BUTTERFLIES - The Dance of Joy

(From the book, Animal-Speak, by Ted Andrews)

 

Probably no animal or insect has come to represent the process of transformation and shapeshifting more than that of the butterfly.  For those with this totem, the process of metamorphosis should be studied closely.  With butterflies and moths there are always four distinct stages of change.  (The cocoon is only spun by the moth, and not by a true butterfly, for the chrysalis stage).

 

Swallowtail Butterflies Mating
(Pensacola, Florida)

When a butterfly shows up, make a note of the most important issue confronting you at the moment.  This probably why butterfly has shown up.  What stage of change are you at in regard to them?  To determine that, you may have to examine and determine what you wish the outcome to be, and how best to accomplish it.

 

The butterfly is a powerful symbol in myth and religion.  In early Christianity, it was a symbol of the soul.  In China, it was used as a symbol of conjugal bliss and joy.  In the Hopi tradition, unmarried girls of the butterfly clan wore their hair in the shape of butterfly wings.  In Indian lore are stories of how butterflies come when called by the children of the Nez Perce tribe.

 

To the Native Americans, the butterfly is a symbol of change, joy, and color.  The colors of the butterfly should be examined for its significance and to help you understand its role within your life.  Prior to a workshop on fairies and elves recently in Florida, I was performing a meditation at a nearby nature center in preparation for the workshop.  When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by approximately a dozen black and yellow butterflies (Zebra Heliconius).  There were even several on my lap.

 

This was very significant to me for several reasons.  First, there has long been an association in folklore of a relationship between those of the Faerie Realm and butterflies.  The black and yellow was even more significant.  In traditional angelology, these are the colors often associated with the archangel Auriel in her guise of overseeing the activities of the nature spirits.  It was a wonderful indication of the energy that would accompany me to my workshop.

 

Butterflies appear to dance as they light upon flowers and such.  They remind us not to take things quite so seriously within our lives.  They awaken a sense of lightness and joy.  They remind us that life is a dance, and dance, though powerful, is also a great pleasure.  Butterflies can be reminders to get up and move, you can dance.  Dance brings sweetness of life back.  This is further exemplified by the fact that butterflies actually have taste receptacles on their front legs.  They taste flowers by walking upon them.

 

Butterflies bring color and joy with them.  When butterflies come into your life, look at how much or how little joy is within your life.  Lighten up.  Look for change.  Don’t forget that all change is good.  Butterfly medicine reminds us to make changes when the opportunities present themselves.  Transformation is inevitable, but butterfly will help teach you that growth and change does not have to be traumatic.  It will teach you that it can occur as gently, as sweetly, and as joyfully as we wish.