On my way to the mailbox, I glimpsed a fat, striped caterpillar from the corner of my eye. It was stretched out on a milkweed leaf. Without hesitation, I pinched off the leaf along with the fat cat. I brought it inside and put it and a long stalk of milkweed in a large, empty pickle jar. Fresh in my mind were headlines I’d read that morning: West Coast Monarch Butterflies Flutter Toward Extinction. The milkweed plants in my garden had hosted Monarch caterpillars in previous years. This year there were none, until I discovered this wildling.
Delighted with my new house guest, I watched it devour the milkweed stalk. I searched online and read everything I could find about caring for Monarch caterpillars and butterflies.
I was so happy to have it here! It was exciting and intriguing to have this cute and curious wildlife inside my home.
The morning after next, the jar was empty. Oh no! My little visitor had gone traveling. I knew that it was looking for a place to pupate. I looked madly to find it, wondering… where would I go if I was a caterpillar? I didn’t want to step or sit on it! Throughout the day, between appointments, I resumed my search. One of my priorities that afternoon was to create a curriculum for a class on intuition. I sat at my altar and meditated. Later, I returned to the empty jar with sadness and then hunted for the little critter and then went back to work. Grrrr…
Daylight faded to sunset and with a sigh, I crawled on the floor and searched under my desk, a chair… where was it?!
There… on my altar, over 11 feet away from the empty jar – it was hanging on one of my Tibetan bowls. (The Tibetan bowls are antiquities. They are made by hand, with prayer. They are offering bowls. When they are played, they offer prayers through the resonant vibrations. )
In the classic “J” shape, it was attached to the side of the bowl by a silk button. Oh my!
The next day, it pupated. I returned home to find a fresh green gem of a chrysalis. Astounded and amazed, I watched and waited. After 10 days, it began to darken as the butterfly matured.
Soon, the orange and black veined wings could be seen through the transparent skin of the chrysalis.
On day 11, the chrysalis cracked open. A healthy male Monarch butterfly emerged with fragile and wet wings.
I was enraptured as I watched his wings unfold and grow. I was fascinated as he extended two thin wisps from his mouth and “zipped” them together to form his proboscis (the straw-like tube used for sipping nectar).
As he gained strength, he began to climb. (I didn’t know that the smooth metal of a Tibetan bowl was not the optimal surface, despite his sharp tarsel claws.) He made it up to the rim where he continued to dry his wings.
Several hours later, I brought him on my finger to go outside. It was a bit breezy, but the sun was shining.
He clung to the salvia until he was ready. Then he took his first flight, up, up and away into the wild blue sky.
One caterpillar transformed into a butterfly which then led to another and of this writing I’ve released over 400 (8/26/2018 update: over 500. 10/14/2018 update: over 800). I’ve researched and studied about their lives. I’ve observed and listened as the butterflies have whispered their secrets to me.
Ubiquitous symbols of transformation, the reality of their lives is much more profound than we realize. The life cycle of a butterfly, from egg to winged creature, is a lifetime of constant metamorphosis and trusting in the unknown. Again and again, it must be patient with its vulnerability and trust its instincts. There is much we can learn from them.
There have been powerful experiences here when a client witnesses a caterpillar pupate or a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis during an astrological consultation or a tarot reading. Sometimes we release butterflies before or after our work together. Their beauty and the lightness of their flight is a precious experience for those who are in the depths of their own transformation.
“The reading from Jacqueline was a magical, transformative experience.” Tim T.
I have more experiences and stories to share from my role as a Butterfly Guardian. Stay in touch to learn more!
Copyright © 2018 Jacqueline Lasahn All rights reserved
Donna says
Ahh. Such a beautiful story. You’ve touched my heart. Thank you.
Jacqueline says
I’m happy you enjoyed reading my story, Donna! There will be more 🙂
Alice L says
I love this story and your photos are so beautiful! I’m inspired to be a monarch guardian too. I’m curious about whether you recommend starting them indoors or just cultivate the milkweed plants and hope they come? Thank you for Astroflash and your inspirations. 🙂
Jacqueline says
Thank you Alice! Definitely grow milkweed, it is their host plant, where the female Monarchs deposit their eggs. Caterpillars depend on milkweed as their food source, they eat it constantly until they are ready to pupate. The adult butterflies need flowering plants for nectar., too. I could easily talk about it for hours… 🙂 and Yes – start with Milkweed! There are many resources available online to study the raising of Monarchs. Keep me updated!
Cintha says
Awesome story. Beautiful butterflies and pictures!
Jacqueline says
Thank you, Cintha, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Hannah says
I love this story! How magical that it crawled to your altar!!!
When I was six, my first grade class in Sacramento raised and released Monarchs, as well…
Jacqueline says
Wonderful that you had that experience as a child, Hannah. In addition to their beauty, there are so many ways that their life cycles speak to us. That first Monarch came into my life in a magical way and they continually fascinate me! I’m happy that you love my story!
nancy says
Such a beautiful story – thank you so much for sharing it – the images are exquisite!!!
Jacqueline says
Awww… thank you Nancy!! xo
Bara Sapir says
I had a very similar experience to you – – a friend staying had gifted me, in Manhattan, a bouquet. The interesting thing was: enroute to a service at Union Theological Seminary, it turned into it’s cocoon, then i had a dream of being only able to see things through a translucence, and when i went to Visit my special guest, s/he was in it’s translucent state, then, The Dalai Lama was speaking in Central Park….i went to hear him, returned, and the butterfly had just hatched!! I opened my window to let him/her go…and she moved towards the wind, but then stopped and faced me for a good long time. I felt it’s presence in honoring me taking care of it’s safety over the time it was with me. I have no doubt that I had an inter-species relationship/experience with this amazing being. I’ve wanted to continue to welcome these blessings into my life…thanks for the reminder.
Jacqueline says
Wow Bara, that is a crazy story! Milkweed in a bouquet, with a caterpillar, no less. In Manhattan! Your whole story is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. May you continue to engage with the blessings and magic of the natural world.
Gerald Erickson says
I wonder what mysteries they whispered to you.
Jacqueline says
To be continued, Ger!
Karen Cooper says
Jacqueline, that’s an amazing butterfly story. I tried for 3 years to have Monarchs come to my garden in Grants Pass, Or. I had multiple milkweeds and many other species of plants that were host or food sources.
I had two Monarchs show last year. No cats visible, so I don’t believe they laid eggs.
I have now moved to Florence Or and will start over with a native plant garden and see who shows up.
Mary Elizabeth Young says
Wonderous story and picture. I am captivated! Thank you for sharing ❤
Jacqueline says
Thank you Karen! I hope you are successful in your new garden. Check with your neighbors to see who’s growing milkweed nearby. The more the merrier. I am next door to two gardens with milkweed. We’re flagging down the butterflies… Stop here and lay your eggs! Yes and nectar plants, too. Good to hear from you, Karen. Sending love!
Jacqueline says
Lovely to hear from you Mary Elizabeth, I’m happy you enjoyed my story. ❤ I need to do an update. It’s been well over 1000 that I’ve released. As of this writing, there are 19 butterflies waiting to stretch their wings and take flight, I’m waiting until the storms pass.
Annemarie says
Beautiful. just beautiful! I love your real-life story and your terrific writing. Thank you.
Jacqueline says
Happy to hear from you, Annemarie, I’m so glad you enjoy my story! There’s more… it’s an evolving adventure. I hope to post an update, soon.♥