Metamorphosis

-1I was walking near the woods in search of wild strawberries when my eyes lit upon a most unusual moth. Just hatched, its wings were one third the size of its abdomen. I reached down and it grabbed hold of my finger.

I watched in amazement as its abdomen pumped liquid into its wings, tripling them in size within an hour until they were longer than its body.

-2

I found out it was an imperial moth. I wondered if perhaps it could be my father’s spirit. He loved insects and had such an eye for beauty in the natural world. Was it an omen of transformation?

Metamorphosis is within our grasp in any moment. All we have to do is reach for it.

-3

 

What has metamorphosed in your world of late?

This entry was posted in Eileen's Armchair, Nature, Spirituality. Bookmark the permalink.

16 Responses to Metamorphosis

  1. Dan says:

    How lucky to see that. A beautiful reminder that this is the beginning of the rest of our lives…

  2. Roisin Casey says:

    great experience for you to be part of this..wish it me also.

  3. Steve Johnson says:

    Wow. That’s quite a lovely moth. Eileen. And the metamor-phor (sic) is spot-on. The sprits of those we’ve loved are often much closer than we imagine, if only we take the time to notice them.

  4. naef says:

    stunned by such beauty and wonder in the slowed tempo of discovery – thank you!!!

  5. Phyll says:

    Just returned from a week in Vermont. So many metamorphosis in flux. The world (especially mine) is galloping forward, sometimes quicker than our Human souls can ride. Yet, change is
    ever-present, constantly in motion, offering challenges and opportunities at every turn.

    Decisions, choices, change. They’re constantly with us. The familiar road or the road less travelled? Move or stay with the familiar? Leap or jump? Will the net of life catch me if I fall?
    Metamorphous has already begun. . .where will it end? Or, always in transit? Indeed!

  6. leonoras1 says:

    What a beautiful story. Thank you!

  7. joan says:

    Eileen . . . . In life, there is so much we will never know for sure. But to discover a male, more strikingly colored Imperial moth – recently emerged from its cocoon — and asking, perhaps believing, that it might be your father’s spirit? I would tend to agree. And yes, I do remember your photo of the almost larger-than-life praying mantis standing still beside your father’s front door on the day of your brother’s funeral there – when none had ever been seen before close by. I too remember believing that there may be a like significance of something of the returning of the spirit at that time.

    Just as we, in our own lives, have seen, on occasion, close friends – friends that we never dreamed could sprout wings, do. . . and become incredible, remarkable examples of what humans can do . . your own experiences make me continue to believe that – for those lucky ones – we may have been blessed to see the spirit of our loved ones.

    Eileen, once again I love this story —- and you, Joan

  8. Larry Jones says:

    The Nature of things… Everything is inextricably linked.

  9. Wanda Urbanska says:

    Thank you for observing and sharing this moving moment. I believe you have your father’s eye for observing the natural world and being transformed by what you see. I like to think that you and I are kindred spirits in this regard.

    My latest metamorphosis? It involves aiding my late mother’s departing spirit. My sister and I recently scattered her ashes off of Fire Island on Long Island (and then saved a few to place at the base of the monument to the signatories of the 1848 Declaration of Women’s Rights in Seneca Falls, NY.) A large wave came and soaked us just as we scattering on the shore; Jane and I felt that Mama got in the last lick!

    http://activepassivitiesandothermoronicoxen.blogspot.com/2017/06/scholar-goes-to-rest-with-margaret.html

    Eileen, may your father continue to flutter about. He will always be with you. My mother is more present now even than before.

  10. BJ says:

    Our dog Bob, died of SARDS. So, recently, a wild, brown bunny has adopted us. His eyes are identical to Bob’s, and he eats with gusto, just like Bob before SARDS. We now call the bunny Bob.

  11. Hi Eileen, Great photos of your amazing Imperial moth citing. Nature is beguiling in its sense of order and presence. Nature does not speak with words. So, I guess it can represent any imaginary
    object, spirit, of being/immortality that you might create. Certainly, you were “visited” and clung to
    with a purpose. I am reminded of two stories concerning “metamorphosis”, “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka and the other “The Durrells In Corfu”, a Masterpiece production. Nature runs through, as a theme. So glad you had a camera with you! Keep us up to date with your thoughts.
    Happy sunrises and sunsets…. Elaine

  12. Steve Kieselstein says:

    Beautiful story and lovely images. I will definitely never look at a moth the same way again. My favorite part was that it transformed from something that needed to hang on and nourish itself to something that was beautiful and could fly.

  13. Kimberly says:

    Dearest Eileen,
    I believe that often the signs our dear departed ones gift us with resonate deeply within our hearts. We don’t need anymore factual evidence other than the uplifting energy that connects us to these powerful bonds of love. Namaste. Much love always, Kimberly

  14. joyce ingalls says:

    Oh, how fortunate you are to have held this exquisite creature and what a beautiful memory you created, a memory you can visit time and time again. Reading about your serendipity made my day extra special. Thank you for sharing this stunning experience with all of us.

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