Butterflies have always felt magical to me.
Their journey from beginning to end is full of purpose. I’ve been connected to butterflies, especially the monarch, for as long as I can remember. As a child, I could spend hours chasing them, studying their colorful wings, and trying to find two that looked exactly alike. Wanna hear a secret? I’m in my 50s now, and I still haven’t seen two butterflies that are exactly the same. That amazes me. It makes me believe they are meant to be one-of-a-kind, just like people.
My connection to monarch butterflies only grew stronger after my husband passed away. At his celebration of life, butterflies were released in his honor. What happened next amazed me. The butterflies didn’t just fly away—they landed on me and my children.
They stayed near us for weeks, around our home and even outside our windows. It felt like a message from my husband. Maybe he was reminding us that even though he wasn’t physically there, he was still with us in spirit. I can’t explain it fully, but I believe the universe, nature, and our energy are all connected.
And for me, butterflies have become a symbol of that connection. Whenever I see a monarch, I feel like it’s just him or another ancestor paying me a visit.
Besides being special to me personally, monarch butterflies are also important in the real world. They are pollinators, just like bees. That means they help plants grow by spreading pollen from flower to flower. Without butterflies, many of the foods we eat and flowers we enjoy wouldn’t survive. Monarchs are also a sign of a healthy environment. When their numbers go down, it’s a sign that something might be wrong with the planet. This is why many scientists and nature lovers pay close attention to them.
And here are some fun facts from The Nature Conservancy:
- Monarch butterflies can fly up to 3,000 miles during their migration. They travel from Canada and the United States all the way to Mexico for the winter. That’s a long journey for such a small creature!
- Also, while they may look fragile, monarchs are strong and determined. It takes four generations of monarchs to complete the full migration cycle. Each generation plays a part in keeping the journey going. That’s kind of beautiful when you think about it—like a family working together through time.
- In many cultures, butterflies are seen as sacred or spiritual. In ancient Greek beliefs, the butterfly represents the soul. The word for soul in Greek is “psyche,” which also means butterfly. In Mexico, monarch butterflies are believed to carry the spirits of loved ones who have passed away. This is why they arrive just in time for Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, a holiday that honors the dead. The people see the butterflies as a sign that their ancestors are visiting. In Native American traditions, butterflies are symbols of change, hope, and life. Some tribes believe if you whisper a wish to a butterfly and let it go, it will carry your wish to the spirit world.
All of this helps explain my fascination with the monarch butterfly. It’s not just its bright orange wings or graceful flight—it’s everything it represents. The monarch teaches us about transformation, from a tiny egg to a caterpillar to a chrysalis and finally into a butterfly. That change is powerful. It’s a reminder that even in times of loss or pain, there can be beauty and rebirth. I see that in my own life. I’ve felt that message through every butterfly that’s fluttered near me, especially when I needed it most.
So, the next time you see a monarch butterfly, take a moment to watch it. Notice its beauty, its strength, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll feel that connection too.
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