This morning around 1am I was visited by a 5 inch moth.
I had been writing and ruminating, dreaming, worrying… I was thinking… what to do about a confronting situation? I thought I knew. But the answers were inside my head, inside of fears, predictable and out of reach.
And in what I believe was a somewhat synchronistic moment, he appeared.
My heart skipped when I saw him land on my window screen. He was so beautiful, brown, patterned and velvety with thick antennae.
He looked something like this:
This image from http://chickory.blogspot.com
I immediately looked up articles on Moth Wisdom in shamanic lore. Here is what I found from “Walking on Fire” a blog on Jewish Mysticism and all things essential What I had read seemed so much more logical then the blog’s mystical visual appearance.
What struck me in the article was this…
“The wings, bodies and legs of the moth are covered with numerous touch hairs that come off if it is handled. Because of this the moth is highly sensitive to touch. They can feel, smell, taste and determine temperatures with their feathery antennae. The tiny pegs upon them serve as receptors. This gives the moth the ability to perceive everything with clarity.”
And I thought… and thought… and thought. I tossed and turned through the night and although I don’t remember them, I’m sure I had some vivid dreams.
Today, I observed the meaning of my Moth’s visitation. It was, indeed, transformation. Some say the Moth is transformation from the feminine realm. Because it is nocturnal, it’s energy derives from shadows, embracing and bringing that message into the world with power vs. force. The unsung… The Butterfly, on the other hand, is transformation from the masculine perspective, because it is diurnal, it’s presence felt in daylight. And all is well and in balance.
But for me it was this…
The moth does not choose to get burned by the flame, but to fly toward light. Sometimes, depending on your frame of mind, the Moth’s story can have many alternate meanings. The meaning I create comes from my present state.
I observed what I felt thinking of the Moth, I got, love does not “work” it is an energy that has a life of its own. It… (and I say “it” without an ample pronoun to indicate its nature) has everything to do with who we are and how we choose to be open to its possibility, who are we willing to be to become a part of the space of love, what position we are willing to give up, so that our hearts may thrive…
And I saw how much I had been thinking it was a thing that I could put into a place in my mind. It was painful.
Love is a space to be in. It is so much more intricate than we are conditioned to understand. There are no limits to love’s power and beauty, knowledge and wisdom. Love is faceted, bursting, colorful, effervescient, powerful and ever evolving… A universe in and of itself.
And we are so privileged to have it’s wings.
Thank you for sharing!
Jill, your deeply lyrical reflection on the moth’s visit to you finds me in the middle of a restless night too. Thank you for directing me to a place of profound acceptance of the power of the shadowy night. A truly beautiful piece to ponder and learn from …
Jill, I have just discovered your blog and it is wonderful. It is reassuring to know that I am not alone in feeling a restlessness that is bound up in feelings of fear and uncertainty about the direction I am taking. It is no coincidence I’m sure that you’re front page has pictures of feathers…a sign for me to pay attention. The idea of being a moth moving towards the light resonates deeply and is comforting. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words, Susie!
Thank you, Teresa! So glad what I have written has inspired you. I write from my own personal trajectory.