The butterfly on the cover of this Spavelous magazine and the monarch butterfly on the Spavelous website are symbolic of change and transformation in people’s lives.  The butterfly has been a reminder to me to stay present in my life, to be in the moment.  Many of my clients have learned to look for the butterfly in their life, to live life to the fullest, to appreciate each moment and express your gratitude freely.

The butterfly is great admired among American Indians and is a bringer of joy and peace. Cultures all over earth revere its delicate and colorful beauty. Most butterflies live very short lives, only a week or two, except for the Angle Wing and Monarch live about six months.  They experience stages of development from egg in the cocoon to caterpillar to adult butterfly.  

Butterfly Indian Legend

According to an American Indian Legend - If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first gently capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.  Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all.
 In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish.  So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted. 

Butterfly Facts and Fancies

• The short life span and beauty of the butterfly is symbolic of early spiritual growth.   Lessons of life will be shown during sometimes difficult formative years and come to light as the butterfly spirit begins to fly.  They hold the gift of transformation and soul evolution.    
• The butterfly is reminiscent of freedom and creativity. 
• Butterflies have a pair of large compound oval eyes made up of thousands of individual lenses.  They can see a single image clearly and are able to perceive ultraviolet wavelengths of light.  This suggests clairvoyant abilities for those that hold this totem.
• The antennae of the butterfly have small knobs on each end which is said to play a role in orientation.  When one antenna is missing the butterfly will fly in circles unable to find its way.  Those with this medicine need to stay consciously connected to spirit at all times in order to arrive at their desired destination. 
• Butterflies are not very organized, often return to the same flower many times before they realize it, and cannot remember relatives.  This trait shows us to be better prepared for life's challenges and relationships. 
• The butterfly represents the process of transformation and shape shifting.  When butterfly shows up, make note of the most important issues confronting you at the moment.  What state of change are you at in regard to them?
• Butterflies remind us not to take life so seriously. They feed on flowers that they help pollinate, thereby further spreading beauty. They represent the element of air, quickly changing and ever moving, so gracefully.  Butterflies are messengers of the moment. They come in a variety of colors. To understand the message that the butterfly holds for you a study of its colors can be helpful.
• Whenever an eco system is damaged, butterfly is usually the first to leave. They are especially sensitive to the harmony of earth. If butterfly comes to you in a hurt, trapped or ill way, you are being asked to stop disturbing the natural design of life and to flow with events in a gentler, natural way. 

  
As you move forward in your life, remember the butterfly, look for the butterfly moments of your life and be present in all you do.  Let each butterfly you see whether real, or fake, painted or carved lead you to the place you need to be.  If you are not a butterfly fancier, then choose the icon that has meaning to you.  When you see it you will know that you are where you need to be.