develop self-confidence.
On the body level: It strengthens the skin, the endocrine system, nails and hair on the energy level. In the same way that the carapace encloses the animal and protects it, we are energetically protected by the skin.
Emotional: Those who are naturally fearful learn to observe their fears from another point of view and understand them better. There are certain fears that lead us to be careful and cautious, they also help us preserve our lives and our health, but there are many fears that we can release and that will help us develop confidence. Crab is as shy as all the other crustaceans. With it, we do not run away immediately, we learn to consider life circumstances, to observe, to think, to look inward and only then, based on reasoning, we make a decision. It is an animal that takes one step forward and then two steps backwards. It teaches us that sometimes withdrawal is better than defense and confrontation.
Just like the crab that lives protected in the breaker zone or, as it happens with some species that take refuge within their protective carapace, we discover the importance of our habitat. Our home should always be a place of calm and content, a safe place where we can take refuge. The crab teaches us the advantages of our home and its containment. But when the crab makes a decision, it cannot be stopped. It relies on its claws, with which it can release old patterns and ties, as well as on its carapace, which surrounds its body and protects it.
Spiritual: Its antennas connect us with this level, with issues such as mental perception, hunches and perception of subtle energies. They open to mysticism and religion, we learn to listen to God and trust in His protection.
