Animal Communication – Maggots?

I recently had installed a wonderful dog fence in the back yard for Emmie and Teddy. I can now turn them out from the deck or the studio and not worry that Emmie will run through the neighbors’ yard chasing the-ever-ubiquitous-squirrels, with Trusty Teddy as close to her heels as his short legs will allow.

However, Teddy decided he needed to check out the front yard the other day, and scooted out when the door opened. I can only assume that he decided since he hadn’t been in the front yard for awhile, it was time to scope it out.

Teddy made his usual rounds, and then darted into the bushes. I called him, but he seriously ignored me. He had discovered a treasure.

I went over to see what it was, and Teddy was happily chewing a carcass of some sort, covered with maggots. I’m getting the heebie-jeebies even as I’m writing this.

I lost it – began screaming at him to ‘drop it’. He knew I meant business, because he immediately dropped it and came to me – licking his lips and smiling.

I was repulsed, so grossed out I couldn’t even dispose of the carcass. I hightailed it to the safety of my house.

I’ve written before that I find it difficult to be in the presence of worms. Same with maggots. Actually, it’s the same with most creepy-crawlies for me. (Snakes excepted.) So why am I creeped out by these creepy-crawlies?

Maggot Background

Maggot is the ordinary name of fly larval. Eggs are laid in decaying, moist material and the larval appear within 8 to 20 hours, and they use the material where the eggs were laid to feed upon and grow.

Many people have a prejudice to how maggots look and act: they have no legs and eat decaying matter. We often refer to them as ‘disgusting sights’. As I’ve been writing this, I’ve had to adjust the pictures on my computer screen so I don’t see the pictures of maggots.

Should you be interested, there is a site of maggot art.

Everyday Help from Maggots

In her book ‘The Voice of the Infinite in the Small’, Joanne Elizabeth Lauck writes about maggots:

• In some cultures, maggots are used as food
• Maggots break down and recycle carrion
• If not for maggots, our world would reek of the decaying, and we would not be able to enjoy such fragrant smells as flowers
• Forensic science uses maggots to pinpoint the time of death
• Historically, maggots have been used as healing tools, feeding on the dead and decaying tissues of people, including soldiers
• The substances they excrete has been found to accelerate healing, and even prevent the need for amputation
• They enrich the soil of a compost pile

Maggots are helpful creatures, doing their part to make our world cleaner and a better place for all. Why am I so repulsed by them? It’s time for me to see what repelling things these creatures are reflecting back to me that I am afraid to consider.

One of the messages maggots (insects) send is that of metamorphosis. Since I’m currently experiencing an abundance of changes, that is the place where I am going to start my self exploration.

• What in my life do I find repellent?
• Am I afraid of any of the occurring changes?
• Is it beneficial to clean up anything that is left of the ‘old’ me?
• Is there anything in my life that needs enriching?
• Am I eating correctly?
• What prejudices to I need to confront?

With these questions I will begin my self exploration journey. Maggot, I thank you for starting me on this journey, I ask for your patience while I learn to lessen the revulsion I feel for you, and I am grateful for any guidance you have for me.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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