Eventually I saw that the path of the heart requires a full gesture, a degree of abandon that can be terrifying. Only then is it possible to achieve a sparkling metamorphosis.
Carlos Castaneda
Metamorphosis
A tiny egg, left on a leaf, begins to split open. A worm-like thing, not much bigger than a piece of dirt crawls out and begins to eat. The little creature grows and sheds its skin, and grows again, and again and again, until one day it begins to feel a change in its body. Knowing instinctively that this change requires action, the creature finds a spot to spin a silk hammock to hang from. After the creature hangs itself here, its outer skin forms a soft shell that hardens into a firm case, almost mummy-like. This is a precarious time.
The creature is immobile and unable to protect itself from predators. Inside, its body is dissolving into liquid and reforming, gradually changing the function of nearly every cell. One day, the re-formed body inside is stronger than the outer shell- and moving restlessly, breaks the shell open.
Wings! Now it has wings! Beautiful, colorful wings. Blood pumps from its little heart to fill them with the strength they need to stretch out and fly - and to achieve this, all the little creature had to do was nearly die.
A monarch clinging to a Milkweed Flower (in the company of a bee) - milkweed is the only plant where monarchs can lay their eggs. I noticed this year that many of my neighbors let the milkweed grow in their gardens. Some even purposely planted it. I am sure that’s why I’ve seen more monarchs this year, and it’s another reason I love my neighbors.
Zebra longwing - this is a butterfly I saw in Florida, at Oleta River State Park, earlier this year.
Mexican Silverspots mirroring each other - Miami Beach.
A gathering of pearl crescent butterflies (and a bee) along the trail in Teton-Bridgerton National Forest
A swallowtail that stayed. I usually find them to be such frantic flyers, but this one was happy in my neighbors flowers.
Pretty little cabbage white butterfly on the marjoram blossoms in my front garden.
Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. Hans Christian Andersen
All of these photos, except the last one, were taken this year. I am always looking for butterflies when I see flowers and the weather is warm. I knew, but didn’t really understand, the stages of the life of a butterfly until I was researching it for this post. It made me think of moments in my life when I am fearful and uncertain about forces that are out of my control. What if I could see these things as a metamorphosis, making a me stronger version of myself?
If you want to know more about the transition from caterpillar to pupa (chrysalis) to butterfly, click here. From the perspective of a human, especially a claustrophobic one, the whole concept is terrifying.
Thank you so much for being here! I will see you next week!
P.S. I have some 8X10 prints of the last picture available, if you’re interested, and I can custom print any of the photos in my blog. Just email me by using this link: Rhoda Lewis.