Part of the Sky Above Earth Below Oracle Deck I created in 2014. Mixed Media

Butterfly (Harmony, Metamorphosis)
Butterfly emerges from its cocoon. The power of butterfly to so wholly transform made its use as a symbol for metamorphosis almost inevitable. Butterflies most commonly lay their eggs on plants. Butterfly eggs have a thick outer shell and is lined with a waxy coating to prevent it from drying out. The larval stage is called a caterpillar and they are voracious eaters; consuming plant matter almost indiscriminately. With the unique ability to sequester any poisonous substances it eats caterpillars are often poisonous or unpalatable prey; displaying warning colouration to stop predation. The cocoon stage is the pupa stage, where caterpillars become butterflies through a series of extreme changes. Butterfly is the final adult stage. They can live in this stage from one week to a year. Most species have longer lives as larvae, or stay dormant in egg or pupa stage to withstand weather changes. Many butterflies migrate; most well known is the monarch. All species of migrating butterflies use the position of the sun to orient themselves on their journey. Butterflies have taste sensors on their feet so everywhere it 'steps' it tastes. Most butterflies subsist only on nectar but some species also eat fruit, tree sap, and even carrion.

The beauty of butterfly makes its use in jewelry and art wide spread. It is likely that stories of fairy folk, particularly colourful wings, were inspired by butterfly. In many cultures butterfly was seen as the personification of a person's soul. Because of their emergence from cocoons butterflies are also linked to ideas of birth, and rebirth. Native American, Celtic, European, and Asian culture varies slightly, but almost all cultures saw butterfly as a symbol of good luck; and of course, of metamorphosis. The expression 'butterflies in the stomach' is attributed to feeling nervous; indicative of the haphazard way that butterflies seem to frolic. Butterflies generally live in harmony with nature, although it's appetite for vegetation, especially as a caterpillar, can be seen as pest-like by humans. All of a butterfly's development can be seen as a message. The egg stage is the beginning of the cycle, where all things may be possible. The larval stage, or caterpillar stage, is when the idea or concept is born into the world; the idea that it exists as a more physical thing, rather than just a thought. The cocoon stage is all about going within to develop the idea, to change or grow it. The final stage is emergence, being birthed from the chrysalis into the world. This cycle can be applied to ideas, creative endeavours, or even to personal growth. Because butterflies 'step' to taste, this can act as a reminder to look before you leap, or to take small steps first to test out a situation. The vibrant colours of a butterfly's wings linked it to traits of harmony, joy, and dance (a dance in the air).

When butterfly emerges in your cards it may be time to transform something in your life. What stage of development are you at (in an idea, in your career, in your personal growth)? Is it time to emerge from your cocoon? When did you last dance? Butterfly is a creature of air, and because of its delicate nature often represents more ephemeral concepts, like ideas and emotions, rather than large physical ideas. The sun card may also be helpful.

Astrology- (Celtic Sept 30- Oct 27) This Celtic sign is linked to the tree calendar as Ivy, the sign of The Survivor. These social butterflies are always flitting from place to place. Butterflies can't be held down for long. The gentle nature of Butterfly makes them strangely charismatic. Butterflies are dreamers, and can spend too much time with their heads in the clouds. Brightening up the world around them this sign brings a sense of wonder to everything. This sign is always reminding others how colourful things can be.

Stars and Constellations
Dance of Joy, Colours of Creation, Allow Enchantment, Flit and Fan, Sense of Wonder