Why Monarch Butterflies?
Monarch butterflies have always fascinated me.
Drawn to their diaphanous wings, the way they flit from flower to flower for nourishment, and how brightly they stand out against green foliage, what inspires me most is their transformation from a simple caterpillar to a magnificent, winged beauty. Butterflies represent change, hope, and positivity. An orange monarch signifies a new dawn of healing and heart transformation.
A monarch’s life from caterpillar to its migrational journey is a metaphor for our own spiritual journeys. They follow a path into the unknown, trusting the outcome. They remind us to have faith and follow our instincts as we navigate through life.
White monarch butterflies are very rare, and their survival rates are low. Yellow monarch butterflies are early-stage migrators and show that small actions can lead to big results. Later in the migration, dark orange and reddish monarch butterflies appear. They are the ones who complete the journey.
Monarchs are seen as positive symbols in many cultures and religions. They represent strength, endurance, spirituality, trusting in yourself, trusting in the universe, curiosity, traveling into the unknown, and feeling a sense of growth in all you do. They symbolize the concept of turning inward and growing as a person, creating your own cocoon, and emerging transformed.
Butterflies remind us to be:
- Open to change.
- Willing to be transformed.
- Patient. All good things come with time.
- Light and free. Have fun.
- Spontaneous. Let go of control.
- In the moment. Look around. Find the beauty.
- Grateful.
My journey of transformation from defeated mom to badass warrior mirrors that of the monarch butterfly. By understanding the stages of metamorphosis, it was easier for me to accept the changes I was experiencing as I diligently worked my way through the stages of grief, heartache, and finally started to rebuild my life. While there were many times I wanted to give up, I’m glad I didn’t.
Today I feel light, free, and have a strength I never realized I possessed. I’ve emerged to lead a life filled with balance, purpose, and joy despite my son’s debilitating mental illness. My life is good and yours can be too, if you’re willing to begin your own journey of transformation. Anytime you falter remember you are so much stronger than the monarch butterfly and look what they can accomplish.
In sisterhood,
Linda Hoff, Author
Sisters in the Storm