Creative Sacred Living Magazine September 2014 | Page 56

Caterpillars, Butterflies, Moths and Sacred Transition

When we as seekers of sacred truths look at the patterns of Nature, old
memories are stirred; understanding comes at a gut level. Myself, a
seeker of Knowledge, Truth and Beauty or the Bohemian ideal, I have
found over long observation that the life cycles of Butterflies and Moths
can be very enlightening in terms of its ability to teach us that
transformation is part of the natural cycle of this living Earth and all of
its inhabitants, it is sacred as it allows us a glimpse in to the Great
Mystery. It may is helpful to think of the Human Fetus and its
transformation and subsequent emergence as a metaphor of the
transition of the Caterpillar into Moth or Butterfly. I attempt to show
these animals in a way that allows the viewer to see for themselves that
these things can be great teaching tools for both Adults and Children,
exposing them to the cycle of this Earth, its heartbeat and Beauty,
diversity and wonder. I suggest a trip to Milwaukee's Public Museum
world class Butterfly Habitat. Children often have great and irrational
fear of insects, wide open spaces and the elements, sadly often as result
of parental conditioning. Left alone, children usually exhibit no fear
among new stimuli especially nature and animals. Too many children
are divorced from this cycle unable to witness and judge for themselves
what I and many others included one John Muir have found knowledge,
deep wisdom and solace from. Please enjoy these images and encourage
your children to explore, feel, touch, taste and smell the Nature around
them, it creates magnificent neural pathways in the young brain.
Besides, Butterflies and Moths are just plain lovely to watch and see. In
this Photography feature, you will see a smattering of the diversity
found in Wisconsin, mainly it's State Natural Areas, State Wildlife
Production Areas, and it's bountiful State and National Parks.