A Mouse in the House
Psychic humor
When I first started giving psychic readings fifteen years ago, I conducted house parties. I still offer these group sessions, but now, I give myself a home-field advantage by hosting them at my family’s office facility. It prevents unpredictable elements that often arise when working out of someone else’s space. One time, I was hired to give psychic readings out of the homeowner’s basement. It was a finished basement, which lured me into believing that pests and rodents wouldn’t be a problem. Turns out, I was wrong.
Halfway into the evening, a mouse darted from the corner of the room. My client shrieked. I shrieked. We instinctively lifted our feet like people who’d been dipping their toes in shark-infested waters. The mouse panicked and ran underneath my chair. There, it set up camp for the remainder of the evening.
My chair was a comfy one – a soft, oversized recliner. Yet, as I sat cross-legged, I couldn’t help but wonder if the mouse harbored ill intent. What was it doing below me? What was his game plan? Worst-case scenarios came to mind. I imagined the critter gnawing a hole through the underbelly of my cushion and sinking its sharp little teeth into my rump. Do mice carry rabies? Was there a whole nest of mice underneath me? Can they sense fear like dogs? Do they instinctively give chase when a predator runs away – like a cougar or bear? So many thoughts raced through my head.
Had this occurred under normal circumstances, I would have simply gotten up and relocated to another room. Mouse traps would be set up, the basement would be quarantined off like a crime scene, and I’d sleep well knowing that a rodent could not bite me in the ass.
However, I found myself in quite a predicament because this wasn’t my house. It wasn’t my basement. The chair did not belong to me. I’d been hired to perform a job… a job that suddenly seemed nearly impossible. After all, delivering psychic readings under the best of circumstances requires focus and concentration. How was a person to relax while sitting on a throne of rabid mice?
I considered altering the host of the party. But this presented me with two problems. Firstly, I did not want to offend her by stating her basement was a playground for vermin. Secondly, telling her would require me to get out of my chair… which, in my mind, would lead to being chased down and eaten by a clan of hungry rodents. So, I sat cross-legged for the remainder of the evening until I lost all feeling in my legs.
As for the psychic readings, they were well-received, and people seemed to enjoy them. But each person asked why I was sweating profusely and why I looked so nervous. It was quite the lesson in staying calm under pressure.
I’m surprised that similar situations haven’t been turned into a game show by now. You know, a psychic could appear on live TV and make predictions while holding a venomous snake. Other professions could get in on the act. A math savant could solve complex equations while a scorpion crawled around in his pants. Or, maybe a history teacher could answer Revolutionary War questions while a tarantula clung to her face. You know, wholesome American entertainment at its finest.
In hindsight, I wonder if I overreacted a bit. An itty bitty mouse probably doesn’t pose much of a threat to humans in most cases. Hell, some mice and rats even make for decent pets. They can be social, smart, and affectionate if raised by humans from birth. But hindsight grants us a perspective that we often lack when panicking.
Frequently asked question: Can animals and insects act as messengers for us?
Yes, absolutely. Crossing paths with a particular creature can have spiritual undertones. People often attribute significant meaning to certain animals. The interpretations are endless, and there are no cookie-cutter explanations. Some people view cardinals as a sign that a deceased loved one is paying a visit. For other people, blue jays carry this meaning. And for others, a hawk, dragonfly, butterfly, or ladybug is interpreted to mean good luck or a wink from the Universe.
Yes, our departed loved ones can nudge an animal to cross our path at a certain time. But generally, they only do this if we’ve already attributed spiritual significance to that animal. In other words, sometimes a cardinal is simply a cardinal. That is, until you’ve designated it as a creature of importance. If you have, then pay attention to the timing of when you see a cardinal (or blue jay or butterfly) because it might happen on a significant day – like the birthday or wedding anniversary of someone you’ve lost.
Again, there is no definitive guide to interpreting the meaning of various animals. It’s very individualized. A hawk sighting might be a reminder from the Universe that you must “fly high” and “rise above” any adversity. Crossing paths with a fox might be Spirit’s way of telling you to be cunning and crafty as you navigate your current situation. Much like dreams, animal sightings can be filled with symbolism. Most importantly, pay attention to the timing of your creature sighting. Few things happen by chance. You’ll tend to see “your” animals when you’re most in need of a spiritual pick-me-up.
As for mice? Well, I suppose they’re part of this conversation as well. All creatures, big and small, have their place in the world. But I don’t feel the mouse who ran under my chair was the bringer of any news that evening. Sometimes a mouse is just a mouse. And the underside of a chair makes for a good place to hide in a pinch. One must not get carried away with interpreting the meaning of critters.
One time, a client said to me, “I’ve been seeing spiders all over my house the past few weeks. Is someone in spirit trying to get my attention? What does it mean?”
I said, “It means that you have a spider infestation, and you need to call an exterminator.”
I’m not sure about you, but given the chance between having a mouse or a spider under my chair, I think I’d go with a mouse. You know… less beady eyes and fewer legs to worry about.
My sister Elizabeth once found herself in a similar predicament. She was crocheting in her recliner when suddenly, a giant wolf spider appeared on her armrest. In her panic, she jumped from her chair (as most people would in that situation.) To her horror, the spider fell through the crack separating the armrest from the seat cushion. Somewhere inside her chair was an eight-legged monstrosity intent on seeking revenge when she least suspected it.
She informed me what had happened and asked for my advice. I suggested the solution to her problem required only two things – a match and a can of gasoline. “Burn the house to the ground and walk away without glancing over your shoulder,” I suggested.
“Too dangerous,” said my sister.
“You could sell the house as-is and leave all your earthly possessions behind. I mean, what choice do you have? You’ll never be able to crochet in peace again with that spider lurking under your ass.”
“Eh, too dramatic,” she said. “How about I just flip the chair upside down and whack the spider with a rolled-up magazine?”
“Yeah,” I said, “good idea. But I’ll get a match and a can of gasoline just in case.”
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Cheers,
Andy