Comments on: Dragonflies and “Snake Doctors”

By: DenverD

DenverD — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:30:40 +0000

i grew up in West Memphis Arkansaw and we also called them “witch doctors”

By: John Sutch

John Sutch — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:49:34 +0000

I grew up in the Philadelphia, PA area and we called the big dragonflies “Witch Doctors”.

By: Anita Hargro

Anita Hargro — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:52:49 +0000

I live in the South and talking to my mom on the phone revealed I see a lot of dragonflies in my courtyard. She replied oh they are snake doctors that means there is a snake around. Well, it wasn’t a day later when a grey snake materialized. Ugh! I am most afraid of snakes.

By: Jill Olsen

Jill Olsen — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 04:01:04 +0000

Wow, something in the post just above my last caught my eye, so I had to quickly read it. And, of course, now I *must* re-post to reply to Tammie M. (and her July 5th, 2010 post). Tammy, I’m not sure what the Webmistress will say but, based on my limited understanding of Zuni legend (and my own experiences, similar to yours), I’d have to say that your Dragonfly may indeed have had some sort of message-delivery intentions…and, although I am NO gambler, I’d be willing to bet any communications would of course be from your dearly departed family members – and likely all were filled with love for you and word of blissful peace for them. Thank you for sharing your experience – and teach your children to be unafraid of cemeteries and take pride in tending loved ones’ graves. (I cherish my opportunity and privilege to do this very thing: and my daughter is only 2, but she loves to visit Gamma’s grave – seeing her kiss the photo on Mom’s headstone could bring the hardest heart to tears!)

By: Jill Olsen

Jill Olsen — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 03:44:33 +0000

Hello, Damselfly Comrades! I have just found your site and, while I plan to peruse it much more closely, my cursory look through the font page brings kudos to you! I wanted to mention that (as I learned while visiting New Mexico 7 years ago) the Hopi and Zuni people not only appreciate the Odonata but also (at least the Zuni) believe dragonflies are the messengers between our physical world and the spirit realm. (Both also are quite famous for their use of totems or fetish objects – so I quickly purchased an adorable stone fetish of my favorite winged critter…) Anyway, that ledged has stuck with me ever since – usually on a daily basis – and I have always found great comfort from the winged beauties, particularly when they appear at completely appropriate times (eg, as losing beloved family member and other such emotional/spiritual times). Just thought I’d quickly share this – and thank YOU for sharing your knowledge and love of ‘guldsmed’ (Danish word for our beloved insects). )