Tags: Butterflies | Insects | Nature

Butterfly Bits

In the course of my work, I answer a lot of questions and unfailingly, the answering causes my own awareness to peek out over the molehills of my own minutiae and crest to a higher view.

It has to do with the adage that goes something like “in service, you save yourself.” Well, something like that.

Anyway.

I got a question from Tracy: “I recently found a butterfly with only one wing and its body still attached to it. What does that mean?”

What does that mean? I think it’s a great question, with valid answers.

My advice to Tracy is to first identify what the meaning of butterfly is to her, and then go from there.

For example, if the symbolism of the butterfly speaks of transition, her butterfly bits might translate to mean something like:

• Transition interrupted
• Halfway through the changes
• Need more resources to complete the transition

If the meaning of the butterfly speaks to her of freedom, flight or migration (as butterflies do), we might intuit the mutilated butterfly to mean:

• Grounded. Travel is on hold.
• Delay. Regroup and reconnect your wings.
• Limitation. What’s holding you back?  What’s missing?

The 1/2 equipped butterfly talks to me of a change in flight pattern (linking the butterfly theme of transition and mobility together).

Of course, these are only my perspectives.  Tracy will have to mine the meanings for herself.  Something about this 1/2 winged butterfly body she found really spoke to her – and that, in itself, demands attention. 

When situations speak to us, no matter how small they seem, they are our clues into deeper knowing.  These are our signs.

Meaning of Butterflies in Dreams

Insect Totems

Nature Symbolism

Butterfly Symbolism

Chinese Butterfly Meaning

Celtic Butterfly Meaning

I’ve been asked about the symbolic meaning of the moth. 

 It took me a few days to really jive with this amazing creature, but once allowed access, I was given some incredible insights.  These (intense) thoughts can be seen here on my symbolic meaning of moth page. Here are some other observations:

Moths are nocturnal, and much of their symbolism deals with:

• Intuition
• Psychic perception
• Heightened awareness

Indeed, many people who are spiritual practitioners (particularly of an esoteric ilk) attract the moth as their animal totems. 

As if being a night-dweller weren’t enough, the moths are babes of the moon.  They follow the mother moon as a source of light, and this connects them with some powerful moon associations such as:

• Knowledge of the Otherworld
• Second sight
• Influence
• Prophesy
• Clarity

However, as I mentioned in my in-depth page on moth symbolism here, those of us who fly high with the moth must be mindful to not be too carried away by her influence.  Moon creatures such as moths ask us to have a firm foundation before lunar journeying. 

The moth expresses some tender vulnerabilities, which I’ve mentioned here. We may take this as a message to be open to our heightened spiritual experiences yet allow for adjustment and protection too.

Indeed, we find this theme of protection in the moth’s chrysalis.  Unlike her cousin, the butterfly (with whom the moth shares many symbolic attributes), the moth’s coccoon is like an internalized womb with a hard casing, allowing more protection against the elements.  (the butterfly has an externalized womb, more exposed and subjective to the environment).

This may be analogous of garnering protection for ourselves in our spiritual practices.  The moth reminds us to have a willing heart in our spiritual growth, but realize the heart is a treasure to be taken care of.  Part of this caretaking involves nurturing and protection during times of development.

I’ve written more about the moth’s message of balance, grounding and protection (particularly in terms of its attraction to light and flames) here.

As a dream symbol, the moth may be interpreted as a message to listen to our inner voice.  Dreaming of the moth may also indicate we are on the path to attracting love into our lives (see more about the moth and love symbolism here). 

Another dream animal aspect of the moth deals with influence.  Here, our dreaming mind may ask our waking mind what is it that rules our attention, or what are we allowing to overly influence us in our daily lives?
 
In superstition: A white moth is said to embody the soul of a loved one.  White being the symbolic color of purity of the soul, and the embodiment comes from an ancient idea that the night (realm of the moth) is a dwelling place for souls (in terms of the Underworld or Otherworld).

Another superstition connected to the moth is that when one is seen, an important letter or message will arrive (I have yet to find an origin for this one – if you know where this folk-myth came from, feel free to comment).

But don’t rely on superstition to receive an important message.  Take some time to connect with the moth…she may be a bit elusive at first, but she’s worth the persistence for the wisdom she imparts.

For more information on symbolic meaning of the moth click here.

Other insect totem information can be found here.

I’ve also written about other animal totems; a list can be found here.

As many of you may know by now, I get a lot of colorful questions asked of me about symbolic meanings as well as symbolic dream meanings.  

This recent question from one of my readers was a welcome change.  Often our first response to the subject of lice or parasites is “Eww! Yuck!” 

Not fair!  Parasites have symbolic meaning too!  In fact, while researching the meaning of lice and parasites in general, I found these little creatures  have many lessons to impart to us. 

My response to this reader’s question about what it means when we dream of lice and symbolic meaning of parasites follows:

Dear Bugged Out:

Lice, as you know, are parasitic creatures.  They require a host in order to exist.

When Lice come to our attention in our dreams, it can be an indication that our subconscious is trying to tell us to let go of some pesky people or ideals in our lives.

When we are being “sucked dry” by too many responsibilities, too many obligations, or torn in too many directions by well-meaning people, the Louse will come to our attention as a message to withdraw ourselves and resist being pulled into situations we do not wish for ourselves.

The fact that you were dreaming of Lice around your head and down the spine indicates that you may be dealing with some challenging thoughts (the head & spinal cord being symbolic of the nervous system & the origin of thought), that there are many choices before you – and all of them may be “bugging” you.  Perhaps it is difficult for you to find peace for all the thoughts and choices you are experiencing right now.

Nevertheless, you can take advantage of the Louse.  Observe the beauty in its symbiotic relationship with its host.  The Louse actually changes its DNA to accommodate that of its host – assuring a life-long relationship.  This is a lesson of flexibility, and a message that we can work with our challenges rather than fight against them.

This is a clear message that we can learn to live with our decisions – that we can indeed make the best of things.  Sometimes we need only to adapt in order to live in peace.

Furthermore, the Louse never takes more from its host than either can handle (for to do so would destroy its own livelihood).  This is a message that we can all learn from.  Sometimes when Lice are in our dreams it indicates that we are either asking too much from our loved ones, or they are asking too much of us.

One of my readers contacting me as she was having reoccuring dreams about a white widow spider. My response to her message follows here: 

Dear Web Weaver:

I trust you have read my Spider symbolism page: Spider Symbol Meanings Page

The widow is a beautiful symbol of honoring the feminine energy within each of us.  Nurturing, comfort, patience, and wisdom.

Further, the widow is a creature of the autumnal equinox…this season we are entering now…a symbol of harvest and preparation.

Often the widow comes when it is time to prepare our homes and hearts for new events in our lives…to get ready for a new turn in our life’s direction.

The widow also comes as a message of peace and patience.  When we may be anxious or edgy the widow reminds us that all things come into (our web) understanding in good time.  Simply continue about the business of preparation (spinning) and all good things will come.

This message of patience is also consistent with spiders being symbolic of the passage of time.  Many Native American tribes see each round within the spiders web as a certain span of time…as such, many tribes see the spider as the mother of time itself.

The color white is symbolic of purity, enlightenment, and clarity.  When white is associated with totems within our visions it is a sign of blessing…a confirmation that our intentions are true, and that we are pure of heart in our endeavors.

I have a brief summary of color meanings on my Tarot site. These meanings are not restricted to the Tarot….rather these meanings spiritually based symbolisms.  Here is the link:  Summary of Meanings of Colors Tarot & Otherwise  

Other resources:

Spider Tattoo Meanings 

Spider Symbolism (full article)