Butterflies are magical creatures, they float by us, so ethereal and fragile, appearing much like fairies dancing on the air. But these beautiful insects do more than pollinate flowers and look pretty; they can serve as light hearted spiritual messengers, both figuratively and literally.
Butterfly as a Spiritual Metaphor
When you consider the butterfly and its life cycle, it can have a lot of spiritual meaning. Starting as an egg, the butterfly hatches into a caterpillar. The next stage is hibernation and transformation, when the caterpillar becomes a cocoon, or pupa. Finally, at the dawn of spring, a magnificent butterfly will emerge, in all its winged glory.
The butterfly can serve as a spiritual metaphor for the soul’s journey; the metamorphosis of the butterfly representing spiritual transformation. We start out life as a simple soul, learning to function in the world. Much like the caterpillar, we crawl through life in our day to day activities, searching for a deeper meaning.
As we go on an inner journey to connect with our inner self, it is much like wrapping ourself in a cocoon. We study spiritual truths, meditate, and pray, turning our focus inwards. At some point, we will be ready to emerge, and show our true self to the world. Much like the butterfly, we will spread our wings and fly.
Butterflies have a short life span, living for only a week or two. (But some species, such the Monarch, can live up to six months.) This too serves as a remind us, that even though we live much longer than the butterfly, life is fleeting, and time moves quickly.
We often do not realize when the years just slip by, and butterflies can teach us to enjoy the present moment, and make the most of our time on earth. They also can remind us that death is just another form of transformation, when we will spread our angel wings, and fly into another dimension.
Butterflies as a Spiritual Messenger
It’s hard to ignore a butterfly’s presence, and angels often communicate with us through butterflies; when a butterfly appears, it could be your guardian angel sending you a message, so consider it an important one.
A departed loved one can also speak through a butterfly, and many people will see butterflies shortly after a loved one’s death.
In fact there’s an old Irish saying, “Butterflies are souls of the dead, waiting to pass through purgatory.” Some may see the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection, while others see it as the essence of the deceased’s soul. Either way, butterflies can serve as an important spiritual messenger, and it is up to you to decide the true meaning of the message.
Butterfly as a Power Animal
Power animals are highly prized in shamanic cultures, especially Native Americans. Each power animal has special qualities and strengths, that can teach us a better way to live. Butterfly as a power animal represents freedom, joy, change and creativity. The transformative power of butterfly is also symbolized as shape shifting and soul evolution.
When you see a butterfly in reality, or in your dreams, it could be a power animal message. Stop for a moment, and take a look at what’s going on in your life; is it time to make a change? Are you already undergoing a life transformation? If so, butterfly as a power animal will give you the strength to move on. Butterfly also reminds you to enjoy the creativity and freedom you have, and not to take life too seriously. A group of butterflies can indicate the same message, but more urgently.
The next time a butterfly crosses you path, take heed from this special, spiritual messenger. You are meant to receive a message of great importance.
