The Lobster has been calling me for an entire month and popping up at every turn for me that I feel compelled to explore and share the symbolism.
I received this beautiful deck (from a kickstarter/preorder) on August 1, 2020 and the first card that I pulled from this deck was Lobster. Since then, I have pulled a weekly card for myself and each time it has been Lobster; and then of course were the Facebook & Timehop memories that popped up in my feeds this week from my Lobster extravaganza in Salem Massachusetts four years ago, but that is another story for another time; oh wait, I already wrote that story. Back to the Lobster Animal Totem Spirit. It feels like my Mother has been showing her presence here as she plays a part in the Lobster Spirit and I keep receiving Signs from her. My Mother and I used to joke about the sitcom “Friends” episode when Phoebe tells Ross that Rachel is his Lobster. The exact quote is “She’s your lobster. Come on, you guys. It’s a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life. You know what, you can actually see old lobster couples, walking around their tank, you know, holding claws.” My Mother and I both wished and dreamed for the day that I would find my Lobster. I am also reminded how my Mother used to say “The Lobster Always Wins”, then she would question her statement and say “Or is it The Lobster Never Wins?” Either way, I am hoping all of these Lobster Signs means that my Lobster is on his way!?!?!?!?!
OK -enough of my crazy Lobster stories – So, what does the Lobster mean for all of us? Has Lobster been showing up for you as well? Whether it is in our waking or dreaming states, maybe you have been craving Lobster or been taking a beach vacation where Lobsters are everywhere; in photos, drawings and on your restaurant plate. You know I always pay attention when I see repeating themes, especially repeating animal totems. Why? Because when you persistently see a particular animal totem, there is definitely a message for you. Even a one time chance encounter could have a message in it for you, me, us and that I why I always pay attention to the animals that cross my path.
For me, I see the Lobster as a potential new love interest is about to show up. Traditionally, we look at the color of the animal and what it’s physical characteristics are. Even though Lobster only turn red after being cooked, most people associate the color red with the Lobster. Red is action, anger, aggression, creative, safety and security. Red is also love and embarrassment, heat and stop. Now, we look at the body. He/she is cover with a very hard exterior. That to me symbolizes protection for the soft innards. Coming from the water (the emotions) and the depths of the Ocean, the Lobster symbol would be protection of the human emotion. Someone who puts up walls or a shield to protect one’s self from emotional harm. That same shell is the Lobster’s home, so to speak and the Lobster often outgrows his or her shell and must shed that shell in order to grow. The process of Ecdysis is when the Lobster must molt or shed the shell as the hard and inelastic exoskeleton no longer serves the crustacean and he or she can no longer thrive in that home environment. There is a really good lesson here for us; as we too, as humans, cannot remain the same. WE continuously grow and must shed that which no longer serves us. So maybe this Lobster that keeps showing up is telling me that it is time for me to move on from my current situations and relations and shed that which is no longer serving? We are letting go of the past in exchange for a new beginning. This is also an indication that a new belief system may be needed as we head into new territories of the unknown.
The Claws – used to feed and defend itself. Are we being defensive in our interactions with others? How are we nourishing ourselves? So many arms and legs; are we juggling too many things at once, too many projects and tasks at hand? Too many irons in the fire? These claws and legs can be discarded and used as decoys to trick a predator and then re-grown or regenerated into brand new claws and legs. This regenerative quality remind us that we are all resilient and have the ability to start over again at any point in time in our lives. These same claws allows The Lobster to hold onto its prey or it convictions, if you will. Sometimes we hold on to people, places and things far longer than is necessary or healthy. We can just let go and detach and let those useless “things” just float away.
Another body part would be the antenna or sensors that just above the eyes. They help The Lobster feel its way around the depths of the Ocean floor, in the darkness as it probably cannot see that well. So there is something that we too could be feeling our way around because we cannot fully see the whole picture?
By the way – Lobsters do not mate for life, unlike the claims of Phoebe Buffay from “Friends“. No, the male Lobster has a harem of females and spends roughly two weeks with one female before moving on to the next. Oh, the life of the Lobster-man.
The salty ocean water in which the Lobster lives plays as one of the key symbols of this Totem. Water is our deep emotions, but the Ocean and the Salt have the ability to heal and cleanse. Water is also a symbol of great pressure and The Lobster could symbolize the pressure you are under or the pressure you are keeping yourself in.
The Lobster also appears in The Moon Tarot Card, number 18, at the depths of what is hidden from plain sight. Protected by the power of The Moon, symbol of the Old World Cancer Zodiac Sign, the emotions, defensive, regenerative, transformation, secrets and tenacity. Scary monsters crawling around the subconscious mind. Problems that appear invisible are of the subconscious mind and our dream state. With its deep connection to this card, the lunar cycles should be honored and paid attention to. This could also symbolize psychic abilities and contact with the Other Side.
Lobsters are scavengers of the deep. Searching for tiny morsels in which to nourish itself with. We too could be seeking out something in our own lives that could bring joy and soul nourishment. Do not settle for scraps or leftovers and take more time to seek out juicier morsels.
Call on The Lobster when:
- You are burying and resisting emotions that are buried deep within
- You may be resisting change and need to grow
- You need to shed the past, but are unsure of how to
- You need to let go of outworn people, places, things
- You need more clarity and light shed on a situation
- You are feeling the need to transform
- You are desiring to increase your psychic ability
- You know that you are putting up walls of protection and being defensive
- You need to be stronger
- You are ready to move on
- You are looking for Your Lobster
- You need to get in touch with your emotions
- When there is a Full Moon
- You are looking for more joyful juicy morsels to bring into your life