Monarchs, Ancestors + Recognizing Signs

Even though time has been moving at lightning speed day-to-day, it feels like it’s been an incredibly long year. Summer took its time emerging where I live, but we’ve been hit with heatwaves for most of the season. “Coming in hot” seems to be the theme. It feels like that is what we have coming energetically. I’ve been connecting more with spirit from July into August, speaking my intentions and dreams out loud, and paying attention again. Continuing to lean into hope and trust is not easy with so many false starts and redirections, but alas, here we are again. It’s been a long wait, but it feels like we are going to have a lot happening in the coming weeks as we approach eclipse season!

One day, I was sending voice notes to Emily and right as I said that I was going to need to see some action and receive some clarity, a monarch butterfly came into my field of vision. And lingered. I knew it was a message. It lingered so long that I was able to capture it with my phone, and tune into its energy. There are times like this when I am aware that this is an energy I will be working with for awhile. The encounter happened a few weeks ago, and the messages below have been unfolding and showing up in different ways - conversations, media, content, flashes of monarch images in my peripheral vision. I think it’s actually been a few years since I’ve seen a monarch butterfly in the wild. As I was typing that, I realized that I’ve been in a bit of my own metamorphosis for the past couple of years. Though I’ve had some external changes, they have felt temporary and not quite tangible, like they’re not existing on the same plane.

I may share this on my main blog at some point, but you are seeing it first because I know it is for you too, and that the energy resonates with our session! The opal/pearl energy feels connected to this. Something needs to be broken open for you to be seen in your fullest most beautiful form.

Metamorphosis + Transformation

Transformation is a common association with butterflies because of their journey from caterpillar to butterfly. As much as we may resist the metaphor of being in the dark unknown of the cocoon stage, we have to accept our fate. It’s exciting but frightening knowing that we could be moments away from emerging as a new version of ourselves, and waking up to a totally different life. One thing that kept reoccurring as I thought about the monarch encounters I’ve had was that they are showing up after a long period of unknowns, disappointments, and fighting old patterns. I found myself considering going back to work that I left behind previously because I was becoming impatient and wanting something stable. However, I was met with glimpses of my new self as I rejected those thoughts and allowed myself to envision other possibilities that would be much more aligned with where my heart is guiding me.

The monarch butterfly is trying to tell us that we have to keep moving forward. I have been keeping that thought handy for any time I start to look behind me for options. I had the image of a child wearing wings as a costume, but realizing that these are not pretend. We’ve earned these ones with a lot of inner work and battles without witnesses.

Removing our wings is never the answer.

If it was anyone else, I would be heartbroken to see them lose their wings when their perfect breeze was seconds away. Once you’ve seen the new vision for where you’re headed, it feels impossible to go back. That is by design. Even if it comes in a few phases, it’s still momentum.

Chasing Dreams

I’ve been looking up different qualities and bits that come to mind about these butterflies as they come into my awareness. It takes several generations for monarchs to complete a full migration cycle. There are many who live their whole life cycle at different points of the journey, never reaching the final destination in Mexico. Even if they are born knowing of the journey, that isn’t their destiny. As humans, many people for a life that is not living their “wildest dreams” and they are incredibly happy. Witnessing families expand on familiar land is fulfilling, and that is a beautiful part of the human experience. For some people, that IS the dream. So in reality, anything can be your north star in this lifetime if it comes from your heart.

I’ve always felt like there was something big out there for me. I could see myself never having to worry about money, traveling on a whim. Though the what, where, when and how have never been clear, I have always been certain that I am the who in this hypothetical dream life. Some people, like myself, can’t ignore the subtle energy that continues building, leading us to bigger opportunities. We may stop to rest and evolve at different stages, but there always comes a time when a new version of life is ready for us. The cocoon starts forming. An awakening begins. We sense the frequency we tuned out long enough to build our strength. A strong gust of wind is awaiting our first flight. Without having the evidence first, we leap into the unknown when the timing feels right within!

Not everyone is meant to live a life from leap to leap, risking failure each time. While it may breathe life back into some people, others may find that too disruptive for the peace they wish to maintain. Both perspectives are necessary to balance the energy of the collective. If no one held stable roles in the community, there would be no consistent support. Yet if none of the monarch butterflies ever made it to Mexico where they overwinter, the whole species would cease to exist! We need a combination of evolution and sustainability, both as a collective and as individuals. The key is to trust that you’ll know you are meant to take action on, and what is meant for someone else to explore.

Ancestors + Generational Healing

Loved ones in Spirit know how to get our attention, and a monarch butterfly is sure to stop me in my tracks. One of the beautiful connections people have to monarchs in Mexico is their significance as a symbol of their loved ones in spirit returning for the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). Monarchs make their way there by the end of October or early November, and this holiday is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. Sometimes when a monarch butterfly appears, it is a sign that your ancestors are with you on your journey. You may have them as a sign already, or just feel a knowing when one crosses your path.

The message I was receiving when sitting with this aspect of monarch symbolism is that your ancestors know that you are breaking generational cycles and taking leaps that they wouldn’t have been able to attempt. They feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude, and want you to know that they see you. Especially when you’re in the cocoon. That is when they can lend you their strength the most. When it seems like you are alone and you are questioning if it’s worth the inner work, they are nudging you forward because they know what is on the horizon.

It takes generations for monarchs to complete their migration cycle, and it feels like the energy continues as wisdom and memory. All of the bravery, creativity, determination, resilience and love that has existed in your ancestors lives in you now, whether or not they were able to take all of the risks and opportunities to use theirs to their full potential. I have been feeling monarchs nudge me whenever I allow myself to dream bigger, or to imagine doing the scary things that have no predictable outcome. I feel that they want to be called in, along with your loved ones in spirit, to help you navigate this next leg of the journey.

Sacral Chakra + Being Seen

The monarch butterfly is the most well-known and recognizable species of butterflies. Its orange and black contrast is eye-catching and has a sacral energy. These beings carry a quiet confidence, fluttering and landing where it feels aligned, allowing their wings to be admired. Creativity and sensuality are showing up for you if this butterfly is resonating! Take advantage of a “glow-up” in your expression and put something out there that you would usually hesitate to share with the world. You have a magnetic pull that will extend to your

I have been seeing monarch butterflies in Leo season, and it came into my awareness that they were also representing Venus in Leo, which we will experience later this month. There’s something about the spotlight of Leo and the sun that makes me think that the Monarch has some of this energy. The word iconic is what comes forward when I think about this connection. Fashion. Charisma. Generosity. Extra. Passion out loud. Transformation with a big reveal. If you’ve been quietly moving through transformation and taking each small step forward, don’t be surprised if you have the opportunity to be seen, featured, or celebrated in the coming weeks!

Both the Leo lion and the monarch butterfly have a connection to royalty, and I can see you on a pedestal or throne, being seen for your full power and strong character. If you see yourself as a strong, courageous and resilient person overflowing with talent, people will perceive you this way. No matter what area of life you are attracting new people and opportunities, you are sure to be received with beauty and grace!

Recognizing Signs

Sometimes the message is so painfully obvious that we overlook it, and make it more complicated than it needs to be. I realized as I sat with spirit to ask if there was anything else I was meant to share in this article, I heard that sometimes the sign is the sign.

Sometimes the sign is the sign?

I had to repeat the phrase to myself.

Sometimes the sign is the sign. Just noticing it. Getting your attention in the first place.

Shaking you out of your mindset and bringing you back to the present. Reminding you that the signs are there if you are paying attention. If you’ve been asking for signs, but you’re always distracted, overanalyzing, and thinking about the past or the future, how will you receive them?