The butterfly is a potent symbol of transformation and rebirth. One only has to look at it's life-cycle to see the significance of this. Butterfly begins it's life as a caterpillar, and while in this stage, sheds it's skin often to accommodate it's growing size. The shedding of the skin is a powerful symbol of metamorphis - change on many different levels and transformation into something better and more fitting. After a period of weeks, the caterpillar spins a cocoon of silk from it's own body around itself and becomes a pupa. The time spent inside the cocoon is when the caterpillar transforms into the butterfly, then it frees itself and flies away.As you can see, there couldn't be a better description or symbol of change for the better than the life of the butterfly. The caterpillar prepares for it's journey of change by eating much of the plant it lives on, stocking up as it grows and grows, getting ready. Then, after it is inside it's cocoon, it rests as the changes take place, finally flying free as the beautiful winged creature we call the butterfly. For those with butterfly or caterpillar as their totem, there is much to be learned by studying this process and perhaps meditating on it. Where are you at in your life right now? Are you still a caterpillar, or are you beginning to emerge? Is this a time of preparation or rest?
Butterfly also represents joy and dance. She dances from flower to flower it seems, and teaches the lesson that life is a dance, intense, but also meant to be joyful and pleasurable. If butterfly has shown up in your life, ask yourself, "How could I bring more joy into my life?" or "At what stage of change am I and how can this information help me?" Butterfly spirit brings hope, she is the ultimate sign from angels/the universe/god/goddess, or whatever or whomever you believe in. She brings with her the message - Don't give up, you are changing and a beautiful rebirth awaits you just around the corner.
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin
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