Life in Symbols: The Whale
And how synchronicities are invitations for self-reflection
I learned long ago that when the world shows me synchronicities, I should pay attention. As psychic medium Tyler Henry tells it, synchronicities are life’s “meaningful coincidences.” Often, these coincidences provide opportunity for greater reflection and insight.
In my work as a mental health professional, I often find myself straddling the psychological and the spiritual. This is one of the reasons why Jung’s work resonates with me so deeply. He was a keen observer of the human mind, but as he evolved and aged, he also came to appreciate the more spiritual aspects of the human experience, even if it lost him some credibility in the scholarly community. I’m a firm believer that both the psychological and spiritual can coexist, and for me, they often do.
Recently, I was watching old episodes of The Great Pottery Throw Down. Until The Great British Baking Show returns to the U.S. in the fall, this will be one of my comfort shows. As a sensitive person at heart, shows that have these sort of cozy, easy-to-watch vibes are right up my alley, especially given how dramatic and chaotic the world currently is. I also sincerely appreciate how competition doesn’t have to be violent and blood-thirsty. At times, it can even be collaborative. This is the kind of energy I like around me.
While watching an episode I noticed one of the contestants seemed to have a particular affinity for whales. I didn’t think much of it at the time, until about a day or two later, I came across some artwork online that just so happened to feature whales…and then a news report on a new operatic production called Moby Dick. I got to thinking…is this some sort of synchronicity, a meaningful coincidence, that I need to explore for myself?
This lead me to think more about the symbolism of whales.
The tale of Moby Dick is probably our most famous reference to whales in our culture. That’s certainly true for me, as I can’t recall the last time I had even the most fleeting of thoughts about them. In the story, Captain Ahab’s obsession with this mysterious whale ultimately causes his destruction. It’s a reflection on the perils of the human mind, as well as the strength and mysticism associated with nature.
That got me to thinking more about other symbolism that might be associated with whales and whale sightings. A cursory internet search led me to similar notions as those found in Moby Dick; it’s about the strength and vastness of nature as well as the ever-illusive search for something that seems too rare to meaningfully grasp. And yet, whale watching is big business; it generates billions in the United States alone annually.
What is it with us and whales?
I started to look at what the mystics might have to say about the symbolism of whales. Some of the research led me to believe that whales are often thought to embody immense strength, solitude, and wisdom. Furthermore, given their natural habitat in the vastness of the world’s oceans, whales may also symbolize the need for us to delve deeper into the depths of our emotional selves (which is often symbolized by the sea). Given this explanation, it stands to reason that whales might be inviting exploration into the personal shadow, and the hidden bits of unconscious material that lurk beneath our protected surfaces.
Other explanations of the symbolism consider whales to be “cosmic beings” and “custodians of the sea.” It seems that, throughout history and culture, whales have held spiritual meanings as big as their gargantuan bodies.
Maybe this post is part of your synchronicity too. Could this perhaps be the invitation for you to examine the depths of your emotions and some hidden obsessions that might be occupying your spirit?
Take a deeper look.