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Monarchs at the Ellwood Beach Butterfly Preserve[/caption]
Most people in Santa Barbara know of the Ellwood Beach Butterfly Preserve that is the home for thousands of butterflies from November until February. Every year we have an opportunity to observe them with great enthusiasm. This is a treasure, to see butterflies rise up toward a clearing in the blue gum eucalyptus grove, their wings vibrating with pure, innocent energy. Below, children giggle and shriek with delight at the Monarchs that cling to branches or spiral skyward and then float gently back down to just out of reach. I wish I could reach one; have it land on my finger and imbue me with that same divine light that emanates from their delicate form. It is the same light that emanates from all babies for which we have this same adoration.
I wonder if butterflies all hanging together, in the hundreds, love each other. They must at least resonate with a frequency that is peaceful and harmonious. And we, ensconced in our concrete towers and chock-a-block suburbs, gather in ever expanding community. We must love each other fiercely! How else could we abide the energy of so many human beings with such diverse agendas crammed together like barnacles on the hull of a ship?
The butterfly is not aware of the noise of those who peer at them with such rapture. Why do we stand, heads upturned, mouths agape, in wondrous adoration of the absolute freedom that these tiny orange and black angels have? In this world we seem destined to watch: the clock & be bound by time; computers & social media; streets; cellphones; children; current events occurring around the world… Unless you have the ability to stand back and view it ALL from the big picture, this may make you feel bleak.
A friend recently remarked to me that she was delighted NOW to be happy a lot of the time and for the first time, not to have any wants, “I’ve always wanted something—this feels so strange but so good.” Perhaps bleak is a word that will find its way into fewer and fewer conversations. Along with that some of the “dis” words—dismay, disheartened, disease, disagreement, disgrace, disaster, disbelief, disconnect.
May we all be heartened as we move forward with ease and grace, and the belief of our loving connectedness.
When I see a butterfly I want to be there with it—in the moment, experiencing resurrection into the light and freedom from material restrictions. The caterpillar is involved in the consumption of physical matter, the chrysalis transforms physical matter into new form and the butterfly transcends the physical plane. It happens as a part of a natural process. I believe that the same is true for human beings and that our transcendence too, is part of a natural process that happens without worry, concern or trying. Anything else is entertainment.
The Cards that describe our transcendent journey for February:
The Eight of Swords is a card that illustrates our tendency toward self-limitation created by thought or, that our freedom rests within our capacity to embrace the openness of not-knowing, long enough for something new to arrive.
The Ace of Cups is the emotional openness that happens when we are free of old thought patterns that hinge us to the past. Love flows from our hearts in a way that is an expression of all pervading spirit. This energy takes us to expanded dimensions of inter-relating and to more sensuous experiences of creativity.
Death, major arcana card XIII, is a solemn appearing card with many hints of gold that suggest the transformational process which Death represents. Also, life and riches are transitory whilst death brings the opportunity for resurrection into another state of being. Death is transformational experience that allows us to transcend the physical plane by releasing the attachments we have to our material existence.
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Frankincense essential oil: Frankincense has the ability to pacify itchy skin. Combined with grape seed oil, it stopped the spread of what I think was a minor outbreak of poison oak that I picked up from patting a friend’s dog. Lavender oil, which is given credit for many things, had little effect. When I applied the combination of these two oils to the area, it stopped the itch and the spread of the infection. It was a miracle! Also, for dry skin that happens around this time of year for some people it is a real gift!
May the lightness of your own truth carry you forward and may the beauty all around reflect to you, your own state of grace. As such we come together in love. Wishing you peace and joy!
